The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-20 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, OCT. 17.—The following gratifying state-
ment is embodied in the Cork Examiner's weekly re-
view of the corn trade, a document which appears to be
drawn up by a person conversant with the subject upon
which he treats :

" The injury done to the potato crop is an evil of the
first magnitude, but an evil which, we now believe, has
been somewhat over rated. That the plant has not
been totally destroyed, as many have imagined, is, from
recent investigation, becoming manifest. A portion of
it, there is no doubt, will be found fit for consumption.
The quantity remaining sound will be about one-third
of a crop, or may even exceed that amount. Still the
loss is very great, and, as this loss must be supplied by
grain of some description, it follows that a large amount
of corn will-be required to make up the deficiency. As
respects this country, we believe, and our opinion is
founded on an inspection of the export returns, that a
sufficient quantity of grain to supply the wants of our
people is grown in the island—that is, provided ncne
were sent out of it. This admitted, we shall have the
necessities of the sister country only to provide for.
Those necessities will be large, but not so large as that
they cannot he met.
"It is true consumption is going on, or perhaps, more
properly speaking, has been going on at a most rapid
rate. Employment has been general, wages have been
good, and while this is the case the English artisan will
never pinch his stomach. But with a continuance of
high prices it is more than probable we shall have by
and bye a depression in trade; employment will not be
so general; lower wages will perhaps have to be sub-
mitted to; the labouring population, unable to purchase
so largely, will begin to economise, and prices, as a
necessary consequence, must decline. All this of course
on the assumption that we are not likely to experience
actual want. If we add to these disposing causes a
tightness in the money market (and we see every reason
to apprehend it) we shall have abundant arguments
against the advance of prices to a famine figure.
" But, it will be said, whence are we to receive the
necessary supplies, seeing that we have France and
Belgium competing with us in those markets to_ which
we generally look for aid? We answer, English gold and
the enterprise of English merchants will ever command
the markets -referred to, and will therefore ensure
supplies to the extent of their producing ability.
As regards one market especially, America, while we
place little faith, in the exaggerated statistics, which
they supply us with, we are disposed to think the re..
sources of that vast country are somewhat under-rated,
and that we shall have far more extensive importations
than most persons look for.
" Our own late advices represent the grain crops as
having been most abundant, and lead us to expect large
arrivals. A few months will suffice to test the exporting
capabilities of the States, and prove or disprove the
allegations which are made.
"In the meantime, we rest satisfied we shall have
larger supplies than may be altogether pleasing to our
speculators.
" Reviewing again the position of matters, taking into
account the saving of at least a portion of the potato
crop in this country, regarding the excellence of quality
of the wheat crop, and the little consequent waste, re-
membering the many sources from which we are likely
to receive supplies—small, perhaps individually, but ex-
tensive in the aggregate—remembering above all Ame-
rica, the cupidity of her people, and the high prices to
tempt them to ship even to their own inconvenience,
looking to the prospect of a pressure in the money
market, and the economisation of food—ever the result
of scarcity—we cannot bring ourselves to believe that
prices will reach a famine figure. 'That they will con-
tinue high we have little doubt. There may be, and
there will be, changes and fluctuations in the market,
but we shall be much disappointed if there be any con-
siderable advance on present prices. As for " famine"
it is a bugbear, which a few months,, we trust,•will re-
move, for be it remembered the scarcity and distress, at"
present existing in this country, arise, not from want of
food, but from want of means to purchase that food."
The subjoined announcement also appears in the
Examiner. The report to which it alludes has been
current in Dublin for several days past :
" We have heard it stated, by authority, that Govern-
ment have sent down orders to have the stock of whisky,
malt, &c., taken at the various distilleries of this city.
We presume this is with a view to the stoppage of dis-
tillation from grain in this country, as a measure of pre-
caution against impending famine. It may be in conse-
quence of this step taken by Government, that whisky
has advanced to 7s. a gallon."