d be a compulsory power in the Commissioners of Woods and Forests
to take and improve all such waste lands, so situated, as are below a
certain annual value, namely two and sixpence per acre_." This
announcement was received by the House with an approving "hear, hear."
He went on to say, that lands of this nature were only to be improved
and reclaimed so far as general operations were concerned, such as the
making of roads through them, general drainage, and necessary buildings;
that the lands so reclaimed should be divided into lots, which should
not be below nor above a certain amount. Without binding himself to any
precise amount, he would say, by way of illustration, not less than
twenty-five, and not more than fifty acres; that when so reclaimed and
subdivided, the lands might be either sold or let to poor tenants for a
certain number of years, with the determination, that the portion thus
let should likewise be sold at the end of the term. "I own, sir," said
his lordship, "that I expect a very great advantage gradually to arise
from the adoption of this plan. I expect that great numbers of persons,
who have hitherto been driven to despair, and many of them to crime, by
the great demand for land in Ireland, will earn a competent livelihood
from the produce of these lands. I think, likewise, with regard to those
who will purchase the lands, so reclaimed and improved, _that there will
arise a class of small proprietors, who will form a very valuable class
in the social fabric of Ireland_." He further expressed his opinion,
that he did not think that small holdings were the great evil of
Ireland, he rather thought that the particular way in which land was
held has often been the source of insecurity and want of cultivation.
From the state of the County Armagh he came to the conclusion, he said,
that small holdings were not the great evil of Ireland. In that county
the greatest subdivisions had taken place, and yet it was one of the
most flourishing, and best cultivated counties in Ireland. Compare it,
or in fact compare the whole province of Ulster with the province of
Munster, and many more small holdings will be found in the former than
in the latter.

The whole of the Premier's plan for the reclamation of waste lands in
Ireland, was received with marked approbation by the House.[199]

Having at some length explained the principle on which out-door relief
was to be given, he adverted to the subject of emigration, ab