148 NECESSITY FOE A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME. 



The disproportion between population and employ- 

 ment is at present of such magnitude as to put it quite 

 out of the question for the country to right itself, un- 

 aided. If left to do so, nature will soon restore her 

 own equilibrium ; but the very thought of such a crisis is 

 too hideous for a civilised nation to contemplate for a 

 moment. 



Sooner or later we must give effectual aid to the 

 West of Ireland. Individual immigration by capitalists 

 or farmers, however excellent, is too slow a remedy 

 for the disease ; nor can the ordinary action of Govern- 

 ment cope with such extraordinary circumstances. A 

 comprehensive scheme, like that developed by slr 

 Robert Peel in the last session of parliament, is 

 absolutely necessary for the safety of the west 

 of Ireland. 



