Chapter VII

THE QUESTION OF THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN
AND IRELAND

The subject briefly considered--Financial position of
Ireland before 1782, and under Grattan's Parliament--Her
taxation and debt small before 1798--Ireland financially a
distinct country--At the Union, Pitt wished to 'assimilate
her in finance' with Great Britain, but this impossible, and
why--Ireland's contribution after the Union--This was
unjust, but it left her financially a distinct country--
Ireland made nearly bankrupt--The compromise of 1816--The
Irish Exchequer closed, and the Irish and British debts
consolidated--The object of the compromise was rather to
relieve Ireland from her burdens than to assimilate her in
finance with Great Britain--She still remained for many
years financially distinct from Great Britain, and is so
still to some extent--The conduct of Peel a striking proof
of this--Mr. Gladstone imposes the income tax on Ireland,
and her spirit duties are largely raised--Injustice of this
policy--The Committee of 1863-64--Ireland does not obtain
financial justice--The Report of the Childers Commission
made upon a reference by Mr. Gladstone following Mr.
Goschen--The Commission declares that Ireland has been
greatly overtaxed for many years--Evidence on which it has
founded this conclusion--Examination of arguments to the
contrary--Another Commission promised, but the promise not
fulfilled--Importance of settling this question 271-308