I very much regret, on an occasion like this, after the debate that we have had, that it falls to me to bring forward what I would consider to be one of these incidents in our lives which are ruining our credit and which, unless remedied very soon, will create a state of lawlessness which we very much wish to prevent. A Deputy of this Dáil, with about forty men and two red flags, entered on premises yesterday where a public auction was advertised, and there said that he would not permit any auction to take place, and that he accepted responsibility for his action when he was questioned by the sergeant of the police. Now, there is very little use in any Deputy taking an oath here that he will abide by the laws of the country if he immediately goes out and breaks these laws, and I put this to him, or to anyone else who would be inclined to act similarly, that a person in a responsible position, such as a Deputy of this Dáil, should be very careful in his actions, especially in regard to an action which in the past has been upheld, but which, in the future, if we are ever to get away from lawlessness, must be stopped. The question that arises in this case is a question of the rights of property. It affects the farmer and the landholder in connection with the very property which he holds, and if these men are allowed to carry on their campaign it would prevent him from handling his property in the way he desires.
The particular estate in question was being carried on by a steward, and, presumably, on account of the fall in the price of produce, it was not a paying concern. The owner, who resides in England, sent instructions to have the various employees disbanded or given notice to, to sell the implements and to let the place on the eleven months' system. That is the position. Now, I am not advocating the eleven months' system, but in certain cases where you cannot make your land pay the fullest opportunities of the law should be provided by which any man can act as he likes in his own best interests to make a living.
The second case was that of a poor widow with a few children. She was unable to make her land a paying proposition, and also endeavoured to let it. It was also refused. I contend that such actions as these are striking at the whole credit of the country, and we, on the Farmers' Benches, who uphold the right of the law, who are prepared to stand by our obligations as regards our rates, taxes and annuities —and the President has just paid a tribute to the way in which we are discharging these liabilities—ought to be afforded every opportunity to carry on our business how we like, and that these unauthorised attempts by Deputies who ought to know better, at nationalising our property ought to be stopped. I ask the Government to give an expression of their opinion and of the attitude they will adopt on similar occasions, and I hope it will be reasonable.
