On the
contrary, they do not doubt that if "the social economy" of Ireland were
made to resemble that of England, the population of Ireland might be
larger than it then was. It was only under existing circumstances that
the population of Ireland was redundant, and all they desired was a
temporary decrease.
In the letter which accompanied the memorial to the Premier, the
memorialists put their views, shortly, as follows:--1. The present
condition of Ireland is such, that there must be, for some years, a vast
increase of emigration, they, therefore, urge the necessity of what they
call "systematic colonization," both for the advantage of the emigrants
themselves, and the good of the colony to which they would emigrate.
They think this colonization, "on a very large scale," ought to be made
from Ireland to Canada, and that the State ought to lend its assistance
to promote it. 2. In the second place they lay it down as an essential
part of their scheme, that religious provision must be made for the
emigrants. 3. They think there would be great advantage in enlisting
private enterprise, in the form of agency, to carry out the plan. 4.
Furthermore, there must be a willingness on the part of the nation to
accept an income and property tax, for the purpose of defraying the cost
of emigration: and, 5.
Pages:
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793