The Sun.
London, England, 1822-05-08 00:00:00

contended that our system of Corn Laws had produced the
distress complained of, and that the resolutions he should
move were calculated to remove the evil. What he pro-
posed was that there should be ten shillings duty upon the
importation of corn, and a bounty of 7s. upon exporta-
tion. It was impossible that there could be a greater relative
difference betwixt the expenses. of other countries and the
grower of this country than 3s. Protection up to 70s. he
considered to be equal and fair, even under the existing
distress. In calculating that 10s. would bn a sufficient protec-
tion, he had allowed for all the particular taxes paid by the
home grower over those of other countries. The evidence
taken before the Committee shewed that all the taxes did
not amount to more than one-tenth of the produce ; therefore
a protection of 10 per cent. would place them upon an equal
footing if others payed no taxes at all. He proposed fixed
duties, because he considered it an injustice to the farmer that
they should not be fixed. Indeed he was advocating the
cause of the farmer, and was a better friend to him than many
Honourable Gentlemen who pretended to be more so. From
the evidence of Mr. Solly it appeared that corn grown in the
interior of the country could be shipped at Dantzic and im-
ported here at not less than 665. Now, the Honourable Mem-
ber for Wiltshire had said last night that a remunerating
price to the grower of this country should be Bs. 4d. that
amounted to 675. a quarter. The Honourable Member for
Cumberland gave in his evidence that 655. would be a remune-
rating price. How then could they ask for a higher propor-
tion than a duty of twelve shillings, as his Resolution proposed?
It would, he thought, be most unsafe to legislate upon acci-
dental prices. The doing so would be the seducing of the agri-
culturist by offering him high prices to cultivate; and he would
be exposed to all the consequences of extraordinary importa-
tion, which would certainly be caused by those high prices. Ile
really thought the argument of his Right Hon. Friend was, in
this respect, more free from objection than that of the Noble
Lord. lie (Mr. R.) took it to be indisputable that the price
of corn in this kingdom would necessarily be 15s. a quarter
more than that of any other country. He proposed a bounty ;
and he assured Hon. Gentlemen who were afraid of bounties,
that the one he proposal would operate only on particular occa-
sions. The evidence of Mr. Took and Mr. Jacob on this sub-
ject was quite decisive. From the various arguments which he
had heard offered as to the cause of the distress, he could only
say that, in his opinion, the consequence of superabundance
had not been sufficiently appreciated.. At- that late hour he
would not enter at large into the question of the evening ; but
he would just bring one fact under thenotice of the Committee.
He had carefully examined' the Report of the Bank Committee
in the year 1797, which referred to the circumstances of the
Bank for a considerable time previous ; and he found that in
1782, when the Bank had only eight millions in circulation,
three millions were withdrawn, yet no considerable inconve-
nience was occasioned by the circumstance. The Honourable
Member having apologized for engaging the attention of the
House at that late hour, then sat down amid universal
cheering.
There was now a general call tor adjournment.
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY 'said he had no doub
that, in consequence of the great importance of the subject, the
Hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Lennard) would not pre s his
intended motions for to-morrow respecting the Libel Bill. At
all events the Chairmaa might be directed to ask leave to sit
again to-morrow. _ _

BENETT (of Wiltshire) then attempted to address the
House, but the cries of " Adjourn, adjourn," rendered his
voice inaudible. Mr. B. however, persisted in exercising his
right ; when the Chairman assuring him that he would to-
morrow be considered as in possession of the House, he yield-
ed to the declared sense of the House, and sat down.
Mr. CuitwEN also attempted to engage the attention of the
House • but not a single syllable of the few words he utttred
could be heard.

The House immediately resumed ; the Chairman reported
progress. and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow, (this day.)
T. he other orders of the day were then disposed of, and at
ONE O'CLOCK the House adjourned.