LIBERAL 17NIONIST POLICY IN IRELAND. [To THE EDITOR OF THE
"SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In reviewing Mr. Pellew's instructive book, "Talks in Ireland in 1887," you very pertinently remark that the solution evidently desired by that singularly impartial observer is, in fact, the plan of all Liberal Unionists, and, indeed, of all Unionists, viz. :—(1), a system of local government analogous to Mr. Ritchie's Act ; (2), a system of Private-Bill legislation ; and (3), the employment of Government energy and capital in the development of Irish resources by public works.
May I remind your readers that while the two former planks of this platform are still quite in the rough, the third and last has been put into shape by the Royal Commission on Irish Public Works, which presented its first Report two years, and its second and fmal Report one year, ago ? Mr. Balfour applied himself last Session with energy and courage to legislate on the first Report—arterial drainage—for which he deserves the thanks of all Unionists who do not believe in coercion as a panacea. But Unionists, and particularly Liberal Unionists, should remember that a special responsibility rests upon each and all of them to encourage and even urge the Government not to let the obstructive tactics of the Opposi- tion prevent them from showing the people of Ireland what benefits they have to offer. In these democratic days, the motive-power must come from below. No Government can now move without steam being generated for them by external heat ; their function is to direct and econo- mise the force. If so, their course is plain ; and if every Liberal Unionist elector would press on his representative in season and out of season not to let this matter rest, and every Liberal Unionist meeting would embody this policy in resolu- tions, a long step would be gained. The Government has shown its readiness. It is for the public now to do their part. —I am, Sir, &c.,
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