The Sun.
London, England, 1839-01-18 00:00:00

CORN LA WS.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT BARTON.

Moved by ROBT. BROWN, Esq., seconded by Major UPPL•EBY.
That this meeting cannot but deplore the resolution of a
portion of the merchants and manufacturers of Great Britase
to repeal the present Corn-laws, and reduce the British farmers,
and labourers to the level of the farmers and labourers on the
Continent, which will not only be injurious to the landlords,
the farmers, and the poor, but also to the manufacturers.
That the inequality of the taxes, rents, wages, &c.,
tween Great Britain and the Continent renders it impossible
for the British agriculturists to sanction so unequal a com-
petition, and which is the great;aim and end of the repealers
of the Corn-laws.
That should they unfortunately succeed, the tenants with
all their exertions, their capital, their industry, and their per-
severance, will eventually he-ruined, though the reduction of
rents would of necessity follow even to one half of their pre-
sent amount, and when it is considered that perhaps a third of
the lands are mortgaged, the reduction in value will in many
instances place the mortgagees in possession of the estates,
and leave the landlords paupers.
That a similar ruinous effect will be produced to the farmers
who hold borrowed capital, because the contemplated prices
will leave him so reduced as to be unable to pay his debts.
That a complete change will then be effected, injurious
alone, in the first instance, to the farmers, landlords, and the
agricultural poor, but eventually to country shopkeepers and
tradesmen, and even to manufacturers themselves.

That the average price of corn for the last twenty-one years,
for this county, is only 565. 4d., and for the last ten years only
523. 6d., which even the manufacturers say is not too high.
That the British agriculturalist is necessarily liable to many
and severe losses, arising from bad weather, frosts, mildew,
unfavourable seasons, rot, and other diseases in cattle ; that
he receives less interest for his capital, on an average, than the
non-speculating and fair-trading merchant and manufacturer;:
and that the landlords seldom or ever make more than three
and a half per cent., whilst that of the manufacturer varies
from 5 to 10, 20, or even 50 per cent.
That it is well known that the operative manufacturer
often makes very high wages, particularly those with large
families, to the extent of from twice to five times the amount
of the wages of the agricultural labourer, and that by work-
ing only four days in the week many of them taking care to
be drunk on the Monday because they can afford Tuesday to
sober in idleness, whilst the agricultural labourer toils all the
week at small wages, and complains not.
That the repeal of the present laws will so lower the
prices of corn as to throw out of cultivation all the poor soils
of the kingdom, and will leave us entirely dependant upon
foreigners, who, having the power, will inevitably, in case of
scarcity in their own countries, or of war, or the prospect of
war, lay an embargo on corn, and produce frightful conse-
quences to this kingdom.

That this meeting is firmly of opinion that the repealers
should be opposed by every possible means; that the present
Corn hiws ought t') be equally as strongly supported • and that
it is desirable that petitions to both Houses of Parliament
should be immediately obtained from every town and parish in
the county.

That the sincere thanks of this meeting are due to Lord
Worsley and Mr. Christopher for their attendance this day,
their excellent advice, and their promised support to keep in-
violable the present Corn-laws.

GEO. MAW, Chairman.
The thanks of the meeting were unanimously voted to the
Chairman for his able and judicious conduct in the Chair.
The fullowing gentlemen were then named as a Committee
to prt pare the petitions, and superintend the obtaining of
similar petitions from every town within the Barton constable-
wick Richardson, Esq., George Maw, Esq., Mr.
Brown, Major Uppleby, Mr. William Graburn, Mr. Nichol-
son, Mr. John Wilbur Lunn, and Mr. B. Ileslcden.