IRELAND AND REDISTRIBUTION.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—As one who, like Mr. • Moreton Frewen (only perhaps more so), resides and belongs to a part of Ireland outside of Ulster, I feel compelled to differ absolutely with the con- clusions he has arrived at. It is most unaccountable to me bow those who advocate some sort of Home Rule, and I include Mr. Frewen amongst them—a measure which of necessity would tear the Act of Union into shreds—yet hold up their hands in pious horror if any one such as Major Morrison Bell advocates a scheme for the much-needed redistribution of seats in Ireland. Major Morrison Bell's scheme seems to me so manifestly fair that it has only to be understood to be adopted. Mr. Moreton Frewen seems to anticipate that indignation would seethe in Ireland if this proposal be made. I conceive, on the other hand, that there would be a sigh of relief, and, except during a short time, when an orgy of simulated political indignation would be worked up (just as will happen when the Home Rule Bill fails to become law), no one, except he be a political agitator, would regret for a moment the carrying of the redistribution scheme. Does Mr. Frewen contend that if Ireland's popula- tion fell to one million she should still have 103 members P- I am, Sir, &c., J. MACKGRILSON. Brooks's, St. James's Street.
• P.S.—Sect. 7, Article iv., of the Act of Union reads as follows, viz. :—" Subject to such particular regulations in respect of Ireland as from local circumstances the Parlia- ment of the United Kingdom may from time to time deem expedient." Surely this would permit the redistribution of seats.
Previous page
