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The circumstances tinder which large estates were acquired 

 led to the continued Absenteeism of many wealthy proprietors, 

 (those who can best afford to be considerate of their tenants,) 

 atad, also, to the creation of middlemen. It is seldom disputed 

 that Absenteeism is in itself an evil, or that it is the cause of 

 many contingent upon it. The main one to property seems to 

 lie in the absence of the party most interested ; just as the sun, 

 although it exists in the night, neither warms nor invigorates. 



The various evils arising from Absenteeism, from the dif- 

 ference between the laws and customs of England and Ireland, 

 and those proceeding from defective legislation, all affect 

 the general social circumstances of the country, while the cure 

 is not in its power. 



Arguments have been adduced showing the greater necessity 

 for a governing control in the case of the Irish Fisheries than 

 for those of Scotland ; yet control, and liberal assistance is ac- 

 corded to the latter, and the Scottish Fishery Board act in the 

 most beneficial manner for the promotion of the commerce 

 arising from them. 



To apply the principle of ' self-government' in the extreme is 

 to misapply it. Though a sound doctrine of political economy, 

 it may yet sometimes not accord with a happier philosophy of 

 Government, based on more expedient and benevolent motives, 

 and requisite for the good of the human family at large. 



The Select Committee report that " considering the number 

 and extent of duties devolved upon the Board of Works in so 

 many other departments of public business, your committee is 

 of opinion, that under the peculiar circumstances of the Salmon 

 Fisheries of Ireland, and regard being had to the many conflicting 

 rights and claims arising out of the same, it is absolutely neces- 

 sary to their due administration, that it be confided to a separate 

 department of the executive Government, (not connected, with 

 the Board of Works,) and that adequate means ought to be 

 immediately provided for such administration." 



The reports of the Inspecting Commissioners, printed in the 

 Appendix, contain the views of those officers, results of long 

 experience as to the requirements for the control and full 

 development of the Inland and Sea fisheries. These views 

 are expressed with confidence, and evince an anxiety for prac- 

 tical, definite, and active measures. They are now again laid 

 before the public as the best commentary on the past condition, 

 and future means of promoting the improvement of this national 



manent charges, whether private or public, cannot be made upon the latter ; if 

 it existed, why should the machinery which is afterwards proposed be provided 

 specially for the case of land? The general registry of titles, &c., suggested, 

 seems to imply an odious inquisition into titles, and a continuous and penal 

 supervision of them, and is hardly in accordance with the principle set forth of 

 4 non-interference.' 



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