Later, after some more observations in the interroga- tory form,
Mr. Whitley pointed out that old-age pensions had contributed to alter the circumstances. Thereupon Mr. Will Thorne asked: "Would it not be much better to give them Home-rule and lot them pay their own way?" To which Mr. Moore replied: "Is the hon. gentleman aware that old-age pensioners in Ireland would much prefer to draw their money from British post-offices?" We are bound to say that, in the American phrase, we feel inclined to" leave it at that." We believe that many years ago Mr. Healy declared that all Ireland wanted was "Protection and plenty of paper-money " ; but in spite of this seductive programme, we incline to the belief that the majority of Irishmen would prefer a bonus of one and a half millions a year to a deficit of that amount. Ireland, however, is so confusing s country to the stupid Saxon that it is quite possible that the aforesaid bonus may yet figure as the greatest of Irish grievances. We can imagine an Irish orator protesting that cruel, sordid, and perfidious England would not even let poor, bankrupt, bleeding Ireland pay her own way !
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