LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
DISTRESS IN IRELAND.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTI.TOR.".1
see that Mr. Balfour has recently expressed his belief that the Local Government Board would be able to cope with any distress possible or probable during the present recess. Having paid some attention in the past to the working of the Poor-Law in Ireland, I cannot help thinking that Mr. Balfour must have forgotten the differences between the powers entrusted to the two respective Boards in England and Ireland. Were he speaking of England, his assurances would be perfectly valid.
The history of the cotton famine of 1860-61, shows how admirably the distress then existing was met by means of the Poor-Law,—(1), by employment on a large scale ; (2), by a rate in aid ; (3), when the rates were exhausted, by an appeal to public charity. Turning now to the Irish Board, let us see what it can do. Absolutely nothing beyond calling on Boards of Guardians, as it did in 1879-80, to provide bedding, &c., for a possible increase of the numbers in the workhouses. Its powers are strictly defined by statute, and it has no power to dispense with the house test, to give employment, to make a rate in aid.
When Parliament assembled in February, 1880, certain powers were given to Boards of Guardians as to giving em- ployment; but meanwhile the distress had assumed alarming proportions. Public charity had been appealed to, and was allowed in many unions to supersede the work of the Poor-Law instead of aiding it. I could name unions where, a large pro- portion of the inhabitants being in receipt of charity, the rates never exceeded is. 6d. in the pound. The dispensing powers granted in 1880 were allowed to expire in 1883; and when I moved "That, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that the Local Government Board in Ireland should have the same powers with regard to exceptional distress as enjoyed by the Board in England and Scotland," I was defeated by a large majority. There is yet time for Govern- ment to act by empowering the Local Government Board to take the same measures, or similar ones, to those taken in 1860-61, and trusting to Parliament for indemnity.
If nothing be done, I repeat—both Guardians and Boards are absolutely powerless at present—we shall have a repetition of 1879-80,—i e., large sums subscribed by public charity, and widespread demoralisation.—I am, Sir, &e.,
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