15 JANUARY 1881, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE week has been full of rumours about the coming Irish Land Bills. An impression has prevailed that they will ice weak, and deputations of Radical Members and Liberal Irish Members have been arranged, to assure Mr. Gladstone that without fixity the disorder in Ireland will not be allayed. The -deputations were to have gone together, but the Irishmen pre- ferred separate action, and the Premier received them on Wed- nesday. They stated their case, it is said, very forcibly, and a long conversation occurred, chiefly upon the advantages of fixity. Mr. Gladstone refused to reveal the plans of the Cabinet, but stated very strongly that he should bring in no Bill which he did not believe to be adequate ; that the Queen's Speech only promised measures, without indicating them, and that he had only referred to the " lines " of the Act of 1870, because he felt that that Act needed modifica- tion. Since this interview, an impression has grown up that the Land Bills will be much more effectual in substance than ' sweeping " in form. That will suit the English and Scotch, but, 'unfortunately, we have also to suit the Irish.