The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-05 00:00:00

TIDE S N,,

declared that no reformation could be brought about in
the state of things in the sister kingdom for the next
two years unless two millions of the peasantry of Ireland
were transferred to America. The question ef emi-
gration of late had been a good deal discussed, ,
but no one had ventured to propound a plan,
and he was prepared, therefore, to say to
their Lordships, " Let us have this Committee
of Inquiry, and see if this undiscovered plan of colo-
nisation could be attained "—(Hear, hear.) Other ad-
vantages might arise from the inquiry, but at all events !
if some others resulted from it the inquiry might have
the effect of setting the public mind at rest upon this
extensive and interesting topic.—(Hear, bear.) Up to
1830 no settled principles of colonisation were adopted
by the Government. About that time a commission I
was appointed to inquire into the subject, and the re-
sult
of that investigation was the establishment of Au-
stralian emigration. Since that period, upwards of
100,000 persons have been transferred from the shores
of the United Kingdom to the colony, and the number
wes annually increasing. A good deal of the success
of the system was attributable to the exertions of the
Emigration Commissioners, who had succeeded in
reducing the cost of passage, and producing
such ample accommodation for emigrants, that
the mortality of late amongst emigrants had
not amounted to mere that one per cent. It was
the ietention of Government to extend the system of
colonisation, which had proved so successful in South
Australia, but before it could be carried on to the extent
recommended by the Noble Lord who had introduced
this motion, a good deal of caution and inquiry was ne-
e-scary. True, in America the system had been no less
successful than in South Australia, although it bad re-
ceived no Government aid in that quarter. But before
they could turn their attention to that object, acme pre-
cautionary measures would have to be taken. Last year
upards of 1,900.000 emigrants were landed in Canada,
who, through the instrumentality of the Emigration
Commissioners, were distrib ited throughout the country
to places where their labour was likely to become avail-
able to the settlers ; and their Lordships ought to take
care that no act of their's should have the effect
of interrupting or overdoing the beneficial system.
There was now a system of complete protection for the
emigrants to Canada, and there was no abuse but was at
once put an end to by the interference of the emigration
agent. The consequence of this was, that emigration
was proceeding steadily and healthily to those colonies.
He said now, however, and-he said it formerly, that it
was only a practical delusion on the Irish people to state
that the evils of that country could be remedied by a
system of emigration. He stated so in 1843, and he now
repeated it, that it was impossible by this means to pro-
vide a remedy for the evils under which Ireland was
suff ring. Ile believed that those who were lees'
acquainted with the subject were of the opinion that
there would not be less than from 200,000 to 300,000
emigrants this year to America. Large as that number
was, he thought they could be provided for, in cerise-
quence of the means of distribution which was at
present in existence, and of the demand for labour. But
if this number was increased to a large extent by
• Government interference, he feared that the effect would
he great suffering in the whole body of emigrants, and
• that a considerable check timid be given by this artifi-
cial stimulation to emigration generally. This hap-
pened in 1832, the year of the cholera, and `he results
which followed then, and which were well known, would.
he apprehended, again recur if they adopted the same
means to increase emigration, as the colonies would not be
fited to meet the increased demand in their resources,
and would not be able to absorb this surplus labour.
The Noble Lord then read extracts from the dispatches
of Lord Elgin, to the effect that the emigration hitherto
had been easily absorbed, and that any interference
with it might be attended with the meat injurious con-
sequences. He (Earl Grey) thought, that if Noble
Lords perused these dispatches—especially those which
arrived recently, it would be apparent to them, that any
artificial increase, such as that proposed, in the number
of emigrants, would not be attended with beneficial
consequences. His Noble Friend (Lord Monteagle)
said, that by tha establishment of a system of public
works in Canada, a wide field might be opened for the
absorption of labour. Now he (Earl Grey), would like
to see a system of railways laid down in that colony,
and he would like particularly to see a railway laid down
from Halifax to Canada, as this would open up access
with Canada, at all seasons of the year. If that policy
were adopted, he thought the greatest advantages would
result. But these were not things which could be pushed
on with the rapidity some gentlemen desired. In the
first place the surveys were in a very imperfect condi-
tion, and instructions had lately been given
by the Master-General of the Ordnance to
have them pushed on with as little delay as possible
Lord Elgin also, it would be seen from these papers, was
to bring the subject before the Local Legislatures of the
colony. Besides these objections, the present financial
state of this country must be considered ; it must not be
forgotten that it was with the greatest difficulty that
they could prevent the Exchequer bills from being re-
urned to the Government, and that they were nut in a
condition to give effect to the railway enterprise even of
this country. He was persuaded, however, that all these
evils under which this country was now labouring were
of a transient and passing nature, and that as soon as
hey were at an end there would be enterprise sufficient
'o carry these Canadian undertakings into effect- There
:vas only one further point to which he felt it necessary
o alityle. namely, the contrast which had been drawl,
4etween Ireland 5n4. the Awn.rican colonies. It had been
'drably ; and that, therefore, bad rtierenur&l Elect on ad -
eument for leaving our;present colonies to their own ex•
ertions. He would conclude by saying that he trusted
that their peeaetstr.......,ae, gta consenting
to this Committee he did not agree in the practicability
of carrying out this system of emigration upon that gi-
gantic scale which alone could render it an immedia'e
and effectual remedy for the pressure which now existed.
Lord FITZ WILLIAM (who in the commencement of
is observations was quite inateliele) said that it ap
peared to him that one of the great objections which his
Noble Friend saw to an extended system of emigration
was, the great expense it would entail upon this coun-
try, but that was a difficulty which would in a short
time be removed, although the present state of the
money market might not warrant any great outlay at
present. He thought, however, that any expense that
was incurred by the Government ought to go to the
removal of the evils by which Ireland suffered. The
;overnment bad determined to give pecuniary assist-
ince, so as to encourage the formation of railways in
Canada, and he thought that the same course ought to
he pursued with regard to Ireland, where the distribu-
tion of money would be attended with far more
benflecial effects. The want of some system
of emigration was universally admitted, and it
the Government did not assent in forwarding
'hat object, who was to do it? The landlord
would be unable to carry into effect such an extended
system as would alone be attended with any satisfactory
result, nor, indeed, would they be able to carry it into
effect, so as even to produce any great reduction of the
sufferings of' the population. He did say, if this country
lid not exert herself more than she did on behalf of the
improvement of Ireland, and the condition of the Irish
people, they would inevitably have to contend with a
popular tumult. He was desirous of seeing the improve-
ment of Ireland, as his Noble Friend had said in iefer-
-nce to the colonies, by means of public works, and he
was certain that that was by far the most economical pro-
cess—economical,
Irr ie:adtsiuocntti:i vee.
the
populationl If they
Govermentt h didyas
eess—econotnical, because the money expended must
be
he e
slargely
a ring
eebalyyn 'mzueiimmenselyou would nut de-
creasedfo
r
years and years be able to eurmBunt the difficulty at-
tendant upon Ireland. What most impeded this pro-
gress of improvement, was the general public opinion in
tuch the Government unfertunately participated, that
the calamity of Ireland did not become the calamity of
the empire. That calamity was great. Suppose they
-hould proceed as they bad been doing ; suppose, how-
ever, that instead of the potatoe, they should wish to in
croduce wheat. It was certain that 2 acres or 2 would
be requisite for the support of a family that used to exist
nn 1 acre planted with potatoes. But he was certain
het a was an impossibility to grow two acres of whet
this year on the land belonging to those families which
had raised each but an acre of potatoes. I his being se,
he was bold to say, that unless the 4.lovern-
ment was prepared to make up their minds
to adopt a new course, to foster emigration,
and the improvement of Ireland by public works, they
Joust have recourse again to votes of money for the
support of the helpless in that country.
Lord MON ['EAGLE replied—He said he had no ob-
jection to move fur the memorial alluded to by the Noble
Earl, just to resctiejt from oblivion and the dusty shelf.
The motion was then agreed to, and the Committee
was named.

-everal Bills were advanced a stage, and
The House adjourned a few minutes past nine o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. June 4.
The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four
o'c lock.