ULSTER AND HOME RULE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9185, 27 April 1893, Page 6

ULSTER AND HOME RULE.

m TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l notice in last Thursday's issue two letters on the above subject, and as one of them was apparently intended as a criticism of my letter of the previous day, I would like to make a few more statements for the benefit of " Justitia" and his friends. In the first place I must acknowledge my heartfelt thanks at the surpassing condescension of " Justitia" in noticing me at all. lam truly grateful; I hope I may live to be worthy of it. "Justitia" parades a mass of figures, but I must confess, his authorities are of ancient date-1882, 1884, 1886, etc., etc. His statements re the absence of Roman Catholics on the City Council, Poor Law Board, Harbour Board, etc., are totally unsupported by any authority, and I know that there are good Roman Catholics on those bodies. If such were not the case would it not convince "Justitia" that herein is an illustration of the survival of the fittest. Let him look at these institutions here in our own city and note the percentage of this particular faith. Do we here in Auckland practice intolerance ? As regards emigration the streams of emigrants from the greater part of the country invariably pass through Ulster on their way abroad. This in itself will naturally give high figures as regards Ulster. " Justitia" does not notice the Customs returns of Belfast, which are greater than all the rest of Ireland. In regard to the income tax, the multitude of small incomes in Ulster is far greater than any other province, and the income tax itself is paid chiefly by Unionists. In the matter of rates, Donegal, one of the poorest in Ireland, and largest county in Ulster, lowers the returns for this province, and in fact bears disadvantageously upon the whole of its statistics. If the Protestant population alone was rated the amount per head would exceed all other provinces. In education the same considerations apply. As to the numbers polled, in a great many cases there was no opposition, hence no polling. In to-day's issue a letter states that the Home Rule members for Ulster number 17 instead of 14. Here are some figures which will give the best index as to the intelligence, standing, and prosperity of the four provinces :—

Paupers. Tot\l pop. Ulster 16,258 — 1,743,075 Leinster .. .. 36,154 — 1,278,089 Munster .. .. 43,298 — 1,331,115 Connaught .. .. 11,146 — 821,657 Showing Leinstcr, with a lesser population, as having more than two to one paupers against Ulster. Yet, according to "Justitia," Leinster had in 1886 a greater percentage able to read and write. How is this ? If " Justitia" looks with the eyes of an impartial Irishman, if he is not blinded with bipotry, he will be able to see that Ulster does not wish to rule the roost, nor has ever done so. But the people of that province simply wish to be left alone. They are satisfied with their lot. They don't wish a change, and they surely cannot bo blamed for taking a stand when threatened with a political and commercial upheaval which can but end in disaster. Mr. Gladstone's millennium smacks strangely of the fool's paradise. The experiment is worth trying in some parts of Ireland, but not in Ulster. I affix the opinion of the eminent lady novelist, Mrs. Lynn-Linton. Of course, it is only the opinion of one woman. But, sir, she is perhaps a greater observer of human nature than " Justitia " or Dbwardo. [We have not space for the extract sent. Mrs. Lynn-Linton speaks strongly of the carelessness and neglect ot the Irish tenant, and the evil influence of the church. She went over to Ireland a Home Ruler. She came back converted.—Ed.l