BACK PAGES:The hunger for land, which played such a decisive role in Irish history, did not always involve consistent positions, writes JOE JOYCE
What people thought ought to be done in the national interest – such as replacing grazing with tillage – was not necessarily what they did themselves. Nor did they necessarily believe their policy recommendations should be applied to themselves, as admitted by witnesses before a congested districts commission hearing in Ballinasloe, Co Galway:
TB HIBBET, farmer and publican, and manager of 2,000 acres of land for a gentleman in the West, said the present grazing system was a national evil and politically immoral, and the Government that preferred the raising of the bullock to the prosperity of the people stood self condemned . . .
The present grazing system was detrimental to cultivation, injurious to the quality and value of cattle, and was a pernicious system which had changed . . . the thrift and industry of the people to sloth and negligence . . .
The first and only thought of the grazier was to work the land with the least possible outlay. The grazing system had produced a dearth of labour and poverty. The division of the grazing lands in the neighbourhood of large towns would tend largely to remove discontent and bring about prosperity.
The chairman – You hold 100 acres; do you till your farm?
No, it is in grass.
On your own principle, why don’t you till it?
I am as bad as the rest. I am speaking for the good of the country . . .
You manage 2,000 acres. Is that quantity in grass? Yes.
Why if it is more profitable to till the land you don’t till that?
There is no labour to till it. The best men are driven to America, and we have nothing at home but the weeds of the population.. . . .
[Commissioner] Sir John Columb – You condemn a system that you are managing?
I am speaking for the benefit of the country.
And making profit by managing a system that you condemn? Yes.
You say that this system you represent and manage has changed the thrift and industry of the people to sloth and negligence? Certainly.
Therefore do you tell the commission that the characteristic of the people of this district is sloth and negligence?
Yes, from the condition of things I have mentioned.
You mean all classes? Yes.
Do you mean that the characteristic of the shopkeepers is sloth and negligence?
Yes. In the grazing districts I find the worst business towns.
Do you consider that Ballinasloe is an example of the worst business towns?
The evictions that took place in its neighbourhood ruined Ballinasloe.
How do you hold your own land?
I bought it and used it as grazing land, but I am not an 11 months’ grazier.
The grazing land, according to your principle, is required by the State to give to people who would till it? Yes.
That being so do you think that the Government ought to buy at their own price, whether you lost by it or not?
That is personal (Laughter) . . .
You say that grazing land should be taken from its owners and split up for distribution. You are an owner of grazing land, and I ask you what you think the Government ought to pay you?
My point is that the land let on hire on the 11 months’ system should be taken.
Then every owner of grass lands who grazes his own land should be excluded from your policy?
Buy all the grazing lands under the 11 months’ system, then come to the other lands if you want . . .
Mr Bryce [a commissioner] – If a man had 2,000 acres he ought to be bought out, but a man having only 100 acres ought not? Exactly.
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