IRELAND AFTER SIX YEARS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—" Agrippa " in his letter last week about the treatment of landlords under the Irish Free State says " some people are never satisfied." What are the facts ?
After receiving no rents whatever for periods ranging from two to four years, these landlords were extinguished by the Act of 1923. This Act wiped out all arrears prior to March, 1920, and the- Government became responsible for the colleetion, though not legally liable for the payment, of 75 per cent. of all arrears after this date. About one-half of the amount due has been collected, but no move has been made, or appears likely to be made, to collect the balance. The rents were fixed by courts of law, and in many cases they are the sole income of the second and third generation of the Victims of the Irish land war.
Under the same Act the . landlords' interest has been acquired on such terms as will necessitate reinvestment at 8 per cent. to secure the previous income. Those obliged to reinvest in trustee securities lose about one-third of their income.
In addition, any untenanted land (including demesnes) this loyal remnant may retain can be compulsorily acquired at a price to be finally .fixed by a gentleman who occupies at one and the- same time the anomalous position of a High Court judge and a high administrative official. I would retort to " Agrippa " Some people are easily pleased.—
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