29 JUNE 1907, Page 16

The state of Ireland was discussed in the Lords on

Monday on the Motion of Lord Arran, who asked the Government whether, in view of the statement of the Chief Secretary that he expected owners of property in Ireland "to take the ordinary steps to secure their property," they would define those steps. Lord Denman in reply justified Mr. Diners observations as substantially identical with the Report of the Inspector-General of Police that when cattle-raids were threatened the graziers had rendered no assistance to the police or had actually hampered their action. The Lord Chancellor dwelt on the limited extent of the disturbed districts, and, without minimising the seriousness of cattle. drives, pointed out that there had been no mutilation of cattle. He thought that a certain amount of moral courage, firmness, and self-reliance might fairly be expected from those who were owners of property, though he admitted that they were entitled to the protection and assistance of the police. It would be a great misfortune if any debates in that House led the public here or in Ireland to think that there was any sympathy with lawlessness on the put of the Government.