ANGLO-IRISH FINANCE TO-DAY.
The finances of Ireland since the Union, when reviewed by the Royal Commission in 1894-1896, exhibited five principal features:
1. A declining population.
2. An estimated true taxable capacity falling as compared with that of Great Britain, and standing in 1893-94 at a maximum of 1 to 19.
3. A revenue stationary for thirty-four years, and showing in 1893-94 a ratio of 1 to 12 with that of Great Britain.
4. A growing local expenditure (though stationary for the last four years).
5. A dwindling net contribution to Imperial services (though stationary for the last four years).
If we review the subsequent seventeen years, we find:
1. A population still declining, though at a slower rate.
2. An estimated true taxable capacity still falling as compared with that of Great Britain, and now standing at a maximum of 1 to 24.[115] That is, Ireland ought strictly to be paying no more than one-twenty-fifth of the United Kingdom revenue.