On Thursday, Mr. Gladstone made an announcement in re- gard
to the Financial Clauses, the effect of which is to turn his Bill inside out. In the first place, the new financial arrange- ment is only to last six years, and no change will be proposed "in fixing, managing, or collecting" any of the existing taxes. Next, Ireland will be given the power to impose new taxes. "Thirdly, Ireland's contribution, according to our proposal, will be one-third of her ascertained revenue." Fourthly, the Imperial Parliament will only place additional taxation on Ireland for "war or special defence." At the close of six Tears the plan will be revised, and Ireland's only fiscal links with Great Britain will then be the Customs, the Excise, and the Post-Office. It is also understood that the Irish Members during the six years will remain in their full numbers and for all purposes. Mr. Redmond, immediately after Mr. Glad- stone's statement, gave notice that when the clause depriving Ireland of the right to collect her taxes came up for discus- sion, he "should oppose it as unjust and humiliating to Ireland." Note that, according to the Bill, 27,730,000 is Ireland's ascertained revenue. A third of this is £2,576,000. But under the old plan Ireland's contribution was to have been £2,370.000. Ireland, therefore, will be 2206,000 a year worse off than under the scheme which Mr. Sexton declared meant bankruptcy.
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