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I. The history of the question under discussion extendshack, like that of so many national economical teachings, to thatgreat observer, Sir William Petty , who first deserves, if anyoneat all, to be called the Father of National Economy. In his“Political Arithmetic” (London, 1691) Petty defends taxes uponfoods, etc., which he maintained increased the wealth of a country.Besides taking the view that with prices of food high meninvested their money in less perishable articles, he gives, in proofof this statement, the experience of weaving overlookers whoemployed workmen on day wages. If wheat was cheap, labourtended to be dearer in the same proportion, because in suchtimes the workers were so extravagant and dissolute that theythought simply about eating and drinking. For this reason anabundant harvest was a misfortune for the people if the Govern-ment did not keep the price of wheat high. But in a specialmanner, according to Petty, did this relation apply to Ireland .In that country the standard of living was such a low one, par-ticularly after the introduction of that “ root similar to bread ”—■the potato—that two hours’ daily labour sufficed to satisfy allordinary needs. In order to stir up the Irish people from theirlaziness, a heavy system of taxation was requisite (3). In anotherplace Petty also demands in the interests of economical progressthat the conditions of living should be made harder for the people.The working hours of those times were 12 daily, including twohours' stoppage, therefore in reality 10 hours, and three mealsdaily were customary. Petty demands that the time for dinnershould be reduced by half-an-hour, and that Fridays should befasting days. Herewith, he says, the English people will becomericher, and the income of the State would increase (4).
The most celebrated writers of that time were of the sameopinion as Petty. Sir William Temple recommended the taxationof food in order to enforce general industry in Ireland (Works,vol. I., pp. 60, 114) (5). In a fertile country industry does not as arule flourish, because the cheapness of food makes it possible
3. William Petty: “ Political Arithmetic” (London , 1691), pp. 35, 42, 45
4. William Petty : “ Political Survey of Ireland’’(London , 1719). “VerbumSapienti,” p. 12.
5. “ I conceive the true original grounds of trade to be a great multitude ofpeople crowded into a small compass of land, whereby all things necessary tolife become dear, and all men who have possessions are induced to parsimony ;but those who have none are forced into industry and labour, or else to want. ”