IRISH APTITUDE FOR THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 14, 2 January 1891, Page 19

IRISH APTITUDE FOR THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

(From the Irish World.)

In view of the approiching distress the following, taken from a recent work, " Two Centuries cf Irish History," will be interesting as showing what Irishmen could do for themselves if they had their affairs under their own con'rol : —

The Irish Parliament Lad men who seized upon the true principles of economic law* and applied them with great sagacity. They could not spend money m foster ing factories ami trade as England did ; but what comparatively small sums they gave were more fruitful, beciusemore judicionsly allotted. By this means they raUtd iheir factories from the raias British laws had made, and by this means also their fisheries became the envy and admiration of their neighbours. The Irish bounties are not nearly on a level with the British ; but " the fisheries are under no unnecessary restraints, and a 20i bounty there is equal to a 30j bouuty on the Hebrides b'ishery." Frequently the West India Ue<-t. leaving the Clyde (Scotland), went to L'oik to ship Irish herrings. Contrary to whatsome have alleged, the elaer Irish population had special aptitudes in maritime matters. Men were brought from Ireland to teach the natives of Uiit (Scotland) the manufacture of kelp from sea-weed. Others were brought •o the Shetland^ because of tbeir dexterity in fishing, and because they could go out two months earlier and proceelmuch farther to sea than could the natives in their small boats. The inhabitants of Bsrra (islaud on the Sco'ch const) learned fish-curing from the Irish fishermen, who had a <l Highland fishery." They went even farther a-seaand established their "great fishery on the backs of Newfoundland, which," in 1785, " increases duly." This was due, be it noted, to the energy aud enterprise of the old natives of Ireland, who, homeless: in their fatherlaud pouted out by the two aud three thematuis annually, and remained abroad as residents in spite of all discouragements. The British who went usually returned. Newfoundland was practicdly founded by Irish Catholics. The Irish fishers were honest dealers as well as skilled curers. Tbougri the Irish herring barrel contained only 28 gallons and the Scotch 32, the former sold "at an iqaal or superior price." Sj hiah stood the Irish name that their herrrngs sold '• fourteen and a half per cenf. dearer than the Scotch." They were never charged with the " fraud, perjury, and all the tricks which ingenuity could invent to rob the public"— buch as partly filling barrels wi h stones and rubbish — which had almost entirely destroyed the sale of British herrings in European markets.'