LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1057, 21 February 1911, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE OLD QUESTION. Sir,—Coincident with a mcmorablo debate in tho House of Commons on the Homo llulo question, thero appears an article of interest in Tub Dominion on "Mr. liedmond's Claims." Whilo I do not for a moment question tho accuracy of cither tho facts or figures in that article, I would at the saino lime, with your permission, add a few moro facts, and oven draw from your facts a different conclusion. You seem to think that because "Ireland is within a few hours' distance of England," her case should not bo placed m tho same category as an oversea dependency. Do you know that the Isle of Mali is "within a feu* hours' distance of England," and that the Islo of Man enjoys Homo Hule? That is nn important fact, which should be remembered. Ireland, I see, is a country of "divergent aims nnd irreconcilable aspirations." I am sorry to hear that; but South Africa was at least a, little irreconcilable, and her- aims wero certainly divergent. Sho was, therefore, given Home Itulo. Ireland is given Homo Iv'ulo fir the very reasons which you say should bar her from participating in it. Now, about thoso figures: "Ireland received JC2.357.500 .moro than sho contributed to tho revenue." Here again I am sorry, but the fact quoted simply means that Ireland is not paying her way. New Zealand and Ireland aro somewhat alike in tho matter of finance. But if, when the financial business of New Zealand is badly managed (by New Zealanders), you advocate n change of Government, why not ndvocato a change of Government—wo will say Homo Rule—when the financial business of Ireland is badly managed (by Englishmen)? But let us here remember that thero was a time Oust before tho Union) when tho Irish National Debt amounted to only a couple of million pounds sterling. That debt you will admit, lias increased somewhat under English managemont. Let us oven remember that Ireland onco was nblo to pay her own way. ; Nationalists knbw tlus, and aro therefore, quito certain that Ireland will onco moro pay her, way and prosper financially. In conclusion, I say that Ireland is ready, and has been ready for selfgoveriinient for moro than n century. Sho is going to use that (■elf-govormiien't, however, wisely, as sho used it during tho twenty years onward from 1782. Now that Homo ltule is accomplished— or nearly won, wo should commend Ireland for her patienco over so many years, we should wish her well, even as William O'Brien has done. Thanking you, I am, etc. NON-FAOTIONIST.