CAVAN.—Decline of Industries

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 30 April 1903, Page 9

CAVAN.— Decline of Industries

At a recent meeting of the Council of Agriculture in Dublin, Mr. A. S. Lough, M.P., drew attention to the decline of industries in Cavan. In 1841, before the famine, the population of that county was 240,000 ; last year it was 97,000. The industrial population in 1841 was in Cavan especially actually larger than the agricultural population, and it was an extraordinary fact that while the towns had decreased very slightly in population the non-productive classes had actually increased. Again, in 1841 there were in Cavan 31,000 weavers and spinners, while in 1891 there were 32 individuals engaged in these industries. In the same period, carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, and similar small trades had decreased from 5213 to 1709. A rough estimate of the amount of money paid in Cavan in 1841 in connection with industries realised the figure £970,000 per annum. To-day the estimated earnings only reached £65,000. Emigration had deprived them of the best elements of the population, and those left behind were mentally, morally, and physically weaker and less efficient wealthproducing machines than those who had emigrated. The effect of all this was disastrous so far as Ireland is concerned. It was true there were some compensations for all these things. The homes of the people had been improved, but, perhaps, that was the only compensation they had left.