The Gazette 1916-17

The Gazette ol the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

JUNE, 1916]

9

been wrought in Sackville Street. ashamed and humiliated, and I to myself, " Can such things be ? '' That, I feel confident, is the feeling of every Irishman, no matter what his religious or political opinions may be. Question of Compensation. I am glad to hear that the Government are disposed to assist in the rebuilding of the houses and offices that have been destroyed, and thus to help those loyal and unoffending citizens who, through no fault of their own, have lost heavily—some of them everything they have in this world. The claims of our brother Solicitors must not be overlooked. Several of them have suffered irreparable loss—loss that no money payment can ever recoup—and, on behalf of the Council, I can assure them of our deep sympathy, and I tell them now that anything that we can do to help them in their adversity, we will do, to the utmost of our ability. I do not intend, at present at any rate, to further comment on or speak about the terrible and heart rending period through which our city has recently passed. I will merely say this : we, Irishmen, all of us, love liberty ; it is what we are always ready and willing to work for—aye, and to fight for—but every Irishman's idea of "liberty" may not be the same. Ireland under German rule would not be my idea of liberty. MR. P. J. BRADY, M.P., said that in view of the timely and appropriate references the President had made to the occurrences in Dublin, he might be given an opportunity of associating himself with his remarks in reference to those who had suffered damage in these occurrences. He was glad to be able to tell them that within a couple of hours the Dublin City and County members would have the privilege of receiving a deputation of the representative Committee of Solicitors set up to deal with these matters, of which Mr. Rooney was the chairman. He had received a letter the previous evening from Mr. Matheson, Hon. Secretary of the Com mittee, asking him if his colleagues would be prepared to receive a deputation, and an appointment had been made for the purpose at four o'clock that afternoon. On behalf of his Parliamentary colleagues, and on his own I feel say

be ashamed to take advantage of our work, and at the same time remain outside the Society. I think that if Solicitors who are not members of the Society realised this they would all become subscribing members. Death of Master Culhane. I refer with deep sorrow and regret to the death of Master Culhane. It is to be regretted, not only on behalf of the Solicitors' profession, but also on behalf of the general public, that his place has not been filled. When, however, " the powers that be" point out the necessity of economy, it is difficult, bearing in mind the terrible crisis that our country is passing through, to put up any argument against anything in the nature of curtailment of national expendi ture. Accordingly, economy _is necessary, and the vacant Taxing Mastership has not been filled. This means a saving of £1,000 a year to the Treasury, and a loss of that sum to our profession. Very shortly after, we hear that a judgeship of the High Court has fallen vacant, thus giving the Treasury a saving of £3,500 a year. Was that post left vacant ? Not for a day. The Treasury still pay the £3,500—they pay it to a judge whom we are all glad to see on the Bench ; but that is neither here nor there—they still pay it, and "no economy is necessary" except where a Solicitor is concerned. The Rebellion. With regard to the way in which the rising affected your Society's premises. These premises were in the occupation of the Sinn Feiners for six- days. Considerable damage was done to furniture, fittings, and windows ; but I am glad to say the records and more valuable portions of the Society's property • were uninjured. I am satisfied that the resolution of the Council, which has been published, represents the feeling of all Irish Solicitors with regard to what has recently taken place in our city. Everyone who is interested in Dublin, everyone who is interested in the future of Ireland, must do everything possible to have our city buildings restored promptly, and thus have the evidence of our shame and sorrow obliterated. I know what my feelings are when I look upon the destruction that has