The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-24 00:00:00

In answer to Lord GEORGE BENTINCK,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that
the whole sum expended for the relief of Ireland up to the
end of July last was about 9,135,000/.
After a short conversation,
Lord JOHN RUSSELL observed that the Hon. Member
for Stroud, in objecting to the vote, did not seem to consider
that an immense change was going on in Ireland, nor to
make due allowance for the necessity under which both land-
lord and tenant were compelled to act. The burden upon
landed property in Ireland had been changed from 400,0001.
to 1,800,0004, in itself a . great and important change.—
(Hear, hear.) Another change which had taken place in
Ireland was this—that whereas in 1836 there were no corn
or provision dealers in Ireland, there were now dealers in
those articles in every part of that country. Seeing the
change which had taken place of late years in Ireland, and
the burdens imposed, which, in particular districts, pressed
Lo heavily, he thought it was their duty to aid in the tran-
sition, and that it could not be said they in any way
wasted the money of the country by assisting certain unions
to bear the very great burdens which had been placed upon
them, borne, as these had been, on the whole, with a degree
of readiness which was highly creditable.—(Hear, hear.)
With respect to the future, that, no doubt, would be the
subject of discussion, and he did not wish to enter upon
it at that late hour. All he had to say was, that in
our present circumstances he did not think it would be
wise to lay down a system or propose a plan. We did not
know what was the extent of the present failure of the po-
tato cultivation—what was the exact amount of the very
great increase of potato cultivation which took place in the
present year, as compared with the amount of last year; we
did not know what amount would be saved, or to what pe-
riod the stock would last; and under these circumstances he
thought it would be very imprudent to lay down a plan.—
(Hear, hear.) Government must, to a certain degree, rely
upon the confidence of the Parliament; they would not ask it
unnecessarily, or without a due regard to economy. If they
saw cause to call for extraordinary measures, they would
then assemble Parliament immediately, and propose to it
such measures as they thought fit.—(Hear.) In the present
state of affairs, seeing the number of Members who were ab-
sent, they did not propose, at the end of the session, to lay
down any general system or
plan by which they should in-
variably abide.—( Hear.)
After a few words from Sir D. NORRRITS and Mr. P.
SCROPE, the vote was agreed to.

The CHANCELLOR-of the EXCHEQUER then moved
a vote of 130,9651., to defray the expense incurred in British
North America, on account of sick and destitute emigrants
who had arrived in Canada from Ireland during the year
1847. This was the last time that such a vote would have
to be brought forward, for he was happy to say that for the
future the Canadians would provide for the emigrants them-
selves, and they had even undertaken to adopt measures with
a view to prepare lands for their reception immediately after
their arrival.— (Hear, hear.)
Mr. HUME would most joyfully give his assent to the vote,
for he was of opinion that the grant was due as a matter of
justice to the Canadians, who had behaved with the greatest
kindness to the unfortunate emigrants who were cast homeless
and destitute on their shores. Their benevolence was beyond
all praise, and entitled them to the gratitude and admiration
of that House.—(Hear; hear.)
Mr. MACGREGOR expressed his entire acquiescence in the
sentiment expressed by the Hon. Member. If ten times as
large a grant had been proposed he should have supported it,
for it would be nothing more than was due to the Canadians
for their uniform humanity to the emigrants.—(Hear.)
Mr. HENLEY was of the same opinion. The conduct of
the Canadians to the emigrants transcended all praise.
The vote was agreed to.
The last vote was for a sum of 500,0004, to discharge the
like amount of supplies granted for the year 1847.
The vote was agreed to.
The House resumed, and the report was ordered to be re-