The Irish Exodus.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 25, 19 June 1902, Page 7

The Irish Exodus.

At a meeting of the standing committee of the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland held at the University Col [e <e. Dublin on Tuesday, April 15 1902, his Eminence Cardinal Logue, La the cha?r the following resolutions were adopted •— mair, 1 The population of Ireland hav.ng decreased by a quarter of a million o inhabitants within the last 10 years, and by huL short of four millions withm the last half century, we cannot but re yard this continued depletion with feeling of deep anxiety for the fortunes of our race m their own country We, therefore, deem it a preying duty to publicly discourage the ruinous outflow of our people from their own country where Providence has provided sufficient room for them, if on v they were employed in cultivating Irish land and engaged in manufaYssr^sfiiiiS °orSn°d na that shouM fiQd c * Apart from what we cannot but regard as the radical causes of depopulation of Ireland we consider it utterly reckless on the part of the vast majority of male emigrants to the United States and Canada to quit Ireland in the present condition of the American labor market. Many young Irishmen are wasting their lives in idleness, and are driven to seek help from public charity far away from home and relatives, in American towns and citieu. And many female emigrants too, have learned to regret that they ever abanA°t?a 6 ntic elr ' attract6d b ? Borne bri S ht vision beyond the \We h . ave seen with satisfaction the efforts made by the Congested Districts Board to have large grazing tracts broken up and distributed amongPt the tillers of the soil, and we look to a wider extension of these operations as a most effectual means of stemming the tide of emigration. B 3. We consider that the promotion of suitable industries in town and country and the establishment of factories along the numerous rivers of Ireland would also powerfully contribute to the same all-important end. 4. We desire to impress upon our people the duty of practically encouraging Irish manufactures and industries by purchasing Irishchants aDd thU " ° aUßiug Irish mone y t0 circulate in its proper We appeal with confidence to the clergy throughout the country to use their influence by emphasising these few practical points in their public addresses to their flocks. v n