The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-30 00:00:00

EDUCATION.

The NOBLE and LEARNED LonD:presented several pe-
titions for and against the Government scheme of edu-
cation.

IRISH POOR-LAW.

The same LEARNED LORD also presented a petition
from the vestry of Liverpool. The petitioners
stated that the number of Irish paupers had
of late very rapidly increased ; that 180,000 had
passed into Liverpool since the month of December last,
according to documents of authority on the subject ;
but these did not include in that number some 30,000
that had come over more recently. They further stated
that of the 180,000 paupers 105,000 had remained in
Liverpool in a state of perfect destitution, and with
cases of very grievous disease among them, thus
fostering the seeds of a very wide contagion in the town.
They said that there had been not only a sudden increase
of the population, but a sudden increase of 180,000 in
300,000—an increase of near two-thirds—in the course
of four or five months. That affected the poor of the town
more than any otherclass in society; and that class previous
to this numbered 70,000 or 80,000, principally Irish Ro-
man Catholic paupers. The petitioners prayed that their
Lordships would pass an Irish poor-law to facilitate the
passing of Irish paupers from England to Ireland, and
prevent the immigration of paupers from Ireland into
England. He (Lord Brougham) wished, however, to
guard his Noble Friend (Marquis of Lansdowne) oppo-
site against supposing that the petition was in favour of
the present measure, for they further stated that they
did not think the measure passed by the House of Com-
mons would at all ameliorate the condition of Liverpool
—(Hear)—for the facilities of obtaining relief in England
were so great, that Irish paupers would continue to flock
into England. The Noble and Learned Lord said the
opinion was founded on a vast number of documents
drawn out by an authority who was of opinion that an
Irish poor-law would increase the influx of paupers.
He, therefore, deemed it his duty to present the petition.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the condi-
tion of the manufacturing districts had been brought
under the consideration of her Majesty's Government,
but he was not prepared to say what steps if any, would
be taken in reference to the subject.
After a few words from Lord ASHBURTON, which
were inaudible.

Lord MONTEAGLE was surprised that the subject
had not sooner been brought under consideration.
Lord BROUGHAM—Do they pray for a poor-law?
Lord MONTEAGLE—They do; but not such a one
as this.—(hear, hear.)
The Earl of WICKLOW said that it was necessary
to remind the people of Liverpool, that although
they suffered so much from Irish distress, they ought to
be aware of the immense influx of wealth which this very
distress caused to flow into that port ; if they compared
the poor-rates with the enormous sums which flowed into
their coffers, from every part of the world, for corn, they
would find the latter greatly to preponderate.
After a few words from the Earl of WESTMEATH,
Lord BROUGHAM said that his Noble Friend was
quite mistaken in the supposition that he entertained,
for he meant to reserve himself for the discussion of
the poor-law. He quite agreed with his Noble Friend
behind him that the present depression of the money
market justified the most careful proceedings, and al-
though, perhaps, the worst might be past in Ire-
land, there was yet much to be endured ; and he be-
lieved that the Government would do well to consider
this subject maturely before they took any definite
measures.