The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-04 00:00:00

an act of injustice towards Canada. That conterhad nor of 'the country, there could be little doubt as to the mode in
had sdtficient time to express its opinion oh the neasure', net- which the present Measure would be dealt with.—( Hear,
withstanding the very tedious debate, which sewed likely to hear.) He thought-that -the- landed interest had more than a
effect a reduction in the price of opium. —(Lughter.) He fair share of the public burdens. But with respect to the
thought that when the R.ght Hon. Baronet ,nuld tell the motion now before the House, he begged to say he thought
Prussian Minister that he intended to make a lrge reduction his Honourable Friend had misapprehended what had
in the tariff of the country, he would receive i hearty shake ti been said upon it by the agricultural Members. He could
of the hand from him ; but he would receive ashake of the 'assure the Hon. Member that there were many Members on
head, when he asked about any reduction in the 'russian tariff.;, this side the House who would prefer a total and immediate
He did consider that the measure was hurriedon with sum- repeal of the corn-laws to having that measure hanging over
cient grounds, and certainly it must be, he thoght, admitted them for three years.--e(Hear, hear.) It was a saying of
that they should first of all have a financial sttement. The Napoleon that the British troops knew not when they were
malt-tax, it was hoped by the agricultural closes, would be beaten ; and he (Lord G. Bentinck) begged to tell the House
tba being
a t the
thec conabolished, but there was, he feared, little cltnce of such that his party would now stand in the same position, and that
se. liclusin of three pears, etohoughtit wouldyesb, that ax also h
everylrroper tos ldosuay,
(if they were beaten they would retreat and rally their forces—
Cheers)—and keep the question before the country, and show
cease. There was a sum of 500,000/. rated owatels the ex- the people the manner in which some Hon. Members had kept
penses of the navy, and he could not but beliire there would the pledges they had mnde at the hustings.—(Cheers.) They
be also a large amount required for the arm'. There was would do this until they would at length compel her Majesty's
500,0007. voted for public works in Ireland, an a remission of Government to quit office, and go again before her
taxation was proposed to the amount of calf a million Majesty's people—(Cheers),--and restore things once more
more, so that, after all, he believe. they would to what they were before.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
be placed in the position of havng, notwith- The average price of corn at Dantzic was 255. 4d. per quarter.
standing the income-tax, a deficient revenue, ttally inadequate lle would take all expenses of freight, &c., to the port of Lon-
tf having an in- price at which corn could be sold here. The price during the
to meet the expenses of the country—(Hear,, hear)—and don to be about 63., and that would give a price of 31s. 4d., the
that there was in consequence great chance
fiveav
d.o tb
Other
retahyreser,a
pr fsor,rotmfs r
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ho
etl
h08317e8,
t2u7;ne rstabghe eaaddv2eb3r
been
ne;
tct eea at
financial
en
at
nif
beforeeti
aalx
satttaibtoeenm.
emn
stsihud
oeruer
dtv
eao
ssme
ca
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rr
eaied
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bt
her
enc:tetsho
saw
we tnlf
000urug,shae_t,
ai%:,-rhideoelteawpkaeisnrig2o7dsfio.vfei
son why the acids of the Bill should not be neutralized by a given, via., Bradenburg and Pomerania, and at which the
discussion of the sugar duties.—( Laughter) The Right frce was 6d. higher than at Dantzic, and yet the corn could be
Hon. Baronet would give them much greater satisfaction if bought for a very low price in the port of London. He had
he had introduced a discussion of the sugar dupes. There was other communications, one of which was from a constituent of
another reason, too, for delaying the question , it was the pre- the Hon. Member for West Riding. The name of his corm-
Why he thought that free trade under the present circumstances Y
carious state in which they were with !caret to merica. spondent was Mr. Taylor, a gentleman who had been for 40
A
cars engaged in the corn trade. That gentleman said
hski
nteno knowledge,
feared,
positionrei
enddsg eeh,aadfovooferf
hftiraotevedri
nei d.
g.
tradee asbptrapoatekwi
sranhrt to him to I Is. per quarter, and wheat from 18s. to 235. per quarter.
would not be introduced by the humblest tyro in legislative that he had bought beans in Hamburgh at from 10e
The gentleman commenced his letter by stating that he had
seen whathe (Lord Bentinck) had said on the subject, and in
ahhxeiawmbgoeruteehl
radattbt
aeax
isa,mtt, o7noadsit
in
they
the
ba
wet
country,
his opinion it was perfectly correct. The difference of the duty
and be obliged in the end to retprace their steps. Under all now payable by law, and the duty proposed to be allowed
those circumstances he thought it would be etpedient that some would be pocketed by the holder of corn and by the importers.
of the business connected with the financial statement should He had another statement of prices from another gentleman
be first introduced, but he must say, in conclusion, he pre-
also forty years in the trade. Ho said that in 1826, he pur-
ferred the measure brought forward by tke Right Honourable chased large quantities of wheat—in fact to the amount of
Baronet than the total and immediaterepeal.of the corn-laws. several thousand qusrters, and though the wheat was as fine as
Mr. WARD rose and said, that the Hon. Gentleman who could be grown, the price varied from 16s. to 211. The
had last spoken, accused them of hurrying on that question, freight of that wheat to the port of London would be
and that the landlords were intitled to be heard, twenty or 3s. 6d. per quarter, making a cost of 245. 6d.,
thirty of whom had not yet spoken. Of the whole speech so that it would be clear to the farmers
which he inflicted on the House, not one word but the last
of England at what price foreign wheat could be brought into
sentence bore on the question. It seemed that one half
competition with their home produce. The last letter, to
of the Honourable Gentleman's argument was corn- which he should call the attention of the Htause, was from a
plaining of her Majesty's Ministers, and the other half was on the Norfolk farmer, and it related to the price of corn during the
subject of protection. The Hon. Gentleman complains of
very last year. He stated that he had put chased 807 qrs.
taxes, and talks of the abolition of the malt-tax, as a boon to
of wheat in June last at 265. 4d., and he had the offer of 3,000
the farmers. But he thought that every Gentleman in that q
more at the same price. The expense of freight to the
House would admit that ninety-nine parts out of every
port of London, including lighterage, cartage, &c., was 6s.
hundred was paid by the consumer. That is the boon which
per qr. more ; 6s. and 265. 4d. made 325. 4d., and that was
the farmer's Artemis propose, and in nun. sue, it the price at which, on the Ist of June last, wheat weighing
tic had always heard of an old sayinelewhich was "God pre- new— oindiel was imported turn London. It gentlemen
serve me from my friends, for I shall preserve myself from my would take the trouble to add the present duty of 17s. tn
enemies." Such he thought may now be the feelings of the cost of corn in Mark lane, they would find that the ins
agriculturists.—( Hear hear.) It was said that the present porters could afford to pay 17s. per quarter duty, and
Parliament was incompetent to decide the question, but he have clearly 14s. profit.—(" Oh, oh," from the Opposition. )
was of opinion that what the Reform Bill did for the rotten Was that not a strong proof that the measure going to be in-
boroughs, the present measure would do for the corn-laws. troduced by Ministers was injurious? He had promised not
For six years that question had been forcing itself to detain the House, and he was not going to do so, but he
on the common sense of the House, and it was would advert to the distinction drawn by a fellow-labourer of
now to be considered what was to be done. For his own part, his who was engaged with him in a committee on the game-
he had never given a vote on any question in which he so en- laws. That Hon. Member thought fit to take a little diversion
tirely concurred. His constituency were satisfied with the in game, and he had heard evidence given as to the extent of
measure of the Government, and were most anxious to see it damage done to the Duke of Ru tland. One of the principal
carried, and he had formed his opinion from what he had heard witnesses on the question was a Quaker.—( Hear, hear, and
in that House .and he should say at once that they should take laughter.) That witness carried his aversion to bloodshed
the measure Of the Government, which was right per se. His further than the gentlemen of Reading, who would not give
Noble Friend near him said he preferred the Government to the British army the thanks due to their service.
measure to any other, and said that he would vote for it and for He had such an aversion of bloodshed, that he was astonished
no other • but he did not see why his Noble Friend should not how the Duke of Rutland could take any delight in the killing
vote for the immediate repeal. He (Mr. Ward) bad an ad- pheasants and partridges.--(Laughter.) He had such pre-
vantage which few in that House had. He did not judices on this question relating to the damage done by the
pass the whole week there, for he mingled with game, that he went the length of stating that the damage in one
men who had nothing to do with party feeling or instance on meadow land was at the rate of 30s. per acre.
with party politics ; and who were net interested with regard Now he (Lord G. Bentinck) ascertained that the rent of
to the measure, and who differed with him on the question of the land referred to was only 255. an acre. This argument
protection. They were all rejoicing when they heard of the respecting the damage of game had been set forth as an argu-
large majority by which the question was decided, for they anent in favour of free trade, and it was stated that the
considered it would have the effect of putting an end to the damage done to the farm in question was 954/. in 1833 ; and
present uncertainty which was felt by the country—(Hear, 951/. in 1844 ; but on this subject he had the testimony of
hear)—for they were looking forward to the time when they his Noble Friends behind him, the sons of the Duke of Rut-
could enter into fresh arrangements with their landlords. Now land, who stated that a new valuer had made an estimate
he stated distinctly that that was the general feeling in the of the damage at between 200/. to 300/. He (Lord G.
country amongst men who did not pass their Saturday's and Bentinck) trusted therefore he had answered the observationa
Sunday's at clubs and other places of resort. There were many on this point made by the Hon. Member for Durham.
Members of that House whose opinions had undergone a Mr. COBDEN rose and said, that the one part of the speech
change within a very short time, for they said in resisting the of the Noble Lord who had just sat down related to how cheaply
present motion, their reason for opposing it was for fear the corn could be imported into the country, and the other part had
measure of the Government would be endangered. There reference to the opinions of the farmers in relation to immediate
was a great change now come over them from that which they or delayed repeal. He should not refer to the first part of the
felt when they said it was better to have at once the repeal of speech, further than to repeat what he had said before on this
the corn-laws, than to have it hanging over them for three question, relating to the price of food, a matter of great import-
years, but they had such short memories that they did not re- eine to the people of this country. The 'Noble Lord has said
collect the statements, which they expressed a few days ago. that grain could be supplied at 31s. 2d. per quarter; that is that
Every man among them (the protectionists) then said, that if wheat of good quality could be had in large quantities at this
the repeal was to take place, it would be better it should be urice.—( Hear, hear.)—lndeed, but that was nothing to what the
immediate. If they could but consult their understanding— Hon. Member for Sunderland had stated, for he said that he
if they could but get rid of those odious party feelings. and look could supply wheat from foreign countries at 2.55. per quarter.
at the question in a plain nnbaissed point of view— --(Hear, hear.) If that were so, he (Mr. Cobden) was sure
(Hear, bear)—there was doubt that such changes as he there was not a navigator in the country that would not buy
had alluded to would not have so often taken place. from that Hon. Membr.— (Laughter and cheers.) Now, the
If the result should prove that they were right, and that the question before the House was a very narrow one,
protectionists were wrong, in all their future arrangements and he would not deviate from the strict line
with their tenants their own speeches would be quoted against of the question —it was, trhether it was batter
them. They would justly say, " You told us that we were all that the repeal of the corn-laws should be immediate, or be
destroyed, and that we had not a chance of competing with abolished three years hence. This was the question to be con=
the Pole or Russian, and that English capital and English ,idered. lie must say that the motion of the Hon. Member
science would go for nothing in the race, how then can you for Wolverhampton (Mr. Villiers) was unfortunately brought
expect us to enter into competition where the race is decided forward at the present moment, but that Hon. Gentleman had
before it is run ?" This would be their language, and it would no other course left him. The forms of the House left him no
be quite natural. For himself he believed that the tenant- other alternative, he must either bring forward his motion in
farmers were rejoiced at the decision which had ben arrived that manner or not at all.—( Hear, hear.') But his Hon.
at, and wished the question decided in order to Friend had not considered the temper of the House in bringing
be able to meet them (the landlords) on fair and forward his motion, when he heard Hon. Members below the
rational terms.—( Cries of " Hear, hear.") If be considered gangway slate that they would prefer an immediate settlement
that by supporting the measure of his Honourable Friend he of the question to the proposition of the Right Hon. Baronet.
would risk the measure of the Government, he would vote —( Hear, hear.) Nor had he (Mr. Cobden) heard any argu-
against it. —(Hear, hear from the protectionists.) Yes, he .nents advanced against the immediate repeal, either from states;
considered the measure of the Government as a great boon men, politicians, or farmers' friends ; but on the contrary he
conferred upon the country, but at the same time he thought heard the Hon. Member for Somersetshire, (Mr. Miles)
it would further its own object better by being immediate than make the distinct assertion, in the 'name of the argricultural
gradual. —( Hear, hear.) .party, in which he was cheered by the gentlemen behind him,
Mr. LIDDELL could not possibly receive the opinions of that of the two propositions he would prefer the immediate re-
the Honourable Member who had just sat down without con- peal. He said, if the question of delayed repeal or immediate
siderable hesitation, because they were preconceived opinions, repeal was proposed to the farmers, that they wonld declare for
which the Honourable Member had ever held, and to which he the repeal being immediate—( Hear, hear.) The Duke of'
was clearly prejudiced. The question for the House to consider Richmond said the same in another place Not one man said
was, whether they were prepared to accept the modified corn- it would be better to delay the settlement of the question. And
law, or whether they should consent to an immediate repeal. he (Mr. Cobden) defied any gentleman on the opposite side of
The Hon. Gentleman had quoted from some papers which, he ,he house to say that the farmers would prefer the delay to an
said, he had received from a most respectable firm of men- ,mmediate refusal.—(Hear, hear.) They, 3(the protec-
chants ; but were that Hon. Gentleman in the House a few tionists) at their meetings, had made a parade of
hours earlier, he would have heard a question put by the Hon. land agents, representing them as farmers, and
Member for Wolverhampton to the Vice-President of the getting them to make speeches on behalf of protection.
Board of Trade, as to whether wheat had not been thrown (Cries of "No no")—he said yes, for he knew that at all
into the Thames because of the high rate of duty it had those meetings land agents and auctioneers were brought fore-
placed on it.—( Hear, hear.) ward to speak on behalf of the farming interest. He admitted
Mr. PETER BORTHWICK, having heard many corn- that they might be holders of land, but from their professions,
plaints made as to the length to which the debate had run, they had an interest in the delay and uncertinty that arose from,
rose to ask the House, as also. her Majesty's Ministers, to ,
he present system. He challenged any lion. Gentlemanto
whom the country was indebted for the present protracted say that the farmers preferred a delay of three years to' an
discussion ?—( Hear, bear.) In the month of October, 1845, immediate repeal. A reference had been suede to the decision
they had been told that the country was quiet, the Exchequer that was likely to arise from a division in another place, con-
overflowing, trade prosperous, and labour employed ; in fact. trary to the conclusion at which that House was likely to ar-
in no respect in which the country could be regarded did it rive. He sould say that in his opinion, a great difference had
not present a most satisfactory appearance.—(Hear, hear.) been made and that a great mistake had occurred in the mak-
But in that month a certain organ of public information ing of the motion. Had he been consulted upon the matter,
communicated the startling intelligence that it was .he should have said the motion itself was unwise,
the intention of her Majesty's Government in the and that it would have been better to have left
second week in January of the present year to propose au im- the matter in the hands of the Government, for
mediate and total repeal of the corn-laws. He beggen to ask he would not hesitate to say that the opinion which had
every Gentleman acquainted with the commerce in the coon. been expressed respecting the 15th clause was altogether a
try, whether, from that moment, the state of commerce in mistaken one, and that if the conclusion at re hieh the Hon.
England had not been utterly paralyzed ?—kflear, hear, ene Member had arrived was correct, the public opinion was a
a laugh.) He further asked, whether Hon. Gentleman did nullity, and that the exertions of Hoe. Members were altogether
not believe that, if her Majesty's Government, instead of set aside. He wished the minds of Hon. Members should be
verifying, had falsified that statement, and come d 'wn to the disabused of the opinion that public feeling was justified on
House with some practical measure to meet the famine pre- this point. The sympathy of the people was not destroyed, and
valent in Ireland, whether the commercial condition of the he begged to give this warning to the Members of the Govern-
country would not be as prosperous in March, 1846, as it was went, in order to show, them that they had another difficulty to
in October, 1845? He put the question, and if it could not contend with which they had not possibly .contemplated.—
be answered by lion. Gentlemen on the Treasury benches, ( Cheers.) He would take example by the Right Hon. Baronet,
he would put it to the House, and ask, were they—who wen and assert that it would be necessary to evince their opinions
engaged in resisting measures of innovation, of a revolutionate by their votes, and he would assure Hon. Gentlemen that the
nature—were they to blame for protracting the discussion ? Anti-Corn-law League would not gainsay any one of their posi-
-( Loud cries of " Hear, bear," from the protectionists.) tions. He would say there what he had often said elsewhere,
They must show him that land in England was more light]) that the interest on this question was not in the slightest de-
burdened than land in any other country, before he could agree gree diminished. They were ready to take I7s. 6d., with the
in the principles of free trade. It was said by the Right lion full expectation that they would obtain the other halt crown by
Baronet, that if the ports were opened to relieve the distress of an appeal to the House. He would say this, that there had been
the moment, who could again close them? He would rather be a grievous misrepresentation of the line of conduct which he
convinced by the experience 'of the opening of the ports of had pursued, and he thought that a better course might have
the necessity of free trade, than by the three year's experi been pursued before the House. The main principle appeared
once of the Right Hon. Baronet, upon which he came to the to be, that in the question before the House, it was impossible
resolution of making so great a change as he had done by the to ally the agitation that had been excited throughout the coun-
present measure. One other word upon the question, why some try. lie believed that the endeavour which had lately been made
Hon. Members on that side of, the House cheered the idea of to support the corn-laws had been based upon the supposition
immediate repeal ie preference to a repeal at the end of three that the corn-laws would cease in two-and-a-half to three
years. If they had had no 'choice between the one and the years. But he thought they were mistaken on this point, and
other, then he certainly would prefer immediate repeal, bu' had treated the Hon. Member for Durham (Mr Bright) with
they had a choice. The Right Hon. Baronet himself gay, no little discourtesy, and had treated his suggestions with con-
them three years, and who could calculate the changes that tempt.—( Cheers.) An endeavour had been made to alter
might arise before that period bad expired ?—( Cheers. ) the course which Lad been devised, but he thought the pro-
Mr. HUME said he was very much surprised that any Hon. ceeding of his Hon. Friend highly injudicious, and he trusted
Member in that House should have declared his intention of therefore the House would take into serious consideration the
confining himself to the question before the House, when to eircutneances which he had laid before them, and that they
the very last paragraph of his speech he had never once re- would adopt such measures as would be advantageous to them-
ferred to the matter before them. His Hon. Friend the Mem- =elves and to the country. If they were to appeal to the country,
ber for Durham had congratulated the House that protection they would find that the people were eagerly anxious to pass
was dead and buried, but he had not anticipated that protec- the measure, although they were quite ready to forego
tion would have arisen in the person of the Hon. Member for any claims that might arise from the passing of it.
Evesham, like a giant refreshed.—(Laughter.) The Hon. Well, now, he saw very great danger to the measure of the
Member had produced strong allegations from the writings of Right Hon. Baronet in that step—(Hear, hear)—because the
political economists, but he said not one of them had referred to Right Hon. Baronet had very properly stated, that we should
the policy of the Right lion. Baronet. How the deuce could they ? go on from day to day with the question until it was disposed
The Right Hon. Baronet had come forward in these latter (if.—(Hear, hear.) But he conld apprehend the chance of
days, very much to his own honour, and very much to his some little delay in another place. He could foresee the
(Mr. Hume's) satisfaction—(Laughter)—with measures hay- chance of the Government being out of office before this
ing a teedency towards free trade. Protection, which was at measure passed through the other House.—(Protectionist
best a system of robbery, would never have been passed but for cheers.) He did not know whether the tenure of office of
this reason. The House of Commons had been altogether the present Ministers was worth six weeks or two months'
cempesed of landed proprietors, and until a year ago no in- purchase.—( Loud laughter and cheers from the protectionists.)
diviaual would sit in the House who had not a qualification in But he did not see very great wisdom- (Opposition cheers)—
land, and therefore it was they passed a measure which en- or any great policy in the course by which they proposed to
shied them to take out of the pockets of others for the purpose turn out the Government of the Right Honourable Gen-
of putting into their own. The question now was, whether it tlema.n.—(Continued cheering.) But that was their
was just to allow one class to levy a tax for their own exclusive (the protectionists') business.—(Cheers.) His business there
p ques ion comp e
benefit upon all others? Ile (Mr. Hume) denied that justice; was to kee e" 1 tely out of their power, and
he contended that the landed interest had plundered the completely out of the reach of their touch.—(Hear, hear.)
rest of the community, and the whole object of the Right Now he would say that this question with the country was
Hon. Baronet's measure was to remove this injustice, anti safe.—( Cheers.) Why, they were united on the principle of
to give to all classes an equal degree of justice. If that mea- tctal and immediate repeal of the corn-laws, and the e was no
sure were passed, the artisans of England, of France, of Bel- power on earth that
could prevent the carrying out of the
g ium, and of Holland, would b epi aced on the same footing with abolition of the corn-lawn.—(Cheers.) And it was, therefore,
regard to food, and therefore the English manufactuaer would not because he foresaw dangers—because he foresaw the course of
suffer as heretofore from the Inequality of competition. They vexatious policy towards the present Ministers—a potiey which
had heard in that House of nothing bat the landed interests, lie would not bind himself to follow --(l,heers) because he
as if they alone combined every interest in the country. lion, saw in those insidious amendments and proposals, as well as the
Members ve:y well knew that they were only a fractional part— amendments that were spoken of in another place, dangers
owe-fifth or one-sixth of the whole community. Let them and pit-falle to this measure. It was therefore, and
take the Parliamentary return to which an Honourable Mem- therefore alone, that he was anxious that they should
bor referred lest inght. That Honourable Member stated this preserve themselves intact with the country—( Hear, hear )
I important fact, that the whole population employed in agricul- and Hon. Members on his side of the House would not oppose
tare were only some eight per cent. But they were told this the measures of the Right Hon. Baronet if they were even ten
was an unfair statement. Let them look at the income-tax. times stronger than they were.—(Cheers.) Now, after the
It appeared that the whole income- tax of 5,000,000/. had been division on this question, I will give as cordial a support to the
levied upon 200,000,0000'. of property, but only 32.000,000!. out measure of the Government as any gentleman in this House.
of this sum was returned for the whole property of England.— ( Ilear, hear.) And now I ask Hon. Gentlemen opposite—
( Hear.) And yet it was asked thatevery other class in the coon- those wlto have taken an enlightened view of the necessities of
try should contribute to this monstrous system of protection. the country, and have agreed—seine, I have no doubt, in op
Ile had been led away from the question before this House by position to their own feelings—( Hear, hear)—to give their
this incident, but he would now apply himself to it, and that support to the measure of the Government, when they see that
question was, how he should vote upon the present occasion. in the free trade party there is no disposition to oppose, but every
He looked upon the measure of the Right Hon. Barcnet as disposition to aid them. I hope that we shall unite here cordially
a very important and comprehensive one, and much more to and if there is a dissolution,' I hOpe that when we go to the
the purpose than lie could have expected or anticipated, and cauntry, if there must be a dissolution, that we shall go united
therefore he would not run the risk of losing it by adopting any --(Hear, hear)—and that they would see that their motion for
other course, and therefore he would vote for it now, and then immediate repeal, instead of having at all tended to diminish
see bow much more could be got afterwards.—( Cheers.) the acrimony and the intensity of Hon. Gentlemen opposite, it
Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said that the Honourable would be rather increased. He hoped that if a dissolution
Member had called the agricultural Members a selfish Must come, Hon. Gentlemen who had come forwards in sup-
party, and that they were not content with a fair share of the port of the measure of the Government, would then go to-
y ; but he begged to tell the Hoe. 1 gether as a united body.---( Cheers. ) And he sincerely hoped
epotturtnyhad a fair share of the Government' and touted that everyveataile of the late Tot/ and Whiii
i‘Gioevmebrnerm that
en
att o
if that
lie country