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