IRISH PREFER ENGLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 201, 10 September 1937, Page 4

IRISH PREFER ENGLAND.

Tbe influx to Epgland of able.bodied Irish men and women continues, aotes Sir Arnold Wilson, M.P., writing in tbe Spectator. From 1926 to 1930 tbe recorded net inward balance from tbe Irish Free State was 69,000; from 1931 to 1935, 50,000. Tbe actual figures are probably higher; for 1936 it was probably nearer 30 than 20 thousand, and tbe stream is not slackening. Tbe immigrants are readily absorbed in every part of England, tbe girls as domostic sorvants and in factories, tbo mcn as farm and general labourors, sometimos in aroas wbcro tbe uncmployed aro present in largo numbers. Tbe wesleru coast of Irelaud bas suifered most l'rom tbe draiu on ber resorvos, and tbose areas wbicb bavo lost most aro Iboso wbicb bave recently rejectod Mr do Valcra and bis Constitutiou. Tbe gain on balance ia England 's, i'or England bas not paid i'or their keep in tbeir early years and tbere is clearly a dernand for their services. Tbey work, and work kard, and tbeir savings help Irealnd. Tbe Army and Navy gain too, for tbe number now cnlisting in England wbo givo ireland as tbeir place of birtb is little less tban in 1914, so bard is it even for Irisb statesinen to break away from tradition and to ignore tbe facts of geography and its life.