Professor Windle of Queen’s College, Cork, delivered a compelling lecture at the Athenaeum on Friday night, urging Limerick and Ireland at large to rally behind their native industries. Presided over by Alderman Joyce, the Mayor of Limerick, the gathering included clergy and members of the Corporation who came together to hear Professor Windle’s insightful address.
In a thought-provoking discourse, Professor Windle asserted that Ireland’s responsibility towards its native industries could be distilled into three crucial words—“to support them.” He addressed the critical link between the industrial development movement and the alarming issue of emigration, highlighting the need to provide employment opportunities within the country for its young citizens.
Technical instruction, according to Professor Windle, must be accompanied by thriving industries to curb emigration, for without this synergy, technical training would inadvertently exacerbate the exodus of Irish youth. By promoting Irish industries, he argued, they would not only check emigration but also bolster the economy.
The lecture delved into the statistics that underscored Ireland’s reliance on foreign goods, despite being capable of manufacturing similar items domestically. Professor Windle pointed out that a staggering £200,000 was spent on imports such as boots, soap, candles, starch, and blankets, all of which could be produced in Ireland with equal quality. The dire consequences of this pattern were evident: the money being sent out of the country could instead be used to provide jobs for a substantial portion of the population.
The call for supporting Irish industries was further reinforced by Lord Monteagle, who shared his experience of opting for Irish-made biscuits in London over foreign ones. The growing Cork Industrial Association was hailed as a beacon of this self-help movement, with its “as good and as cheap” principle that garnered support from citizens conscious of the national benefit of their choices.
Mayor Joyce, while emphasizing the public’s duty to buy Irish goods, also challenged manufacturers to uphold their responsibility. He cited instances of businesses failing to provide essential supplies for ongoing projects, suggesting that manufacturers must also prioritize quality and collabouration with the nation’s development.
Concluding on a passionate note, Professor Windle stressed that Ireland’s prosperity hinged on its people’s commitment to their own interests and industries. By supporting local manufacturing and making conscious consumer choices, the citizens could reshape their country’s economic landscape and foster a future that thrives on self-sufficiency.
In an effort to propel this movement forward, the Industrial Association was encouraged to collabourate with the newly-formed Ladies’ Association, extending the reach of Irish-made products among working women and girls.
Professor Windle’s lecture resonated deeply, resonating with attendees who left with a renewed determination to champion Irish industries. It remains to be seen how this call for self-help and support will shape Limerick’s and Ireland’s economic trajectory in the years to come.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 14 November 1905
