72 REPORT OP THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



various other objects, but always with the view of helping the 

 people to help themselves. 



Sir Horace is not, however, supreme in Ireland, and much is 

 done there with which he has no concern, and the principles of 

 State aid enunciated by him are not always followed. For 

 example, upon no sound economic principle can the advances 

 made under the 1903 Act, by which a farmer can become a pro- 

 prietor by paying from 20 to 30 per pent, less than remaining a 

 tenant, be justified. But even within the province of the Depart- 

 ment there is some reason to doubt whether everything is right. 

 It is possible to give State aid on sound economic principles, and 

 give too much of it. Small blame to Sir Horace if, amid much 

 temptation, this one has been too strong for him. We shall give 

 the figures, and allow the intelligent reader who knows the cir- 

 cumstances to judge for himself. We take first the funds at the 

 disposal of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruc- 

 tion for Ireland, and then the funds at the disposal of the Con- 

 gested Districts Board, for the year 1904-5. 



I. Funds at the Disposal of the Department 



(a) Parliamentary Grant 



The Parliamentary Grant for the year ending 31st March 190£» 

 including appropriations in aid, amounted to £192,021, 19s. 3d., 

 £25,000 of which really belonged to and was handed over to the 

 Congested Districts Board. Most of this money, however, is 

 devoted to other than agricultural purposes, and some of it is 

 devoted partly to agriculture and partly to other purposes. The 

 Royal College of Science, the Metropolitan School of Art, the 

 National Museum, the National Library, and the Eoyal Botanic 

 Gardens, are all financed out of this money. It includes the 

 Science and Art Grants formerly administered by South Kensing- 

 ton, and now under a greatly extended scheme of practical 

 education administered by the Department. It also includes the 

 salaries and wages of the members of the Department, the 

 travelling expenses, special services, and incidental expenses. 

 Two other items paid out of the Parliamentary Grant apply 

 wholly to agriculture, and these alone can find a place in our 

 summation, viz. : — 



Grant in aid of Diseases of Animals Act . £16,200 



Amount paid for collection of Agricultural 



Statistics . . , . . . 2,794 17 3 



(b) Endowment Fund 



The Endowment Fund for the year ending 

 31st March 1905 amounted to £234,532, 

 a considerable portion of which, however, 

 was applicable to subjects other than 



' Carry forward . £18,994 17 3 



