Fianna Fail government of Sean Lemass placed a 2- 1/2 per cent turnover tax on all goods in an attempt to raise the finances to maintain its Program for Economic Expansion, the few Irish Marxists raised the demands ‘Ror the Ninth Round" (i,6., a “call for a wage “Incréasé), "Down with the Government," "Labour and NPD to Power." (National Progressive Democrats =-- a small socialist party with two Members of Parliaments; this party has since joined the Labour party. )
The Dublin Trades Council at once backed the call to stop the tax or bring down the government ; but the top leadership backed away from strike action while agreeing that. the. people were prepared for a showdown, Instead they opted for the holding of mass meetanee after working hours. .
Even at these meetings the, call. went out for the ninth wage increase and.the downfall of the government. Under this pressure
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the National Committee of the Labour party ordered their parliamentary caucus to move a vote of no confidence in the government and. ~ ordered the Chairman of the Dail (parliament) -- a member of the = Labour party -- to break with the so~called Dail procedure and voteagainst the government.
But the government got the votes of two Independent deputies (MP's) and to the cry of "bank=-book government," the Labour party leadership called off. struggle on the political field and left their “mates in the. trade unions to press for the ninth wage increase,
Last Christmas the Federated Union of Employers and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions agreed on a 12 per cent alleround pay hike,
Once the wage agreement was signed,.pressure subsided, The government then went to the polls and won two by-elections.
Now the chickens have come home to roost; for as soon as the government was confirmed in. power ‘until 1966 the Dublin Corporation =the largest single house owners in the State -- put the differential rents of their hous es “Up by 10 per cent.
This. was followed by butchers putting six pence C$. 07]: in the pound on beef; the two pound loaf went up to 1/5a, [$.20] and the State: transport company will increase its fares,. This again was followed by increases in the prices of canned goods, beer, jam, etc., etc.
once. again the common people of Ireland pay. the price for their unfinished revolution,
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