THE OLD QUESTION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 11 March 1911, Page 3

THE OLD QUESTION.

Sir,—Your correspondent "R.D." has rushed' into print without being sure of his facts. Tie evidently did not take the Irish lawyer's advico I tendered to his friend "Non-Faetionist," It was not I, but his friend "Non-I'actionist," who gave it tho name of "The Old Question." I only copicd from him, so it will be seen I am not trying to mislead your readers. Again, "R.D." says "ho thinks 'NonFaetionist' has the best of tho argument." I don't know if his opinion is worth very much, as by the tone of his letter ho scorns t vcry much prejudiced for the, side of his friend.

Again, "R.D." refers to tho "accursed Union," and the great share Ireland bore of the expense of the war with America. "R.D." should give us the figures. Ireland never since the Act of Union lias contributed per head taxation equal to either England or Scotland, and to talk of tho money spent in public and other remunerative works is sheer nonsense. "It.D." should know that Ireland has 110 great mineral resources. It is to this day, comparatively sneaking, an agricultural country, and ii' there was money spoilt to relieve the condition of the people, it was after the Act of Union, and British money at that; and the lion's share wem to "R.D.'s" friends. To talk of Ireland beinp robbed is utter lionsense. She has been the spoiled child of British legislation this half-century back.

Again, ■ "R-.D." makes the wild assertion that tho indebtedness of Ireland has increased ten times what it was before tho Union. I' should like "R.D." to give 11s his figures. I should' remind him that it is through the British Exchequer that all public olficcs are financed in the three kingdoms: also at the Act of Union tho proportionate share of general taxation of tho United Kingdom was then estimated at 2-17ths, and, as you pointed out in your leader, Mr. Editor, some time ago, Irolaud receives something over two millions more than she contributes. "R.D." argues that if the people of Ireland had tho management of their own affairs this debt would be wiped out. Again, "R.D." lets his sentiments run away with him. Jle would bo a clever financier to start with a deficit of two millions a year more than his income and wine out much debt. If Homo Rule is granted, Mr. .T. Redmond would lose these American dollars, and as sure as night follows day lie would introduce a Payment of Members Bill, which would still be a further drain on his revenue. "R.D"' I suppose would wry impose new taxation; but "it must be borne in mind that, as I said More, Ireland is practically an agricultural country, with competition increasing every your, making it less remunerative for the farmers.

"R.D.'s" comparison of Ireland and New Zealand seems ridiculous. He says, "Would any sensible man attribute the growth of the debt of Now Zealand to mismanagement?" I tliinlc "R.D." must be a newcomer. I thinic there could be found people in' Now Zealand who would have no hesitation in calling it mismanagement, and they are not in Porirua either! "R.D." trots out tho bogey of ''Catholic? paying double rates for the education of their children in New Zealand.'" Havo they? I was not awaro t'ney had to do this. I should advise "R.D." tliat it is British fair ulay. If you want a special article in the shane of a certain system of education pay for it like men!—l am, etc., THOS. M. MILLIGAN. March G, 1911.