The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-23 00:00:00

I t half of the great community which I have the honour manufacture to all parts of the vrorld aillouuted to
to represent, that they may have every facility for an 47,000,0001. ;in 1844 these *ere 4;i412,0.00i In 1845
increased employment, and a consequent increase of there was again an inciease, the amount being in that
their comforts ; for they are, in my humble opi- year 465764,000/. This is the state of our commerce
nion, the most hard-working, patient, and loyal under the system we have pursued, of abolishing protec-
people upon the face of the earth.—(Hear, hear.) tion. Now I come to the question of revenue, and will
If properly instructed when young, by truly religious take the results of the revenue as bearing on this ques-
persons, they entertain for her Majesty the tion. Ought there to be a high protection on domestic
greatest respect and affection. I beg leave to second industry in a country encumbered with a heavy debt
the Addressse-(Hear, hear.)
The St'EAKER then read the Address. and heavy taxes ? le 1842, it will be remembered that
I proposed a reduction in the Customs duties to the amount
R. PEEL then rose and said—Sir, I would of an estimated loss of 1,438,0001. In 1844 I proposed
I aim hope that although the course I take is an unusual a further reduction in the Customs duties, involving a loss
one, yet that lam acting in accordance with the general of 273,000/.; and in 1845 a further reduction to the im-
wish of the House in now rising to give an explanation mense amount of 2,418,0001. I estimated the total loss
of that course which I shall take upon the pre- on those reductions would be 4,129,000/. I discarded
sent great question before the country.—(Hear, hear.) the revenue derived from corn from both sides of the ar-
The House will consider it but natural that I should de- gunient.—(Hear, hear.) Now let us see whether my
sire that not a moment should elapse before I should expectations have been realised in this respect, and
explain to the House the motives on which I have acted, whether 4,000,0001. have been lost to the revenue from
and the principles which have governed my conduct.— the changes in the Customs duty we have made or not?
(Hear, hear.) I may feel hurt at having been the I find the total loss has been 1,500,000/. only.—(Re-
object of much accusation upon this subject.—(Hear.) newed cheering.) I dealt also with the Excise last year
I have been unjustly condemned without a hearing. I —and made a reduction to the extent of 1,000,0001. in
say nothing upon that head ; and if any momentary that item of revenue by the removal of duties. We took
feeling of indignation should possess me, the recollection offt the whole of the glass duty—(Hear)—and the atm-
of the great events which have taken place would be tion duty, and we estimated the loss to the revenue at
sufficient to remove any such temporary unpleasant- 1,000,0001. See the result. These duties were taken off
ness.—(Hear, hear.) I enter, therefore, into altogether. There was no hope of recovering any part of
no particular discussion, or particular accusations, it—as in the case of articles upon which we merely re-
but this Ido ask—while I contend for the reserval of duced the duties, and when by increased consumption we
sentence, I ask for an opportunity, after the condemns- may reasonably hope to make up the loss—but we felt
tion, of explaining the motives of my conduct. that by vivifying trade the removal of those duties
—(Hear, hear.) I ask you to listen with patience would be beneficial notwithstanding. Now let us in-
and indulgence, to those facts and those evidences quire what will have been the effect of that removal on
which I shall this night bring before you, the sth of April next. My belief is that, notwithatand-
and which will afford the materials on which the House ing the reductions that have been made, the excise re-
will ultimately pronounce its opinion. I wish to explain venue this year will be more prosperous than it was pre-
what were the grounds which led me, and those with whom vious to the changes.—( Hear.) Notwithstanding those
II acted, humbly to tender to our gracious Sovereign the reductions and abrogations, there has arisen a silent
resignation of trust which was committed to me. I wish spring of prosperity in the industry of the country
also to explain what were the circumstances under which which has supplied the void in the revenue thus created.
that trust was re assumed, and why lam now here as —(Hear.) And, with this evidence before me, is it pos-
the Prime Minister. Sir, the immediate connexion sible for me to stand up and say that, because
Sir, the immediate cause which led to the disso- we have a heavy debt and high taxes, we should
lution of the Government was, that a great calamity still continue protection ? The Customs duties of
had fallen upon that article of food on which the present year amount to almost 20,000,0001. The
a great portion of the people of the United Kingdom, Customs duties of 1842, when we began this system of
and still larger numbers of the sister kingdom, depend reduction, produced 19,661,0001., exclusive of corn,
mainly for their subsistence. That was the immediate which I take both ways. I have reduced taxation to the
and proximate cause which led to the dissolution of the amount of 4,129,0001. ; and comparing the Customs re-
Government ; for it would be unfair and un- turns for 1845 with those for 1842, in addition to over-
landid on my part if I attached undue im- coming that diminution of upwards of 4,000,0001., the
portance to that subject. The particular cause Customs of this year are better by nearly half a million
appeared to require immediate decision. It was abso- than they were in 1842, before that reduction took place.
lutely necessary at the time alluded to that an imme- —(Opposition cheers.) But I will now take a more
diate course should be taken with regard to the important matter into consideration—a more important
laws which govern the importation of corn.—(Hear.) matter than either trade, commerce, or revenue, unques-
I will not shrink now from the expression of my opinions tionably important as all are. I will take the moral
upon those topics which have lately agitated the world, state of the country, and I am happy in stating that
nor will I withhold from the public that the progress of during the last year there has been a large reduction in
reason and truth have considerably altered my the amount of crime. The number of offences has within
views upon these topics.—(Hear, hear.) I will now these 12 months been greatly reduced in the country. In
freely and openly confess that my own opinions upon the 1845 the number of commitments wa524,305, that is 2,237
subject of protection have undergone a change.—(Loud less than during the preceding year, namely, 1844.
and long-continued Opposition cheers.) Alike in a pub- This was a decrease of 51 per cent. on the year before.
lie as a private situation I claim the right to exer- In 1842 the reduction was 5f per cent. In 1844 it was
cise the privilege of yielding to the force of 3 7-10th ; in 1845 it was 51 per cent. as I learn from
argument and conviction -- (Hear, hear) and at the communication from the several quarters ; and that
every time acting upon the results of enlarged expe- is to me a source of grea, gratification. That is the
rience.— (Renewed Opposition cheers.) It may be sup- fact, that this reduction is chiefly observable in the chief
posed that there is something humiliating in the making manufacturing districts, and in some of the chief mane-
I
of such a confession. I think no such thing.— facturing towns, while on the other hand, the reduction of
(Cheers.) I have no intuitive capacity of al- political offences has been equally great in the agricul-
ways determining what is right, but I hare tural districts. In Wales there is perfect quietude, and
confidence in the belief that it would be not a single offence of dissaffection or sedition has keen
false conciliation indeed, if my opinions had under- committed throughout the whole of the Principality.
gone a modification or change, to pretend to adhere The Attorney-General's office has been, for tke last
to them.—(Cheers.) But then it became a qaestion, two years a sinecure—(Hear, hear)—for during that
which the House and the public have a right period there has not been a single prosecution for
to ask, whether the motives for changing them any offence against the State—(Hear, bear, and cheers)—
are sufficient and honest. Nothing could be more in the years 1840, 1841, and 1842. Now, let us listen
base in a public man than to protect himself from to this serious state of things in these three years.
danger by pretending that no change had taken place There were 1,257 committed upon charges of sedition
in his opinions, while on the other hand it would be most and riotous conduct. In the years 1843, 1844, 1845,
inconsistent and most unjust to his Sovereign and his there were 124 persons instead of 1,257. In the last
country if, upon seeing reason to alter his course of action year there was not a single one. In the year 1845 there
he is to bs precluded from making that alteration by the were 422 persons sentenced to the punishment of trans-
fear of the charge of inconsistency.—(Hear, hear, and portation, less than in the year 1843. In the last
cheers.) The question, then, for me to deal with is, three years there were 1,701 less , sentenced to
whether the motives for the change are sufficient and transportation, than in the three preceding years.
just. There are those who contend that the Now, this has been during times of comparative abun-
removal of impediments upon the import of a great dance. Is it possible, I say, then, to resist the conclusion,
and very necessary article of commerce would that low prices and comparative abundance have con-
be a source of great advantage, and heretofore it has tributed to produce this beneficial result. Now, these
been easy to combat the position of these parties are great social benefits. I do not say they are the
by pointing out the urgent necessity for the ex- necessary results of it, but I do say they are
istence of these restrictious. But, the time concurrent with a diminution of protecting duties.
has arrived when it has become almost im- (Hear, hear). Well, have these advantages
possible to meet them in fair and open argu- been obtained by any serious detriment to that great in-
uient—(Renewed Opposition cheers)—by showing that terest whose welfare should be the constant object of
the advantages arising from the system of prohibition our care, the agricultural ? Protection to them has been
were greater than those which might arise from their diminished, and I have been the object of much attack for
removal. The time had arrived when the system was diminishing these duties, and deeply should I regret if
become inconsistent with the right and just principles these great social advantages to which I hare alluded
which ought to guide and regulate the trade of the coun- had been accompanied with any serious injury to agri-
try. In this public view protection to domestic industry culture. Now, let us see what has been the effect of re-
is in itself a sound principle, and agriculture being a branoh ducing the duty upon the four great articles of
of domestic industry, is entitled to a share of that pro- our imports. In the year 1824, the protecting
tection. It is said, that in a country encumbered with duty on flax was 101. 14s. 6d. It is now
an enormous debt, and liable to an enormous taxation, it comparatively nothing. Protection having been re-
is necessary that domestic industry should be pro- moved, what has been the result ? What is now the
tected from foreign competition—as necessary to price of Irish flax ? In the year 1843 the prices of
the great body of the community. It is necessary fine flax in the market of Belfast was from 65 to 70.
however that the labouriug classes of the community In the year 1844 the prices were from 64 to 68, and in
should not be omitted in this arrangement ; it is but January, 1846, the prices now are from 70 to 80. There
right that wages should vary with the prices of food, is no such fear from a reduction of duties on our
that high prices should imply high wages, and that low importations, nor indeed is there any cause for the
wages should be a concomitant of low prices.—(Cheers.) alarm raised by some Hon. Gentlemen who have given
If I admit that land is entitled to protection on account expression to their feelings on the subject of protection.
of its peculiar burdens, it is a question of justice rather The taking off the duties from foreign cattle was pre-
than one of policy.—(Hear, hear.) I have always dicted to be highly injurious to the agricultural interest.
felt that if we uphold this argument, it is still Now what is the fact with respect to that prediction ?
liable to removal by compensation. The three first ob- In 1843 there were 1,019 foreign horned cattle imported,
jections to the removal of protection are objections and in 1844 there were 2,899, and in the last eleven
founded on public policy, and the last is founded on months there were not less than 12,000 ; but it is not
public justice ; but by granting compensation we re- proved that this increase has been detrimental
move the latter objection. Ido not want to arrogate to to the agriculturist of this country, In the year 1844,
myself that which has been used a priori by other per- the contract for stores for the navy was 31. 18s. sd. per
sons. I want to deprive none of them of the credit to which tierce, and it is now 6/. Bs. Bd. This latter price
they are justly entitled ; and I confess that my is the one now, paid for the navy contract
own opinion has been greatly modified by the and this proves beyond all doubt that, not
experience of the last three years.—(Great cheering withstanding the free importation of cattle, the
from the Opposition benches.) I have had opportuni- article has nearly doubled, or at least very considerably
ties of comparing from day to day the results which increased in cost; and this, I think, cannot be
have followed during the last three years, from that denied as an argument against those, who ex-
principle on which you have been acting for some years pressed so much alarm on the repeal of this
past, namely, the gradual removal of protection to agri- duty. It cannot be denied that the price has
culture. I have had the opportunity of comparing the not more than kept pace with the import
results of those years. I have observed on the effect Now there was no article which caused so much alarm
of the three preceding years, and comparing it with that as lard.—(Cries of " Hear, hear," and great laughter.)
of the three following years, and the result of that ob- In 1840 there were only 97 cwt. of foreign lard imported
servation has led me to the opinion that the arguments into this country. In 1842, when the duty .cu WI 411/
to which I have referred in defence of the corn-laws are portationwas repealed, 48,000 cwt. were introotico:l :jar
no longer maintainable.—(Much cheering from the Op- 1844, 76,000 cwt. ; and in 1845, I believe it will.bn
position.) Ido not believe, after the experience of the found that above 80,000 cwt. had been introduced. Now
last three years, that the rate of wages does really vary what has been the price of domestic lard ? In 1844 it
with the price of food.—(Renewed cheering from the was 48s. per cwt. ; in 1845 it was 675. ; and in January I
same quarter.) Ido not believe, when the price of pro- of the present year, notwithstanding these enormous
visions is high, that high wages will necessarily follow. importations the increase in price has been from 48s.
—(Hear, hear.) Ido not believe that lowness of price to 625. in 1845 and 675. in this year.—(Loud cries of
necessarily implies lowness of the wages of labour.— " Hear, hear.") Now there is only one other article
(More cheering,) Ido not believe, it is impossible for which is of great importance and which demands the
me to contend—and this is no new opinion of mine—it most serious attention, and that is the article of wool.
is impossible for me to contend that protection to I was persuaded in 1844 that it was expedient that the
British industry is as a principle of policy longer main- duty on wool should be altogether repealed—that there
tainable.—(Cheers.) I declared last year that, in my in fact should be no restriction on its importation. It
opinion, protective duties were evils in themselves— was more certainly in deputations than in this House that
(Hear, hear)—though I added that the system was one objections were urged against the free importation of that
that should not lightly be interfered with—that a system article. Certainly there were grievous anticipations lest,
which had grown up under protective duties should be in consequence of the abolition of the duty on that arti-
interfered with or removed with much caution. But it cle, parties engaged in the wool trade, should be injured.
is impossible for any one to have made changes such as Well, here again there has been an enormous increase
we have made in the tariff, and at the same time con- in the importation of wool. In 1842, there were 45,8801b5.
tend that protection in itself is abstractedly right in of foreign wool imported into this country, and in 1844,
principle.—(Hear, hear.) Then, Sir, as to the other there were 5,790,0001b5., and during the last year,
argument,ind a
wt
first sight, which
alandz aitnd appears
makesag
of somereatim t—
prweessigiohnupthone I am bound to admit, that there were no less than
thear mg
argument that, because we have in this 65,216,0001b5. of foreign wool imported into England.—
countrylabour 'of a heavy
this (Hear, hear.) Now what has been the cause of the re-
debt and a high rate of taxation, the
country cannot, without protection, compete with that ductionsunk
of the duty on wool ? In 1842 the price had
k
but froml
lid.to 10d., and in 1843 from to 11d.,
in
December,th
of foreigners. Now an opposite policy has been sub- 1845, eighteen months since the aboli-
mitted to the test of three years' experience;and, as far tion ofe duty, the price has sunk from 111 d. to 101 d.
as experience can demonstrate anything, it is that a per lb.—(Hear, hear, and great laughter.) Now I think,
large debt and heavy taxation justify abundance and Sir, we have had experience for the last three years,
cheapness of food—that abundance and cheapness will sufficient to show that the removal of protection to
rather alleviate than increase the difficulties of the domestic industry has been followed by an increase of
people.—(Opposition cheers.) I own, then, that I ap- our social happiness, and the inteiests of the country
prove of that policy from the experience of the last have been materially promoted.—(Hear, hear.) Our
three years. First, in regard to the question of morality, too, has been much improved. I could read
rd,
Exportshear )
much
trade improved.—(Hear,
sp rhoeveedn
wages—can you deny the fact, that during those three the most' conclusive proofs that the public health
rnc(rHeaesne
years, or, at least during the three years thatthpererecewdeads
last October, prices were comparatively low ;
higher hear.) The trade in those articles from which
comparative cheapness and plenty ; and yet at no have been increased, and this is a fact in which I rejoice.
previous period were the wages of labour __([Tear,
hase thaaltsothebneaentional
than they were at that time.—(Hear, hear.) Take the protection. has beenlrsehmeouvldedshtaates bteheant,innceretwasiethds.tanNdionwg:
three preceding years—you will find low wages co-ex- sir, it is right that _
isting with high prices ; with high prices you will find the conviction whichthisimexpreersiseionnce
was
ss btrhoautg,hetnteothmeyr
you had low wages and distress.—(Hear.) I have then mind, that my decided
upon. I could not
six years, during the first three of which I find higher grounds, the corn-lawspshould be reconsidered.
prices of provisions co-existing with low wages, and This I was firmly resolved
during the last three years I find we had low prices with have met in this session the motion of the Hon. Gentle
a higher rate of wages.—(Hear, hear.) I cannot resist— man for the reconsideration of the corn-laws. I could
even if I could resist the deductions of reason and argu- not, I say, with these convictions—which, say what you
meat—l cannot resist the conclusions of time and expe- will, I cannot forget—l could not have met that motion
rience, that wages do not vary with the price of provi- with a direct negative.—(Hear, hear.) Now, Sir, let
sions, but that they alter with the amount of capital em- me again repeat, that the convictions which I have come
ployed, with the prosperity of the country, and with the to have been brought about by observation and experience.
demand for labour.—(More Opposition cheers.) I say, With this change in my opinion, I could not have under-
then, that there is no relation between the price of provi- taken the defence of the corn-laws upon the ground
sions and the rate of wages, so far as the former regulates that the country being heavily taxed the continuance
the latter.—(Hear,) Now as to the question of trade, of protection was necessary, or upon the ground that
as I said before, during the last four or five years we it was for the interest of the labouring classes
have been acting on the admitted principle of removing that high prices should be continued as a guarantee for
prohibitions, of removing protective duties; that is to high wages ; nor could I have undertaken its defence on
say, of destroying as far as possible protection to native the ground that a non-interference of the system was a
industry.—(Hear, hear.) That has been the principle guarantee for domestic peace.—(Hear, hear.) But I have
of our policy, and, whether right or wrong, the prig- more urgently wished for this opportunity to explain to
ciple upon which we have acted has been the removal of those friends who have hitherto honoured me with their
protection.—(Cheers.) Let us see what has been the confidence and support, as well as to justify to them the
result on the trade of the country. I will give you the course I have taken. —(Hear, hear.) I wish to assure
total amount of British produce and British manufac- them that had. I not taken the course I have
tures exported from the United Kingdom since 1839 : done, this Parliament would have been broken up,
In 1839 the total exports amounted in and the defence of their interests would have been corn-
round numbers to 53,000,000 mitted to the country, and another Parliament would
1840 to 51,000,000 have had the opportunity of reconsidertng the question
1841 .....t0 51,000,000 of the corn-laws. Circumstances occurred in the last
1842 to 47,000,000 autumn which would have precluded me from
to 52,000,000
1843 meeting Parliament on the principles I had
058 to ,00,000
1844 .
(Cheers.) That is to say the total of our foreign ex- fested itself, the limits of which were then, and are still,
ports rose between the year 1842, when the great inva- little known—(Cheers)—and it was evident to
us that we should have great difficulty in con-
industry, sion wasst
ry madeand ont
ht
eh e
year principle
1844,0 f
fpr reomt e c4t7i o3nnsat
ordaoodomet s
In
tending against that calamity. The calamity was
not confined to Ireland, but it had appeared,
58,530,000/. This does not include the China
1842, apart from the China trade, the exports to all not only in many other parts of Europe,
other foreign countries amounted to 46,411,0001. In I but in England itself. This calamity made the Go-
-1844, they had increased by 10,000,000/., the tot al vernment aware of the fact, that the time had
amount being 56,400,0001., deducting the China trade. arrived when a change in the corn laws became
In the last year you can only have the amount for the pressingly necessary ; and it was, then, our duty
eleven months previous to December, 1845. In the year to our Sovereign and the country to make known
1143, the exports of the principal articles of British the 'acuity fur this shwas, which existed is the