The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-27 00:00:00

LONDON, W

Noble Marquis in considering that although there was no proba-
bility that the ports would ever be open to receive foreign corn,
still, if such a eireunistance were to happen, it would produce a
great revulsion. In opening our ports, however, to core from Ca.
nada and also in allovcorn ing bonded to be brought into the
market, ,here was some apprehension ; for, in admitting corn from
Canada, we were admitting corn from the United States of Ame-
rica, as am would ;meted to us through that country in the
sante manner as we emirs American timber under the name of
Canadian timber.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE said, that he did not rise to
question the allegations contained in the petition just presented by
his Noble Friend, but the Noble Marquis had stated that he had
high authority for declaring that the demand for raw materials from
abroad had effected the object of depressing the exchange, before
the discussion on the subject of the Corn Laws had taken place,
and that it originated in the great demand for our manufactures.
The Alarquis of LA NSDOW N said, that the Noble Earl had
mistaken his observation. He did not say that the depression had
so originated.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE continued, and said that the de-
mend for raw materials could originate in nothing else; but no
alteration could in the exchange have thus taken place, as au equal
quantity of wealth was brought into the country and carried out,
and there was no alteration in the opulence of the rountry. If this
were true, he wished the manufacturing Interests would well con-
sider the effects of impoverishing the landed interests of the coun-
try., as posy eiretunstnnce that tended to affect the opulence of one
class wereid_ 'feet the opulence of all, and consequently injure the
interests &all Ile was one who considered the 112tIliggi and the
opulence of all so intimately and closely suited, that One class
Gould not he injtwed without injuring every other. In proportion
Lia=nded interests flourished, and the raw material of grain
doe inonufaciturisig elasaws of the country would &in nsh
and in proportion as one became depreued, the other would be.
come so.

I The Marquis of LA NSDOiVN observed, (bat he certainly did
say the variation in the exchange had been much affected in con-
sequence of the great demand for raw materials front abroad; but
that depression hail continued for fourteen or fifteen months, and
had therefore commenced before the agitation of this subject ; but
he hail not said that it was in consequence of the demand for our
manufactures abroad. The depression of exchange had no doubt
been affected by the agitation of the subject, but certainly had not
been caused by it. In consequence of the great demand tor cotton
and other foreign articles, many persons hail been induced to
speculate in them, and they were brought into the market front all
parts, and were paid for in coin. Ile believed this was the founda-
tion of the depression. Ile hoped the manufacturers would recol-
lect, that to the home demand for articles of consumption they
owed their relief during a time of greater distress titan they had
ever experienced.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said he bad generally observe]
that when it was sought to ascertain the cause of any thing, dif-
ferent answers were given according to the ideas of the persons who
spoke. Now, he believed, in the present case, that the truth
lay between the Noble Marquis and the Noble Eurl. The Noble
Marquis appeared to him to be right as to the original cause of
the depression of exchange, which undoubtedly arose from an ex-
cessive speculation in cotton and other articles of foreihm produce,
which were paid for in specie; but he did not believe the Noble
Marquis wits equally right in saying that it was not at all in conse-
quence of the speculation in corn, in consequence of the ports being
left open. Ile was sure that speculations in corn were carried on to a
great extent on the Continent, and that this fact had its effect in
depressing the exchange. But this variation in exchange must
take its course, and whatever the effect may be, we must not alter
ours. lie did not rest his objections against now considering the
question, on any grounds of this sort, but upon the difficulty of
giving it due consideration during the present Session, and upon
the utter impractability of obtaining such information as was re.
quisite. With respect to the observation of the Noble Earl
(Limerick) relative to Canadian corn, he would say, even If we did
get corn from the United States, through Canada, in the shape of
flour Mx in no other shape could it come), he did not see any danger
that the landed proprietor had to apprehend. Our great supply of
corn. in cases of scarcity, came from those countries bordering on
the Baltic. But looking upon Canada, as he did, and always should
do, while she continued in connexion with England, as a part and
a vital part of the British Empire, he should always be anxious
to place, as far as possible, the landed proprietors of Canada on a
par with the landed proprietors of England, an he considered them
equally entitled to adyantat,sea.
Lord ELLENBOROCVIR said, that in his opinion it was
Impossible to adopt any permanent system with regard to the Com
Laws; at all events, without the information required by the Noble
Earl. and which it was cettain could not be obtained during the
pr,:sentSession, it would be impossible to judge as to what alter-
anion ought to be made in these laws. Ile regretted that at the
person ant e subject should have been started at all. He
'odd repo ation,aliat it wasimpasaible to fix a perma-
Dent duty, for according to the changes that might happen in the
course of affairs, so that duty must change.
Lord KING said, that it was very generally acknowledged that a
change in the Can Laws moo take place--and why ? because
corn was too dear. If so, the House would be doing injustice
, towards the consumer by not deciding upon that change, and what
that change should be without delay. by not making that alteration
immediately which it was confessed must be made next Session,
and which there was no reason for not making now. He thought
this question would be better decided out of the House than in it—
by the Government rather than by their lordships--by the Noble
Lord opposite and by the President of the Board of Trade, than
by a Committee of Parliament.
The Earl of CA Rlili ltli said a few words, but was not under.
stood below the bar.

Lord DACR} said, that the present question Involved the inte-
rests of every portion of the community, and he hoped and believed
that no Noble bon] would come to a decision upon the subject
unless after a full and laborious inquiry.
The petition was then laid upon the table.
The Duke of AvioL presented a petition from Fifeshire,
against an alteration In the Corn Laws—Laid on the table.
Earl RROIVNLOW presented a petition to the same effect,
from a parish in the county of Lincoln.--Luid on the table.