A great meeting of Liberal Unionist delegates from Devon and
Cornwall was held at Plymouth on Wednesday, and was addressed by Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Courtney. The latter, who spoke first, after defending the proposition that the improved condition of Ireland, though due in part to rising prices and better harvests, was mainly due to the action of the law, maintained that Local Self-government should be granted at once, and granted before any final settlement of the Land Question. The concession was necessary to establish equality between Ireland and Britain, and could not be abused if suffi- cient powers were retained for suspending the Local Boards. As to the creation of a peasant-proprietary, Mr. Courtney conceded at once the necessity of action by the State ; but he would act with caution, lest another fall in prices should render the method of redemption by annuity onerous to the tenant. Indeed, he would not make the tenants proprietors of the fee-simple, but would compel them to borrow two-thirds of the value from Land Banks, and pay the interest on that mortgage. We have combated this view elsewhere, as one which, though sound in itself, does not meet the special case of Ireland ; but we would here ask Mr. Courtney if he thinks that such Land Banks could be established without State help. Who, unless possessed of irresistible force, is going to trust Irish tenants ? If, then, the State is to find the money, why should it,not.do so directly ?
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