The Sun.
London, England, 1833-01-08 00:00:00

SILK TRADE.

I (From the IllaccleNfield courier.)
The attention of the public has been so much
occupied, for the last six months, by matters of g.-
tieral intetest, that we have not thought it judicious
to enter into subjects possessing, apparently, but
local attraction. The present period of repose seems
favourable for the consideration of those matters of
internal policy, upon which the permanent happi-
ness of the community must depend. Our readers
are well aware that a Committee of the House of
Commons was engaged for upwards of five months
of the past year in hearing evidence on the state of
the silk trade. The evidence given before it is now
published ; but when we inform our readers that it
is extended to upwards of 900 folio pages, corn.
prising 12,805 questions, besides various appendices
they will readily see how imperfect and limited mus
be the circulation of such a volume of matter, how-
ever momentous may bo its real importance. So
far as our means and opportunities will permit us,
we intend to select some of the most material parts
of the evidence, and we shall for the present limit
ourselves to the publication of the statistics it deve-
lops, furnishing matter for grave and serious consi-
deration, officially authenticated, and, of course,
not open to the imputation of bias or prejudice with
which opinions delivered under such circumstance•
are generally met.

By way of enabling our readers to apply these
details to the points in issue before the Committee,
we beg to add,

That up to 25th March, 1824, the import of ravk
silk from Bengal was subject to a duty of 4s. per lb.
and from oilier parts of 5:. 6d. per lb.; and 0!
thrown silk from all parts of I4s. Sd. per lb.,—the
import of manufactured goods was prohibited in
1765, and still continued to be so.
On the 25th March, 1824, the duties upon raw
silk were reduced to a nominal amount, and upon
thrown silk to 7s. 6d. per lb.
On the sth November, 1825, by Treasury mi-
nute, without notice to the parties interested, or the
sanction of Parliament. they were further reduce()
to 53.

On the sth July, 1826, the duties upon some de-
scrip • dons of thrown silk were further reduced, and
foreign manufactured silk goods allowed to be im-
ported, paying certain duties.
On the sth July, 1829, the duties upon thrown
silks, and also upon manufactured silk goods, were
further reduced, upon the calculation of the Govern.
ment, that they would then afford efficient protection
to the trade, and entirely stop smuggling.
We confine ourselves now to extracts from the
evidence relating to poor-rates; and we beg ow
readers to mark how closely the removal of protec-
tion and the increase of distress are identified :
GENERAL EXPENSES of th

se PARISH of NUNEATON.
During these years there was
no Select Vestry, and there
was great mismanagement ;
for, in 1820,1,920 pa up:rs cost
3,224/. or 34s 9d. per head ;
whereas, in 1832, 3,240 pau-
pers were supported for
3,7591., or about 235. 2d. per
head.

To Lady-day, 1818 3938
1819 419.,

181)
1321 a3s3-
1822.... lBB2
3 2382
11188.82522 4 ..........
1826 _ _

In 1821, Select Vestry appoint-
ed. The five years' expenses
before the importation of
French ribbons, was 11,8211.
k. Bd.

1827 '2OOl
The five years' expenses, after
1828 =307
the importation of French
182.9 4411
ribbons was allowed 15,2911.
1:3 3 o 3619 Is Bd.
Mil 4782 '
AMOUNT of ASSESSMENTS for POOR-RATES for SHER.