The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-09-26 00:00:00

R EPO RT.

The Select Committee appointed to consider of the
laws which regulate the linen trade of Ireland,
and to report their oh bons thereupon to the
Noose, have proceeded to investigate the matter
referred to them, and to examine evidence there-
on ; and have found the subject to be deeply in-
teresting to the welfare of Ireland.
Your Committee feel warranted in stating. that
the linen trade of Ireland has mainly contributed to
the introduction of moral habits and pesceablr con-
duct is those parts where it has become established
for any length of time.
That it has promoted industry in a manner the
most beneficial to society, exciting the families of
the cottager and the farmer, throughout the year,
to profitable occupation, male and female, old and
young, within their respective homes, procuring for
' them a subsi►tence (although hard earned). as well
as the means of discharging their obligations to
their landlords. _

With these impressions, your Committee have
felt it their duty to examine into-
-Ist. The constitution and estabhshment of the Board of
Trustees appointed to superintend the concerns of the linen
sad hempen manufacture of Ireland.
W. Into the nature and extent of their proceedings, par-
ticularly in the distribution of premiums sod utensils, under
the animal grant of Parliament, placed at their disposal, for
the encouragement of the linen and hempen manufacture.
3d. luto the duties and utility of t►e provincial and county
officers, employed under their appointment and control.
4th. Into the operation of the existing Isms fur the revile'.
lino of the different branches of the trade, hoc far they are
effectual and sufficient, or require alteration ur amend.
ment. .

bth, and lastly. Into the quantum of blowiest paid o• the
exportation of line.; the applicatioo of those bounties to the
different descriptions of linen, whether judiciously made by
the provisions of the existing law ; spud whether, ie vac-
lice, they have been fairly and honestly demanded and paid
on lines exported ; nod whether she whole or any part
of those bounties are essential to the well-being of the
trade.
With reference to the first part of the first head
of examination, your Committee have to observe,
that the Trustees of the Linen Manufactuie were
first constituted a Board in the 9th year of Queen
Anne, since which period thiv great staple of Ireland
has attracted ►he constant attention and support of
Pa►liatnent.
- • •

The Trustees act without salary ; their attend-
ance is voluntary, and their spy( ) i ))) incur is vested
in the Chief Governor of Ireland. Their selection
appears generally to have been made without re-
gard to any other considerations than those of their
rank, talent, character, and stake in point of pro-
perty in the country, which qualifications amply fit
them to guard the interest of this most important
object to Ireland. And although the present con-
stitution of the Linen Board may be open to come
objection., yet, nevertheless, it appears to your
Committee to secure to the linen trade. so pussy
advantages, that they do not feel themselves justi-
fied in recommending any alteration. It could not
be expected that the Trustees, who Ore gentlemen
of rank and property, and who rebeive no salary
for the duties performed by them, should dedicate
their time exclusively to the management of the
concerns of the Board; and the documents before
your Committee prove, that the attendance at the
meetings held in Dublin is mostly confined to those
who reside in that city. or is its immediate yid.
pity, and that winch of the bossiness is, therefore,
tramacted in the absence of the majority of the
Trustees. _ .

It lias uot, however, appeared to your Commi►tee