Abstract

Issues and Men

The Irish point out that there are two administrative systems existing in Northern Ireland: the British government, which controls customs and excise, post office, telephone, navigation, external trade, navy and army and air force, and all questions of citizenship; and a government of Northern Ireland, which has no power over the main sources of its tax revenue and no control over its electoral laws. Its government and parliament are responsible to the people, but under a governor appointed, and mainly paid, by England. They declare that the financial arrangements have broken down from the very beginning and that Northern Ireland has failed to pay its way as prescribed by the Government of Ireland Act. The southern Irish maintain that the government of North Ireland is oppressive and tyrannical.