The National Register.
London, England, 1815-03-05 00:00:00

IMPERIA.

I4M

MARCH 5.

,• bushels of wheat u•ere equal t ..0 a sack of flour
_ , price at 80s. the qeartern loaf woidd he at one
shilling, and no more. Reports bad been spread in the country of
the certainty of a great rise of price, front some differences imagined
in the price of wheat. They must not lose sight of the positive
effect of the proposed measure. He concluded by moving I s re-
turns of the average prices of wheat per quarter, distinguishes the
variations, from the Corn Exchange, with the prices also of flour
per sack from 1759 to 181'4.
Sir JAMES SHAW was not SWAM of the pi iLeiples on which the
Hon. Member proceeded ; but he thought facts were always better
Awn theories ; and lie should state facts to thy Howe. For tern
years, 1804 to 1813. inclusive, the average of wheat ill Loudon wa
18s. Bd. ; of Amur, 611. 51d ; and of the 91141 tern loaf. is. tf4'd. At
lhis rate the inhabitants of London, for so long a time, paol for
• bread. This fact he derived from the best iutermation he could
procure respecting the corn trade. He also learned from those ac-
quainted with the subject, that if the average prick; of England came
to rids , tine wheat in London, to be made into bread, would be at
9.5 sltillieg‘.
• Mr. RonINSON said, the tendency of this argument was to say,
that under a new measnrelty which wheat would not rise above ho
shillings, we were to final it nmouut to 95 shillings. This was like
an attempt to stultify the understandings of the House.
Mr. Rant tec maintained, that if the rate should be under 60 shil-
lings, the measure was calculated to raise it above that price. He
wished to say nothing to inflame the public mind ; but he knew of
no way in which he could argue the question, if he did not as that
he thought the measnre was an attempt to enhance the pike of
bread, and to procure a bouaty for the growers of corn. Fail iy lie
could not argue it, without looking on (hit as its rt snit.
Mr. Bum) observed, that those hot particularly conversant with
I the subject, treated the question respeceing the last crop, as if the
Mildewed wheat contained somethins: noxious. The fact was, that
the flour was of very good quality ; the evil lay in the lesser quantity
iteldeil. He had made purchases from some of the worst samples in
two or three markets within 30 miles of London, some as low as fire
shillings a bushel. That wheat had cot produced flour enough,
proportionate to the quantity, but the flour was good, and the bread
without any improvements whatever, was &mid as good as any that
could be made, and might be sold at ninepence and a ft action, after
making all allowaticea. It must be found, on due enquiry, that
some gross deception and abuse existed in the corn arrangements in
the City of London among inspectors, speculators, mea!meti, or
others. lie contended against the notion of bread rising to is. 4d.
'by this measure If the 'question was fully investigated, it u °old
il appear, that with wheat at 80 shilliugs, bread would not be utoLe
than one shilling. The object was to preclude bread permaiiently
from exceeding one shilling, and to give protection and confidence
to our agriculture.
Alderman ATKINS observed, that the official return bad made the
average 61s. 6d. when the prime wheat Was selling in Londou at
trout 74 to 76 shillings. Use, was it unreasonable to suppose web
a difference to arise wheat the rate was 60 shillings ? There were
great differences in the district averages. In the first district, Weil
it was 6'21. id. it was ts Is. dd. in the second, and in Wales, 7.k. ed.
It seemed then too much to say that it was not possible for impellers
and others to combine. or keep up a high average ter some time.
The average in London scarcely differed 2s. for six weeks; white in
wane districts. there was a ditieretice of 21s. If a fair avera&e was
F taken, the price of bread might perhaps be reduced.
Mr. MAMMAS' Said, it was well ascertained that if the average
price of wheat were at 635. thequartern loaf would he at I lid. and
if the price of tio,.. the same (oaf would bets. 3d. He hoped, thorr•
fore, the House would suspend their judgment, till such time as
they could reconcile and fix the averages with a view Lo the general
benefit of the politic.
Mr. VRANKLANP Ist:WIS. in explanation, .denied the statement,
made by the Hos. Geutlernatt, and appealed to the Act of Parlia•
meet for theeorrectness of whir he said. Ile then read a clause in
,
theellset, which enacted, that when the quarter of wheat was at
79.. Rd, the quarters loaf should be <fixed at is.
Sir .law es SHAW, in-explanation, said it was in the power of the
Magistrates to fix the assize either on the average of wheat or-floin.
it had, however, been deemed by the Magistrates of the City of
tondo's, the safeit way k fix it on the uverogeofflour, and that was
the reason why the prices differed so Mat in the statements af the
two last Speakera.
Mr. Roar, said, that the aas!ze its London ditkred front every
other part of the country, and the price of bread was invariaffy
higher there than in any other part vf the kingdom nearly t!.'i per
cent. There was something inexplicable in this., but every triad VI
ustramel tare cauac of Attest proved vaiu and fruitless.

NATIONAL REGISTER.
- 41111■111101111111MMINIMMOW
'L PARLUMENT. 1~ Six and three Twit! 1
so that taking the