The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-28 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENINCir, JANUARY 28, 1846.

IMP

L PARLIAMENT.

I hope this will not be rendered necessary, either on
account of any measures I may have to propose, or
you may have to adopt; above all, I hope that the
confidently expressed opinion of her Majesty, that
this great subject will receive the deliberate and
dispassionate consideration of the House of
Commons, may be realised. I have already said,
in reply to a question put by an Hen. Gentleman,
that I do not contemplate asking the House of Commons
to pronounce to-night any opinion upon the entire, or a
component, part of the measures to be submitted for
your consideration; but that, on the contrary, it is
the wish of the Government the questions shall be dealt
with by you in a calm and dispassionate manner.—
(Hear, hear.) It may be possible, that as I am about
to propose so many reductions, some Hon. Gentleman
may denounce me as rash and improvident, and de-
clare that my measures ought on that account to be
rejected by this House. If such should be the prevailing
impression among those who are favourable to protec-
tion, nothing can be more easy than that, on the day
when they are called upon to consider those great and
momentous questions, I should be permitted to ask toe
House to put upon record a counter principle.— (Cheers.)
My motion will be some such resolution as this ; not
that any protection on any particular branch of trade is
advisable, but that there should be a comprehensive
system of protection for all articles of domestic in-
dustry, believing, as I do, that it will be for
the good of the country that our native in-
dustry should be protected.—(Hear, hear.) I think
that that principle ought to be sanctioned.—(Hear,
hear.) It may be, on the other hand, that the House
and this country, considering the great difficulties of
this question—considering the variety of opinions

HOUSE OF'iORD— S, Tuesday, Jan, 27.
Their. Lordships-Mit to-day at Five o'clock.
The Duke of IIQMOND laid upon their Lord-
„ ships' table a Bill to prevent the sale of spirits at toll-
' bars in Scotland. .:',
, The Earl-of !UMW presented petitions from various
V- geptjai4bVitavour of a total and immediate
o 1 fAi Corn±.-1-aw s.
E4rl of STRA.M.ROKE presented 37 petitions
from places itil Suffolk favour of the present system
of protection.
The Duke of RICHMOND presented petitions from
Ross against any alteration in the corn-laws. He would
take this opportunity of stating that a person of the
name of Feargus O'Connor had asserted that he
had received a proposal from him (the Duke
of Richmond) to induce him to desert his pre-
sent principles, and advocate those entertained in favour
of the corn-laws. Now he begged to say that he had
never directly or indirectly had any communication with
that individual, that he had never attempted to buy any-
body, and never would, because he believed that if
men would take money to abandon a cause, they were
not to be trusted. -
Earl GREY presented a petition from Forress in
favour of the repeal of the corn-laws.
THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved the re-ap-
pointment of the Committee with respect to the building
of the new Howes of Parliament.—Ordered.
RAILWAYS.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE wished to ask the
Noble Earl at the head of the Board of Trade a ques-
tion with reference to the progress of railway Bills in
that House. Ho understood that in the House of
Commons a Committee had been moved for with respect
to railways. Now he thought that a bad mode of pro-
ceeding, and one altogether unworthy of the Govern-
ment of the country, because it was in fact shifting the
responsibility of the Government. The labours of the
Committee of the Board of Trade last session
had done little or no good, because instead of reducing
the evil othe gambling system it had imcreased it.—
(Hear, IMr.) Now, what he wanted to know was whe-
ther any distinction would be made with respect to
Irish railways? If the Government were desirous of
providing employment in Ireland they could not do so
better than by aiding and expediting the completion of
such works as Parliament should think it proper to
sanction. He wished to know whether the appointment
of the Committee would cause any delay in the intro-
duction of Irish railways?
The Earl of DALHOUSIE said that the appointment
of that Committee would not cause any delay either to
the Irish or Scotch railways. He would not enter into
the question now, as it was his intention, on Thursday
next to bring the whole question before the House.
The Noble Earl then gave notice that he should, on
Thursday next, bring before their Lordships the whole
question as to the manner in which that House would
consider the different railway Bills that should come
before It.
On the motion of the Duke of BUCCLEUCH, re-
turns were ordered relative to the Dublin metropolitan
police.

—considering the nature of the contest, which
has long existed, and which I fear will
long continue, unless there be a satisfactory and

early adjustment of this question—(Hear, hear)—
it may be that even those who may dissent from par-
ticular parts of the great scheme which I am about to
propose to the consideration of this House may
be disposed to accept this proposal as an entire
settlement of the question, and that the voice of
the country may pronounce upon it as such. This were
an unjust thing. An inequitable or unwise adjustment,
it may be considered, would be preferable to
the perpetual conflict in which we are in-
volved ; and if that be the position which the
general opinion of the reasonable and intelligent of all
classes shall take, in that case I shall have confidence
of ultimate success. On the other hand, as I said before,
if I touch so many interests by the application of that

great principle, that protective duties are not in them-
selves abstractedly, and ought to be relinquished; in
that case another fate will await my proposal, and the
sooner it is disposed of the better will it be for
the public good. Sir, that principle to which I have
referred, namely, the relaxation of the protective
duties, I am not about to apply to any one particular
class of trade.—(Cheers.) I am not about to select that
great interest connected with the agriculture of this
country, and call upon them to relinquish protection, and
at the same time forbear to call upon other interests to
relinquish their privileges. I shall make no isolated
proposal. The principle for which I shall contend is a
just and a wise one—l shall ask all classes to give up
their protective privileges—(Cheers)—and to make the
sacrifice, if it be a sacrifice, which that application shall

POOR (IRELAND).
The Earl of CLANCARTY gave notice of his inten-
tion, on Thursday, the sth of February, to move for the
appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the
operation of the laws with respect to the destitute and
sick poor in Ireland.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Tuesday, Jan. 27.
The SPEAKER took the Chair precisely at Four o'clock.
Mr. CURTEIS presented a petition for leave to in-
troduce a Bill for the Rochester, Canterbury, and Dover
Railway.
Petitions, numerously signed, were presented from the
inhabitants of Tring, Coventry, Walsall, Salford, and
Kettering, for the total and immediate repeal of the
corn-laws.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from the towns-
people of Arbroath and Dundee for the immediate re-
peal of the corn-laws.
At half-past four o'clock his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, accompanied by the Earl of
_Jersey, entered the
and took his seat on the cross benches imme-
diately behind the Sergeant at-Arms.
HONGKONG.
Dr. BiWRING gave notice, that on Thursday, he
should snore for a return of the expenditure of the co-
'oily of Hong-Kong.
ISLE OF MAN.
Dr. BOWRIN't postponed his motion for corres-
pondenee, or extracts of correspondence, on the subject of
the House of Keys, in the Isle of Man, till Thursday
next.

cause.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, the House is aware that
during the last three years, what is called

" the Customs' Duties Act" was amended ; at that time

the Customs' duties were submitted to the feview and
consideration of this House. In 1842 it was my duty, as
the head of the Government, to propose a great change in
the then Custom's duties. The general principle of the plan
under which I then acted was to remit the duties upon arti-

COLONIAL ACCOUNTS.
Dr. BOWRING then moved that the resolutions of
the last session on Colonial ao2ounts should be read by
the Clerk at thy table and confirmed.
The re-solutkus were then read at length by the Clerk,

and agreed to.
Mr. M. PHILLIPS presented a petition, signed by
52,579 inhabitants of Manchester, praying for the total,
immediate, and unconditional repeal of the corn and

provision laws:
On the motion being put that the Speaker do leave

the chair,
Mr. MILES rose, and said he wished to ask the Right
Honourable Baronet at the head of the Government
a question before they resolved themselves into a
Committee of the: whole House, and he was sure,
from the well-known courtesy of the Right lion. Baronet,
that he would answer his question if it was in his power
to do so. He understood that the Hon. Baronet was
now about to make his financial statement, and he
wished to know whether it was his intention to take any
vote that evening upon the Question? And if it
was, he should be glad to know if the Right
Hon. Baronet was prepared to press for the decision
of the House upon his financial proposition before
the ,country bad had time to express its opi-
nion upon it. He hoped that previous to their
coming to any decision upon the question, time would
be atlowed for duly and properly considering it in all
its branches; but, at all events, whether the Right Hon.
Baronet answered the question in the affirmative or the
negative, he would afford ample time to the counties
to state what their opinions might be upon it.—(Hear.)
Sir R. PEEL—The statement which I shall make to-
night will be more a commercial than a financial statement,
and, therefoue, I do not intend to take any money
vote ;n the Committee of the whole House.—(Hear.) It
is not my intention to ask the House to express an opinion
to-night upon an' part toe he statement, because it is
my earnest wish that the proposal I shall make should
be maturely and deliberately considered by the House
before they come to any decision upon it.—(Cheers.)
For this there are sufficient reasons. I believe that the
task which is imposed upon the is such that the House
will be content to take a candid and indulgent consi-
deration of the position which I hold, and whatever
run' be the opinion entertained, I have no doubt in ray
own mind as to the result at which we shall arrive ; but
I trust in the mean time that the matter will be dis-
sussed in et candid and impartial spirit.
The SPEAKER—The subject for consideration is the
alteration to be made in the corn-laws, and the altera-
tions- which have lately taken place.—[The Speaker then
referred to the Queen's reply to the Address, part of
which he read, and the whole of which has appeared in
the columns of The Sun.]—The question now is that I
have the Chair.
The House then resolved itself into a general Com-
mittee, and Mr. Greene took the chair.
THE PREMIER'S STATEMBNT.
Sir ROBERT PEEL then rose and said—Sir, what-
ever opinion may be ultimately formed with regardart
to
the merits of the proposal which I am about, On the p
of her Majesty's Government, to submit this night to ;;:,e
consideration of the House, I am convinced that the ex-
treme difficulty of the task which devolves upon me to
perform, and a consideration of the magnitude and ex-
tent of the interests involved in the questions with which
I have to deal, will insure for me from the House that
patient and intelligent attention without which it would
be wholly out of my power, either with satisfaction to
Inyself or utility to the public interests, to discharge my
duty.--(Hear, hear.) I am about, in pursuance of the
recommendation contained in her Majesty's Speech, and
evhich recommendations were advised by her responsible
ser yants—l am about to review the duties which apply
to many articles the produce and manufacture of other
countries. I am about to proceed on the assumption
adopted in the Speech from the throne, that the repeal
of the prohibitory and the relaxation of protective duties
AS in itself a wise course to be pursued—(Loud cries of
" Hear, hear," from the Opposition benches)—and I am
abort to proceed upon the assumption that protective
duties, abstractedly and in principle, are open to
objection, and that the policy of maintaining them
may be defended, but that there must be special
congLerations, iither of public policy or of justice,
to vindicate their maintenance. am about to
act *Von this assumption. During the period of
the last three years there has been in this country
r an increased production of notwithstanding
that there has been a remissionevnuoefme,any hearvy taxes—
that there has been an increased demand fo
t
labour—
that r
that there has been an increase of commerce, n
there has been increased comfort, happiness, and e
tentment in this country.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
do not say that these blessings have ne.
ises.sarily been caused by any particular policy you
have Adopted, but this I say, the enjoyment of them has
covfirmed by your measures—that these blessings
been
have beert sanctioned by the House of Commons—the
prohibitory and reducing
policy of repealing
not now, then, by praising
protective duties. I am
that policy, about to call upon the House to
secede from any course that has been pursued
>s course which has been sanctioned by e
the
HOMO of Commons, and which, as productivof
public good, ought, with regard to consistency, to be
persevered )Ti.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, I am at the same
time, in advising the continued application of these
principles, not about to discard the other recommenda-
tions contained
in her Majesty's Speech, namely, that
tb adoption of good principles should not be
en
the means of gering the public credit, or
of causing any
permanent
elanNeither,halvoess in the revenue
of ale co:intry.
I lost sight of the
O
other recomendation—namely, that in
Proposing sound
we should act with
principis u
•s • sober forbesr,
ante, an,i not prejudice any great atititaju

scheme before you draw inferences as to any part
of it. I do not wish you to suspend your judg-
ment for a year. I merely desire that you
refrain from forming conclusions till I continue
the details of what I propose.—(llear, hear, and cheers.)
I am the more anxious to call upon the manufacturers
to relinquish these duties, because, according to high
authority it was not the agriculturists but the manu-
facturers who first called upon the Legislature for the
imposition of protective duties.—(Cheers.) I doubt not,
therefore, but they will now come forward and set the first

example in giving them up.—(Cheers.) Adam Smith,
a great authority, says—" That farmers and gentlemen
connnected with agriculture were, of all persons in the
community, the least subject to the wretched spirit of
monopoly."—(Great laughter and cheers.) He also
said, " that it was not the agriculturists, but the
manufacturers, who had first appealed for the
protection of the restrictive system.—(Loud cheers.)

They are always ready to call out against the restrictions
on all other articles but that which pressed heaviest upon
their countrymen. They may be said to be the
original inventors of all monopoly."— (Laughter).
Hon. Gentlemen may have cause for laughter,
by the reading of this extract, but it is perfectly true.
I propose that the duties on the coarser • articles of
manufacture shall be materially reduced, and which
will have a material effect on the manufacturing inte-
rests of this country, but not to the great injury of
the manufacturing interests. I propose that the made-
up woollen goods shall also be reduced in duty to the
same amount, namely, a reduction of from 20 per cent.
to 10 per cent.—(Hear, hear.) I stated the other
night that flax was a very important and a
staple article of our manufactures, and also that
although there was no duty on that article, that its great
import was not injurious to our growers of that article,
and I believe that has not been contradicted. The
duty on linen goods varies according to their quality; but
the reduction of duties on those articles cannot be so
injurious to our manufacturing interests as may at first
be imagined, for I am of opinion that the improve-
ments made by our own workmen will always keep
up the market in their favour. I now come
to another very important article of our imports.
I mean the silk trade.—(Hear.) Now, don't let us
suppose:that the existing duty on silks operates as a
protection to the domestic manufacture of that article.—
(Hear.) You have a duty which you call 30 per cent.,
but which with respect to many articles is a great deal
higher; and as a false reliaucc I. placed ou tins, ds v,
its being a protection to domestic manufacture, I think
it proper to state that there are many houses in Paris,
and on the continent, which will guarantee to deliver
goods in London at half the duty at present levied.—
(Hear, hear.) It is therefore a mistake to imagine that
the duty affords the protection which is stated. In the
first place it appears that it is an encouragement to
smuggling, as the article may be frequently purchased
from those engaged in this traffic for a small sum, com-
pared with that which it will realise in the legitimate
course of business. I conceive, therefore, that by a
new arrangement with respect to the silk duties
—in fact, that a reduction of these duties which
are not interfering with any domestic manufacture, will,
at the same time, diminish the profit of the smuggler,
and encourage a lawful and wholesome trade.—(Hear,
hear.) Now, the general impression is, that there is a
duty of thirty per cent. on silk manufacture. I hold in
my band an account of the duties upon the silk manu-
facture as at present levied ; and, although, in respect
to some it may not exceed thirty per cent., and in
others less than ten per cent., yet there are many
articles comprised under this definition with respect to
which the duty is much higher than this. In the case
of crape the duty is not less than 40 or 50 per cent. ; on
fancy silk the duty is not less than from 301. to 38/ per
cent. ; on silk bonnets not less than 1451. per cent ; in
the case of turbans it is at least as much. Does any man,
therefore, believe foreign turbans, bonnets, and
hats, pay a duty of 1451. per cent. It is no
such thing. The article is in common use
here, but its value is reduced by the common
smuggler. Now I propose a new arrangement with
respect to silk, but I must not now enter too much into
details, as the whole of my statement will be subject to
correction after it has appeared to-morrow morning. I
now wish to introduce a new principal, based on a gene-
ral scale which shall enumerate each species of silk,
and the amount per pound at which it will be ad-
mitted, with an option to the Custom-house officer
to levy a sum on every quantity of silk of the
value of 1001. a duty not exceeding fifteen per cent.
The general principle, therefore, shall be a reduc-
tion of 15 per cent. on this article, which, heretofore,
had been, at the lowest, 30 per cent. on such articles ;
but in reality it was greater on some articles and less on
others. There is another article of manufacture which
I think may be fairly permitted to enter into com-
petition with the same article in this country,
for I do think it would have the effect of
stimulating that trade to greater industry and exertion ;
I speak of the article of paper—(Hear)—that is paper-
hangings. At present there is a duty upon all foreign
paper-hengings imported into this country of one shilling
per square-yard ; and this applies to all descriptions
of paper-hangings. Now, I believe it is possible for
some descriptions of this article to be manufactured
and sold at the rate of one farthiag the square
yard. Of course the very fine descriptions, such as those
with gold bordering; may still be liable to the duty of
one shilling; but I do think that a shilling per square
yard duty upon paper which can be made for one
farthing per square yard is exorbitant, and therefore
I propose to reduce that duty on certain de-
scriptions from one shilling to twopence the
square yard, upon paper hangings coming from
abroad.—(Hear, hear.) I now approach those de-
scriptions of manufactures which are connected with
metals.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) It is impossible
that I can go through its detail without entering into
minute details, and therefore I do hope that the House
will hear me with patience.—(Hear, hear.) We have
already reduced the duty upon foreign ores ; and I do
think that if there be any articles of manufacture in this
country which more than another, can bear competition
it is that description connected with metals. The manu-
facture of metals (I do not mean to particularise them),
are now chargeable with a duty of 15 per cent. I pro-
pose with regard to them, and I include all descriptions,
which I do not now mention; but I say, as a general
rule, that this duty shall not exceed 10 per cent.—
That is the maximum duty which I now propose on those
articles, without enumerating them. I have made an
exception with regard to paper-hangings, for the reason
I have already stated ; but the duty of ten per cent.
on metals shall be without any exception.
With regard to the duty of 10 per cent. on all such '
manufactures as umber -lead, and also hardware and
other articles, such duty can be considerably reduced; as
also on all manufactures of hair. At present there is a
duty of 20 per cent. on the import of foreign carriages,
which I propose to reduce. That will be giving an im-
mense advantage to the consumers of this country, as no
article is so very dear as a carriage and equipment.
—(Hear, hear.) Look at the carriages made
in Brussels, and also in Edinburgh. The price
there is considerably below the London price,
and I see no reason why foreign carriages should be
subjected to a duty of 20 per cent.; and I propose
therefore to encourage a wholesome competition in this
country by permitting foreign carriages to come in at a
duty of 10 per cent. There is also another manufacture
in respect of which I propose a considerable reduction—
I propose to reduce the duty on canvas. As I have
reduced the duty on spermaceti, I this night propose a
reduction of the duty on candles to about one-
half ; and I also propose a reduction of the duty
on foreign soap to one-half. In the case of hard
soap, now subjected to a duty of 305., it shall
be reduced to 205., and in the case of soft soap,
now subjected to a duty of 205., it shall be reduced to
14s. There are a great many articles besides on which
the duty is so slight that I propose to remit them alto-
gether.—(Hear, hear.) In 1242 the tariff which I pro-
posed contained the names of nearly 1,100 articles.
Those names still remain on the tariff, because it is con-
venient to the Custom-house officers to run their eyes
down the alphabetical list to see what articles are free
from duty, but in the case of more than 500 of them,
the duty will be either reduced or omitted. These
articles I have no objection to state to the House,
should it require it.—(Cries of" No, no.") Well, then,
[ will proceed to the other proposal I have to make.
There are still some manufactured articles on which I
deem it advisable to reduce the duty to 10 per cent.
Respecting the article of gloves already a great reduction
has taken place. I now come to an important article
of consumption, namely, that of boots and shoes,
on the raw material of which I propose to reduce the
duty.—(Hear, hear.) On a former occasion an altera-
tion was made is the duty on the material which en-
tered into the composition of these articles, but the
duty on raw bides was still retained. I now propose
that raw hides shall enter duty free.—(Hear, hear.)
When the tariff was formerly altered, I retained
the duty on all articles that were imported for the
purposes of tanning, but now I propose to
remit the duty altogether. There is one article to
which I will refer which does not take the character of
raw material, but which is of the greatest importance to
the working classes—l mean the article of dressed
hides. As this article extends largely into boots
and shoes, and is of great importance to the
people, I propose to take the duty altogether
off dressed hides. Having explained what I mean
to do with this article. I will now proceed to state
what amount of duty I mean to propose on articles
made up of these dressed hides, to which I have re-
ferred. I intend to diminish the duty on foreign boots
and shoes, a step which I am persuaded will be a great
benefit. Having taken the duty off the raw
material, I propose reducing the duty on small
boot and shce-fronts, from three shillings and sixpenc
to ls. 9d. per dozen; on large boot fronts from ss. 6d. to
2s. 9d. per dozen; on boots from 11. Bs. to 14s, peedoleni.
on shoes from 14s. to 7s. per dozen; other articles or
this kind to be reduced in the same proportion. There
is another reduction I mean to propose, which was
omitted in 1842, but which 1 regret was not then car-
ried into effect, I mean the duty op the apticle pf
straw plait. On this article I propose that the
duty shall be reduced from 7s. fid to 4s. i and
on straw hats, from Bs. 6d. to ss. per do yen.
I ornittgfl to state that there is another article con-
nected with the silk Maragacture that I propose to
reduce the duty on—l mean the article of dyed
thrown
asiltkil.l, I hope I am convincing the House
believe
Idihsapesegrdeeezdnto act fairly and impartially in re-
spectt4ell
uercaapplicationgenerally
l‘l
yiti4tsot;f7dl
es. those:y
ie
al
haveor tt
clothing,
gt duties.—(Cheers.)
whiche
showns . —a n (dyC
och
uaet
nehl rho sbsa.
be
called an article of manufaoture, 43 tie word
Taiitnutfe4accitureois
tbinio genertlly in use as artitte4lesemo?
gumption, ap,qi - tke 1-101:.? wir,
1
ftto ePotehnre--
cetyv oat I bis,ve
_Key qrici y
1 general iir!!icil4o .il " IP4 - CTli WAS' ep=
...... m,-...„,,........ ii, ji,:,,, . ' -

des and raw material constituting the element of manufac
turing industry. The plan then submitted to the House
was to subject the general manufacturing articles of labour
in other countries to duties not exceeding 201. per cent.
The House adopted the principle upon which he had
acted in 1842. In that year he selected a number
of the raw articles for the remission of the
duty. In 1844 we reduced altogether the duty
upon wool. In the year 1845 we reduced alto-
gether the duty upon cotton. There is hardly a raw
material remaining for import into this country upon
which the duty has not been either entirely abolished,
or considerably diminished. The manufacturers of the
country, therefore, now have an advantage which they did
not possess hitherto. They have free access to the raw
n.aterial which constitutes the fabric of their articles of
manufacture, and I consider that I am therefore entitled
to call upon the manufacturers to relinquish that amount
of protection which they now have.—(Hear, hear.) The
manufacturer has now an advantage which he has not
had before. There might have been great doubt as to
whether you might have continued to derive the same
amount of revenue from the importation of cotton wool
which existed in 1844. But the House disregarded the
amount of 600,0001. or 700,0001. of revenue derived from
such a source. They wished to establish the stability
of the manufacture of articles from sheep and cotton
wool, and to place it upon a sure and certain foundation.
They were willing, therefore, and consented, to forego
this amount, so easily levied, and which caused so little
complaint from the great body of the people.
In order to remove this duty, not only
upon sheep, but also upon cotton wool, this House
submitted itself to the imposition of the income-tax,
in consideration of the removal of the duties upon
these raw materials. I propose, Sir, in reviewing
those articles upon which there at present exist duties,
I propose to take first those articles of raw material
which still remain subject to a duty ; and in dealing
with these articles, I beg to call upon the manufacturers
to relinquish that amount of duty which they now pos-
sess. Sir, I hardly know any articles of the nature
of raw materials subject to duty except tallow and
timber.—(Laughter.) Tallow is an article of very
great importance to the community, and the people at large,
it being used in the manufacture of soap, candles, and also
for the purpose of dressing leather. I propose to make a
reduction in this article from the amount of duty now levied.
With respect to the duty on tallow from the United
States, the duty on which was 3s. 2d., I will, purely
for the purpose of encouraging that produce, which was
now chiefly procured from Russia, propose a re-
laxation in that duty, with the hope that it would ulti-
mately procure a reciprocal reduction on their part with
respect to the produce of this country. I will, therefore,
for that purpose, propose to reduce the duty on tallow,
which now is 3s. 2d. to Is. Bd. I am taking the articles
of raw material first, and shall now come
to timber, the produce of our own colonies.
timber is the only article which I cannot definitely give
an explanation of, as the reduction which I am dis-
posed to make must depend on the manner in which I
am m( t by other :states on that article. The course
Iher ;:_liesty's Government intends to pursue will
be a grad:yfl reduction, to a certain sum,
of the existing duties on timber.—(Hear, hear.)
The reduction will be app;rtioned, if possible, so as to
cause no derangement of the duties on timber from the
Baltic. But at a very early period it was the
intention
of her Majesty's Government to make known their ar-
rangements with respect to timber, on which it was
difficult to get that information which was necessary.
And now, after having made all these reductions, I
hardly know a single raw material which has a protec-
tive duty imposed upon it. After having taken
this course after having afforded the manufac-
turer every facility—after having given him a free
command of the raw material—l will call on the
manufacturers of the three great articles which enter
into the consumption of the great body of the people, I
will ask them to give that proof, which I am sure
they will—(llear, hear)—of the sincerity of their
convictions as to the impolicy of protection,
.by
consenting to relinquish the protection on corn.—(Hear,
hear, and loud cheering from the Opposition benches.)
The three branches of manufacture of which I speak
are those which give clothes to the great body of the
people—l mean those of linen, woollen, and cotton. I
will ask them to set the example to others by relinquish-
ing at once, cheerfully, the protection on eorn.—(Hear,
Lear.) My Honourable Friend the Member for
Dorsetshire (Lord Ashley)—and I call ,bim my
Honourable Friend, for it shall not be my fault
if these unfortunate political diarem es interfere with
private friLndship and regard—l will call him et once my
Hon. Friend—expressed a hope, being jealous of au ex-
pression which occurred in heeMajesty's Speech, that the
small interests of the country should nut 4p visited injuri-
ously:l will tali him that those interests will meet with the
especial care of the Government, I do not purpose in
this review of the tariff to subject myself to the impu-
tation of eoneealing my intentio. I declare it
now, that I mean to effect great interests and
Hp czo
ui tb, i e thesevrin 1 4 small
will,
suchil,
protect, as much as
interests alluded. to. My
therefore be gratified in his expectation.—(lieef. hear.)
I shall propose, with regard to cotton manufacturd
goods, including the great mass of heavy goods,
as calicoes, prints, &c., to make an alteration, Manu-
factured goods were pow subject to a duty of 10 per
cent. TheSe I propose to ga*ko duty free ; and those
articles which are charged '*o per ,cent., I propost
A.enr, hear,
w a great
atendreehdeuecresoto
ThelO paerraccl
eesnt.:(hichilcesonslittite
measure the clothing materials of the great bulk ®f
and
f the
people I propose to make duty free.—(Loud cheers
interruption.) Allow me to state the whole of my

ning. I shall call your attention now to
another article of great importance, which, although
it may be included among manufactures, yet, in com-
mon parlance, does not come within the denomination of
m mucacture. It is an article on which reduction seems at
the present time to be peculiarly required. I propose
to reduce the duty on brandy, and other foreign spirits.
(Great cheering.) The present duty upon brandy is not
less than 225. 10d. per gallon, and this high duty has, I
believe, prevented any increase in the importation of the
article.—(Hear.) At the present moment, I think the con-
sumption of foreign brandy is not so great—certainly not
greater than it was at the latter end of the 17th century.—
(Hear.) This, I repeat, is mainly attributable to the fact
of the present high duty. There is no article in respect
to which smuggling so much prevails as in the article of
foreign spirits. A diminution of the duty is not, there-
fore, less protective to the home manufacture than if the
high duty were continued. The reduced duty, I have
every reason to believe, will have the effect of converting
an unlawful into a lawful traffic, by the increased demand
for the article consequent upon that reduction. I propose,
therefore, that the present duty on brandy and foreign
spirits shall be reduced from 225. 101. to 15s. per gallon.
Sir, there remains but one article to which I will
revert, in respect to which an arrangement was made as
late as the last year, but which I now intend
to reduce Full further—l mean the reduction of
the protective duties on sugar.—(lmmense cheering.)
It is quite impossible, in respect to this article, consider-
ing that prolonged discussions will take place concerning
it, it is quite impossible that I can enter into the
details of the arrangement which I shall propose. I
submit to the House, on the prese.it occasion, the inten-
tion of her Majesty's Government, avoiding any details.
I am very much afraid that the proposal I have to
make will not at all meet with the approbation
and the concurrence of those who raised those cheers
at the mention of the article sugar. I may, however,
generally state, on the present occasion, tke proposal
which her Majesty's Government have undertaken to
make. Now, in the last year I estimated the pro-
bable amount of increased consumption of sugar, in con-
sequence of the reduction in the duty, at not less than
50,000 tons a year. Up to the last return, the increase
in the consumption had already reached 38,000 tons,
and whether or no during the remaining period my
estimate has been borne out, I cannot undertake to say,
as it would be exceedingly difficult to calcutate, unless
I had the total amount of increase up to the present
time. Still there cannot be a doubt that there will be
a very considerable increase in the consumption of sugar.
The amount of free-labour sugar brought into competi-
tion with British colonial sugar has not equalled my ex-
pectations. 1 calculated that the amount of free-labour
sugar would be 25,000 tons. The amount which
has been actually brought into home consumption has
fallen very short of that, but I believe that this may
be accounted for by the failure in the crop at Cuba,
and by the increased consumption in other parts of Eu-
rope. This, of course, caused a deficient supply to this
country from those parts of the world in which free
labour is employed. Although this will in agrrat measure
account for the reduced supply, yet I am bound to say
that I think the British Colonial sugar can bear in-
creased competition with foreign sugar, the pro
duce of free labour. I am not prepared to
make any relaxation in our principles with
respect to the admission of sugar the produce of
countries carrying on the slave-trade. We shall adhere
to those principles but with respect to sugar, the pro-
duce of free labour, while the consumption of that sugar
is so limited, and her Majesty's Government have not
thought it right to exempt that sugar from the operation
of the general principles which I have stated. We pro-
pose, therefore—assuming that the population is to use
foreign sugar the produce of free labour—we propose
to deduct 3s. 6d. from the amount of the present dif-
ferential duty. In the case of muscovado sugar the
amount of differential duty is, I think, 9s. 4d., and
in the case 1" of clayed sugar, the amount of the
differential duty is 1 ls. Bd. We propose to deduct
from the amount of differential duty on each descrip-
tion 3s. Gd., leaving the amount of differential duty
in favour of British colonial sugar, competing with
sugar the produce of free labour, ss. 10d. ; and in
the case of the finer sugars, clayed, the diffe-
rential duty will be reduced from I Is. Bd. to Bs.
Now I come to those import duties which have a decided
influence on agriculture. I would not only say those
which have an immediate effect, but those which are con-
nected with agriculture.—(Great cheering.) I think
that I am perfectly justified in alluding to their interests,
and in considering those who are intimately affected by
it ; for there are great properties which are concerned in
the matter, and of which the best judges are desirous of
obtaining a definite result. I would allude then
to the article of tobacco, an article which, although
it may be considered as a matter of luxury
by the higher classes is felt to be a necessity by the poor.
In making this allusion, however, I do not expect that,
because it is an expensive article, it should be left out of
the account.—(Hear, hear.) But in making these re-
marks, I do hope that the House will not leave out
of their calculation the consideration of revenue.—
(Cheers.) We must not forget that we 'ought not to
dc press the revenue of the country, for upon
that depends all our means of doing any good
to the public, and the opportunity of reducing
the impositions upon those commodities which are
absolutely needed by the people. I, therefore, propose
that all those duties should be reduced as far as possible,
but yet it should be recollected that a revenue must he
raised, not for the purpose of hostile aggression, but fur
the sake of national defence. I would, therefore,
propose that a revenue should be raised fur the
object of national defence. You must, therefore,
keep that consideration in mind, and believe that,
while I am proposing this reduction of the import
duties that I am not at all unmindful of the necessities
which exist in consequence of the obligations into
which the agriculturist has entered; for I re-
collect that there are certain duties which
cannot be obviated. It is our business to provide
for them. I am aware that some of the duties imposed
upon agricultural produce are extremely high ; and as
my object is to relieve that interest from as many of its
burdens as I can, I would attempt a reduction
similar to that which I proposed on manu-
factures during the last session. Now, the duty
on grass seeds can affect nobody, while its remission
may be of service to the country. I propose to reduce
that duty. In the year 1842, it produced 144,000/. By
the remission of the duty the country will be largely
served, whilst no injury will affect the revenue.
I believe that the producers of clover in this
country look upon the duty levied upon the im-
portation of clover seed rather as a heavy tax
upon themselves than as a protection.—(Hear, hear.)
With respect to the removal of the duties imposed on
agricultural seeds generally, then, it will not be
so much a removal of protection, as conferring
a benefit on agriculture ; and I intend so
to reduce the duty on seeds as to make
it less than nominal.—(Hear, hear.) It was reduced
one-half in 1842, and it subsequently underwent a still
further reduction, and I now intend to simplify the
duty imposed on seeds in the same way that I have pro-
posed to simplify the duty on articles of manufacture.
The uniform duty on munufactures I have fixed at 10
per cent., and I propose that the duties on seeds
shall not exceed ss. per cwt.; hitherto in some cases, such
fur instance as onion seed, the duty has not been less
than 125. per cwt.; but now with respect to all seeds I
propose that the maximum duty shall be ss. per cwt. I
have already spoken of some other articles, which
aro of the utmost importance to agriculture, namely
those used for the fattening of cattle. I believe
it is impossible to over-estimate the importance of pro-
moting the fattening of cattle, because it tends to advance
an improved system of agriculture.—(Hear, hear.) It
has tended to restore the fertility of many soils more, I
believe, than any of the artificial means which
are sometimes resorted to, and, I am sure
the House will see that any measure which
will promote the fattening of cattle must prove highly
beneficial to the country.—(Hear, hear.) I believe there
is nu manure so valuable as that which is directly
derivable from the soil itself, and nothing, I am con-
vinced of it, will lead more to the improvement
of agriculture than by encouraging the fat-
tening of cattle on the land itself, and
thus promoting the acquisition of manure for e.gricul-
teral purposes.—(Hear, hear.) I propose, therefore,
that the article of grains, which I believe would be
much employed for the fattening of cattle, shall be here-
after imported duty free. There is another article which
might be applied with great advantage to the fattening
of cattle—namely, Indian corn—which I als9 propose
shall be introduced duty free.—(Cheers.) By removing
the duty upon grain I do not consider that I am de-
priving agriculture of protection, but rather conferring a
benefit upon it.—(Hear, hear.) Maize is an article that
is much used abroad for human food, and I believe its
utility for this purpose has been much disregarded in
Europe, and in no place more so than in this country.
It is used, if I am not mist ,ken, for human food in
Italy, America, and many parts of France, and look •
ing at its utility for the fattening of cattle, I think, with
respect to this article also, I am conferring a
benefit on, rather than impeding the progress
of, agriculture in this country, by removing the
restrictions imposed on its importation.—(Cheers.)
I also propose that an article called buck-wheat should
be subject to the same rule ; that is, that it be admitted
at a mere nominal duty. I propose that the meal or flour
should be admitted on an equal footing with Indian
corn. If any gentleman will ascertain the very
large sums paid annually by the best farmers through-
out Great Britain in the purchase of linseed cake and
rape, be will agree with me that an increased
facility for the admission of articles that can be used for
the fattening of cattle will be of no
disservice.—(Hear,
hear.) The demand for the articles I have last
named is very considerable, and the consumption by some
farmers being very great, if I am informed correctly,
the chief object upon some famine is to provide an ade-
quate quantity of manure for the purpose of improving
the soil. The prices of linseed and rape-cake has been
gradually rising of late years. In the yearfrm 184 to
3,
linseed eake frpm to 10/ ; in 1844, 11/,
121. ; and in 1846, from 121. to 15!. Thp PriPe of raPe"
cake was in 1843, 41. ss. ; in 1844, 41. 10s. to 51. 10s. ;
and in January, 1846, the price rose to 61. I hold
now in my hand a letter from a merchant, a resident of
the l.fnite4 Segest who reporpipendg that there should be
free importation pf all the articles ustid t1:1114en COUP-
lie recommended e§pecially for the phrpop an article
termed rice-meal. Wow surely a chi supply of that ar-
ticle is very desirable. It is the re Loa of rice ground
up, and is much less costly than pilecake or the other
descriptions of artificial food now used by farmers, and
therefore, is admirably fitted for the feeding of
cattle. The admission of such
an article would,
in my opinion, be so far from a disservice,
Q. r.sitrarp advantage.--(Hear, hear.) I come now
Sir; to' the consid'eration':of those articles 'immediately
connected with the food of the Biggar,people.— .htear,
and cheers from all parts of the House.)
et,innceroo-f
ducin this question I anticipate the greatest difference
nte delay are 4 no • qualification, ' ancl I !lave also t? Te et
,4. ,•,, •••
•
Ppini.on.—(}year, hear.) I have those to meet whor want

those who insist upon it that there shall be no relaxa-
tion of, or reduction in, the present amount of protection.
—(Heer, hear.) Sir, my object will be, if possible, to
make some adjustment of this important question.
I know that nobody will approve of my plan—
(Great laughter)—but our desire is, without favour or
undue partiallity towards any class, to suggest
that which we believe to be just, and calculated to ter-
minated that conflict the continuance of which might be
fatal to the country.--(Hear, hear.) Ido trust that by
the plan which I have proposed the jealousy and dis-
sension between the different classes of her Majesty's
subjects may be removed without any injury to any par-
ticular class, and thus, it is to be hoped, that we shall
promote the general interest of the country. I
consider that it is for the public advantage that this
subject should meet with a final settlement.—(Cheers.)
I am not about to propose an immediate repeal of the
duties which are imposed upon corn. What I have to
propose is an earnest of the principle upon which I shall
act. lam induced to propose an immediate reduction
upon many articles of primary importance, and which
constituted a principle portion of the food of the
people ; but I must state this in respect to the plan
which I shall propose, that there shall be an
immediate reduction of the duties on those articles on
which I do not propose an immediate and total repeal.
I propose that the duties—speaking of the articles of
consumption—l propose to take that extensive review
of the articles included in the tariff relating to the
articles constituting the food of the country. I propose
to make a reduction —an immediate re. uctien—upon
the duties of the whole of there. I propose, on the
part of her Majesty's Government, that the
duties should be immediately reduced upon butter
from 1/. to 10s. per cwt.; upon cheese from 10s. per
cwt. to 55. per cwt.; and upon hops from 4/. 10s. to
21. ss. I will now mention the articles of agricultural
produce upon which I propose an immediate repeal.
With respect, then, to those articles of general consump-
tion, upon which the reduction will be total and imme-
diate, I propose to abolish entirely the duties upon
bacon, also upon fresh beef and salted beef, upon
salt pork and fresh pork, and all other arti-
cles of animal food enumerated in the last tariff—these
I propose to be admitted duty free. With reference to
potatoes and other articles enumerated under the head
of vegetables, and which form articles of general con-
sumption, I propose that the whole of the duties shall be
totally and immediately repealed. Everything, then, in-
cluded under the heads of vegetable and animal food will
be admitted duty free. In thus acting, observe that I
have dealt equally with the agricultural and the manu-
facturing interests. To the agricultural interest I give
increased facilities, by removing the duties now levied
on seeds and other articles. The reduction in bacon,
butter, and other articles of food, will also benefit
the manufacturers. I believe that the growing
and increasing skill of the country, and
the stimulus that will be afforded them by competition,
will give them an increased advantage over foreign
countries. Then, having removed the dunes
from all articles of food, I propose also
to remove at once all the duties upon the
importation of cattle.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
In short, I propose that all cattle imported into this
country shall be admitted duty free.—(Hear, hear.)
There is no necessity for mentioning the amount of
duties now levied upon cattle, still less occasion
have I to mention the several amounts o duties
upon other animals mentioned in the late tariff.
I will now propose the reduction of all duty on cattle.
both lean and fat. The increased facility for getting the
lean cattle will, I hope, be some :compensation to the
agriculturists for doing away with the duty on all
animals.—(Laughter.) Those who may be disposed
to find fault with this measure, will, I hope, bear
in mind that I have proposed, the removal of protective
duties from some of the great articles of manufacture.
But I call on the manufacturers to show the first ex-
ample. I now come to the proposal which I intend to
make with respect to corn.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
We propo-e at once to remove the duties upon all ani-
mals enumerated in the tariff ; and I propose, Sir, as a
proof of an adherence to these principles, that the
duties upon animal and vegetable food, and also upon
cattle and other animals, shall at once cease.
I do not propose an immediate repeal of the
duty on thst article, but to come to a gradual repeal, in
order to give time for the adjustment of agricultural
interests. I think it would be out of my power to sug-
gest any modification of the existing corn-laws, which
would meet with the approbation of the country, and I
will not, in consequence, propose such a measure.
Some persons have complained of the manner in which
the duty upon foreign cattle is now levied, these
duties will now be entirely abolished.—(Hear, hear.)
I propose that a very considerable reduction should be
made on corn, and that the reduction shall be limited to
a period of three years.—(Loud cheers from the Opposi-
tion benches.) My measure shall contain a provision
that at that period of the year, namely on the
Ist of February, 1849, oats, barley, and wheat, shall
be subject to a nominal rate of duty, which I have
already proposed to affix to Indian corn.—(Hear, hear.)
My impression as to the policy of providing immediate
relief for a great portion of the people remains un-
changed. I cannot admit--and I sincerely regret it—
but I cannot admit that I take an erroneous estimate of
the pressure for relief which, before the arrival of the
next harvest, may arise. I think, not only looking
at the prospects of the next spring, but looking at the
consequences of the deficiency in Ireland, that it is of the
greatest importance, as far as legislation can take pre-
caution against the suffering, which it was painful to
consider might prevail. Indeed, I wish it were
possible to take advantage of these unhappy
circumstances, and extract benefit from them,
namely, by introducing in Ireland a taste for a higher
description of food. The potato, in which there was
such a deficiency and disease, is the food of millions of
our fellow countrymen. We have, then, to consider
what provision is to be made ; for we cannot make
an immediate change in the tastes of the people.
I propose to make such a reduction on the present
duties as shall realize a great part of the advantages
which would attend the opening of the ports. I pro-
pose that there should be a great reduction in the amount,
and that amount so reduced should continue for a limited
period, and afterwards be changed into a merely nominal
duty. My colleagues and myself have addressed our-
selves to the subject with the greatest diligence and im-
partiality, and the result of that has been the law which
we now propose to meet the present exigencies and
great wants of the country. According to the
present law, the rate of duty upon other de-
scriptions of grain has been regulated by the rate of
duty on wheat. Now, with regard to barley, oats, peas,
and other inferior grains, we propose that there shall
be a reduction in the same ratio—a reduction of a corre-
sponding amount with the principle now stated. I pro-
pose, from the passing of this Act, that all colonial wheat
shall be admitted at a merely nominal duty.—(Hear,
hear, and cheers) I also propose that the duties on
meal, the produce of the colonies, shall be removed.—
(Cheers.) I can see no reason why they should be any
longer retained. Thus, I offer to those who insist on
the immediate and unconditional repeal of these laws—
I offer the immediate admission, free of duty,
of all kinds of colonial grain.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
I propose to admit, as I said before, maize from the
United States, duty free. Well, then, we now propose
the following duties up to the Ist of February,
1849. That from the colonial possessions all corn
shall be imported duty free. That from all
foreign countries, that when corn shall be under
48s. there shall be a duty of 105.; above 495., it shall be
9s. ; and when at 505., 7s. ; at 515., 6s. • when at 525.
and at 535., se. ; and when it shall exceed 545., it shall
be at an invariable duty of 4s. With respect to wheat
there shall be a duty of 4s. I think that after having laid
before the House the general rates of duty, it will be
better that I should not go more into the details as
they will all appear in the morning in the
printed papers. As I said before, there shall
be a duty of 4s. on foreign wheat from
the present date. This, then, is our proposition.
We propose to accompany that arrangement with other
provisions, calculated—l will not say to give compensa-
tion—but calculated, in my firm belief, materially to
advance the interests of that portion of the community
which, after the lapse of three years, will be called
upon to relinquish that protection which has, up
to this time, been extended to them. I believe that
this is a just arrangement, and that whilst it will
promote the interests of other portions of the country
it will also lead to their own advantage. I thank them
for the way in which they have borne their burdens,
and to the example which they have thus set to other
portions of the community. lam obliged to them for
the forbearance which they have exercised. I will
now state what are the measures with which we
propose to accompany this present reduction
and ultimately an extension of the measures which I
believe will be of great advantage to that portion of the
public, with whose welfare the interests of the whole
country are bound up—the farmers. I am perfectly
aware that there are burdens which press heavily upon
them, some of' which are, in my opinion,
capable of alleviation—not by putting them on
other articles, but by introducing a reform in the
administration of the local measures of which they have
reason to complain. But first let me take the existing
arrangement with respect to one great source of ex-
penditure—the one great burden which is constantly
and justly complained of by those engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits I mean the amount of rates
levied in connection with highways. (Hear.)
Well, now, is it not possible, without subjecting
other parties to the expense of supporting the highways,
to introduce an useful reform into that expenditure, by
which they would experience a great relief ? I believe
it to be possible, Why, what is the practice with re.
speot to the highways of this country ? There are
16,000 different local authorities, each of which have the
charge of roads. Now, each of these highways becom-
ing of great importance, as railways advanced, turnpike-
roads and high ways now of little importance, will become of
considerable value and importance. But what can be
fiotri is
tt ni s officeoe s w
such
which
more defective than the system that places a highway,
steenmtiroef
ma_
which is a continuous channel of consmunicatiepna,riasnhd,
which passes through different parishes under the con-
trql pf different parishes and different local trustees.
The result is, as have said, tbat the total number of
persons who:have the management of the highways in
this country is not less than 16,000. It is the prectice
of these trustees $o appoint a kurvpypt ia each
who knows nothing whatever about the matter
ni4hat
asaos
gsquer
euen
molqi
etifueefdtinthruthee di
tones
etyooacosffiet
bnes cvsemeeea rrrmyyodf
o.afi
rdbt
eatlhrrdhoiieaesdgi
ael
regulating
Indeed,
dtn,dteg:ers
fee et stillaltered,
defective
ve
es
management e
sn
yt
posi-
gthriaetvawnhceicaht
hisatraesguitlaitseydeieboymaryn
tAh eatt
of
re emn
et t 'yr: highwaysi
is
voluntary 'union for the purpose_
by which sever:awl pot;
8t
ahneese o:this A9l
car-
rigid into effect.—(Hear, hear.) 4ienri4gnii
being
itt lohceoansrtae:
is the very reason
mwhedy3:htherlse, iswhhardly
propose will not, onli Lave tbe'effect
Now, in order to re-
(!f. att#4in,eo retie) to frotA the Itiideri
.

which this system imposes on them, but I also propose a local one, my firm belief is that the landed interest
to alter this power from a voluntary to a compulsory would not benefit by that course. I am
notthep rent
one, in order that the parish authorities may be cone- therefore, to suggest any amendment to
polled to practiee this superintendence which is now but principle. But I have always certainly felt thrai()tteahsrintde;
voluntary; and if you agree to that you will then have was a fair claim for direct relief from somefll Icpe
only 600 authorities instead of 16,000.—(Hear, hear.) Some of these burdens would probabl
I would propose to make the guardians of the unions and from those land should be relieved.a I cannot
the parties upon whom it would be compulsory mention any compensation, but I believevemen.
to appoint a competent surveyor to discharge the duties lay a foundation for a great essential improvement
c.
utrguh
to which I have alluded. With regard to the system of taking upon the Government some of those
the voluntary union of parishes, I will first read a state- which now bear upon land. Some of those' charges
toahni a ftl aulinwdd-e:
ment I hold in my hand of the results of a different mode were brought under the notice of the House by the Hon.
of management adopted in a district of the north of Member for Somersetshire last year. I was then obliged
about about 70 miles in extent. (The Right Hon. Baronet to admit that the relief that we should devise for
say's
then read the document, in which it was agricultural interest would be but small, but I d
stated that by a different mode of management now, when you are about to deprive land ultimately of
the expenses had been reduced very materially. In protection, that I think the circumstances are x changed'e,
one instance where the charge upon the parish for the and that we may relieve the land to a greate tinnsf_.
maintenance of highways was from 6d. to 9d. in You have the opportunity of ascertainiug how this Ye
the pound, while many was completely thrown away, be effected, and I would only take the cases of felony, th
they now had better roads, and the tax was expenses of which are always thrown upon the land,
reduced to from is. 2d. to 3d- in the pound, and in other and perhaps a still greater illustration, the exp
districts the reduction was from 3d. to 4d. in the pound.( which arise from the offences which are classed as
I now come to deal with a law which has for a long d. meanours. By these means the charges that hr;'
ve,
time been very justly complained of by the agricul- hitherto been borne by the land ought to be reni,e
State,
turists. I mean the law of settlement.—(Hear, hear.) and that those expenses should be borne by the St
There is one law, of which the agriculturists cone- so as to render them equally imposed on all cla_to
l
sisets.
plain, and very justly, and that is the Poor-law settle- of the community. I think, therefore, that the
ment. In the time of prosperity many of the people necessary for this purpose ought to be provided by
are employed in manufacturing towns, and a great country, and that some provision should be matterf_,
portion of a man's life is often consumed as a the removal of these difficulties; and I sincerely trou_.',"
manufacturing labourer. The whole of his character that no unnecessary discussion will ensue on these pu
for good conduct and industry is derived from the town sions. Now, with respect to these circumstances,itogu;
in which he works. A revulsion in trade takes place, not to be forgotten that there is a material difference
and then what is the course adopted ? The man and between England and Ireland. In Irelanddthteh:
his family are sent back to the rural dis- are the peculiar land terms. In En
trict from which they came. The man who has matter is different. We have here our accustomed
spent his life as a manufacturer returns to the rural terms; but in Ireland they have no such advan gfe
districts, his usual eecupations are interrupted, and he In Ireland a material benefit would be obtained byi,,
. ministration to trade the advantages which
is quite unfitted for his new occupation. He is trans
ferred to a new home, and separated from his con- to be enjoyed by the agricultural interests. The b
flexions, and of course his moral feeling is destroyed. fits to be enjoyed by that interest are ilt;
I will therefore propose, for the purpose of re- to be taken from the advantages enjoyed by
a,',00
lieving the land from such a burden, and in order country. But in Ireland there is a consider_ll,_
to do justice to the labouring man, that an industrial of public convenience as well as profit, and it should, u.. 1;
are 1. ry.
residence in any parish for five years without the corn- observed, in order to come to a correct conclusion,.tsn.;
mission of any offence, shall give to the individual a set- the whole of the community are affected by the decf l_o
tlemement, and the power of removing him shall be taken at which you will arrive. Now, the burden
.uts
away. In the case of such a man after having land materially affect that decision, and I think tha
devoted five years to labour, his claim for support shall expenses imposed, in consequence of this source
not be on the place of his original settlement, but shall national inquiry, ought to be borne by the State rather
be on the place where the price of his labour and in- than by the landed interest, and that if
ought
dustry has been bestowed.—(Loud cheers.) In 1842, it should be imposed generally, it ,
when great distress prevailed in the manufacturing not to bear heavily on this part of ,h,
districts, the practice was that the manufacturers who United Kingdom. Now, if we take a fair view ole.
had settlements in the agricultural districts burdens, and of the advantages which land has to suer
were at once returned to their original settle- or enjoy, I believe that the benefits will be foune4
went. What I now propose will be a great im- preponderate, and that the labourer will enjoy 41_
provement, and, therefore, after the passing of profits which is likely to accrue to the State at large:
this law, no person who has resided for more than and particularly to this portion of the United Kingdess
five years in any parish shall be removed I believe this will be the means of placing the pt:
fro that parish. No residence in prison—in au lunatic force directly under the entire control of the Gofeffe
asylum—in hospital—or in any poor-house, or receiving meat, and prevent the possibility of all interference the
relief, to be counted as part of the time, and neither shall local interest.—(Hear, hear.) It will make
ke
it be reckoned as an interruption to the time. Not only st stem of police as perfect as you can possibly maul
this extend to the man, but to his children, and to it, and exclude all power of local knowledge, or .lens
the children of his wife—legitimate or illegitimate, under interference. I propose, therefore, that the Executive us!
the age of 16 years, and such children shall not be re- Government shall take under their entire control therurl:
moved where theremoval ofthepersonhimselfisforbidden. police of Ireland, and in order to make that control
e'f
that there shall not be the power of separating the clail- complete as possible, I propose that the expense r•
dren from their parents, and that every man shall have the force shall be paid out of the public Exchequeo
the power, the right of requiring support, not from his In fact, as some return for the withdravvr_a:
place of settlement, but birth. At present, immediately of protection, Government are disposed to lie
upon the death of a labouring man in the manufacturing commend that the whole charge of the rural Pore,
districts the widow of that man is removed. Now, we in Ireland shall be borne by the public. There is anoff'_,
shall propose that no widow residing with her husband charge borne by the landed interest of this CO We
at the time of his death shall be removable for try to which I wish to allude, and which w,s
twelve months from the parish in which her propose to share with them. I allude to medical renfr"t
husband resided. At present, when a man's —(Hear, hear.) If the performance of any one
health is wasted by extreme labour he has no course of the functions of tke Poor-law Commissioners
.n,
to adopt but to leave work. Now, we propose that in given more satisfaction to the country than anoorot
sickness an asylum shall be found for him, and there it is the way in which they have administered wed'
shall be no power of removal from the manufacturing to relief.--(Hear, hear.) And yet, I am sorry to ssl'
the rural districts.—(Hear, hear.) This, I think, this description of relief has often been es,
will be considered an alteration of the law by tremely- defective, and. many distressing cases ha's(
which great social advantages will be obtained, often been brought before our eyes in consequence
and at the same time relief to the agricultural districts. this defect.—(Hear, hear). We propose, therefore,le
—(Hear, hear.) I now approach another matter in improve the medical relief afforded to w 0(
respect to which lam prepared to advise that which, poor and destitute of the country.—(Cries
_.O
without loss to any other portion of the community, "Hear, hear.") Arid for the purpose of 013
will be a great advantage, not only to the the Executive greater control over the distributlo°„,
agricultural, but all the best interests of the medical • relief in England and Scotland. I ti*,
country. There is a dread of competition if the duty pose to take one-half' of the charge of the "le
is removed, but that competition may be met by skill medical relief of the country. Thus we shall 0
and industry, and in order that the English farmer may enabled to do away with the objections which have beer,
°
compete with the foreigner, we propose that the State shall urged by the guardians to the interference of the 1),,,
encourage agricultural improvements. Now on that subject hoe Commissioners, in the matter of medical relief, bYfl'h
the evidence with respect to the entailed estates is fact that we contribute one-half of the expenses wb'eof
most important, because it shows that, by means of im- the relief oceasions. I estimate that the amount
provement, there is a means of greatly improving the charge will be not less than 100,0001. in I;
produce of the land. It shows, also, that there land, and 15,0001. in Scotland. In Ireland the e
are immense districts in this country that might will be a separate law which passed this House
be very greatly improved by means of draining. time ago, and which will occupy the attention of '„;
The difficulty attending on any scheme of meeting the other House of Parliament in the course of the prose;
defective system of draining is shown in the re- session. With respect to Scotland there is a separel,
port I have alluded to. There have been various schemes charge to which I wish to refer, and from which 1 thin 4
proposed, and some of them by an Honourable Friend Scotland ought not to be released. The expenses of
of mine, to facilitate agricultural improvements, but maintaining a prison in Scotland I think °ugh",
they have been met with great difficulties in conse- to be borne by the public rather than by tor
quence of the • interference of the farmers, landed interest ; and, for the satisfaction sst
The great difficulty has been the raising of money the Perthshire landlords, I may state 4ie,
on entailed estates, so us to afford satisfactory security the expense of maintaining that establishmeat is
to those who might advance it.—(Hear, hear.) To ob- removed from the landed interest, and thrown on Wl',
viate this, 1 intend that the public credit shall be em- public. There is another subject, having referefl
ployed in order to effect agricultural improvements, by to the union workhouses, to which wish to dif.e!,
advancing sums of money on certain terms. Those the attention of the House. I mean the defect",
sums of money I intend shall be advanced when system of education which exists in some of these
application is made that improvements are to be establishments. I am anxious to avoid the 011;
effected, accompanied with a statement and a proper ing of any religious question, but I thin s
estimate of how it is to he expended.—(Hear, hear.) we may safely interfere in this matter Witlit
Hitherto, if we made advances of Exchequer-bills, it doing so. We propose in no way to interfere with tR;
was on a high rate of interest ; but in the present case, appointments of the officers, and to avoid, as I bill;
in advising an application of the public credit to effect stated, the raising of any religiousquestion, the apPthehe
agricultural improvements,l propose that the Exchequer- ment of the schoolmaster shall still remain with t°,
bill Commissioners shall be empowered to make advances guardians, but still we shall be ready, if the guardisca
to the proprietors of estates at a moderate annual charge. cannot procure thern,Eto undertake the expense Op
These grants, I propose, shall be made through duty of providing competent schoolmasters and scheess
the advice of a Board that is now in existence—l mean mistresses. If; however, the guardians claim the rig,."B
the Board of Inclosures. The Inclosure Commissioners of providing these officers themselves, we require that tr",
I propose shall make all inquiries respecting what parts officers shall possess ample qualification 4,
of the country should undergo improvement ; the performance of the duties which shall devolfof
they shall receive all applications for money, caleu- upon them. We shall claim the right a
luting the value of the land, the improvements inspection, because, if the schoolmaster t
proposed, and the amount of the expense they schoolmistresses shall be found incompetent, we shali"i
will cost; which done, they shall report the result ready at the public charge to find correct,.
in a circular to the Exchequer-bill Commissioners who and respectable persors to supply their plate
in that case shall on their advice make the advances re- It is our intention as well to undertake the duty 0
commended, it being arranged that the money so ad- educating the children of the destitute 1);
vanced shall have paid on it an annual rate and it shall be our care to provide propene
of interest, and also that the principal shall be re- and competent masters and mistresses '-
paid in regular yearly instalments.—(Hear.) But in that purpose. Then, again, with respect to auditr.hs;
this course I propose that in all cases where there are the amount of remuneration to be ,riven to them shal'b..
heavy burdens on land—where there are prior claims to the same as that of the Commissioners, Now," s a
meet by advances on mortgage or otherwise —that no serve, in almost every case in which I have propose,
advances shall be made by the Exchequer-bill Commis- any remission of the burdens on land, at the sit
sioners without the consent of the party having the lien, time I propose the attainment of some great objsslsi
In all such cases, however, I apprehend par- connected with the public good.—(Hear.) If this get
ties will perceive it to be their interest scheme will meet with the approval of the great
to consent to such advances, as they will of men, at a very early period all restrictions nr.'",b
lead to great improvements in the land, and do much to food will be removed, and instantly other duties Ifblys
enhance their interests in the property. I believe apply to the importation of food. With resPece est
an arrangement of this kind will be found a great clothing there will he liberty to purchase in the cheat
benefit ; that the objections to it on the market. With respect to medical matters there 111,11
ground of entailed estates may be obviated, and the also be a great improvement.—(Hear.) Ido hope b0:0
expenses so applied, I am certain, as to advance the parties will reflect, that instantly, with retpeet
interests of all proprietors, and lead to great agri- many articles of food there will be a free importaitt"
cultural improvements in the country.—(Hear, hear.) —with respect to all a free importation at an early ur":.
Ido not limit the amount of improvements to these Whether the measures I have proposed will be eeffiete4
merely local advantages. I believe that the spirit of to satisfy both parties I caneot say, but I sincere
improvement generated by this plan will go on pro- hope the entire scheme will be fairly% and debui:ll
gressively. I believe that every proprietor of land o ill rarely considered by both sides, and that you /1"
follow the example set him by scientific men, and reflect upon the consquences likely to result fro° tea
strive to improve his estate, and that this inneva- immediate rejection of these measures.—(Hear,lol4l%
Lion on the part of the Government will lead to an ex- Ido not ask for an immediate expression of opiol"
tended spirit of agricultural improvement over the country. at this moment, but, after the interval of n°
—(Hear, hear.) Well, that is another mode in short time I hope you will pay
which we propose to enable the agricultural interest to to my proposal. Permit me now, Sir, to conclude
meet the competition with which they may be threatened two observations—one upon foreign policy and our cf'sr,
on the withdrawal of the duty. Now, with respect to the mercial interests, and one having reference to our 00%
direct local burdens, I have given the most serious domestic concerns. Sir, I fairly avow that in 1325;10_0
consideration to this subject, and I cannot advise any these great reductions on the produce of fore''ir
material alteration of the system on which the countries, I have no guarantee that °t-
he'
assessments take place. There is no doubt that countries will immediately follow our WO
a sum is levied under the name of poor Wearied by our long enduring efforts—(Hear,
rate, which is employed partly for the we have resolved to consult our own immediate intere;,ll
purpose of relieving the poor, and partly for other ob- —(Loud cheers from all parts of the House.) We•
jects. It is said, and said with some apparent justice, not to oppress other countries, or ourselves, by e"-ef
that this is a charge upon land, and that, therefore, there tinuing excessive duties and the encouragenierlye
ought to be a very great alteration in the principle on unlawful taxation.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) ltb
which levies of that kind'were made. Now, in point of have no communication, therefore, whatever
fact, this charge is not a charge upon land.—(Hear, any other Government in making the proposals
hear.) As far as this charge is concerned, the oppo- we have submitted. I cannot promise yei bet
sition is not one between the country and France will make any considerable alteration it 1
the towns—the opposition is not one between tariff in consequence of our proposed alterations'o
land and other interests, the opposition is one that arises cannot promise you that Rtasia will prover ve
between real and personal property. But it must be gratitude to us for our reduction upon te;:to
remembered that real property includes mines, houses, You may tax your articles, therefore, in opPos;;":1,- otf
and manufactures, and it is such real property as this our present plan, to meet their ingratitude, hot
that is subject to this assessment. It might possibly be will exact nothing thereby. I may, perhaps, beatjt°o
considered just, and it might perhaps be advantageous, that in many foreign countries, since the relal-eid
to make personal property subject to a charge for of our duties, the people hare been benefited,. -00
the maintenance of the poor, but you must yet they have not followeel our example
recollect that the charge is a local charge, only have not followed our example, but have aelcie,
and not a general tax. The land could, however, gain highered the. deities on the -admission of eur li
nothing by making personal property liable fromr this tured goods into their countries.—(Hear.) I clula
rate. It will be no advantage to the land if the same Mit that fact. I give the whole benefit of that
of were carried out in Manchester, Stockport, ment. I rely upon that feet as a positive prOff'tb-s$
and other manufacturing towns. It would be only a dif- present policy of foreign countries. It is a fart teet
ferent distribution of the burden within that locality, other countries have not followed our example, rlll/111)°°
You may say, subject personal property to the change, they have. in fact, in some cases highered the duties the
but if you do you must also subject personal the a-..dialission of our goods. But what has beeLirtsre property in the rural districts;m. Hear, hear.) Bid result of that policy upon the amount of your expos es
now how will you levy small charges on houses S It is —(Hear, hear.) You have defied the regulau lonic
possible to levy a charge for the general purposes of the other countries.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") de
country, but if you mine to levy an amount small as export has greatly increased.—(Hear.) The tea of
this on personalueoce•
property,. you. may depend on it the smuggler has been in operation in conseq
_OO9
that this sort of inquisition will not be tolerated. the policy of other countries with respect to the "its
So far from it being a benefit to the land—considering sion and exportation of articles of manufacture clnetles,
that the charge is always a local one—so far from it being the strict regulations of continental countries'
a benefit to the land to raise the amount by means of an Your exports, whatever be the tariffs of other cote
steel
inquisition instituted by mere parochial authorities, it or the apparent ingratitude with which they ha,"7-, se"'
would be a burden to the land. Now lam quite you--your export trade, I say, great)}' 'lrj olet.
to admit that there might be parishes in which there may By the remission of dutiessa-4onasraw neatens'
be a large rural and a large manufacturing population. have been able to exceed the amount of tr,-0.-th°
Well, in parishes so situated, then, I do admit revenues of the country. And, notwithstauctive'val°
that I think the assessment an unjust one. existence of hostile tariffs, the declareild, tbe`
I am not prepared to suggest any mode of British exports has exceeded,' by 10,000et"hostile
of removing that evil, but I cannot think amount of the last three years. I say, then, t",a.." rka°:
that there would be any advantage whatever tari,Sco so far from being an argument against tu-nt to
to the land, considering that the charge is a lace), ere, val of restrictive duties, furnishes a strong argf•W'he orb'
in the establishment of an institution foe Gee purpose favour ; and depend upon it, that alt,llfg-you
of making inquires as to, Ilia utootini to be raised. nations may not at' first join with ;; 1 se;
If you do eos Soil Mast inquire into the profits the removat these d
tritely, and" he profits of the farmer might also be that your. exale will ultimate& PoruelY lit)
depend urn
made the subject of inquiry. You certainly have (War, hear.) When your example c fal'eee.
et an there 'quoted in favour of restrictions it- was
been charged upon personal property. Bite,
exceptions were taken—(The rest of the, sentence was , Arid when your example can be quoted in f"...i1l e°
lar,,geo,Jt:r of re;
lost, in consequence ttie eight Lion. .rmeet at the laaelion, as being conducive to your interests'tpote
ut firl
momeot torntog his beicic to' the gallery.)
_l. may not x 0
IQ have its proper weight. It !erg aware Nil
tiia(the' insight ta:ke upon i.tectc ttosi 44,totoliamoe
t(ie poor ; but lam cure thfira would be the I:eceived by Governments, or foreign buss but etensi-
'l, •
9a4ecti9A4 tct anti whiltt the cep.'— ,sreatest I upon it that the exercise of reaeole s.„nd ;Iladttee
--.6e continues to be deration of the common interest ~Wll4.