The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-12 00:00:00

POOR-LAW FOR IRELAND.

The O'CONOR DON presented a petition from the
High Sheriff and Magistrates of the county of Ros-
common, in favour of a general assessment for the relief
of the poor ; and praying that an extensive system of
emigration might be introduced as a means of relief to
the distressed.

WINDOW-TAX.
Mr. BROTIIERTON presented several petitions
against the window-tax. The petitioners stated that
the tax was unfavourable to the health and comfort of
the inhabitants.

THE FAMINE.
Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL presented a petition from
the county of Mayo, complaining of the want of energy
in the Irish landlords, and praying that the House
would take some further measure to prevent the spre;:d
of the caiamity which now exists.

HARBOURS iNsill) TIDAT. WA 9"VnQ .
prese a petition from the ship•
owners of Ilfracombe, praying the House to further, as
s.-on as possible, the Bill now before it for the better
management of ha-bours and tidal waters, and stating
that the harbour of Ilfracombe would receive much be-
nefit from such a measure.

Mr. MILNER GIBSON presented a petition from
the Chamber of Commerce at Manchester, praying
for a better management of harbours and tidal waters.
Also a petition from Manchester against the rating of
tenements ; and three petitions from the same place
against the law prohibiting marriages between certain
degrees of kindred.
POOR-LAW IN IRELAND.
Lord CASTLEREAGH Presented a petition from
the Board of Guardians of a parish in the county Down,
praying fur an extension and alteration of the Iri,h
Poor-law. Also, a petition from the pariah of New-
townards, praying for an equalisation of the rating
system.

Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from the assessors
and collectors of property and the assessed taxes, in the
county of Stafford, complaining that they did not receive
adequate remuneration, and praying that the House
would take some step to increase it.
Mr. P. SCIIOPE presented a petition from the parish
of Craig, in the Queen's County, praying for an efficient
poor law ; and also for such measures as would enable
them to do what the inhabitants of every country on the
face of earth were enabled to do—namely, maintain
themselves by their industry on the face of their native
land.

MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.
Messengers from the House of Lords brought up a
message intimating that their Lordships had agreed to
several Bills which had been sent up for their approval.
NOTICE OF MOTION.

Mr. AGLIONBY gave notice that on Tuesday next
he would ask the Secretary for the Home Department a
question as to the course the Government intended to
take with respect to the introduction of a general Bill
for the lighting, paving, and general improvement of
towns.

RATE OF WAGES ON PUBLIC WORKS IN
IRELAND.
Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL, seeing the Right Hon.
the Secretary for Ireland in his place, wished to call his
attention to a statement which he had made last week,
in answer to a question from the Honourable Member
for Limerick, respecting the rates of wages in
the west of Ireland. It appeared that the
answer of the Right Honourable Gentleman had
been misunderstood. It was stated that the Right
Hon. Gentleman had said that the wages of labourers
on public works were nearer ls. 2d. than 8d a day.
The Gentleman who wrote to him (Mr. O'Connell)
said that this was an error, as no person in Sligo, or the
neighbouring county, had ever received more than Bd.;
he added that that could not support a family with the
present high rate of provisions.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said that he would repeat to
the House what he had stated on the occasion referred
to by the Hon. Member. He said that from informa-
tion he had received from Sligo, it appeared that the
system pursued was this—that as far as possible the
principle of task work was introduced, and under that
system an able-bodied labourer would earn nearly Is. 2d.
a day, but in the cases of families where they could not
be supported by the labour of one member of that
family, it was allowed to give labour to another person
from the same family, rather than give a higher rate of
wages than was to be had in agricultural operations.
EXPORTATION OF GRAIN FROM ENGLAND.
Mr. IL BAILLIE wished to ask a question of the
Noble Lord at the head of the Government. The Noble
Lord was perhaps aware that France and Belgium had
prohibited the exportation of corn from those countries,
and that there were Belgian agents in this country mak-
ing large purchases of grain. There was a general anti-
cipation, therefore, that in consequence of these purchases
the prices of food would advance, and a scarcity ensue.
He wished, therefore, to know whether the Government
would feel called upon to prohibit the exportation of
corn from this country?

Lord JOHN RUSSELL complained that the Hon.
Gentleman had asked a question on this important
subject without giving notice of his intention
of doing so. Ho would, however, tell him what was the
general opinion of the Government under these circum-
stances. The members of the Government were aware
that a great demand existed in France and Belgium for
grain, and that prices had risen in those
countries, but they were also of opinion that
to prohibit the exportation of corn was not the way
to cause articles of food to be brought into this
country, because they thought that the importing
merchant, if he had a security that he could bring
corn here, and be permitted to re-export it if he
thought proper to send it to other markets, would
bring it here ; but if it were at once shown that when
he did come here they refused to allow him to re-export
it, then the probability would be that he would avoid
their market. Although he had not been prepared to
meet the question of the Hon. Member, he had no hesi-
tation in saying that this would be the ruling principle
of the Government.CUSTODY
OF OFFENDERS BILL.—PRISONS
In reply to a question froustaon.d
BILL
Offenderslin'' Bill and
Sir G. GREY said the Cul