IRELAND’S PLIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 107, 8 May 1934, Page 4

IRELAND’S PLIGHT

O’DUFFY’S assertion that the Free State is becoming a pauper, is undoubtedly true. This is to be regretted because, as he points out, Great Britain is Ireland’s natural and only market. Assuming that his figures are correct, it would appear that the purchase of £3,000,000 of goods by Ireland from countries outside of Great Britain has brought practically no response in the way of reciprocal trade, the reciprocal purchases being 2s 9d for every £ spent by Ireland. The prospect of Ireland becoming a self-contained country is by no means bright, although this condition could be achieved provided the people of the country were prepared to accept a very much lower standard of living than they have hitherto enjoyed. This is a condition precedent for every country which attempts to live entirely to itself.

The well-wishers of Ireland can only hope that the tempers of the various parties will move into a more pacific condition at an early date when the real issues which confront Ireland can be discussed and considered somewhat less passionately than is possible to-day.