[John Redmond’s Last Years by Stephen Gwynn]@TWC D-Link bookJohn Redmond’s Last Years CHAPTER VIII 65/154
It may be found in the power of the Senate, it may be found in the power to suspend.
If we are agreed somewhat on the general lines of the Primrose Report, the outstanding difficulty will be capable of adjustment. "Sir Crawford McCullagh rightly pointed out the terrible burden of war taxation, which is at present over twenty millions, and he said we cannot go on on those lines, and we must get back to pre-war burdens or the country will be ruined.
How are we to get back? "If nothing is done by us, and the war goes on, as it may, for some years, we may easily be paying thirty, forty, or fifty millions, and generations to come will have to bear a crushing load.
The income tax is certain to be raised, and excess profits also, and no part of Ireland will suffer more than Ulster, and especially Belfast. "The highest interest of Ulster, therefore, is a speedy settlement whereby the increase of war taxation will cease and Ireland's contribution to Imperial purposes will either disappear or, to put it at the very lowest, be limited and stereotyped. "Mr.Knight raised the question of land purchase.
I agree with every word he said, but what is the difficulty? The difficulty is in providing the additional money needed at a low rate of interest.
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