The Irish standard., 1910-07-23
THE wHlskEY TAX.

At the present time the excessive
tax on whiskey is an important Ques-
ton in Irish politics. In England, Ire
land and Scotland the manufacture of
this article forms an important indus
try, though in recent years there has
been a considerable falling off in the
whiskey trade in all these countries
owing to the growth Of the temperance
movement. In Scotland the effect of
the temperance wave is perhaps more
noticeable than in either England Or
Ireland but If the reports of those who
have lately visited the latter place are
to be relied on, there is a much de-
sired decrease in the amount of liquor
consumed. The crushing of the drink
habit is blessing for the Irish peo-
lie. Drink has not added to the bet
torment of the Scotch, the English or
the Irish and the sooner they cease
from drowning their cares in whiskey,
the sooner the time will come when
they will have less cares to drown.
AS conditions are the whiskey tax
puts the Irish party in a peculiar po-
sition. Il. P. O'Connor is authority
for the statements that the distillers
are Tories to a man and that they
have contributed heavily to the Anti
Home Rule fund. On the other hand
the small liquor retailers are Nation
alists and generous supports of the
Nationalist cause. Here then was the
dilemma in which the Nationalist par
ty found itself. If it favored the high
tax on whiskey 1T would aid in the
destruction of an industry injurious to
the country but lose the support Of
many of it's greatest benefactors; If it
opposed the tax it would retain it's
followers but at the same time help
an industry injurious to the best in
terests of the country.
John Redmond, however, did not
mince words or leave his position a
matter Of speculation. In a speech at
Dublin last February he made a clear,
concise statement Of the course which
the Irish party would follow when he
stated that in the interests of Home
Rule he would accept the tax but if
the government showed any hesita-
ton in forcing the fight on the lords
he would oppose and defeat the gov
eminent Since then the whiskey tax
has been under the spotlight.
There is no doubt but that the i'm
portance of this question is being UNI
duly emphasized by those inimical to
Redmond's policy. 1t is true that the
effect of the tax will be felt by some
of those who are dependent on the
manufacture and sale of this article
bered that limitations put on the
whiskey trade in Ireland will ulti-
mately result in the betterment of con-
ditions there
The growing antipathy Of the COM
mon, people of Ireland against the use
Of liquor is an assurance that the Irish
party is not taking a precarious step
In accepting the whiskey tax in re-
turn for guarantee that the govern
ment will fight the veto privilege Of
the House Of Lords. The tremendous
temperance demonstration in Dundalk
few weeks ago when the largest
gathering ever held in that city as
sembled in the cause of temperance,
speaks well for the growth of the tenn
perance movement. Priests and bish-
ops are lending their enthusiastic sup
port to the work and the gratifying re-
suits obtained are such that if Home
Rule will profit by the acceptance Of
1.-THE budget, whisl1ey tax and all, the
Irish party need have no fear of its
position.