If every taxable article were smuggled into Ireland, so that not one pound of Irish customs were paid to the English treasury, the Imperial power would lose, but the Irish State would gain.

Ireland would be delivered from a tax which will soon be called a tribute.

If, moreover, Ireland continues to be treated as financially a part of the United Kingdom, then free smuggling, which is free trade, would make Ireland a free port, where might be landed untaxed the goods required by the whole United Kingdom.

It is easy to see how the English revenue would suffer, but it is equally easy to see that Irish commerce might flourish.

If I am told that the ruin of the British revenue may be averted by the examination of goods brought from Ireland to Great Britain--this, of course, is so.