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The discussion in the correspondence columns of the CAThOLIC HERALD on the cause of the exodus from Ireland rose out of a dictum of Fr. E. Cahill, S.J., that thi root cause of the flight is economic—a statement which I challenged. The Bishop of Pella has been told by Irish girl immigrants to England that they left Ireland because they could not get employment at home.
Those girls were telling a big, big fib.
Employment for girls abounds. Mistresses cannot get maids for love or money, anywhere, save in some glittering, favoured centres, and even there, the girls will not stay for more than six weeks, however they are pampered.
A typical example is this:
A very, good mistress, in an easily run country house. kept two sisters as maids, taking the second solely to keep the elder company, though there was not work enough for two—any bribe she would pay, being desperate for a girl who would stay.
" NAME YOUR PRICE " " No, I'm going to England," said the elder girl when asked to renew her engagement.
" Nan a your price," said the mistress. ' Whatever you will be paid in England, I will pay it, and you will save your fazes and other expenses, beside being near your home."
"I am going to England," said the girl.
No bribe, no money, will hold them. In England they will work for Jews and pagans, they will not be in Catholic homes, 'ney will not be under the eye of parent or priest.
So houses big enough to require servants in them are closing up like flowers when night falls. The amenities of country life, and leadership, are perishing. The countryside soon will have few houses save cottages.