In the wilderness of speeches, we must not forget the
im- portant announcement made by the new Irish Secretary, Mr. 'Gerald Balfour. Speaking at Leeds on Friday, July 5th, he explained the policy of the Irish Government in regard to the Irish Land question, and showed that the Cabinet has wisely adopted the Liberal, but yet in their essence moderate, proposals of Mr. T. W. Russell. If the new Government 'remained in office, said Mr. Gerald Balfour, they must remove the defects proved to exist in the Act of 1881. They would next year bring in a Bill to deal with the difficulties that had arisen in connection with the legal position of judicial -tenants, the protection of tenants' improvements, and the -exclusions from the Act. They would also try to cheapen and simplify procedure. The ultimate solution of the land question was, however, he declared, to be found in the Purchase Acts, rather than in extending the Land Act of 1881. The whole speech was most promising. If the new Secretary can radically cheapen and simplify the present Act, and at the same time quicken purchase, he will be the true friend of both landlords and tenants. If we mistake not, Mr. Gerald Balfour will greatly surprise those who regard him as a mere academic politician, certain to fail as Chief Secretary. All he lacks is first-hand local knowledge, and that he will be able to obtain from Mr. T. W. Russell, under the excellent arrangement which allows the Parlia- mentary Secretary to the Local Government Board to place part of his time at the disposal of the Irish Office.
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