1 Irish Financial Relations Committee,
Mansion House,
Dublin. 6th March 1916. Dear Sir, In the year 1896 the admitted annual overtaxation of
Ireland amounted to two and three quarter million pounds. In
the twenty years that have since elapsed the annual taxation
has steadily increased, and the annual amount now levied on
on Ireland is £9,400,000 in excess of the amount levied in 1896.
All this time the population and real wealth of the country
has decreased each year. The people of the country were so much occupied with
other important problems, that no concerted action was taken
to call attention to the desperate financial position of Ireland.
Within the last few weeks however, a provisional committee came
together in Dublin with the object of endeavouring to do something
to stop the fatal drain on the resources of the country. It was determined to start a campaign against the over-
taxation of Ireland by calling a mass meeting of the citizens of
Dublin at the Mansion House. The meeting was held on Tuesday,
29th February, and a crowded audience unanimously approved of
the action of the committee, and resolutions were passed demanding
the exemption of Ireland from the taxes imposed last year and
foreshadowed for the present year, and authorised the formation
of a committee to conduct an agitation to secure such exemption. A condensed report of the meeting is enclosed, as well
as a leaflet prepared by the committee setting forth the financial
grievances of Ireland. The committee hope that you will see your way to publish
the report. The subject is one of vital importance to the
interests of the country, and it is generally admitted that, if
the present rate of taxation continues, it will lead to the ruin
of Irish trade and industries, and make life almost unbearable
for the vast majority of the people. A determined agitation,
even if not entirely successful, will be bound to produce good
results. The committee trust that they will be favoured by
your co-operation in a matter which so vitally concerns the
interests of everybody. The committee would be glad to be favoured with a copy
of the issue of your paper containing this report. Yours faithfully, B.J. Goff, M.A.
J.E. Lyons
Hon. Secs. To/ The Editor.