The Sun.
London, England, 1839-02-20 00:00:00

ITION,-FEBRUARY 20, Iti39

by furnishing to these countries the materials for being our j dom, with policy, or even with safety, refuse to the peti-
rivals. But I find that in all those articles which employ tioners that full and fair enquiry which they ask you to
the industry of this country, and without a demand for grant them. ---( Hear.) I come now to the last topic,
which our industrial population is not employed, that a with which I presume to trouble you—namely, the
gradual and progressive decrease has taken place, and we grounds on which the petitioners have been induced to
cannot console ourselves by the reflection that if we export make this peculiar application to your House. In the
to these people the means of manufacturing for themselves, words of the petition read At your *lei the petitioners
we can continue our commercial relations with them, say—" if yore institute an inquiry into these important
for if we suppose what is the course of countries matters, we trust it will not be in the seclusion of a Sc-
commencing to engage in manufactures, it would lea Committee, but in the face of all the Representatives
be precisely the course pursued by these countries. of the United Kingdom."—(Hear, hear.) I believe the
They first begin to manufacture those articles on which application of your petitioners is a wise and just one. I
the cost of labour is less with them than with our- hope to show you that it is reasonable, and I trust you
selves, and then they go from one thing to another, will deal with it in the same spirit. I believe them to he
until they find that they can do without us 41t0- anxious for a full and fair inquiry, from a conviction that
1 gether.—( Hear.) We have evidence, Sir, to show the subject of the petition is moat deeply im-
that those Committes are now under most favourable portant to every class of the community...—( Hear, hear.)
circumstances, in order to their becoming manufacturers, aid from a persuasion that the difference between the two
and that we now only export those articles to them upon modes -of deciding which this House has the power to
which the least labour has been bestowed, and that in a institute, namely a Select Committee, or a Committee of
very short time it is more than probable that they the whole House—is the difference calculated to maintain
will become manufacturers of even that themselves. I'er- the public interest, and attract the public attention, and
hap, in answer to those persons who still speculate on the one the tendency of which is to allay that interest and divert
strength of the English back, who thick we may impose that attention—( Hear, hear)—the difference betwean a tri
whatever burdens we please ; who think that the produc. burial, the judgment of which must be binding and satisfac-
tiveness of the English artisan will carry us en as it has tory to those who appeal to it, and one, the result of which
hitherto done : in answer to such arguments I will will not be satisfactory to any party, because each will ac-
refer the house to one branch of the cotton trade, count for the decision by referring to the constitution of
which shows that there is no reason why foreign the Committee—between a tribunal the fullest and the
countries should not enter most successfully into corn- fairest that the Constitution of this country affords, and one
petition with us in any branch—l mean that which is obnoxious to evert degree of suspicion.—( Hear,
branch of the cotton trade, the production of Notting- hear.) I say, therefore, that the people come with a good
ham—hosiery. In 1815, it might. be said that we had a grace before what has been impressively designated " the
monopoly of the whole world in that trade. Our compe- great inquest of the country," requesting you to examine,
titers in Saxony have engaged deeply in that trade, and compare, and consider the extent of the interest involved
while we have increased our frames only 10 per cent. in in this perawmuirt question, and the duration and the
16 years, they have doubled their numbers every six years. degree to which they have suffered.—( Hear, hear. )
In the year to which I have already alluded, the trade was Tne petitioners cannot now be met with the answer
almost, entirely confined to ourselves, but in 1838 teat it would be inconvenient or dangerous to concede
while we exported 47,391 dozens, our competitors what might be hereafter regarded as a dangerous prece-
of Saxony exported no less than one and a half millions of dent. This case on its own merits stands above and befhre
dozens. In referring to their exports from the flange all others. They do not call upon you to reverse laws
Towns, we find that there has been a gradual and steady which you have enacted before you have had ample expe-
i crease in their exports. In 1827 their exports to the rience to direct you—not laws which they at first caprici-
Ueited States amounted to 96,821 dollars, but in 1835 it ously acceded to and are now discontented with—but laws
had risen to 414,718 dollars, being more than an increase which they objected to in the beginning, and regerdiug
of 300 per cent. within nine years. The British exhorts e Lich every one of their predictions has been fully verified.
bad greatly fallen off. The exports from Saxony to Cuba They come before you now, because they are convinced,
alone in one year amounted to 69,0001; while those of after all their former opinions, after the petitions they
Great Britain to Cuba and all our West India Isles, did have repeatedly addressed to you, after the statements upon
not amount to more than 21,2701.—(11ear, hear.) This statements which they have detailed to you, that they
is entirely caused by their being able to produce at much are now able to prove incontrovertibly that the grounds
lower prices than ourselves. Io former periods we had the upon which they found their prayer for relief from the
conenaed of the markets of Peru, but in these there had been present deteriorating system, have but too much reality to
a gradual decrease within the last few years. In 1827 our support them. Sir, this is no trifling matter. I hope it
exports to those markets amounted to 29.0001. In 1831 they as ill not he summarily disposed of.—' Hear, hear.) The
had fallen to 19,000/. ; in 1832, to 16,0001. ; in 1333, to great middle classes, and all the labouring community, are
12 0001, and in 1834 to 8,0001. This is the result of the corn- the p trties who now approach you. They do not come
petition, and we not only find they have beat us in neutral with the language of violence, or with the purpose of in-
mar kets,but I shall be able to prove that they have exported timidating, you--( Hear, hear, hear)--but they conic re-
more to the United States alone than all the exports of spectfully deferring to your opinion. They came before
England : lam re any to produce witnesses at the Bar to you last year, and you refused to change the law that op-
show that in this article, in which we had at one time the pressed them. Still, even now, they do not hastily call
command of the trade, they are now sending into this coon- upon you for redress—they only entreat you to hear
try and underselling our producers, though at a disadvan- evidence, to show, as they think, you ought to
tape of 25 per cent. Now I wish to know what answer make a change. Let any reflecting man say
can be made to that fact. Hare we have countries what concessions ought to be apprehended, if you refuse
Producing these articles, which we have within twenty the inquiry they now solicit.—( Order, order.) Did they
years had the exclusive advantage in over every think that the men wire had left their business, and had
other country.—( Hear, bear.) In producing we find sacrificed so much time from their ordinary occupations to
they have rapidly increased in their trade. This is-only in express their strong opinions on this great question, being
one branch of tea-le which [adverted to when I commenced refused the inquiry into the facts, which you deny, a favour-
my address. Why, I would ask, shoul'l they excel us in able impressions of you would be formed in their minds, or
this? How is it that we obtained the monopoly we had upon the minds of those, who, already despairing of juw:ce,
at first in the cotton trade, in which we have been have announced that they had almost abandoned any idea
engaged for fifty years? Simply by producing economy of approaching your House for redress? Do you suppose
in the production of the article. If we do not still that a refusal of the petition would make the others
exercise that economy, is it any thing extraordinary less inclined to persevere in their project? No, the
that the Saxons and Prussians, and other countries tendency of a refusal to hear the evidence now
should monopolise the trade of the world? This is eff..real by the petitioners must naturally be to
to be held in view in all our reasoning on this epics- unite those who upheld the opinion that under the
Lion, that nothing determines our prosperity so much present constitution of the country, and under our present
as the cheapness at which we can produce our articles. We political institutions, our fellow countrymen may hope for
have established active competition in this article, and I redress with those who insist upon another reform of this
say/that I can show that they can produce them cheaper than
we do. That, in my opinion affords a subject of great 11,ekeunsest•—ate(dlinthteIpetltriit?oknieenrsoudgernh
demand
reflection to parsons in the cotton trade. Whet are you to from this House, which has so often stated that it takes
do with the population who are prevented, by the high toear' procure hear.)
theAt inquirypreseunder it special care the operation of the laws, and the
price of the article, from obtaining any employment ? Go welfare of our commerce and manufactures. But a con-
to Nottingham —go to Derby —go to Leicester, cesaion of the kind demanded now has been made before.
and ask what has been the result there? Say what you When the Order in Council was in force, the predominant
will—do what you will—speculate as you will—the result party urged every argument against this mode of inquiry. It
will be, sinless these laws are repealed, the other branches eas started that a Lumber of merchants and mainline-
of the same trade will be taken from us. But, Sir, it is
tuners were ready to prove that they were not
not confined to this trade. There is no trade in which We
injured, and that this mode of inquiry was not
have had hitherto superiority or excellence in which we do necessary, But I have never had it from those
not fled that competition abroad is engaged. I alluded as echo then gave evidence that Me.nber after Member of
well to the woollen manufacture as I did to the cotton trade Parliament, who was prejudiced before, came in the sequel
reel in order to show this House what they may expect if and confessed that they were misinformed at first, send
they institute a fair inquiry in the evidence which they determined to be inflexible, but that the evidence produced
would receive of the competition which is now going on in
at the bar had induced them to agree to a change.—( Hear,
foreign countries in this valuable branch of our trade, Twill hear.) Now, how can you, having acceded to the mere
read a statement drawn out by a person who is ready chants and manufacturers on that occasion, refuse them on
to give his evidence at the bar, and perhaps who is more tnis?- Do you deny the facts ? Do you admit them to
extensively engaged in that trade than any ether person. be true, or do you dispute them ? On one of these
He says—
grounds you are bound to hear their evidence—on the
" The woollen manufacture of England bad already suffered other, there is no reason why you should object to hear
materially, and is threatened with still more serious injury, them. You cannot object on the ground of being over
from the competition of Continental rivals. In proof of which
careful of the time of the public. ---( Hear, hear.) In
the following facts were offered :
" Ist. Until a few years ago, the English wool-buyers at the
looking through the precedents I find that thirteen days of
;great German wool-fairs predominated so much in Limber, and the time of this House were devoted to an inquiry into the
in the extent of their purchases, over the buyers of other corm- conduct and practices of the kept mistress of a Prime
tries; as to rule ore prices; but within the last few years the Minister, and ten days more were snent in discussing the
German and wensiera buyers have exceeded them in their put-- detalla of hercorruption and debauchery.—(Hear, hear.)
chases, and the English buyers;, are now ,regarded as of small 'Grant butehe petitioners now but two or three, and und,r-
comparative importance. . take to say that those who now are opposed to the appli-
I 64 0.
_el. The exceedingly rapid growth of the woollens manufac- cation must acknowledge they are no longer able to resist it.
turn in Prussia, and the other countries of the German coati- gar, I can hardly expect this question to be taken on any
nental league, is shown by the fact, that five or six years since, .
of this
the quantity of German woollen cloths exhibited for sale at the point of form ; but, upon looking over the ReportsLeipsie Easter fair was only 50,009 ends (an end being half a House, I fund ample precedents for such an application as
piece), whereas last year the quantity exhibited was 350,000 this, where there was no hope of justice being done by
ends,—being an increase of 600 per cent. any other mode; On the 16th of March, 1785, a petition
"3d. That, independent of the duty laid on English cloths in was presented to the House of Commons from the
Germany, Prusaian cloths are sold much cheaper than English. merchants cud manufacturers interested in the fustian
a.
A large wholesale buyer from London states that a Prussian trade, against the duties imposed upon cotton stuffs,
cloth at Ifis. per yard is equal in quality to an English cloth at
225. per yard. This difference in favour of Prussia has now' threatened their trade with inevitable ruin, and these alle-
been discovered by the Americans. English fine woollens are,
statin that they involved the petitioners in distress and
gations were considered so important, that the petitioners
already excluded from Germany, and from several neutral mar-
kets ; and as soon as the Prussians can sufficiently extend their
bar; and will any one say that the interests ' of the whole
manufacture, which they are doing with astonishing rapidity,
they will beat the English in all neutral markets, and probably were allowed to be heard by Counsel and witnesses at the
manufacturers of this country are less important than the
even in the home market of England itself, notwithstanding the interests of the fustian manufacturers were considered ferty
import duty on foreign woollens in this country. years ago ?—( Hear, hear.) I cannot conceive how you
" 4th. That the increase in the Continental manufacture of can refuse the inquiry, unless you admit the facts state,' by
wool is shown by the fact, that foreigners purchase a very in- those petitioners.—( Hear, hear.) I cannot conceive any
creasing quantity of the wools of England and Ireland, of which other impression will be produced upon the country by
formerly the home manufacture had the exclusive use. The that refusal, than that, for some reason, you are unwilling
export of Britiih wool in 1838 was of the declared value of to have the facts published to the country—( Hear, hear)
432,000/., whereas the average of the four years preceding
that you arc unwilling to
.the
was only 274,000/. This, therefore, shows an increase of 57
per cent. in the exportation from Great Britain of the raw ma-
fore, you will riot receive eviderce, which might influence
terial in the woollen manufacture. The quantities of wool and your judgment, to change it.—( Hear, hear.) But I will
woollen yarn, forming the raw materials of manufacturers, ex- not anticipate that this inquiry will be refused. I have
ported from the United Kingdom, gave an annual average for abstained from entering into the general question, and all
the years 1825, 1826, and 1827 of 178,035 ; and for the years I have said has been confined to the particular prayer of
18:35, 1836, and 1837 an annual average of 3,744,295. These these petitioners who ask to be heard, who state the rea-
facts not only prove an increase in the manufacture abroad, but sons why a Select Committee would not be satisfactory,
the competition for the article raises the price to the home ma- and who ask you to devote a short time to satisfy your-
nufacturer. It is believed that the French will shortly take I by evidence, of the effects of the Corn-laws.—
nearly all the Irish wools. The rapidly increasing export of ( Cries o
se "s' " Hear, hear.") ,The Hon. Member concluded
worsted yarn for the use of the foreign manufacturer, also
amidst loud cheers, by moving that the petitioners, R. H.
proves the increase of the manufacture on the Continent.
" sth. The policy tof foreign Governments in imposing Greg and J. B. Smith, be heard by themselves, their coun-
merely a nominal duty on the import of yarns, tends to raise sel, and agents, at the Bar of this House in support of
the price of the raw material to the British manufacturers, and the allegations of this petition.
consequently to make their competition with foreigners in the Mr. STRUTT, in seconding the motion, said the very
finished goods more difficult. The new Austrian Tariff will full statements of his Hon. Friend who had just sat down
still further increase this effect. rendered it unnecessary for him to trespass long upon the
" tith. The decline of the British woollen manufacture is
proved by the exports of last year, compared with the average El a but he could not, on a subject of such importance,
ou..e,
of the four preceding years. Export of British woollens in
1838-6,157,000/. Average of four years, from 1834 to 1837 be altogether silent. Ile believed this to be the commence-
ent of a great struggle—of vast importance to the people
6,542,000/. Decrease-3e5000/." ofa
this country, which might be protracted in its duration,
The Hoe. MEMBER then read a short extract from a and of which there was great reason to doubt that it would
person engaged in this manufacture at Stroud, which stated be brought to a satisfactory conclusion but by repeated
weelamen had left for the continent; and then proceeded. P
discussion.—( Hear, hear.) My Hon. Friend has antici-
that in the last twelve months many hundreds of the best
un-
Sir, there is the same illustration in the returns of the Precedented, but to that it is to be replied that this is an ated that it Inv be objected to his motion that it is
un-
exports of linen. We find that in the export of linen goods usually important subject. He ( Mr. S.) would not now enter
in 1833 there was 2,992,1431. declared value. In 1838 into general questions, nor attempt to show how important
2,919.719/. In the case of linen yarn, we find in 1835
it was as to the prices of food and the principal neces-
-216,6351., and in 1838625,6191. There is hardly one sin- series of life—though he should be prepared to show
gle great branch of our trade that we do not find we are that the Corn-laws were unjust and impolitic, and he
exporting to them raw m aerials ; and if we are not allowed would confine himself to the particular prayer of these
were the of the principal
any longer the advantage of clothing people at a cheaper p
towns
etitioners, who
in
thisrepresentatives
manufacturinginjurious . .
and lower rate than any other country I am afraid there is no
the Corn-laws were to their interests, and
reason to suppose that we have retained the advantages
that we formerly possessed in that most valuable branch of through them to the public at large, and that they were
manufactures which consists in hardware and in cutlery. prepared to show the tendency of these laws was to de-
We find there that we are perhaps more met by the corn- stroy the manufacturers, and he knew not on what prin.
petition of foreigners than almost in any other branch ; and
ciple their application for inquiry was to be refused.—
though it is difficult to get people to come forward arid
(Hear, hear.) If he were told that these statements
.
make these statements, because they feel they will be pro--
were exaggerated he would reply, how was this to be as-
claiming to the world their misfortune that they are not
certaimed without inquiry ?—( Hear, hear.) Was there
able to cope with their rivals ; yet if you allow the inquiry not amply sufficient justification for the inquiry in those facts
to ha conduotod in this liquse, there is nothing that will which were not disputed e—( Hear.) Was it not stated dis-
startle those who will attend to it more than the facts to tinetly that in those branches of trade in which human labour
be elicited on this subject. —(lean ) Now, Sir, I have was a principal ingredient they had been already driven
!Tear,
obtained a letter from a person' who is fully competent to from Foreign markets—( Hear, hear)—and, that although
Now, it might be said that these pititioners asked
rnaehinei y itself is. beginning to be exported ?_(
manufactured..
livelytlei depose
etnegatgheedfacints
slureppsltyaitnegs,baairiddwtahries
gisooadsfacintordiefrxetreen,,..t our exportshaysveboinlieyreaosredi,ntphaeryt abrye
mmaacdbeinuepryo! althrtdicltebse,
bpaarr,tsvoerfitfhy
thoeoarm.)uch ire demanding a total repeal of the Corn-laws,
iengw°thried.natuliree
The Hoe. Memnea here read two letters, dated the 15th
and 17th Feb., in illustration of his argument. when the manufacturers themselves had their protecting
is
sf
hisrea'i y
statements. togiv ee
v ildleenscaeysa_t tic
e
I trust that I have now stated enough to show to the 1
duties. e. 11 ut then tee petition contained this passage—
House, and to the country, the injurious results of the corn- "That all restrictions on trade and commerce, are abjured
petition of our Manufactures with those of the Continent. by your petitioners as injurious to the increase of wealth
But I apprehend that the House is already beginning to in this, and all other countries."—( Hear, hear.) He him-
be weary of my details—l shall not, therefore, persevere.— self stood in that House as the Representative of a town
( [lsar.) But it is indeed impossible for any man, within the (Derby) in which the silk m inufacturo was first establish.
limits of the address which I venture to think myself entitled ed in this country, and yet from that town petitions have
to speak iii this House, to lay before you all the inforrna- been presented, giving up all exclusive protections for
tion which it is necessary you should have received and have their own benefit, and only requiring in return the total abe-
considered before you proceed to form your judgments on lition of the Corn-laws—( flear,hear)—and this was the case
this momentous question.—( Hear, hear, hear.) I have With all our manufacturers.—( Hear, hear.) This must be
merely give this house an outline of that evidence which I conceded to the petitioners, that there was nothing selfish
know ought to be, and which lam certain would be offered or partial in their prayer, and that it was well worthy of
to you if you would permit the witnesses to approach your the consideration of that House.—( Hear, hoar.) Was it
bar._( Hear, hear, hear.) lam convinced, from all my wise to shut the doors of the Howe against inquiry, till
own observations—from all 1 have heard, and from all I apprehension became reality, till the evil had become in-
have endeavoured to ascertain—that there is a preponde. tolerable, and the remedy impossible, and then perhaps
ranee of evidence, illustrative of the deep degree in which Hon. and Right Hon. Gentlemen might come down to the
every trade is affected by the present depressive system, House and say, as they had done on former occasions, that
and which will be produced, if you permit it, to convince they were- at last convinced of the impolicy of such restric-
every reasonable and impartial man that there is a most ac- Lions.—( Hear, hear.) With regard to the topic of " in-
tire and alarming competition being organized by foreign convenience," he thought that the time of the House could
manufacturers against Un, which threatens to affect the vital not be better occupied than in hearing evidence on this
interests of this country, unless we place our industrious subject, whether the result was that the petitioners' state-
and labouring classes under equal circumstances, and in the ments were well founded, and that therefore their alleged
enjoyment of the same advantages.—( Hear, hear, hear). grievances ought to be remedied—or that their states
I have purposely avoided any consideration in the state- ',lents were not correct, and that therefore there was no
ments I have ventured to lay before the House of the:ge_ lest ground of complaint?—( Hear, hear ) There was ono
neral questions of the Corn Laws. All I attempted other point on which he would remark—the peculiar position
was to show the House their injurious operation upon our 'if the m rjority in that House, who being landowners, or
manufacturing interests. Ido not think it naturally fol. ,deriving their incomes from land, might be supposed to
lows, as stated in the view the Right Hon. Bart., the have, if not a sinister, at least a partial interest in this
Member for Tamwottli, has taken of the subject, that question—( Hear, hear)—and he would ask any Hon.
these laws, if regarded in their social and political opera- •
tlember who had not made up his mind on that subject, to
tions or, the country, will be found to counteract the evils hear this fact in mind, and not to allow himself to be in-
they may otherwise produre. But all I have been de- 'laced by his feelings, upon the question in which he was
sirous to show is, that the Corn-laws are most injurious in Personally interestn, to refuse all inquiry.--( Hear. hear.)
their effects upon those great manufacturing interests with SW F. BURDETT—Sir, I think the Hon. Member
which are identified the well being of this community.— has given a very cogent reason for the House not wasting
( Hoar, hear.) Ido not conceive how you can with wis- es time in hearing evidence at the bar. The faces stated