This was quite too much for Mr. Healy, who replied
with an explosion of sardonic irony. Irish Members, he said, did not come there to be lectured by English Members ; they came to teach them the only subjects they understood,—namely, the affairs of their own country. "Both Free-trade and Protection are false ; whatever suits you is best. Now one thing that does not suit Ireland is to be robbed." When Ireland was robbed of her Parliament, she paid £1,000,000 in taxes; under this Budget she was paying something like £13,000,000. And yet Mr. Cox maintained that Ireland had the advantage of the partnership. "The Irish were the best judges whether they were well treated or not. They had to wear the shoe, and all they knew was the proof of the pudding was in the eating.
They would not give Ireland Home-rule ; then give them the control of their finances, like the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands." In conclusion, Mr. Healy said that he never spoke on the Old-Age Pensions Bill ; he suspected the Greeks naturally enough when they were giving them presents. Ultimately the amendment was rejected by 252 votes to 131, and the Resolution was carried by 258 to 128, or a majority of 125.
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