The Irish Land Commission. The Times. 2-9-1880. The preparations for the new Land Commission are still proceeding in a satisfactory manner, and are attracting a considerable amount of local attention. There is good reason to expect that, notwithstanding the dislike evinced towards it by the Land League, the tenant farmers will not refuse to take part in the inquiry, but will follow the better advice which their friends give them to come forward as witnesses, and let their case be known to the commissioners. The O'Donoghue, MP, writing on the subject, observes that if those who give evidence before the Commission state the real arguments of the Irish farmers, the result of the inquiry cannot be otherwise than satisfactory. No matter what report the commissioners may draw up, the evidence, he says, will speak for itself, and place the wants and wishes and views of the farmers before the Government. The land agitation proposes two objects-namely, the putting an immediate stop to evictions, and the acquisition of the ownership of the land by the present occupiers. He advises for the moment all their efforts should be concentrated upon the first of those objects, as it would be poor comfort for evicted tenants to learn that the successors to their farms will be one day invested with the rights of ownership. He would not permit an agricultural tenant to be evicted for non payment of rent which had not been fixed by arbitration carried on in the manner described by Mr. Parnell in a speech delivered in the House of Commons some days since, the Landlord choosing one arbitrator, the tenant another, and both agreeing to select an umpire. With one voice the Country must cry out against the evictions of agricultural tenants for non payment of rents fixed arbitrarily by the Landlord. As to the other subject, the acquisition of ownership by the occupier, he can conceive no readier or better mode than that it should be provided in the case of all estates offered for sale that the occupier should have the rights of pre-emption, and should have loans on terms as moderate of those on which loans were recently made to Landlords. He advises that the farmers or their representatives should say to the Commission, "We want settlement of rent by a fair system of arbitration, continuous occupation while we pay that rent, and unconditional right of sale of our interests in that land. We also desire that the Bright Clauses in the Act of 1870 be amended so as to secure for us the right of pre-emption when estates are offered for sale, and that adequate loans should be made to us at moderate interest. Mr. J.D.McHugh, barrister-at-law, writing on the same subject, remarks that many farmers would give evidence if they knew the scope of the inquiry and the questions they would be called upon to answer. He suggests that Sir.G.Young should publish them in the newspapers, also that each witness should be made aware as far as possible the precise time at which his testimony will be taken, as during this glorious weather farmers will be unwilling to leave their crops. As to the composition of the Commission he says that everybody must regret that it was not made more representative by having such men on it as Mr. Kettle and Mr. Robertson, but there can be no doubt that the tenants have a friend and a very able one in Mr. Shaw, and though the Earl of Bessborough is a landlord, he is probably the best in the Country, while Baron Dowse may be considered neutral, being on the Commission because of his connexion with the Land Act of 1870, which though imperfect secured the sum of 20 millions to tenant farmers by legalizing the Ulster custom. He also reminds the public that both the secretary and his assistant are friendly to the tenant cause. He, like the O'Donoghue, relies upon the evidence, which, he observes, cannot be altered by the report, and that "facts, facts, facts", are what are wanted. He mentions as a proof of the value of evidence that that of Mr. John Handcock before the Devon Commission to the effect that if the Ulster custom were interfered with they would have a Tipperary in Down impressed the House of Commons more than the report. He asks why should not evidence yet to be given produce similar effects, and remarks truly that a farmer who has the true story to tell cannot be shaken by the ablest cross-examination. He advises the tenants to give all the evidence in their power. Mr. Donnell attended on Saturday evening at Monaghan, to arrange about the enquiry in that locality, and was met by Mr. Given. MP. Mr. W. Anketell. DL. Colonel Lloyd, JP. And a number of other persons representing the landlords and tenant classes, to whom he explained the object of the visit. He particularly desired to ascertain the names of the parties who had purchased any of the Glebe lands, and to learn whether their positions were improved or otherwise. After some discussion it was decided that the Press should be represented at the inquiry and Mr. Given handed in the names of the Rev. Canon Smollett, PP, Clones, and the Rev. Canon Hoey, PP. Carrickmacross who were anxious to give evidence. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The land Commissioners sat for the first time today, in their office in Ely-Place, to hear evidence. Their proceedings were conducted in private, but they do not object to any witness giving his evidence in public if he thinks fit to do so, while on the other hand, if a witness desires to have his name supressed in the report, or any other circumstance omitted which would tend to disclose his identity, they will meet his wishes. If statements be made affecting the conduct of a landlord, agent, or tenant, or other persons, opportunity will be afforded for his reply. The tenants were strongly advised by their friends in the Press to come forward and state their case fully before the commissioners, and it is suggested that in cases where they may be reluctant to do so, lest they should incur the resentment of the landlord or agent, other competent persons who sympathize with them and know their circumstances should detail their grievances. The first witness examined today was Mr. De. Moleyns, QC. County Court Judge and Chairman of the County Kilkenny, who declined to communicate his evidence for publication before the report. The next witness was Mr. Robert Ferguson.QC. County Court Judge and Chairman of the West Riding of Cork who also declined. The inquiry lasted from 12 O'Clock to nearly 5 O'Clock. (At a meeting in Cork of the Newmarket Branch of the Land League, held on Tuesday, the president, the Rev. J. Green, referred to the Land Commission, and expressed an opinion that the Commission was to be regarded with suspicion, and that the farmers ought to take care lest they be deceived by it. He was of the opinion the Land League ought to appoint and independent commission of their own, which would put matters in their true light before the British Parliament. Resolutions were proposed, declaring that they had no confidence in the Commission, and suggesting to the Dublin Land League the propriety of formaing and independent commission of their own.) Mary