The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-09-28
FREE TRADE IN IRELAND.

How the Emerald Isle has Suffered
from the Blight of Cobdenisn-
A Protective Tariff System Nee
essary for the country's RehabiIi-
tation.
The pressing need of a protective
system for Ireland, whereby that un-
fortunate country may regain her
former status in respect of population,
OF industry and of agriculture, is set
forth in letter of July 8 to the
Louisiana Planter and Sugar Manu-
faeturer. The writer says
Apropos of the recent tariff dis
cussion and in view of the fact that
England has always been pointed to
with SO much pride by the over-zeal-
Gus free traders of this country, I
beg to hand you herewith the recent
report Of the British Tariff Commis-
sion on the industrial conditions in
ireland and their relation to- tariff re-
form (protection), from which it can
be seen at a glance that free trade
insures low wages and protection
means higher wages. Thus it is, that
whilst SO many of our so-called Dem
ocrats are advocating free trade for
this country, Great Britain is gradu-
ally, but surely, working back toward
policy of protection, which is as
inevitable as the setting sun.
Yours very truly,
WEST LIVAUDAIS.'
The tariff commission report to
which the correspondent refers is as
follows:
London, July 6.-The Tariff Com
mission has issued valuable mem
orandum on the economic position Of
Irealnd and its relation to tariff re-
form (protection). in which some of
the effects of the home rule bill ar
pointed out. The conclusion that is
come to is that:
In view Of the serious distur-
Dances and the economic interests of
the United Kingdom as a whole,
which the measure must bring about;
in view also OF the effect upon these
interests both in Great Britain and
ireland of the free trade system, the
only possible conclusion is that the
solution of the economic problems of
both countries is to be found in the
adoption of one tariff for the United
Kingdom, with preference to the over
seas possessions of the crown. IS
The disastrous effect Of free trade
on Irish industry is clearly shown.
while the ID of ireland fell
from ,175, 600 iii i 81 i to 4 43, 900 il
1901, or 46 per scent, the numbers
employed ii manufacturing industries
fell in the same period from 989, 900,
to 339 900, or So per cent. Comment
ing on this decline, the memoran-
dunn says:
Under the reform Of the British
fiscal policy, which is responsible for
so much of the decline Of Irish agri-
culture and industry, it would be pos
sible to give direct encouragement to
Irish industries as well as to those
Of the rest of the United Kingdom.
Natural conditions In ireland are
favorable to the creation of tobacco
and sugar Industries, and it would be
the object Of craftsmanship to en-.
courage them in various ways, az
well as the linen, shipbuilding, wool.
en-, boot and shoe, furniture and other
industries which have or have moi
had a substantial footing in that coun
try.
aIn Ireland, as IN Great Britain
here has been some recovery in
agriculture of recent years, but TAX
ing a fifty years survey it is. seer
that IN no part of the United King.
1om has the decline of agriculture
been more marked than in Ireland.
/ The increase and the development
of peasant proprietorship upon Brit
ish government credit, and the CO
operative farming under the stimulus
| Of the congested districts board an6
Sir Horace Plunakett's organization
are the bright features in the other
wise gloomy picture of Irish agricu1
ture in the last fifty years.
The fearful blight of free trade up
on the agriculture, the industries
| the population and the prosperity o
Ireland is not to be computed. 4
| deereae of 46 pers cent in popuia
ton and Sc per cent in the number
of people employed in manufacturing
Industries tells the story in a few
words. For many years Ireland has
been demanding home rule, the righ
ST elfs-government. I included in tha
demand is that of the right to buile
|up Irish agriculture and industry b5
means Of protective tariff. British
Gobdenism stands in the way. Amer
| scan Cobdenism would do for agrlcul
tures and industry in the Unitet
states what British Cobdenism has
done in. Ireland. American Econo
mist.
Going Some.
a teacher in a New England gram
mar school found the subjoined facts