28 DECEMBER 1907, Page 3

On the same day on which this settlement 'was arrived

at Mr. Gwynn and Mr. Kettle, speaking at Abbeyleix, strongly deprecated any concessions to Mr. William O'Brien, an attitude which it is believed is shared by Mr. Dillon and a strong section of the party. We note that Mr. Kettle thought that the Government should " get a chance " and that cattle-driving should be stopped if Mr. Birrell would give them a definite guarantee that he would introduce a compulsory Land Bill in the coming Session. Mr. Gwynn observed that until recently he had recommended men to drive cattle, but he now believed that Mr. Birrell was a man whom the people could trust. He therefore no longer advised cattle-driving in connexion with the grazing system, but where it was a question of the evicted tenants be urged the people to push the agitation home. He believed that they would also serve themselves better by laying the hazel by until after Christmas, and perhaps for a few months beyond that ; but they ought not to burn the hazel stick. In this context we are glad to note the vigorous protest made by an Irish lady in a recent issue of the Times against the cruelty to animals involved in cattle-driving.