The Sun.
London, England, 1834-02-19 00:00:00

(No. 2,931.)

landed interests had no power over this unlimited importation,
and he conceived that they were entitled to some consideration
and some legislation on their behalf, by which an end would be
put to that monopoly which pressed so heavily upon them.
Mr. POTTER said he was quite sure the manufacturing and
commercial interests were opposed to monopolies; and that, in
general, they were the advocates of free trade. Hon. Gentle-
men from the agricultural districtacomplained of the great pres-
sure of the poor rates ; but he could not help thinking a good
deal of it was occasioned by mismanagement. In Manchester
the poor rate, for the last seven years, had not averaged more
than 3s. 6d. in the pound. Employment was, no doubt, more
abundant in manufacturing districts ; but a much better system
was pursued in them than in the farming districts. In the latter,
the industrious and independent labourer was put on a footing
with the idle and dissipated one, which produced the worst con-
sequences.
Mr. FINCH said it was quite absurd to say that the inte-
rests of the agricultural and commercial interests were diffe-
rent. What was detrimental to the one was injurious to the other.
Any person particularly acquainted with the agricultural inte-
rest of the country would know well enough there was no
interest that required more to be nursed. The agricultu-
rist had been subject to such severe losses, he would not say
owing to taxation, that it had occasioned a destruction of ca-
pital almost beyond calculation. And he could add to this
the burdens laid on the British agriculturist as compared with
those with whom they had to compete was as ten to one. It
was chimerical to suppose that the landlords of England could
submit to any arrangement by which they would be put under
restrictions; that could never be the case. He considered the
question one of great national importance, as it amounted to
nothing less than this—was a nation like England to be, de-
pendent on foreign countries for her corn ?—(Hear, hear.)
He believed if the manufacturett_ knew theis true i.uterest,
they would do all in their power to uphold those restrictions
which existed to the importation of foreign corn into this
country.

Mr. WALKER concurred entirely with the Hon. Member
for Cork in his statements of the humanity of the English land-
lords. He admitted that absenteeism was a great curse to
Ireland, but at the same time he must say that many of the'
absentee landlords in that country were as merciful to their
tenants as the residents. He ':admitted that the absentee land-
lords did great injury by drawing the rent and spending it in
another country, but with respect to the Aristocracy of Ireland
he must be allowed to say that they were not tyrants over their
peasantry. The tyrants were not the Aristocracy or the gentle-
men, but the middlemen, who took the land from the landlord.
He believed that the aristocracy were not tyrants ; but those
middle—men who had an interest from the landlords were
tyrants of the worst sort, oppressing and driving the people to
the last state of misery. Last year there was a kind of set
made against the landlords and landed interest of Ireland. They
were now saddillng the landords with the county cess, with
tithes, and poor rates, and threatened them with a repeal of the
corn laws. There must be a reduction of rent if the corn
laws were repealed, and in that case the landlords of Ireland
would receive nothing ; the rent would not be more than suf-
ficient to payoff the incumbrances upon the land. If they were
reduced to that state, it would be a boon if the Government
would purchase their estates, and let them go to America.
The petition was then ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. GASKELL presented a petition from a physician, of
the name of Samuel Crowder, residing in York, praying that
the House would take into consideration the state of lunatic
asylums throughout the country; and that a Board, consisting
of nine physicians and three civil engineers, might be ap-
pointed for the purpose of visiting those asylums which
were built for the reception of pauper lunatics. The
petitioner stated that he had visited various Insti-
tutions of different kinds, and he proved that those which
were liable to inspection were better conducted than those which
were not so liable.
Petition laid on the table.
Mr. HODGES presented a petition from Sleitb, in Kent,
praying for a repeal of the malt-tax.
Mr. FINN took that opportunity of condemning the intro-
duction of topics tending to excite animosity between landlord
and tenant. No good could arise from such observations, which
were only calculated to set one class against another.
Mr. HODGES said that in his opinion there could be no
more substantial relief to the agriculturists than the repeal of
the malt tax. With regard to the observations of the Hon.
Member for Southwark, that the rent ought to be reduced as a
means of relief, it was a matter of notoriety that on all the mid-
dling land of England the rent had already fallen, and in a
short time, he feared, it would extend over all the coSntry. He
thought, however, that relief should not be sought from such a
source.

Mr. A. JOHNSTONE said he thought it would be a very
proper measure to lay an additional duty upon spirits. He had
reason to believe that a proposition would be made from Scot.
land for an increase of the duty upon spirits. The duty was
much lower in Scotland than in England, and the consequence
was the population of Scotland was more demoralized by the
pernicious liquid being within their reach. The returns which
might be had from the police would show to what a lamentable
extent this demoralization prevailed. A proposition would be
brought forward for raising the duty to that of England, and
he could add, that he had lately conversed with Highland pro-
prietors of extensive estates, and they were convinced that the
advantages which they thought to be gained by smuggling was
all the other side, and they now concurred in the proposition
for laying an additional charge upon spirits.
Mr. STRICKLAND heard a proposition for the increase of
taxes with pain. All the country were, looking for a reduction
of taxation, and any argument drawn from what he could not
help calling spurious morality,by rendering the people more sober,
was a very bad one. There was no greater fallacy than to say,
that by placing a tax on the spirits and food of the people their
condition cou:d be improved. They would not be more improved
either in their habits or virtuous principles; but increase their
education, and the effect would be immediate on both. They
would become soon sensible of their own bad habits, and the
dreadful effects of ardent spirits on their health. Instruction
was the quickest mode of bettering a people, because it made
them susceptible of good feeling, and taught them to appreciate
the advantages of proper habits. To increase taxation could
never alleviate the people's distress. He most heartily con-
curred with the Hon. Gentleman who advocated a repeal of the
malt tax, and he was very glad to hear that the financial de.
partment was in such a state as to admit of taking off the malt-
tax. He did not imagine that the mode of relief by taking off
the malt tax should be pre-eminently considere 1 as above all
other modes of relief. The corn laws, by being altered would
afford the greatest relief to the people at large. With regard to
the question of reduciug the rentals, were Hon. Members aware
that since the peace rents were reduced by one half? He con-
sidered the corn laws to operate as an impediment to industry,
and every argument he had heard led him to the conclusion
that an alteration of the corn laws would be the most whole.
some and the most favourable measure that could be introduced
for the relief of the country.

Mr. HARDY fully concurred in the observations made by

the Honourable Member (Mr. Johnstone) as to increasing the
tax on spirits. Some speculative evils might be imagined
from the increase of taxation, perhaps, but:they bore no compe-
tition with the overwhelming evils that daily afflicted the coun.
try from the use of that liquid fire which the people were in
the habit of drinking. He was an advocate for education cer-
tainly ; but every improvement that could be made in the mo-
rality of the people should be made, independent of education.
It was not to be supposed that there were not afferent modes of
increasing the comfort and bettering the habit of a people as
well as education. Do away with the gin shops, and it would
be the best branch of education in which to instruct the people.
➢lr. HODGES then presented a petition from the same place
for the abolition of tithes; it complained that tithes were an
intolerable burden, and prayed that both in England and Ire-
land they should be abolished—(Hear, hear)—aud that the pro.
ceeds be appropriated for the use of the poor and the support of
the Church. He must say that he did not concur in all the
views of the petitioners, and he could not help thinking that in
consequence of the oppressive burdens which they laboured
under, and their distresses, they had been induced to har-
bour a temporary feeling of injustice. At the same time he
would be most favourable to a just and honourable commuta.
tion of tithes.
Mr. H. GRATTAN suppotted the prayer of the petition ;
and as he had a very important petition to present on the same
subject, he gave notice that he would present it to-morrow,
when he hoped to see some one of his Majesty's Ministers
present.

Mr. F. O'CONNOR expessed his hearty concurrence in the
prayer of the petition.
Mr. HODGES next presented two petitions from a place
called (as we understood) Sutton Ballance, in Kent, for the
repeal of the malt-tax, and for the abolition of tithes.
Captain YORKE had two petitions to present from the

. .
archdeaconry and clergy of the Isle of Ely. The first was
signed by fifty persons, which was a great number, considering
the small extent of the archdeaconry. It stated that the

concessions which had been made in favour of the Dissenters,
so far from giving satisfaction, had only laid the
foundation for further demands ; that the petitioners were per-
fectly ready and willing to remove all just grounds of com-
plaint; and that they thought the establishment of a general
registration of births would be desirable : but they prayed the
House to resist with determination and firmness every attempt
to injure the Church of England, and to reject any measure tend-
ing to render the property of the Church insecure. The Hon.
Member said he would not make any remarks on the petition,
because he was unwilling to provoke discussion. It might be
said that they were peculiarly interested in upholding tht
Church Establishment ; they were so, but they were a body of
crious persons, who were devoted to the general interests of the
established religion of this country; and it was that feeling
only which guided them, and not any feeling of personal
aggrandizement. The other petition was from the same per.
sons, praying for a better observance of the Sabbath.
Mr. EWART presented a petition from Mr. John Smith
and Mr. William Dolier, of Liverpool, praying for the estab.
lishment eta model school, under the protection of the liegiidu