IRELAND AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11200, 21 October 1899, Page 6 (Supplement)

IRELAND AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

TO THE EDITOR, Commenting upon His Eminence Cardinal Vaughan's statements with reference to the influence of the Catholic Church upon tho nations, the London Times (in your Notes and Comments column to-day) says: " It cannot be honestly said that tho people of that country (Ireland) are more prosperous 1 or more contented because of the great power which the Church of Romo has over them." Tho inference here drawn is that the stagnation, discontont, misery, and depopulation of Ireland, is due to the "great power" which the Catholio Church there exercises. Tho contrary of this is well known to the Times. The Financial Commission . set up a few years ago, and which was com- I prised of mon of all shades of politics, to ' inquire into the financial relations existing between Great Britain and Ireland found that Ireland was annually over-taxed to the amount of £2,750,000, and this had been going on for the last 50 years. For the last three decades successive Governments have, through Acts of Parliament, reduced tho rents on agricultural lands. Since the forties the population has fallen by four millions. At present, 119,255 occupiers hold land to the extent of five acres in area. Whilst official returns show that 10,000,000 acres of the best land in the country are under grass; that is, fattening bullocks, and driving off and starving the people. During the Inst | 12 months for the first time since England's, annexation of Ireland, a measure of self- : government has been placed in the hands of . the people of Ireland. To state, in face of the foregoing facts, that tho Catholic Church ! is, or was, in any way responsible for the decay of Ireland is to play upon one's credulity— am, etc., Jdstitia, Auckland, October 16, 1899.