The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-18 00:00:00

of the Howe.—(Hear, hear.) He had berm in the habit of
not unfrequently addressing public assemblies, but he bad sel-
dom addressed such an assembly as he was then before, and he
peculiarly felt the necessity of throwing himself on its indulgence,
whilst he explained his opinions on the important question then
before them. He had not been returned for a pocket borough.
—( Hear, hear.) He came there on as independent grounds
as the Hon. Gentleman who last addressed the House.—
(Cheers from the protectionists.) He deeply felt upon the
subject, and it was not the first time that it presented itself
to his mind; and the speeches of the Right Hon. Baronet bad
induced him to give it a more serious consideration. He
thought of it as an individual who felt deeply for the
interest of his fellow creatures.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.").
He had listened to the speeches which the Right Hon. Baronet
bad made since the Parliament assembled, and he returned
from that House with a perfect conviction that the principles
to which he (Mr. Bright) had given expression when ad-
dressing the electors of Sunderland, were the sound and consti •
tutional principles which should be carried out in the Govern-
ment of this great eountry.—(Hear, hear.) They had no-
thing to do with the great calamity which had befallen the coun-
try. He regretted it as much as any man, and sympathised with
those who would be affected by it, and no one would be more
ready to contribute to alleviate as far as possible the distresses
of the sister country. —( Hear, hear.) He did not think,
however, thet they should be called upon to legislate upon
that calamity, for the emergency might have been met by the
exercise of those extraordinary powers which were vested
n the Government for such occasions.—(Hear, hear.) He
did not think that the Right Honourable Baronet had
treated his
_party with that fairness which they had a right to
expect.—(Hear, hear.) If the Right Hon. Baronet consi-
dered it necessary that the appeal from Ireland should be
answered by a public subscription, why not let them come
down at once and make a proposal to Parliament of that de-
scription? The Right Hon. Baronet had spent upwards of
half an hour in his speech with a description of the miseries
which were at present to be witnessed in that country, and the
feelings were harrowed up. He (Mr. H.) would be most happy
to contribute, as he bad said, for the alleviation of those dis-
tresses, but he objected to be called upon to legislate at the
same time on a subject which was not essentially connected
with that calamity. Why not make a special motion en the
abject, and let them go fairly into it?—(Cheers.) He would
• cweome to the
.policy of the repeal of the corn-laws.—( Hear,
ear.) He admitted that that was a question of the greatest
ropostance, but he contended that it should not have been en-
umbered with the previous discussion which embarrassed it.—
(Hear hear.) The Right Honourable Baronet had stated,
;n his speech last night, that he grounded his
measures on the success of the alterations which
lad been made in the tariff in 1842. To that
success the Right Hon. Baronet had alluded last night.
Let the House examine the position of the ccuntry when the
Right Hon. Baronet came to the head of her Majesty's Go-
vernment. He (Mr. Hudson) had had an interview with him
at that time about a railway which he (the lion. Member) had
taken a great interest in. At that period it was quite impos-
sible to raise funds to carry out a railway scheme, so great was
the depression in the money market, although it was one of
those undertakings which had done more good than many of
those measures which had been introduced and carried by the
Right Hon. Baronet.—( Hear, hear.) He had to go about
from company to company: to get them to guarantee 6 per cent.
to this line of railway. He succeeded, and the scheme turned
out to be a good one, and the country had benefited by the sys-
tem, which had since been so generally adopted.—( Hear, hear,
from Sir R. Peel.) The Right Hon. Baronet might cry out,
" Heir, hear," but he e Mr. Hudson) could tell him that he had
acknowledged those great benefits. After this came an abun-
dant harvest, and the monetary system was quite recovered,
and the Right Hon. Baronet acknowledged that railways
had done a great deal towards the prosperity of the country.--
( Hear, hear, and cheers from Mr. Peter Borthwick.) The
abundance of corn which we then had was not owing to the in-
troduction of foreign corn, but to the produce of the land
of this country.— ( Hear.) This was under the law of protection.
—( Hear, hear, from Mr. Peter Borthwick and Col. Sibthorp.)
The Right Hon. Premier proposed to reduce the duty on the
importation of shoes, paper, and other articles of manufacture
in the country; and he (t%lr. Hudson) wished to ask whether
the question did not resolve itself into one of labour—for if it
was one of machinery, they would be able to contend against
the world ?—(Hear, hear.) He had taken some trouble to
aetertain what the price of corn would be in the year 1849,
after the present measure had come into operation. He recol-
leeted that in 1837, he was able to deliver corn, free of all
charges, at 255. per quarter ; and what he was able to do in
1837, why should he not be able to do it in 1849 ?—( Hear,
hear.) Before they legislated on a question that affected so
vitally the interests of the country, before they came to so
Important a decision, they should be furnished with the rela-
tive alterations in the price of corn in delivery.—( Hear, hear. )
If they took the right view of the case they would see that
under the new Bill corn would be from 30s. to 355. per quarter.
He could not refuse to give to that House the information
which he had obtained from various sources, and from his own
practical experience. He would ask the Hon. Member for
-Wiltshire, who had spoken on the subject of agricultural
distress in this country, whether he believed that a
price of 355. per quarter for corn would be better for
the farmer than a price varying from 455. to
bOs. It appeared to him a mockery and an
attempt to deceive. He had listened with much attention to
the speech of the lion. Member' and he would not answer
what distress would occur under the present Bill. As to its
being a matter of rent, he believed honestly and firmly thet it
was more a matter of land, for with a high rent the farmer
could not afford to cultivate his land. The Right Hon.
Baronet had said that be believed that the farmers would be as
well off under the new measure as they were before—that
there would be little or no alteration in that respect. The
Right Hon. Baronet might perhaps know that a paper called
the League was published. That paper had ventured an
opinion as to the operation of the Bill in 1849. It said that
the Bill would most likely work well, but it was possible
that the lit of February, 1849, might be the commencement of
a period of unexampled distress to all classes of farmers,
and react fearfully on every interest of the entire country.
That was the opinion expressed by the great agitators of this
pleasure, the supporters of the Anti-Corn-law League. He
expressed the opinions now which he had entertained for many
years, and he could not support the Right Hon. Baronet.
The Right Hon. Baronet had changed his opinions, but the
change in his (Mr. Hudson's) view, was for reasons most un-
satisfactory. The Right Hon. Baronet had dwelt strongly
on the state of the country the other evening,
but he had not satisfied him (Mr. Hudson) that the
measure he proposed was necessary. Before the agita-
tion of this question, the country was fast recovering
from the depression under which it had been labouring—its
commercial interests were improving, and the exchanges
were in our favour.—(Hear, hear.) And it was a natural
effect that in such a state of prosperity the price of previsions
weulii rise.—( Hear, hear.) And he would say..why not, when
all the other interests were prosperous—why should not the
agricultural interests also participate iu that prosperity ?---
( Hear, hear.) When the bricklayer received his 28s. a week,
or the labourer his 18s. or 205., why should not the agricul-
turist also receive an increased reward for his exertions ?
( Hear, hear.) If the Right Honourable Baronet carried out
his measure, let the principle be fully carried out to all. He
(Mr. Hudson) knew that this would seriously affect many trades
and interests in the country in a manner similar to the manner
in which the shoemakers are now proposed to be affected. He
pitied the shoemakers and paper-stainers, as he knew their
interests would be seriously affected ; still if one great interest
is to be affected, protection should be taken from all.—
( Hear, hear.) He had a few facts which bore on this ques-
iii r.,and he would refer particularly to the paperstainers.-
H had a friend in York, who employed in this manufacture
a.great number of workmen at from 18s. to 21s. wages. Well,
*twin as the Bill of the Right Hon. Baronet was brought
forward, his friend showed him letters from tradesmen in
different towns, stating that the Bill would enable them to
import paper from France, and they therefore countermanded
their orders. His Friend said that he should be obliged to
pay off the men he was then employing.—(Cheers from Mr.
P. Borthwick.) Were the real interests of the country con-
sidered in the measure which the Right Hon. Baronet had
brought forward. He believed the fact to be that this mea-
sure would throw large tracts of land out of cultivation
(Renewed cheering from Mr. Borthwick.) It would exactly
act as in the years 1825 and 1826, when the larger tracts
of land were applied to other purposes than cultiva-
tion. The consequence would be, that for a time they would
revel in low prices—they would have abundance of food, no
doubt, but the manufacturer would not derive the benefit
they anticipated. He . would lose the home customer ; there
would come bad harvests, and low prices would change to
high prices, and then the Right Hon. Baronet would come down
to the House with an extraordinary measure to provide for the
sustenance of the people. They would ultimately be thrown
on foreign countries far their supplies, and those supplies would
depend on circumstances over which the country would have
no control.—(Hear, hear.) He believed that the Right Hon.
Baronet had at the commencement of the session, brought
forward a measure to limit the expenditure of capital. He
believed the effect of that measure would be to paralyse the
energies and industry of the country, fur it hail already
affected their commerce to a very considerable degree.
He had understood that they were to have a number of com-
pensations for the benefit of the landowners, but he confessed
that upon looking through the Bill not the least compensation
was offered. He would like to ask why a person receiving 3001.
a year from the funds should not contribute to the poor-rates ?
(Cheers from Mr. Borthwick.) It seemed to him to be
monstrous.—(Continued cheers from Mr. Borthwick.) He
did not see why the land should be charged for the maintenance
of the poor, when a person receiving 3,0001. a-year from the
funds did not pay anything. This was evidently unjust. He
slid not see why they were to be burdened with county-rates,
lie maintained that this measure would inflict great injury
upon the labourers of the country, for England was essentially
an agricultural country; and how would the agriculturist, with
the heavy charges be had to pay, compete with the foreign
farmer, who had no burden to bear, and who paid his
labourers at very reduced rates? It was not right, he said, then
to allow the foreign farmer to come into the English market
and compete with the British farmer, and he called upon the
Government to appeal to the country upon this question.
'That was the course which was adopted with the Catholic
Lmaziipnatatinion Bill arid f the Right lion. Baronet wished
country, they would
the good opinion of the Iwo ):e of this
pursuethe esroe course in
this instance.—1 Loud
His intercourse with,ityhet.Bort )
people of this countryi‘lr.i.was very great,
and lie could truly
m,Lilraet all with whom he came in contact
were against this
measure they mould so.—un(deCerh=:;l3)Astairneteh:Ywihaieldwotuhlid'
mike it unacceptable to this
inost materially the position They would damage
oou:ftepytt.telic men.—( Cheers. )
Hoe, Members on his side
opposing hadllousethis m e
abseueen,
charged with acting wrong in
but he (Mr. Hudson) rejoiced toillfi
sndthe men in
that House, acting in aceordanc
pledges which they had given their constituents; solemn
were bound to do so by the most
solemn bonds wL'
eould bind man to man. He knew that it was perfectly usei"
for him to address that House, for lie felt that anything that
be- could say would be totally unworthy of its acceptance.
(Hear, hear, and laughter.) He knew that it would be
snore unworthy of the acceptance of her Majesty's Govern.
went, but he could assure the House that when he first pre-
sented himself to his constituents to obtain their suffrages he
bad an ambition to be sent to
that House for the purpose of
supporting the Right lion. Baronet.
honest man, and he believed he sto Ile stood there as an
stood there also for the welfare
of his fellow countrymen, but be would not vote for a measure
Which he believed was the offspring of a divided
a s
th
—( Cheers) —and which tie also believed
of mind, ind, as well
offspring of great excitemement
much mere prejudicel than any measure which any Govern-
ment of this country had ever brought forward. Ho, therefore,
called upon the House to reject the measure. With regard to
the complaint about the distress in Ireland, be was prepared to
t
give his support to some other measure which must (as .far
an
was in the power of Government to do so) remove that distress.
--(Cheers.) The price of agricultural labour in this country
was much higher than in other countries—for instance in
, where the agricultural wages were ss. per
country they were 12s. and 145.--(Cheers.)
Government and the House to give the
tunity of deciding upon this question.
sing the present measure he was perform-
constituents, whoselcommercial interest he
,ear, hear, from Colonel Sibthorp, and
lieved that either himself or the Right Hon.
of the Government was incapable of adopt.
to produce anything but benefit to the
:trergt._ll4owaswi cresorielv:d to give this measure
and roars of -laughter offr Nall'o‘m. no,"
from
parts of the

House at the Honourable Member's mistake.) He wished to
correct himself; he intended to have said, his unqualified oppo-
sition. The Honourable Member concluded by saying, he
would give his determined opposition to the measure.
Lord DUNCAN then moved the adjournment of the de-
bate to Thursday, which was agreed to.
COUNTY WORKS PRESENTMENT (IRELAND)
BILL.
The House then went into Committee on the County Works
Presentment Bill, when
Sir J. GRAHAM rose and said that he had considerd the
suggestion of the Hon. Member for Dundalk to give a power
of making new roads, but he considered it would not be expe-
dient to introduce such a power, as it would be foreign to the
nature of the Bill.
Mr. REDINGTON considered that if this power was not
conferred the Bill would become a nullity. He might if he
pleased say something with regard to the advance of loans in
Ireland. He had been a Member of the House when a return
was obtained by Mr. Ellis, late Member for the
County of Newry, for the purpose of showing that
Ireland had ever been punctual in her repayments.
He thought that that return satisfactorily proved that any
advances which had been made to Ireland had been repaid,
and with interest. He contended that the works which the
present Bill contemplated, such as the building and repairing
of bridges, were not those which would benefit the poor. They
were for the benefit of the mechanic and the artizan much more
than for the persons whose necessities called upon the House
to make such extraordinary presentiments as the present Bill
proposed. He wished, however, that a provision were intro-
duced to carry into effect new roads, which would give employ-
ment to those whose main dependance was their manual labour.
He wished that those roads which were certified at the late
assizes should be undertaken. Now, they would not, in the
ordinary course of things, be commenced before July, but if a
presentment were allowed to be made for them when those
extraordinary presentments were being made, it would open
a great field for the employment of the poor, and assist very
much to alleviate the distress among the labouring population.
In conclusion, the Hon. Member moved as au amendment
that after the words " and no other" should be inserted the
words " for the making of any new read, the presentment
for which shall have been duly certified as by law at present
required."
After some further discussion the motion for the amendment
was put and agreed to:
The clauses were then proceeded with.
DRAINAGE (IRELAND) BILL.
The House then resumed, and after some discussion, the
third reading of the Drainage (Ireland) Bill was postponed
until to-day.
The House then adjourned at half-past Two o'clock.

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