The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-17 00:00:00

nquires to 198 families. We are utterly unable to describe the ex-
tent to which the destruction has gone on in this part of the country.
Many families who have planted sufficient for their ordinary wants,
including a portion for seed, have not had a potato for the last month.
This is the month of February, and it will be at least five months be-
fore we can receive any supply in the ordinary natural course. Other
families have lost nearly all, and the stock still remaining is totally
unfit for human food ; in fact they are a mass perfectly disgusting to
look at. We have examined many, but the results are always the
same-there are no potatoes remaining in the country." These are
letters received by me during the last two days. There is another
from the county of Waterford, written by Lord Stuart Decies. "Your
Excellency will find the announcement of the alarming fact, that in
two districts of the union there are at this early period of the year no
less than 300 persons whose stocks of provisions are on the point of
becoming extinct, and the disease is making great ravages among the
potatoes. Those persons have no hope but from parish assistance.
It was the general impression in the district, that a rise in the price
of all kinds of grain would take place before the spring, and that
although foreign supplies were hail even now, they would be far short
of meeting the evils of the case ; unless the Government, as far as the
interests of Waterford and the surrounding country was con-
cerned, established corn stores where the people might be
supplied at wholesale prices. The writer was of opinion that in
Yougl'al, Waterford, Clonmel, and other towns in that part of Ireland,
the establishment of these stores would be of the greatest benefit and
could be easily kept open, as there was an adequate military force in
them all for their protection. The next letter I hold in my hand
(continued the Right Hon. Baronet) is from the county of
Kerry, and is dated the 9th of February. The gen-
tleman who writes it was Sir Thomas Dillou, a gentleman
whose statement was estitlei to the greatest respect. The Right,
Hon. Baronet then read an extract, to the effect that very set tense
ravages had been made in the potato crop by the prevailing
disease. Ile (Ste Thomas Dillon) had gone round the district
during the last ten days, and he had had every opportunity
iof
hearing and witnessing the destruction which had been made ihr ttele
potato crop ; the disease was gaining ground rapidly, and exe tde
the greatest alarm among all classes, as to how the people were
get a supply of food. The House (resumed the Right Hon. Baronet)to
mt.
will recollect that some time ago a Commission Was appointed
in Dublin, and to carry out an inquiry as to the extent of the p°tatotel
disease in different parts of the country ; that Commission has
tialrey.
made its report, and this official report embraces every parto
the
land, or I may say every electoral district of that country, w
ttiiel
exception of 99. From all these districts, with tieo
ethy
xe,e ireveal ?
have named, returns have been made. And what d i
I find in four electoral districts the loss on We potato
crop has been not less than nine - tenths of all the
produce. That out of ninety-three electoral districts the loss
has been not less than from seven-tenths to eight-tenths. In 125
electoral districts the loss is seven-tenths on the whole crop. In 16
electoral districts the failure is six-tenths. In 596 electoral districts
about one-half of the crop has been destroyed, and In 582 electoral
districts the loss has been four-tenths in the amount of the produce.
These are the returns made to us, and acting on its dates and the re-
commendations we have received, the Government has deeided on
the establishment of stores of corn-( Loud cheers)-to be sold at low
prices, or given in remuneration for labour.-(Renewed cheers.) But
though we might establish stores sad receive supplies of foreign
grain, to get potato seed from foreign countries was next to impos-
sible. One-eighth of all the potato crop was required for seed for the
ensuing year. An acre of land required a ton, or at least three-
quarters of a ton of potatoes for seed, so that at this rate it would
require a supply which cannot be had from any part of Europe. To
reselve a apply in that manner is almost impossible. It
is therefore necessary that we should look to save a supply of seed
from the present crop for the ensuing year.-(llear.) But to do this
it is necessary to encourage saving from the pi esent crop by the
substitution of other supplies of food.-(Hear, hear.) Unless this is
done the danger of the coming year may be forgotten by the people.
The Government must endeavour to prevent famine and at the same
time to preserve a-stock of potato-seed for the next year by substi-
tuting other articles of provisions under wise arrangements, taking
potato seed in exchange.-(Hear, hear, and cheers) If we asked
you forlarge votes of public money, or were we to recommend ap-
peals to Roman Catholics or to the Established Church fsr charitable
assistance in order to meet the case -if we asked you for a vote of
from 200,000/. to 300,0001.-how could we stand before you while at
the same time we maintained the duty on corn?-(Cheers.) Such a
proceeding on the part of the Government I tun sure would not have
been tolerated by the House.- (Hear, hear.) How could I have
blinked the statement that in Ireland, in 586 electoral districts,
seven-tenths of the potato crop were destroyed, in 600 more the crop
half gone, and in some the crop eight-tenths destroyed,
and yet have maintained the corn-laws inviolate? Under
these circumstances, supposing the persons anxious to
keeep up the present system, I do not believe that the conduct
, of the landed aristocracy would warrant the Government in not
proposing that the corn-laws be repealed.-(Hear, hear.) Fidelity
to the landed interest leads me to that supposition. I would relieve
you of the odium of supposing you would maintain the duty on cern
in the face of such a state of things. In Holland and in Belgium
steps had been taken at an early period to provide for the coming
!scarcity. The Belgium Executive Government had taken the pre-
caution of opening the ports. The Government of Holland at the
beginning of the season, by an order, repealed the duty on foreign
cons, anti the Legislative Chambers of that country immediately on
meeting (though Belgium is an agricultural country), unanimously
indemnified the Government for what they had done. The report
which I have brought before your consideration shows that the state
of Ireland is worse than any of those countries; under such circutn-
stances then what course was opea for us to propose to the Par-
liament of England, interested though it was in agriculture? What, but
to appear before you, and ask you to support a similar remedy? In
every view of the case nothing remained for us but to propose a
repeal of the duty on corn.-(Loud cries of " Hear, hear," and
cheers.) I come to that part of the question now-I rejoice in that
cheer-I look upon it as an unanimous assent, or at least an appa-
rently unanimous assent to the course I have proposed.-(No, no,
from the Conservative benches.) If not, I recognise it at least as a
very general assent to the policy of a free importation of food to
meet the wants of the people.-(Hear, hear.) If so, I ask you to
expedite the passing of those Bills the Government has introduced,
so as to enable us to meet the difficulties of the country by every
means, by deciding that the duty on every article of provision shall
henceforth cease.-(Cheers.) I am only asking you to do that which
has been done in other countries, and if I did not do so, I should be
chargeable with that unfaithfulness and treachery to the interests of
the country and your Interests, which you have so often charged me
with. A great deal had been said about my treachery to the cause of pro-
tection, about my flinging protection overboard ; and a great deal
had been said about rousing the British Lion-(Loud laughter)-in
mahitenanoe of the corn-laws,-(hear, hear.) To all this I can only
say I have been guided solely by a sincere desire to advance the
best interests of the country, having not only the interests
of the many of the people, but also the landed interests steadily in
view. If such a measure had not been proposed, would it have
been stipulated that no objection would have been made to the
present duty ; that maize, and oats, and barley, should not have
been admitted duty free, and that wheat would have been
maintained at 17s. per quarter? In 1765 there was an ap-
prehension of famine, and the very first net of the House
was, I think, a foolish one-they preserved a duty, but
by the second act they admitted the importation of foreign corn duty
free. We also were apprehensive of famine, and we determined to
admit corn duty free. In 1791 the old law was abolished and a new
corn-law was established. In 1793 there were apprehensions of a
second famine, and notwithstanding the new corn-law the first act
on the statute book was to remove all duty on the importation of
foreign corn. In 1795 there were again apprehensions of farniue,
not ro severe as we have now reason to dread, but measures were
taken to meet it. In 1796 the same remedy was applied,
namely the removal of all duties on foreign corn. In
1799 the same coarse was again pursued, and with these
precedents before us, would it be wise for Government to pursue a
different course than that whirls was then pursued? Would it be
wise to determine en the maintenance of protection? If Govern-
ment maintained the law as at present enforced, I will ask what de-
gree of odium would attach to us if we were doing so ? Could we
offer any defence for our measures ? It would be impossible. It was
on the very same grounds that Government had universally acted in
every period, not only when corn was at a 100 s. or 80s. a quartele
but whets it was only 60s. The remedy was then, as now, to open
the ports. Let It he remembered that there was then no other re-
medy; there was no sliding-scale than. When corn was 645.,
foreign grain was admitted at a duty of Gd. Now, why did
Parliament interfere then ? It was in order to give a
guarantee that a high duty should not attach to any
sudden importation. Well, under these circumstances, I advised,
as did three of my colleagues, an immediate suspension of the law.
But you ask, what is it you recommend now ?-by your measure the
law is not merely suspended. It would be disreputable towards Par-
liament to recommend a suspension. It would be impossible to do it.
It Is not in the power of the Crown now to do that which I Invited
you at one time to do. But it may be true that the most fitting
time has passed away-that may, indeed, be true. It may be true
that when we were first informed of the progress of the evil it woule
have teen the better time to avert it. But admitting the necessity
for doing so by an order in Council in December, is it not a greater
reason-is it not an increased reason-why it should be done ou
the 16th of February ?-(Cries of " Hear, hear," and great cheering.)
True, the supply might have been greater then, but we have six
months yet to come. But you may cetne to this ; you may say
maintain the existing law, and make some other provision by in-
creased facilities for supplying the country. If, therefore, on account
of this temporal and unforseen necessity, we are obliged to refer to
precedents, they are in our favour. Reason argues that we should
suspend tile existing law, but it may be said, suspend the existing
law for six mouths. What are you then to do? This is a question
which any man, having to examine the subject, would be required
to consider. But our conviction is strong, that it is utterly impos-
sible, after establishing perfect freedom of importation for the pe-
riod of eight months to permit the corn-laws to come into operation
at the end of that period. I repeat that my conviction is perfectly
strong that such a course would be impracticable. But you say
further, give us a temporary suspension, but give us a guarantee
that at the end of eight months the present corn-laws shall be re.
newed. I say it is impossible to do so. It is an utter misrepresen-
tation of the state of public feeling to suppose it to be probable, that
after this country for the period of eight months should have tasted
freedom from all duties on the importation of Mod, for Government
to renew those restrictions, either by its own principles or by the
enactments of foregone statutes. When you refused the admission of
maize in the course of last Session it was a matter of consideration
to my colleagues and myself, whether we should at once suspend
the law or rather bring some modified measure. I ad-
mit that some of you were of opinion that maize
should be admitted, but that protection should be kept up upon other
things. Do not disregard public opinion on those things --do not
slight that feeling-for, depend upon it, that when a question tot* the,
character is involved, public feeling cannot be disregarded. By the
present corn-law, the ditty on maize varies with the duty on corn.
It was desirable to admit maize free of duty, but as the prices of corn
rose the price of maize rose also. Yet it is remarkable that in the
last sessioir of Parliament it was proposed by some of you that maize
should be Imported duty free, because it was desirable to have it fur
the feeding of cattle. You think it advisable not to
recommend the repeal of the cons-laws, and yet
you admit the principle that maize should come
in, because such admission will be for the benefit of the farmer in
the feeding of his cattle. But you forget that there are other
articles necessary for hman sustenance, upon which you say protected
duties ought to be maintained. What do you advise us now ? I
may assume that it is necessary now that this law should be sus-
pended. I will assume it is suspended. Would you deliberately advise
us, to give you on the ground of any public or private necessity, a ,
guarantee that the corn-law, at the expiration of eight months should
be renewed. Do you not feel that the fact of the suspension would
constitute a new element in the consideration of things ; that the
fact of the suspension would give tenfold energy to the agitation at
present existing. Would you invite us to fight the battle? What is
the state of the feeling you invite us to oppose, by asking us to grant
this renewal ? I ask you to look to the public expression, and of the
sincerity of which Honourable Members have given
ample proof. Did the Noble Lord, the Member for
Ik,esetehire, vacate his scat front any unnecessary motive ?
-eMr. Stunt, did Mr. Wilson Patten avow their change ot
opinion from eny dishonest motive ?-(Cheers.) Did Mr. Egerton,
the et '
other theamnber for Cheshire-did Lord Henniker entertain any
time
wary
ea real change of opinion, and a real conviction that the
House,mr.eine for a settlement? Did that young Member of this
ever anmmte,Alatrteris, who has shown as highs and noble a spirit as
great acuteness he breast of an English gentleman, combined with
abandon his seZith great
promise of excellence-did Mr. Charters
rupt motives? _
ti Mr. Downey
oioucestershire from any dishonourable or con-
mon., ? ni
why, e y resign his seat through corrupt
who had undertaken not these conclusive proofs that that Minister
laws would have had antr,:neeension, to guarantee the existing corn-
let us take the court or the difficulties to contend with ? But,
stens, the expressions or o;l°,l),r:seat debate- let us take the admis-
-01,
the n of Mote who have been the loudest
in their condemnation
_le.i‘vernment. The first instance is
the Filember for Ilantingemi
corn-law.
• time
is
just
urprisod at some of the opeifnitie Weoatritst.a)ineWitehlyi,
ecoiliofens.scith,nattlelnevtaasii
with respect to the policy
of the ex's
the
Hon. Gentleman follow me in a eler,tnent•-(Cheers.) Will that
rrom that, the IlOn. Gentle
after suspension?-(Heat, hear.) goeear —e
man thinks that this is just the time
That means am tine corn-law
attng a cetomgp:oarmanisteeewtiltlle;
respect to the corn-laws.
abandon me if, after suspension, I should urcier
if ever theresety He would
existing corn-laws. That is quite clear. Berta
kc
arrived fora compromise. Why,
Moment for a compromise this is It.-(Cheers.) x%vhaart is t mifortunate
ing of a compromise but a new corn-law ? And what i the
me4n-
for the maintenance of that ?-(Opposition cheers.)
Whats touts
security
security? What says every Hon. Gentleman who has appeaueleedi he the
part of the agriculturists ? Why it is this-, What we agriesnealstll7
wish is permanence as to corn." Well then, can any one who thinly
the agricultural interests will be promoted by a permanent system
of corn-laws advise a Mere alteration of the corn-laws to take effect
tiger a period of suspension ? I am now considering that question
• and it would be impossible for a prudent man,
after suspension,
having the responsibility of Government, to advise the continuance
of the corn-laws. What would be the state of parties ? I will only
take the loudest and most vigorous advocates for protection. Now,
I am truly convinced that it would he impossible to restore the corn•
laws after a suspension. What says the Hon. Member for Rox-
burghshire ?-(Cheers.) He was the loudest in his denunciation.
The Hon. 3lember for Roxburghshire has a curious notion of the
relations between the country and its Ministers--and the Ministers
the Sovereign. The lion. Gentleman likens me to a
hired advocate - a particular counsel who had thrown
up his brief. Perhaps the Hon. Gentleman is net aware
that the Minister takes an oath, and that constitutes the
material difference between his position and that of an advocate.
The Minister takes an oath that in all matters to be debated and ells?
cuseed In Council he will truly and unreservedly deliver his opinion
according to his heart and conscience-(Hear)-and I apprehend that
that obligation constitutes a material difference between his position
and that of an advocate.-( Loud cheers.) I will ask the Hon. Gen-
lnanwho says he stands here to advocate the old corn-law, and
that b I had made a terrible breach in 1842, but that I was bound, at
any rate, for considerations •
of consistency and honour, to maintain
the corn-law of 184
lion. Gentleman 2-I will ask what was the admission which the
said, „
must made before lie got to the close of his speech ? He
three years, thadeemit that in my own county, within the last
in the roads- have l been such improvements made
such facilities forthProtterructions of science, and indeed
is that the time is come ig cheap corn, that my opinion
feted."- Loud Opposition Whencheers.) the present corn-law should be al-
tieman, e whom are you eeeeenrs.) Well, I said to
tleman was perfect sel for ?" Of
ly indignant at being the Hon. (sen-
course, the Hon. Gen-
for any one, and he claimed for himself that motive t° be an advocate
=enact-lands Clootz-he was the Attorney-General
which animated
race.-(Cheers and laughter.) Both the Meener4 r'r
lime human
Mber ai
were counsel, and when I toted him for wievus he id the Minister
4.3 emend, the