Evening journal., 1898-01-03
THE EMERALD ISLE.
Mr.. P1unkett Writes on the
New Irish Movement.
KEY TO IT IN ECONOMIC PROBLEM.
Review OF the Work Already Accom-
plished by the Irish Agricultural Or
ganizatIon Society In Providing
FUNDS and Forming Branches.

NEW YORK, Jan. 3.--Right Hon.
Horace Plunkett. M. p, the chairman OF
the Irish Agricultural Organization so
ciety, who is now visiting the United
States, has contributed to the January
number OF The North American Review,
issued today, an account OF the efforts
which have been made since the death
OF Mr.. Parnell to further the cause OF
Ireland through the development Of her
commercial and industrial resources.
This new movement, Mr. Plunkett
points out. depends for its success upon
the cooperation OF Irishmen who are
politically opposed to each other, and IL
has been the means Of bringing together
In common endeavor prominent men
Of the most diverse political factions
Unionists and Nationalists uniting.
The conviction out Of which the new
movement arose was that the Irish diff
Guilty has long been rather economic
than political and that IL is so more
than ever today. "Solve the economic
problem" says Mr.. Plunkett, "and in
the process the Irish people viii be so
elevated and strengthened that they
VIII be able to solve the political prob
lem for themselves"
AfNlAS AlAllitiN UIdtlltdl III their aims
and processes, the patriots who inaugu-
rated this new movement sought sug-
gestion and inspiration in countries
where similar efforts had already been
made. Commissioners were sent to Den
mark, TO Germany, to France and other
countries on the continent to observe
the results OF attempts made there tC
organize industries of various kinds
and the work OF the Irish Agricultyyal
Organization society was pursued alonp
the lines suggested by the reports OF
the commissioners. The programme OF
the reformers is based on the principle
Of voluntary association for Industrial
purposes, and the attempt made is tc
give practical effect to this principle by
the establishment Of societies Of farmers
for common advantage.
The success which has attended this
work has been most encouraging The
Irish Agricultural Organization society
representing almost all classes of Irish
men, was formed to provide funds foi
carrying on the movement, and it has
been instrumental ~ establishing some
40 of these farmers societies in Ire
land, scattered throughout 81 of the 3:
counties with an aggregate member
ship of some 1900.
"These societies." says Mr.. Plunkett
"variously embrace every branch OF the
farming industry. They cheaper pro-
duction by the joint purchase of seeds
manures. implements, machinery and
other requirements Of their industry
In dairying districts they erect cream
cries. which they show a capacity &c
operate for their own profit. They joint.
~ sell what they produce with a view
to saving middle profits. They are il
many districts applying the principle
Of cooperation to agricultural finance
and are thus securing a great reduc
ton OF interest upon farm loans. Thl
advantages derived from combination
of individuals is enhanced by joint ac
tiOn between societies"
Mr.. Plunkett says that it is only lacl
of funds sufficient to send organizer
qualified to educate bodies of farmer
who are ready to listen to them in al
most every parish in Ireland which de
lays the universal adoption of the ney
scheme and he calls attention to tn
fact that in providing the means to ac
complish this purpose a splendid op
portunity Is open for some wealthy Low
er Of Ireland TO confer upon her peopl
an incalculable boon.