THE IRISH INVASION
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In his comments on my article, Mr. Henry C. Wilson seems to have missed the point of my remarks on the situation in Liverpool. The Irish element in that city, whether Irish- born or Liverpool-born, certainly does not amount to 87 per cent, of the population. On the contrary, the highest estimate puts it at about 25 per cent., and the fact that it draws 87 per cent. of public assistance money shows that it is getting far more than its proportionate share.
It cannot seriously be denied that destitution among the Irish immigrants is a real problem. The" Social Survey of Mersey- side," conducted by the University of Liverpool a few years ago, found that "the Irish show particularly high percentages both for overcrowding and poverty," and I would refer Mr. Wilson to this publication if he wishes for further facts. As to the " absorption " of the Irishman by England, opinions must differ, but the state of municipal politics in Liverpool seems to show that he has not been absorbed there. Not that his reluc- tance to become absorbed is necessarily a bad thing.
As for Mr. J. Gallagher, who exposes the whole thing as "false propaganda," and whose letter reveals the curious fact that the Co. Tyrone farmers go about their duties in the lightest of footgear, I am sorry to have hurt his feelings. I was not concerned in an attack on Irishmen, but in an effort to show what problems are raised when they come to England.—Yours
faithfully, L. T. FLEMING. 121 Gloucester Terrace, W. 2.
Previous page
