10 APRIL 1920, Page 2

Here is a curious little sidelight on Irish life to-day

which reaches us in a letter from an Irish correspondent :-

" The conditions here are appalling. It is impossible to get any work done. The •dishonesty and profiteering of the shop- keepers is indescribable. One thing amuses me above all things here—the people who are most idle, thriftless, and lawless are all clamouring for independenca by their talk, but they are bought body and soul by English doles, and they accept all available monies given by England for idleness and sick benefits. Their grievance is that they are not getting enough There seems to be no regard for human life."