The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-26 00:00:00

The circular states that the Labour-rate Act,
which came into, operation in the month of August
last, had the advantage of assessing all landed pro-
perty according to its value, but the disadvantage
of applying only to unprofitable works. The fatal
character of this latter defect, and the modification
of its provisions by the well-known letter of the
Chief Secretary, of the 6th October last, in pur-
suance of the almost universal remonstrance of the
landed interest, are facts of which one is aware.
This defect, which was pointed out almost imme-
diately on the bringing the Act into operation,
could not fairly be imputed to the Govern-
' tnent. The public works were intended by
the Ministry to be merely auxiliary to private exer-
tion and private enterprise. In this point of view
there is no doubt that the Act would have had a most
beneficial operation, but it was carried out in a manner
wholly-different from that which was contemplated.
I n place of being a mere aid, it became the chief, if
not the only means, of employment for the starving
population. A. moderate and reasonable sum might
have been well expended on public works, but the
enormous amount required for the support and main-
tenance of the people would have imposed an in-
tolerable burden on the real property of the country,
unless it could be applied to works of a reproductive
character. The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland took
upon himself a great and serious responsibility,
n order to afford a remedy for this gigantic evil. He
was, however, bound to keep as near the principle
that had been sanctioned by the Legislature as pos-
ale. The Senate has. not yet recognised the pro-
priety or expediency of freeing all persons who give
employment to the quantity of labour, which should
fairly be provided for by their lands, and who should
expend their proportion of the labour rate in the em-
ployment of persons who should otherwise be occu-
pied on the public works, from any further contribu-
tion to that rate. We fully assent to the propriety of
the principle ; indeed, we have pressed it at various
times upon the public attention. We did so on the 12th
:,f September last, and on several occasions since, more
especially when commenting on the bold and states-
manlike plan promulgated by the Irish Executive;
but Lord BESBOROUGII could scarcely be expected to
take such a step without the legislative sanction
having been received for the principle. The com-
mittee point out a striking example of the additional
burden that would fall on the willing landlords, and
the manner in which those who refused to give the
required undertaking would evade their just respon-
sibility. They alsd offer seven different suggestions
for an amended Labeur-rate Act," to expire in
August, 1847, in all of which we fully concur, but to
which we are unable to refer more fully this day.

It is so seldom that we hear of anything like
cordial good feeling existing between the governors
and the governed in any of our colonial dependencies,
that where we do meet with symptoms of its ex-
istence we feel it a duty to call public attention to
the fact. In the performance of this gratifying duty,
we beg to direct attention to an article on British

Guiana, extracted: from the Colonial Gazete,
which will be found in another column.
The Honourable H. E. F. YOUNG, who has
held the office of Government Secretary from 1834
to 1846, has just arrived in England, and on his de-
parture an address was presented to him, signed by
the Elective members of the Court of Policy of Deme-
rara, the members of the Combined College of Elec-
tors, and the other inhabitants of Georgetown, bearing
testirnopyrby universal assent, to the zeal, diligence,
and competency with which he has usefully exercised
his official functions in the colony. This address was
forwarded to Mr. YOUNG by Mr. PETER ROSE, Wh(
in his letter, says, "It has been my let to be op-
posed to you
localin the politics, perhaps, more than
any other
individual in
the colony; it is a consola-
tion to me to be able to record that our political
strife never interrupted our social intercourse ; the
causes which gave rise to our differences of opinion
on local measures have long since passed away,
and it affords me great pleasure to bear testimony to
your unwearied zeal in the discharge of the various
public duties you have been called on to perform. I
can confidently assert that her MAJESTY has few ser-
vants in her colonial possessions who possess your
ability, and none of greater powers of mind or more
con&lia:tory manners." This testimony to the manner
in which Mr. TOUNG has perform d his arduous duties
from 1834 to 1846 (which includes the period of the
abolition of slavery, the apprenticeship, and the en-
tire emancipation) is creditable alike to the colony
and to the secretary. It is much to be desired the t
the nuthorities in all our colonies should take ex-
ample by Mr. YOUNG, and conduct themselves so as to
acquj.re, as he has done, the confidence of
those, over whom they are placed in authority.
The address likewise alludes to certain important
requirements of the colony, but we must defer the
cells ideration of them to another opportunity.

Augsburgh Gazette of the 18th instant an-
nounces that the three Powers propose to address a
new note, in justification of their proceedings, to the
Cabi nets of Paris and London, in the course of the
present month, and to publish it, subsequently, in the
publi journnls. The same paper adds that, on the
15th Instant, the Russian and Prussian military posts
were removed from Cracow.

A 3 etter from Copenhagen states that, in conse-
quenct of the dearness of provisions, the King of
DENiu 3-11 s has published an order of the day, giving
to eacl i soldier an augmentation of pay of four skil-
lings (about 20 centimes) a day, and an additional
loaf e very three days. Each soldier married with
the a Ithorisation of Government, and having three
childi •en or more, is to receive a second additional loaf
every three days.

Me 'arid papers of the 15th, and letters of the 16th,
have arrived. The following is given as the state of
the e't ection returns known on the 16th
203
Opposition

On I,y 46 returns remained to be known, the Con-
gress being composed of 335 delegates, according to
then electoral law.
TI Eco del Comercio announces the arrival of
Gene ral Plum in Madrid.

T he Espanol declares that ISTURITZ, SANZ,
and CANEJA, have tendered their resignation ;
and the Eco de Comercio says that so
lively is the quarrel between MON and 'STU-
RITZ. „ that the former refused to dine at the same
table with ti le latter. According to the Clamor Pub-

lico k knorls7 Tam is to be sent as ambassador to some
foreil ;71 Court.. The Ileraldo, in allusion to these
rumcw.rs, decla tes that many of them are premature,
but dot ts not d( my that a change is at hand.
law CID BO' &A, DEC. 18.—The Three per Cents.
were 4 one at 3 4 for cash ; the Four per Cents. at 21;
the Five per C (knts. at 21i ; the Vales at Si ; the
Debt ivi thout In terest, at 6i-; and the Coupons, at 193,

We have reef ived the Paris papers of 'Wednesday.
The Emperor ,of Russia has at length found a
champion worth r 44-f him in the Presse—the Minis-
terial F'resse—wi icy
thus justifies the absorption of
Poland into the R uss ian empire
" The men who g ely discuss at present the point
w bother Russia is golui •or not to include the kingdom
of Poland:in her donlaii, and who speak of a European

indeed, be most unfortunate for Ireland if such was
the case. There has been far too much distrust
already exhibited. These petty jealousies have pre-
vented the cordial co-operation of persons of opposite
political feelings. We hope that the proceedings of
the Irish landlords and their committee will show
how unfounded were the fears and doubts that so
long prevented an association so beneficial to the
country.
On the 18th instant the committee issued their
first circular. As might have been expected, it re-
lated to the practical defects of the Labour-rate Act,
and the modification of -it under Mr. LABOUCHERE'S
letter. It has been extensively circulated through
the landowners, and the gentlemen to whom it was
forwarded have been ri quested to take the trouble of
ascertaining the opinions of influential persons in
their several districts with respect to the suggestions
therein contained. The committee do not by any
means bind themselves thereto, but desire to obtain
the opinions of practical men in various localities as
t. their applicability to the wants of the country; they
request that every publicity may be given to their
circular, and that any resolutions passed at relief
committees, baronial sessions; or elsewhere, in re-
ference thereto, may be forwarded to one of the
honorary secretaries as soon as possible.