The Express.
London, England, 1856-03-27 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 27, 1858.

FREE TRADE WITH FRANCA

GREAT OPEN-AIR MEETING AT HANLEY.

One of those monster meetings that seem peculiar
to the raanufscturiog districts war held en Tuesday at the
liiiirket-,lace, Hanley, for the coupon of taking into con-
sideration the but mode of carrying est Ins free-trade
principle with France, in regard to the exportation of the
pottery manufacture. For some time past a desire to se-
eomplish this object has been in existence, sad sears
seeming about to be established it war deemed a fitting
opportunity to bring the matter prominently Mt re the
country. A committee, under the nuns of the Anglo-
Freach Free Trade Associstion, has been Muumuu tor
• period of these or four meths, who have been engaged
in obtaining materials upon which to found the use 'hey
have to submit to the g ccccc meat of this country, as well as
that of Franca; and this meeting was convened under their
auspices.

The meeting was damned for two o'clock in the s fternooo
but as early as tea o'elock in the morning the various local
oonimittthe that have been fumed in the places immedi-
ately adjacent to Hanley were is motion, end processions
of prune were Rinsed at Tthatall, Cobridge, Loewe,
Sheitoe, Etruria, end Bersleen, to proned to the appointed
plate of readesvons at Hanley and previous to the meet-
log the several processions paraded the town, banners
flying, bands playing, and all the concomitant recite-
mints of such a state of things. In addition, there was
the fact that the day of meeting was Easter Tuesday, and
that it was market-day at Hanley. Shortly before
two o'clock the several prthessioas moved up to the Mukst
place and took their respective positions assigned them.
The num►er of people exceeded 10,000. As far as the eye
could reach there was one swaying sea of upturned faces.
Every avenue leading to the Market-place was filled by sari•
one potters wishing to bear what was to be said upon this
question vitally effecting their finaneiel position, Led every
window and balcony by spectators of the monster meeting.
A visitor= was erected fcr the accommodation of the thee
tat ore. and the proceedings commenced, about h slip .at two
o'clock, by Mr. Edwin Albut, the chief !milli' of Manley,
being called epos to preside over the meeting.

Mr Auttrr. in rising, said he wuhed he bad a voles that
would reeob them ell, to impress upon them the iseyortatee
f the movement to which they were then giving their st-
tendame. Hat pdy they wool s be addressed by tit we •ho
knew more, who had better voters, sad were mere accus-
tomed to public ep acing, end oho would then fare put the
matter in a better fight. (Hear, hear.) He should, there-
fore, satisfy himself by stating that he held In his hand
letters from several gentlemen who were favouritism to
*hem. He had one letter from Mr. Otway, one of the mem-
bers for Stafford. That gentlemen intimated that he es-
cmdingly regretted not Nisi; present on the m-
outon, but be sympathised with their management.
Another letter was from Mr. Alderman Copeland, en I mo-
ther from Mr. Wedgewotd, both • f whom regretted their
• c topulaory 'Mame. The neat letter of aptlogy wee from
Mr. C. El Adderley. Be hal alto another latter t.) which be
we. s mewhat sorry to beams he felt that they would
all have liked to have seen their good friend Mr. Riceroo.
(Hear, beer) They knew' however, that they could not
nave seinhine without clouds, m they had sten that day.
Thom gentlemen to whose letters he had first referred bad
all written in toed health. (The crawd, which was very
dente, here began to sway to and fro, and a slight in' p-
titre took elan. On the revs ration of order, Mr. Albut rt.
muted.) Ha was ssaakiag, ha Si dr 4 the r good ft,end, Mr.
Ricardo. They would all be bony to hear test he was con-
fined to his bed by Illness. He held in his heed clatter from
Mr. Ricardo, to which ho stated that he (Mr. &card. ) wee
Quite sorry that ne csuld not attend ; that be allows this
meter to grey upon his mind, and atthiag had erased him
in^re than Ins not being there. He (the chairman)
was sure that when they again met Mr. Ricers.", it
would be a warmer welcome, if possible, than it had
hithtro bee,. (Cheers.) Ile won:d act detain them
loot r, sac. pt simply t, say that he felt rejoiced that they
nad the orp ,rtnalty of meeting •p-s that occasion; and he
aseeladed by seyist that be knew toe gentlemen upon
whom he should call emeriti be received with a good "Pot-
tery " cheer—that they would new them that they bad
iro,dl '• Pottery plonk," tad then madman they-wenn make
trod 'mean s. (Load cheep.) He ea led upon Mr. B illey
to move the lest rasent.on.

Mr. BODLIT, on rising, said that, very unfortunately fur
him, he had ben ogled upon to move the first 'meant:on.
He felt that It woe a 'try responsible position to strike the
key-note on ouch en 0011•11100 as that which bad called them
together. It was to him a source of anent ected plesoute that
be f and himself in their midst that day—es theirs wee an
ebi.ct which ho did net belioate to say was one of the
grandest that co. ld have intuit h t m t ether. Bonneted
not to say Last never wire tura then so may intelligent
men and women congregated in that place me era the I rens'
.46.11i0e, sad with this one peculiarity connected with it,
that they were all on ooe side. (Laighter an 4 cheerio )
He would read to them his resolut•on, and would asks
very few ohso teatime, for he felt that he should best eon
suit the interests of the meeting and the obleces they have
in view, by giving way to the et:angers wh too they were
delishted to see amongst them, who were woiLna and were
leading them a helping band in carrying out the objects
they have is view. The roe, lotion was as follows : That
this meeting, considering the ictroductin of an *boniest
sopply of wholesome bey. rises into this country well eel
misted to draw an increasing us, and tend to the al-
vaneement of our internstional relations as well a. the ow-
proveeent of the moral and ooe al condition of the peorle,
is of epinioa that an immediate and eonsiderable reduction
of the duty on fc reign no other wises is indispensable, as!
pledges itself to press the layman* of sash a ream-
tio• on her Majesty's government. He wished every
one of them hod a blue of French wino then. (Lsugliter )
He would leave the subject of the resolution to others wh..
wen more acquainted with the matter, and enatenthimeell
with making one or two other remarks that bore apes the
geaseal questing. He did not balm* to say that the de
menstratios of that day would cooler lasting honour upon
the men with whom it had originated. (Load chain.) They
had set an maniple is that district, and, he referred more
eepecislly to the working men—the potters of the district—
s* 'sample which, if followed throughout the length
and Drench of oar land, world reflect honour upon ell
concerned. The Olen they had In view—and when the
resolution spoke of the reduction in Frain and cootinesul
wino, that was not the only object they had in view—
that was not all—they did mot mesa to have free trade only
on one aide; but what they aimed et we, this—they asked
Frames to take their pots, sad •hey in en-bags would
like French wine, and to seder to honour the wine would
death it out of their own pot.. It might seem egotist cal
In him to refer to hie visit to Paris (ant of them were
aware of it), as he bad already horse 'talisman to the int-
nee emend in the wads of the French people upon the
pottery question—for it was to be remembered that at the
Petit Eiltibition wherever you went, said the speaker, you
might pass .tell after stall, and me the p moms l'Okisg, ask-
ing no quinine; let when you went lath the Staffordshire
potteries department—gentlemea were tiara who mule
testify to the troth of his assertion—when you went into the
Staffordshire pottery department, Vita. did yea Mad ? Why
you found that every Finnan wanted to buy every-
thing. (Longhair.) Then was a friend of his there—be
thought his grandmother mast have ben Irish—(lnd
laughter)—labelled all his pottery "sold," and whoa he
malted him why he did se, be said the reams why he
ticketed " sold " was that he mild not own' all the gate-
tions that were put to hiss Bach wee the feet, and be be-
lieved is hie heart the Emperor of the French intended that
the French people should themselves be petalled by heels,
their products whether there was free made with Fence
'or so. He read entrants from three or fear letters received
by the firm he was proud to represent, Francis Motley and
Co., actually, however, ma person, who sympathised en-
tirely with this movement, and who would, he was sere, be
glad to contribute ea every other 'manufacturer would.
(Cheers) The 'streets be read were to the following effect.
He did at with the mesa to note say remarks he mule ez-
apt these—that the Emperor of Primes Intends taking off
the prohibition this seesioa, and in a few mootbe we shall
en a new and fairer spike is Nation. He believed that
such was the intuition of the Emperor—(obeers)—amd the
more be regarded the demonstration they were then making
he could sot help looking at it as representiag to the minds
of the Emperor and the people soother native why they
should get, what they go mesh need, eartheavare from the
Staffordshire Potteries. (Cheers.) With these observe-
tiors be would give way to Mr. Smith Child. They world
get French wines if they eould, but If mot, they would still
get Frame to take Staffordshire wares, and there would
then be sound of • Mead,' in imposts upon wise. He
had meek pleasure la moving the first resolut on.
Mr. bills CSILD, MT., after oangratalatiag himself
gad the meeting epos their presence for the good purpose
that bad ladtend them ti meet, said—l am here to assist
the workmen of fltsfferathire in what I deem a won praise-
worthy object. I em hem; I hops the workmen, the
potters, will ecceptey obeervatione when I say that I desire
to be tendered as omen themselves. The workmen of the
potteries enrol confer upon me a greeter oompliant than
te believe that I, ea far as is we lies, will promote their ta-
pe...meat. (Cheers) Yea have a eight to my preemie
and advocacy. I am also here as Ming pereonally inte-
rested in the great object whisk you seek to sec la-
pin. I an here an only as representative of this division
of the money, bet as a landowner of this distriet,
who I woo es I. he int tad is the welfare of this
diarist. The lateens of both are Untied, sad I eaa
snare yes that the leadewser sal the farmer deekte that

von should bay, as taut% trade, and, therefore as much
money as possible. The owner@ of property in tile district
are still more immediately interested, inasmuch at they are
sot in the tame position as the operatives, who »a remove
their labour fees oae place to another. The landowaer
"sawn take sway his hod. He malt nye» fall by the
'audition of the populabon is the place. If trade is poi-
porous, of coarse he is prosperous; but if trade be bed. ke
of course suffers. If, thereto», any one can be interested
is Shim neighbourhood in this matter, it is those whoa* pro-
perty lies is the district is which we an now met together.
I hues said that I was endeavouring to fulfil my duty as
your representative, but I must oleo say that I am bete as
advocating my own interest. I feel, gentl.mea, that, for
physioal realms, I am usable to address you competently, or
at say great length; but, however, the object for which we
ere met together requires but little sdersesey. (Hear,
hear.) The workmen of the Potteries have done them-
selves great honour by this movement. They seek i
to improve their own prosperity by the most 1
praiseworthy means, by opening fresh channels for their
industry, and for the work of their ow& hands. (Hear,
hear.) The most important question is, how to accomplish
the object we bays in view. Soreet,oses we hear It truly
said that things go on too smoothly. I therefore concur is
the tee, lotion which sap desire for French wine.;
but don't think that the Cheacellor of the Bechequer will
reds» them, unless we can show him a »aeon whs. That
reason is that France will remove the prohibition off our
I china. f that be done it will steed thin.—we will take the
dm, off the came if Franca will admit English crockery;
sad it must be shown dearly is France that her interest Is
Involved in this as well as oar own, (Sr we have to deal with
men and things as we find them. Mr. Child here read an
extract heat the Zed chapter of the 6th book of Disraeli's
Coainpby," to which he said his attention had thst mora-
ine hear called by Mr. Wright, one of the »potters of the
Staffordshire Sersineel, and which he (Mr. Child) considered
very Intending aid important. The following is the eg-
gs» Lord Moamooth's dins"» at Paris were celebrated.
It was generally agreed that they bad no rivals • yet there
were others who had es skilful cooks, others who for such
• purpose were recsaionally profuse in their expenditure.
Whs. then, wee the recut spell of his »coma ? The aim
pleat in the world, though no one seemed aware of it. His
lordship's plates were always hot; whereas at Peri,
is the best appointed houses, and at climates which, for
cosily materiel, and admirable ert la their preparation, can-
e»• be surpassed, the effect Is always considerably lessened,
and by • mode the moat mor ifying—by the mere circles-
stamp that every one at a French dinner is served on a
cold plate. The reason of a custom, or rather • necessity,
which one would think • nstioa so celebrated for their gu-
tionomical tests would recoil front, is really, it is be-
loved, that the ordinary French porcelain is so very infe-
rior that it tranaot endure the preparatory heat for dinner.
The common whits pottery, ferezample, which is is gene-
ral use and always found in the calls, will not bear • cin
age to a brisk kitchen fire for half au hour. Now if we
..olj had that treaty of commerce with Fran» which
his b..° so often on the point of completion, the fabrics of
our unrivalled lotteries, in exchange for their capital wises,
would be found throughout Franco. The dinners of both
count,» would be improved ; the English would gain •
delightful beverage, and the Fr inch, for the first time in
their lives, would aloe off hot An unanswerable
instance of commeriiel teriorocity !" (Loud cheers, and
laughter.) lt, said the hoc. gentleman, I talk for an hour
I cannot say anything more he the purpose than is said in
that extrac'. (Cheers.) He then called upon the meeting
to bare no mesas untried by which they might hope to
bring about the ejects of the assoolatioe. They had set •
worthy example, then why should they not appall, for
so operation, to Sheffield, to Manchester, to the peat iron
district, and to Leeds ? (Ile it.. hear.) Everyone who had
bees io Francs must bare observed what poor clothing of
coarse stuff. was worn by the peasantry ot that country. It
was enough oil such a day as that to make anyone shiver to
think of it. He therefore trusted that the association would
leave no mote unturned, and they might be sure that no
en-Iperati st should be wanting on his part. (Load cheers.)
He should be very happy to pledge the French is their owe
wines, and be was sure they might be happy to »Ice their
dinner from Sottish crockery, and to travel on railways of
English iron. Mr. Smith Ciild concluded, amid load cheer.
bag, by wishing all " Gad speed."
The Carr BAILIFF then introduced Mr. G.iveita, and
eared taiXon the meeting to give him three hearty cheers.
Several threes we» erne.

Mr. 0/4•1111L spoke at considerable length, enteeing Into
• variety of details relative to the movement for the obeli-
ties of the wine dam, mad hie eon capitalism ahrosd la
relstion to It.

Tits 'notation within pet sma ••••4•411 h sealegm.ion
The Hon. F. L. Gowen =tired the neat resolution.
After ai.it 1 'stein for the &hence of his alias's", Mr.
Ricardo, and expressing on his behalf the interest he t)ok in
the question under esesideraion, he said—l must empress
my admiration of this great demonstration. On this roes-
sloe, the potter. have surpassed even my espectaflcaro. I
think this me. tine will be of roomette service. I think it
will have the effect of turning the &ratites of the people
sad the sr ',rawest to this matter; although I sweet say
that the latter are fully aware of its importanee, and that
both at the Foreign office and the Board of Trade no oppor-
tunity is allowed to pass of pressing apen other govern.
nests any relaxation of their tariffs. I wish to were yen
of the danger which lies in par pi tb. I don't think it
would he wise of you to send a deputation to Fiance upon
this subject. There is a great jealousy amnia that
• et any interfrone• with their government, sad it
might lay the government open to the charge of sab-
setv'mg our laureate at their expense. But this leads me to
the object of the meeting, which is the wine duty. You
haro heard the very interesting statement of Mr. Oliveira,'
who bunted. this question his p irtlenier study, and you
will presently hear Mr. Macgregor. I shall not therefore
touch the statistical part of the question ; but I will say that
it will be the greatest fully of the French °metro and go.
'gemstone not to accept inch a reduction es is proposed in the
rase of our earthen "are. I believe that the French people
once having toted of the sweets of desalinate in our earthen-
ware, wilt not any longer allow the present state of things
to remain. lam anat. us that we should not as. any Ism.
nage other than that of sincerity. We can go to Frames
now with our free-trode principle, and ray you are bound to
belie,, it because England herself hes ad, pted it. Then to
take tee question of the Potteries alone, it would be found
that the French would gain imeneese advantsgm,
not only in price but in Increased genvenlenees.
The hon. gentleman illustrated his argument by
contrasting the price of 84thes china to that of our
own, which stood in the relation of 601. or 701. to
161.; and also by reference to the bad lavatory arrange-
meets throughout France, is consequence of the demos
of earthenware of all kinds. He then 1,-c:treaded to say :
I atioCd like to know whet is passing in the mind of the
Emperor of France. If I could =rm rise him and extract
his thoughts upon this matter I would do so. (Laughter.)
At all events, his coatis wishes the word prohibition' to
be erased from the French commercial oak; and what gives
me hops is that he has shown • dispositioa to do se. If the
Emperor does so, then I think that Frames, who hie pelt
enlarges in herself—on one side the Mediterranean, tut the
other the Atlantc, inhabited by a nation of great intuition,
indwiti, and ekill—l say If this is only given fair play, that
the nation will reach • very great degree of presperity. We
will neon to them that prosperity, as we now knew that
se greet nation can he prosperous without other nations
st,anag in its prosperity. and England hindf feels that
prosperity. (Cheers.) I therefore hope to see these two
satins walking hand in hand is a career of prosperity,
sad united by • bond cemented by ocuseneredal In-
tercourse, which no wretched q Is, no diplamstising,
will ever uproot. (Loud Cheers.) The bon. gentlemen
moved the following resolution :—" That in the opinion of
this meeting the relaxation of the high duties imposed by
Greet Britain on forage wises should rodeos foreign
00110,16•11 to modify tbeir reetrictioes on maastetured
goods, particularly in France, where our local manufac-
ture is ell bat prohibit. d, end would give an impetus to
our local manufacturer, the benefits of which it is almost
impmrble to tell"
Mr. B. 8. Brunton seconded the resolution. He said, the
principles afros trade are admitted by you, your represen-
tatives, and the 'covenant, courequeatly yea only want
them to he carried out. Bet there appears to be in all ages
see great preventative to reciprocity, and that has ben,
either fear or jesliasy. It is not keg mimeo there was •
fear about railways, and the rain of the peineipies of
free trade in corn. There was also a great has and cry
against the removal of the navigation law.. Now they
are removed, have they dose you any hers. Let we
then perearore ia this were' of free trade One thing we
knew, that there are very many egresses in this enatry,
some brought upon us by war, at which we don't estraplaus
Weis it not strange that a doctrine of fifty years ago should
not have been allotted before this in this artistry t The
doctrine of Pitt was this. He said (refiring to the People
of this Min.l7), "Give them • trade, and they will pay
any taxes." For if you have • trade you ow sum Willy,
and if you tan earn mosey you can pay tame. (Load
laughter and cheers) Well, then, we ore not opposed to
free trade, and I am proud of my Gentry sad of VW Staf-
fordshire Potteries. (Loud sheers )
Mv. Jon. MACOIIOOI. M.P. for Glasgow, then 10111
sad spoke in favour of the remelation.

—The resaletioe wee thee serried by ecclalestime
Mr. H. PIZ/DUCK then moved the talk...leg wallah:a :
"That the restrictactee ispeeed by the etteerestest on the
free dietribution of the 'traded. of labour us sejest is
their ester.. hepatitis is their testiest:lm sad have se ie.
jeriotts effect tat the medal, moral, and Guitar? seeelitios of
th. people.•,
Mr. R. GLASS wooedsd the ratelet'oe. whisk bey's(
bees stealth to by Mr. PMILLIPS, via pet and serried by
seelthestios. _ _

Mr W. Biowirrno.n moved, and Mr. G. SALT ewlended,
a moist' at folbwo That this welting pledgee Itself
to the sepses of the Anik-Irresalt Frtiortrais Assosistioa,