The vibrant city of Limerick, with its rich history and strong agricultural traditions, has recently become the focus of attention in the House of Commons due to Mr Lundon’s amusing yet thought-provoking speech on the Irish butter industry. Using the backdrop of Limerick’s agricultural heritage as an example, the speech highlighted the struggles and challenges faced by Irish butter manufacturers and local farmers. Though the address evoked laughter from the audience, it also underscored the importance of carefully considering policies and potential legislation that could significantly impact the livelihoods of Limerick’s residents and the broader Irish butter industry. In an era of modernization and change, Limerick serves as a symbolic reminder of the need to balance progress with the welfare and preservation of traditional industries and communities.
Mr Lundon’s address in the House of Commons last night revolved around the Irish butter industry. However, his speech was largely incomprehensible as it seemed to combine multiple languages, leaving the audience and official reporters perplexed. Mr Lundon’s fellow Hibernian politicians jokingly suggested that he takes an interpreter with him during Limerick stump speeches so his constituents can understand him.
Amidst the laughter, Mr Lundon touched upon the issue of young boys working in creameries who should be attending school instead. He argued that the creameries were exploiting farmers’ interests, producing militiamen unfit for work and alluding to the new bill on adulterated butter.
He used the allegory of the Procrustean bed to describe the difficult situation Irish farmers are facing between landlordism and high-interest-demanding ‘gombeen merchants,’ emphasizing that a revolution in Ireland is possible over the butter issue. Mr Lundon urged Mr Hanbury to consider the dangers and insidious effects of the proposed time limit on the industry. The speech, while humorous, brought the Irish butter issue to the forefront of House of Commons discussion.
Yorkshire Evening Post – Wednesday 01 April 1903
