The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-08-07
RELAND'S ECONOMIC CONDITION

J|VNG CUID|IIUll
stock since the outbreak of hostili-
ties in Europe.
This brings me to consideration of
the monetary value to Ireland of her
agricultural products. And as 1 am
dealing with her live stock it might
be just as we'll for me to say straight
away what such stock meant to Ireland
in money in the year 1913, the latest
year for which have figures. In that
year the estimate value of all live
stock exported out of Ireland reached
the record figure of $97,342.735. In
the five years 1909-1913. Ireland de.
rived from the sale of live stock of
all kinds, exported out of the country
close upon $379.5O0,000. Considering
the enormous expectation of horses,
cattle, sheep, pigs, etc., out of Ire
land to Great Britain since the war
began, and also in view Of the greatly
enhanced or war prices obtained for
such animals, 1t is safe to say that
when the figures for 1914 become
available it will be found that both
in numbers and value, Ireland's ex-
ports Of such stock for that year will
have surpassed all previous figures
and expectations.
AS the minimum of human labor is
required for the raising of live stock,
especially in Ireland, where grass is so
rich and plentiful, this particular trade
is not of any permanent benefit to
the community. Indeed Ireland does
not get the full value out Of the live
stock she raises and exports, since the
trade is largely done in stores" or
unfinished cattle. It is well known
that the bulk Of the profit made out
Of stock raising comes in the finish
ing stage, when the cattle are being
specially fattened for killing purposes.
Were Ireland to finish all the cattle
she exports to England the increased
value would in measure justify to a
limited extent this trade. As it stands,
it is of very little permanent advan-
tage to the country. Another point
to remember is that every live ami.
NAL shipped out of the country means
a loss Of valuable raw materials to
Ireland. For example, the hides,
horns, offal, ETC., are all lost to the
country, and consequently the valu-
able subsidiary industries that arise
and give remunerative employment
in cattle slaughtering districts.
Ireland does slight trade in dead
meats with England and other parts,
in bacon, hams, game, etc. In 1918
such exports from Ireland were val
ued at $24,402,560. Now, in London
and other parts of England and Wales
there exists all the year round prac.
tically Unsuitable market for fresh
and other varieties of meats. London
gets the bulk of it's meat supplies
from Scotland. Ireland is very much
nearer to London than Scotland and
there appears to be no reason why
Ireland should not cater for the Lon.
don demand for fresh meat. That is
one of the valuable developments that
the future holds for Ireland.
AS l am dealing with live stock, I
may as well include here a reference
to poultry raising in Ireland. Much
prosperity has attended this phase of
rural activity within recent years in
Ireland. Whatever the Irish farmer
and Irish laborer may or may not be
doing to promote agricultural pros.
pertty, it cannot be gainsaid that the
Irish farmers wife and the Irish la.
borers wife have been doing their
share in the national housekeeping
This is borne out by the fact that the
estimated value of Irish poultry, eggs,
butter and feathers in 1909 amounted
to $37, 100000, whilst in 1913 they were
valued at $40,S75,000, or an increase
in value in the five years of over
100000. Slowly but surely Irish
eggs. butter and poultry are gaining
prestige on the English market and
since the outbreak of the war England
has purchased all she could get from
Ireland of these commodities and at
greatly increased values.
Returning now to consideration of
the value to Ireland of her chief agri.
cultural products, wish to say, first,
that the total exports of agricultural
produce from Ireland in 1913 was
estimated at $1s7, 100000 Inclusive of
live stock values, of course). As
against this, Ireland in the same year
purchased from abroad food stuffs to
the value of upwards of SIP, 500, 900.
This is feature of Ireland's trade
that requires attention since it will be
evident that Ireland should first feed
herself and afterwards export merely
her surplus produce. What is hap
pening is that Ireland is selling her
nutritious foodstuffs to other peoples
and then purchasing largely inferior
foodstuffs for the needs of her own
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