PAUPERISM AND CRIME.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 65, 25 July 1874, Page 14

PAUPERISM AND CRIME.

iKEIiAND AJCD SCOTIAND COMPAEED. Now that Ireland has come before the world once more with the old cry in a new form on her lips, it will be interesting to give a glance at certain figures that speak of the reason she has for demanding from her unkind sister a better form of government, and also the reason she has for believing that she is able to manage her own affairs with ability and morality. The following figures show the population of Ireland according to the census reports of 1841 and 1871 :—: —

In thirty years we see here a loss of nearly three millions from the population ; but the actual decrease has been even greater, when we consider the number of births over deaths. Between the years 1865 and 1872 (for which time only an approximation of the births and deaths have been made), we find that there were nearly half a million more births than deaths ; so that two millions more should be added to the loss, making the whole decrease bet wen 1841 and 1871 no less than five millions ! Between the years 1863 and 1872, the population of Scotland increased from 3,101,006 to 3,399,226. In the Bame time the population of Ireland decreased^from 5,641,086 to 6,368 696. But let us compare some other figures from Scotland with those from poor Ireland, and the latter shows a proud superiority. Remember the population of Scotland is over three millions, whilst the population of Ireland is over five millions. The following table shows the number of paupers and dependents in the two countries ,—

Although the pauperism of Ireland is so much less than that of Scotland, it cannot be taken as a proof of the greater prosperity of the country. Instead of statistics of actual pauperism, were it possible to prepare statistics of actual poverty, it would appear that Ireland is in a much worst state than Scotland. These paradoxical figures only prove that the poorest peop.e in Ireland have a dislike to beg alms from any one, and especially from the Government. Oftentimes, to the most destitute people in Ireland, starvation and lingering misery are preferable to the " poor-house." It is not so in Scotland or England, where beggary seems to come easy to the poor. But we rejoice at the sturdy dislike that Ireland shows to eating bread from the hand of an official. The following comparison of the criminal convictions in Scotland and Ireland is also of strange import. It will be seen that Scotland,

with two millions less people, has almost as many convictions for the ten years as Ireland : —

When we think of all that has been don* for centuries to demoralise Ireland, these figures are simply wonderful. The waves of insurrection, war, famine, fever, and penal laws have deluged the country again and again; but they were powerless to wauh away the ingrained purity o*|the people. One would think that some time or other the heart of England would' relent when she looked on the virtue and suffering of her sister. But in her latest days England grows only more emphatic in her determination to impoverish and depopulate Ireland. The • Pall Mall Gazette * lately said :— "In bringing together a few interesting facts in relating to the diminution of the population of Ireland, we would not have it imagined that we deplore that dimmutiou. On the contrary, great as it has been during the last thirty years, there can be no doubt thaXifc. has neither gone too far nor too fast, and that Ireland still is too densely populated. \ The reason of this great English journal on the depopulation of Ireland is little short of demoniacal. ««In 1846, before the famine " L'^TJJ' th« PoP^tion reached 8,380,000; in 1871, it had fallen to 5,412,000. But thia reduction of 35 per cent, still leaves too many people in Ireland. " From 1851 to 1871," it proceeds, " the unmber of emigrants rather exceeded an average of 100,000 per annum • the lait three years it has scarcely reached 75,00." This paper consoles itself and its readers by the reflection that the immigrants " consist in overwhelming proportions of those to whom Ireland has to trust for her future increase of inhabitants." We think the following paragraph, which was exultingly written and used, is unparelled for cruelty :— "The indications to be gathered from this table scarcely need pointing out. The proportion of the old is becoming excessive in Ireland; while that of the young, and in a smaller degree of infants also, is below the nominal average'" These figures from Ireland Bhow cause for pride and sorrow j but, thank heaven, the sorrow is imposed and not of Irish growth. England will some day eat the ashes she is leaving in Ireland. She has driven the Irish to people other lands that will pay the old debt in the future. Instead of keeping her as a sister, England has made Ireland a Nemesis. The Irish are leaving Ireland, but they are not dying out. The land of Ireland England may one day possess: but the land without the people is not wealth or power. Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade, A breatk can make them as a breath has made; But a bold peasantry, their country's pride "When once destroyed can uever be supplied. —' Boston Pilot.'

Scotland. Ibeiaud. Year. Convicted. Year. Convicted. 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 2,438 2,359 2,355 2,292 2.510 2,490 2,592 2 400 2,184 2,259 1863 1864 1865 1866..-. 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 3,285 aooo 2,661 2,418 2,733 2,394 2,452 3,048 2,257 2,565 Total. 25,889 Total. 29,813

Scotland. Ibeland. Year. Paupers. Year. Paupera. 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 120,284 120,705 121,394 119,608 121,199 128,976 128,339 126,187 123,570 117,611 1863 1864. 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 68,136 69,217 65,057 68,650 72,925 74,743 73,921 74,692 75,743 79,649 Total. 1,227,843 Total. 743,733

Pbotincb. 1811. 1871. Leinster Ulster Connaught Munster „ Total 1,973,731 2,386,373 1,419,850 2,396,161 8,176,124 1,335,966 1,830,398 845,993 1,390,402 5,411,416