The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-06 00:00:00

THE BUDGET AND CORN-LAWS.
Such arc the measures proposed to Parliament—the
substitut'en of a moderate fixed duty on corn for the flue-
wilting duty, a lowering of the duties on foreign timber
and sugar, and a raising of the duties on colonial timber.
Nothing was done with the questions further than to talk
a great deal about them, and the principal discussions will
take place when the Bills to carry them into effect shall be
introduced. We almost doubt whether they will ever be
brought in ; for, from the temper shown by the Tories and
their present possession of almost a majority, it seems to
be supposed that they will take some steps to bring
matters to a crisis with the Minister and farce them
to resign or have recourse to a dissolution, It is, we
find, a prevalent opinion that the Ministerial plan is
intended for them to go to the country on ;
and, therefore, we would have all our readers who
are interested in elections to be prepared for a dissolution.
We do not regard the proposed changes with so much
favour as the bold and manly language, throwing aside con-
cealment, which they provoked from both sides of the
House. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord John
Russell, Lord Howick, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Villiers,
and Mr. Hume advanced the broadest principles of Free
Trade, and made it quite apparent that our commercial
and fiscal restrictions were deeply injuring, and would
ultimately destroy, the prosperity of the country. The
Tories only spoke the language of bitter mortification.
To promote prosperity by restrictions is their plan, and is
now proved to be as complete a failure as their now ex-
ploded and contemptible attempt to make men Protestants
by political persecution. We shall have future opportu-
nities to advert to these subjects; we must now content
ourselves with informing_ all whom it may concern that
great changes arc at hand.—Brighton Guardian.
CORN-LAWS.—On Monday evening, at eight o'clock, a
meeting was held at the Brewers' Arms to consider of the
propriety of adopting a petition to Parliament, praying for
a repeal of the Corn-law. Mr. N. Hammond was voted
Thatßt.hißsrmigegest'inEgsgal then moved the first
opt a petition to tr oe s tohl
ue t
io
t, Chair. "
Par-
liament praying for a total repeal of the Corn-laws." Mr.
B. dwelt at great length oe the effects of the New Poor-
law, and also stated it as his decided opinion that if the
Corn-laws were repealed, we should not require any union-
houses. He deprecated the shutting out of supplies of
foreign corn, because he was sure that the English
farmer could not grow sufficient corn for the population.
Mr. John Bates seconded the proposition, and stated
that whilst the rich man rolled in luxuries, the poor man
was starving from the high taxation to which he was sub-
ject and from the want of steady employ. Mr. A. Stro-
nach began by stating that he had been brought up in the
Tory school, where he was taught that the many must
work for the benefit of the fee ; but as he grew in years
his reason told him better, and he then joined the Whig
party. But he was sorry to say ho found, after a few
years' experieace, that he had not gained by the change.
Mr. G. Cooke said, the repeal of the Corn-law would
I.enefit not only the manufacturer, but the artizan. Mr.
W. Acton moved the adoption of the petition which he
read. The speaker introduced some very excellent re-
arks, shoo
n wing the injurious effect the Corn-laws were
inflicting our manufacturers in Continectal markets.
m
Very good observations were also made on the " Import
Duties' Evidence," as given before a Committee of the
House of Commons, proving that all excessive import
duties are an injury to the revenue, as they cause smug-
gling to increase, and injure the fair dealer, who could
not compete with the smuggler. Mr. Acton also alluded
to the high price of sugar, caused by the present rate of
duty, 635. per cwt., which, he was glad to say, the Char.
cellor of the Exchequer had stated his intention to lower,
and which, he did not doubt, would be the means of caus-
ing considerable increase in the consumption. Mr. Lem-
priere briefly seconded the motion, which was carried una-
nimously.—lbid.