We have given our opinion of the proposal elsewhere. It
is entirely favourable to the principle and to most details; but the intervention of the Local Board might-prove both cumbrous and ineffectual. Local Boards in Ireland are full of class bitterness, and often most unwilling to protect the Treasury at the cost of an unpopularity which involves the risk of rifle shots. Mr. Parnell in his few remarks showed that he thought this the un- popular part of the Bill ; and it may be questioned whether it will be of much use. It must be remembered, moreover, that the State only needs a guarantee for ten years. After:that, so much will have been paid that the risk of forfeiture of the partial freehold will be a sufficient deterrent from wilful default. The partially released land will be like an insurance long paid up, and as saleable as that is. Experience, Mr. Trevelyan said, showed that the Irish peasantry, once clear that the freehold was procurable, were punctual in paying] instalments. Of course, as against Parliamentary remissions or extensions of the term, there can be no security except the good-sense of Parlia- ment itself.
