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Full text of "The Life Of Charles Stewart Parnell - Ii"

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37]                    EXPLOSIVES BILL                             15
single sitting. This was the Explosives Bill—Parliament's response to the dynamite plots of American Extremists. Parnell did not oppose the Bill. He wrote to Mr. Justin McCarthy :
Parnell to Mr. Justin McCarthy
1 Monday.
* MY DEAR MCCARTHY,—I have been unable to go out of doors since I saw you on Friday, but am somewhat better to-day, and hope to be able to return to the House to-morrow (Tuesday). Please inform T. P. of this, as I should like to see him to-morrow.
'I do not know what the party have decided to do about the Explosives Bill, but I think it would be well not to oppose it on the first or second reading stage, but to confine ourselves to pointing out that it is far too wide and vague in its provisions and will require alteration in committee. If the Government desire to take the committee stage to-night, I do not think you ought to oppose them, as postponing it till tomorrow or Wednesday will only result in depriving us of opportunities for discussing two Irish questions of importance. However, I think the different stages of the Bill should be made to last throughout the evening until half-past twelve.
' As regards alterations in committee :
landlord shall not be permitted to ask for an increase of rent in respect of such increase of letting value.
1 5. The use and enjoyment by the tenant of his improvements shall not be held to be compensation for such improvement.
1 6. The presumption as regards the making of the improvement to be for the future in favour of the tenant.
' 7. Power given to leaseholders and to holders of town parks of applying to the court to fix a fair rent; and, lastly, the Land Commission to be permitted to advance the full amount of purchase money, and in the case of holdings under 30Z. the period of repayment is to be extended over 52 years instead of 35 years.'—Annual Register, 1883, p, 65.ing which adds to the value of the holding, or any expenditure of capital and labour on the holding which adds to its letting value.