The Irish standard., 1899-07-22

Otdl 3,7Sd.SOO
The year 1876 was high-water mark
in the condition of Ireland The emf
grafton, which had been as high as
1So,322 in the year 1852, was only 37,5S7
in 1876, and there was small increase
in the population OF ireland between the
middle of 1876 and the middle of 1877.
The rate of emigration had fluctuated
greatly from year to year, according to
the condition of Ireland, and the pros
perity of other countries, especially the
United States. Bad harvests were fol-
lowed by the land war and political agi-
tation and in the year 1883 the number
of emigrants rose to 1o8,724 Since that
year the rate had again. declined and in
1893 the lowest number since the famine
was recorded, viz, 32,241. The regis
trar-general had stated that there was
small increase in the population during
the last quarter of 1893. On this the
president based hope that the drain on
their population had ceased. The total
population being SO largely reduced, the
country was able to live through vicis-
situdes of seasons that in former years
meant prostration and famine.
In discussing agricultural statistics
Mr.. PIN remarked it was commonly said
that free trade had been the ruin of Ire
land, but the Irish farmers prospered
after the abolition of the corn laws, and
at no time did they seem more prosper
Gus than in the early '7o's. What had
hit ireland so sorely recently had been
the improved means of ocean transport,
which had enabled countries thousands
OF miles away to compete with Ireland
in the supply to England of those per-
rishable commodities Out of which the
Irish farmers had for a generation up
to the end Of the '7o's been taking their
best profit. He spoke against taking
pessinistic view of the future of Irish
agriculture, but did not anticipate that
agriculture alone would support an in
crease in population.
After showing that emigration was
not peculiar to ireland Mr.. PIN contra
dicted the general impression in Eng
land and elsewhere that the Irish were
very inprovident in the matter OF early
marriages and large families and that
to this cause was largely due the want
of Irish prosperity. The number OF
marriages per annum per thousand OF
the population was lower in ireland than
any European country, while the birth
rate was lower than in any country save
France. He demonstrated that the pro-
portion of early marriages was much
greater in England and Scotland than
Ireland.
Treating of monetary statistics, Mr..
PIN said the tendency in recent
years had been rather toward reduc-
ton than an expansion in the note cir
culation and there was much more gold
in circulation in ireland now than there
used to be, and the use of checks in
the payment of accounts had become
universal. A test of Irish prosperity,
given by DR.. Hancock and the registrar
general, was the amount of government
funds and Indian stocl entered on the
books of the Bank of ireland. The
figure for 1857, the highest recorded,
was f42,217, 900, and the corresponding
figure for 1893 was f2o, $4,000, exclusive
of guaranteed land stock, the amount
of which was f4,735,ooo. The deposits
and cash balances in Irish banks had
risen from f12, 2,285,ooo III 1850 f3o,438,-
900 in 1893, and deposits in the savings
banks had risen from 41,615,ooo to TO-
100000 in the same period. These fig
ures indicated that notwithstanding agr-
cultural depression and declining pop
ulation, the capital OF the country was
growing and the means OF the people
increasing.
Mr.. PIN introduced a table showing
that the total tonnage OF vessels entering
Irish ports doubled between 1855 and
1875, but that between the latter date
and 1895 the increase was much less
rapid. He said that il the ship owners
of this city would not contribute the
revenue necessary for a condition OF
progress the port OF Dublin would stag
nate, while that of Belfast would con-
tinue to advance.
After discussing national education in
connection with agricultural industries
and referring to the agitation for state
intervention in the management OF rail-
ways, he concluded his address as fol-
lows:
ut seems to me that the imperial par
Lament does not always sufficiently keep
in view of the fact that Ireland is part OF
the United Kingdom. | am not speak
ing politically, but economically-that
what depresses Ireland depresses the
United Kingdom, and that what raises
Ireland raises the United Kingdom
If the productive power of Ire
land can be increased she will be
producing the articles OF which Eng
lishman and Scotchmen are most in
need as consumers, and if Ireland can
be made more prosperous her prosper
ity will react beneficially on the pros