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HOME RULE FINANCE.
In the "Fortnightly Review" "An
Outsider" describes the difference between
"Repeal and Federal Home
Rile. TTe is very sanguine as to
the ease with which the new Irish
Government will meet its financial
difficulties :—"Ireland's annual income
at present is, roughly, ten millions,
and doubts may have been expressed
if it would be possible for
an Irish Parliament and Executive
to run an efficient Home Rule Government.
on that income. Benmark,
in 1910, ran its Government,
includrncc monarchy, army, and navy,
on
a revenue of seven and a half
millions, Holland on less than six,
and Switzerland on less than four.
But the Irish Government can
neither economise nor utilise its resoiirces
unless it is given the power
both to raise and spend. For some
time to come economies on a large
scale in Irish expenditure are, indeed,
impossible. The scrupulous
care that Parliament takes of vested
interest would prevent an immediate
reduction of office, salary, or pension.
Ireland will doubtless need
some help from the British Treasury,
either in a bulk sum or a temporary
annual allowance, to start
housekeeping oil her own account—
such help as the Financial Relations
Reports show is restitution, not
alms; but once fairly started, the
country can easily live within its income.".
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