The Sun.
London, England, 1866-10-24 00:00:00

Extra Parliamentary Utterances.

The annual meeting of the Witheridge (North
Devon) Agricultural Aseociation was held on Mon-
day. At the dinner, the Right Hon. Sir S. Northco te,
M.P. (President of the Board of Trade), presided,
his colleague, Mr. T. D. Acland, M.P., being also
present.

Sir S. NORTHCOTE, in responding to the toast of
his health, said he came to Witheridge with some
doubt on his mind as to the beneficial effects of
ploughing matches—a subject upon which much
diversity of opinion existed. Having come by no
means prejudiced in their favour, what he had seen
that day convinced him that agricultural societies
were useful and valuable institutions. In the first
place, the spirit of emulation engendered among
their young men, who were, by means of the All
England prize, brought into competition with dis-
tinguished ploughmen who were able to show them
the highest specimens of the art, must do a great
deal towards promoting the special work which they
were endeavouring to forward. They had matches
of all kinds—rifle, archery, horse racing—and
surely in so useful and important a work as that of
ploughing the same principle could be brought into
play with advantage. It must be satisfactory to
them to know that they had men among them who
could hold their own against those who came from
a distance. On being shown the work of the latter
gentlemen (who were supposed to show them how
their ploughing should be done), and afterwards
work contiguous thereto of persons belonging to the
district, he (the right hon. baronet) could not but
see that, although they had no doubt something to
learn, the ploughmen of Witheridge were not by any
means behind. (Hear, hear.) The establishment of
ploughing matches had done a great deal towards
elevating the standard of that kind of work. If
they looked, therefore, at the effect of agricultural
associations on the ploughing of the ground alone
they were obviously well worth keeping up. But they
must also consider the indirect advantages of these
meetings. They caused large bodies of men in-
terested in the practical work of agriculture to
assemble—not as mere theorists—but as men who
who were fully alive to the importance of conduct-
ing their business so as to make a living out of it.
(Hear, hear.) They came together to compare ideas
one with another, to watch the operations of the
competitors, and at the same time to converse upon
subjects which had a common interest for all. Such
meetings as these, if they were conducted in a libe-
ral spirit, must be productive of great good. (Hear.)
Societies such as they sometimes found in small
places, which were formed merely for the purpose of
keeping alive local prejudices, would do harm instead
good; but where they had meetings of men who
were prepared to look boldly at their position, to
the wants which they experienced, to the difficulties
which existed, and to the means of meeting those
difficulties ; it they met to express and submit for
discussion, as Captain Davy had, opinions, perhaps,
with which their audience might differ, these meet-
ings, he was convinced, would result in benefit to
all. (Hear, hear.) The agricultural interest of
England was now in rather a critical position—and
not only the agricultural interest, but all interests
which depended upon the employment of labour.
There was a great difficulty just now in obtaining a
sufficient supply of properly trained labourers for
nearly every branch of industry. Not very long
ago he had the good fortune to be present at a meet-
ing in Liverpool, and while there he had occasion to
see what was going on among our enterprising mer-
chants, especially those engaged in the commercial
shipping of this country ; and there he met with
the same kind of complaint as he found in the
rural districts. There was a great difficulty in
obtaining a supply of seamen of the same class
which formerly manned our commercial navy.
Superior advantages were offered in so many other
occupations, that, in spite of the high rate of wages
given, the men failed to come forward in sufficient
numbers, and those who did were not so well trained
nor so ready to do their duty as formerly. Ile (Sir
Stafford) was asked whether it was not pessible to
devise some measures for remedying this evil, and it
was a question of such great national interest that
public attention would inevitably have to be given
to it. But he ventured to say to those gentlemen
who spoke to him on the subject, " You may natu-
rally deem this matter one of national importance,
and that it is desirable Government should assist in
obtaining a supply of seamen for your ships ; but
recollect, the difficulty of which you complain does
not exist in your branch of industry alone—there
are other classes who also complain of a deficiency
in the supply of labour ; and if we endeavour to
increase that supply by artificial means the agricul-
tural interest may justly complain that we are
drawing labourers away from them." (Hear, hear.)
Now, he recommended that persons engaged in
every kind of business, and especially in one so im-
portant as agriculture, should frequently meet to-
gether and endeavour as far as possible by mutual
consultation to discover what were their difficulties,
and in what way those difficulties were to be met.
They must remember that many advantages might
be offered to the labourer which might act as a
counterpoise to the inducements of higher wages in
other trades. If they took upon themselves the
duty of making his position as comfortable and ad-
vantageous as possible they would thereby find for
themselves the best mode of procuring that supply
-which was so essentially necessary for the further-
ance of their own interests. One efficient was
undoubtedly better than two or three slovenly
and inefficient labourers ; therefore, their first aim
should be to make their situation as attractive as
possible to the best labourers, for those were
the men who went away, while the least effi-
cient remained at home. (Hear, hear.) They
could not fight against the great law of supply and
demand. If men found that by going a certain dis-
tance from home and engaging in other occupations,
they could obtain better livelihoods and more favour-
able positions in society, it was no use preaching to
them that they ought to stay where they were. It
was obviously their duty to induce labourers to re-
main at home by making them more comfortable and
rendering them more efficient. This opened up the
question between landlord and tenant, and was one of
the points on which meetings of that kind were ex-
tremely useful. The tenant farmers, who were endea-
vouring to maintain themselves and reap a profit out
of the cultivation of the land, should compare notes
with their landlords, and endeavour to ascertain what
were the matters in which they could best assist their
labourers. He completelyrecognised the correspond-
ing duty on the part of the landlord as compared with
the duty of the tenant. But it was of no use meeting
together to make general observations, or to complain
that they could not do their part because the landlords
did not do theirs. Practical men should makeup their
minds as to what their landlord should be called upon
to do ; because, however well disposed a landowner
might be to do everything necessary for the advan-
tage of his tenant, he was often at a loss in which
way best to apply his money. Sometimes, having
been taken by some theory advanced in a periodical
or by a crotchetty professor, he laid out a great deal
of
money, but found out, after all, that it did not
answer and that he had much better have kept the
money inollispocketii But where the landlord had in-
telligent tenants,twowould show him that they were
doing their part,
bat they required better farm build-
ings, improved cottages for their labourers, and as-
sistance in draining the land, who would show him
what they
that they understood
eywere about—that if
their
he laid out his capital under
advice it would
be productive of advantage in a
greet number of
ways—then he (Sir Stafford) believedl ords would
always be found ready to do their duty. If they
did not, then let them bear the responsibility—he
had no desire to screen them. (Cheers.) In deve-
loping a science like that of agriculture they mustst,
bear in mind two points. It was important to Study
to some extent general principles, to keep themselves
acquainted with the general march of events, and
to be informed of the condition of agriculture and
of all interests connected with it both in this and
other countries. On the other hand, it was also
necessary that they should observe the local condi-
tions under which they lived ; because a man farm-
ing an estate at Witheridge was not farming an
estate in general ; he must not treat the matter like
a professor who was dealing with agriculture as a
science. With the local knowledge supplied by a

practical acquaintance with the estate, he ought to
know, not what land in general would do, but what
his own land in particular would do ; not what
were the implements employed and the mode of cul-
tivation adopted in other parts, but what were the
implements and what the culture most suited to his
particular farm. But he could not do this without
a general knowledge of the principles upon which
operations were conducted elsewhere ; and the
knowledge of his own land enabled him to judge
how falithose principles were applicable by himself.
This gave him (the speaker) an opportunity of say-
ing a word in connexion with his department of
Government—he referred to the collection of agri-
cultural statistics. It was important for the inte-
rests not only of the agricultural, but of every other
portion of the community, that full and correct infor-
mation should be obtained of the progress of agricul-
ture in different parts of thecountry. Many gentle-
men supposed that the questions put to them were
addressed in a prying spirit, in order to obtain in-
formation with regard to individual concerns.
This was quite a mistake : the only motive of Go-
vernment was to ascertain the condition of agri-
culture at the present time, what the amount of
acreage, what classes of crops were being raised,
and what amount of stock was being kept. It was
desirable to obtain that information from year to
year, so as to mark the progress of the country, and
to compare one portion with another. Some persons
asked what was the use of this information ? Doubt-
less, in a single year the statistics desired would be
of very little use ; but their utility was obvious
when collected during a series of years. Take, for
instance, the question raised so many years ago
the feeding of cattle upon root crops. It would have
been interesting if they could have seen how far the
breaking up of the country for the cultivation of
root crops affected the number of cattle. And then,
again, when so much of the land was laid down to
grass, it would have been useful to see how the in-
troduction of artificial manures, and the adoption
of particular systems of industry, had an increased
effect upon the produce of the country. How to ob-
tain this information in the least unpalatable man-
ner to those called upon to supply it was a matter
which had for the last 30 years been under the con-
sideration of Government. Thirty years ago the first
attempt was made to obtain agricultural statistics,
and the information was in one or two counties
sought by application to the clergy. They refused ;
and afterwards in other counties similar applications
were made to boards of guardians, but they would
not comply with the request of Government. It
was true the application was favourably received in
Norfolk ; but on the whole great reluctance was ma-
nifested to make use of that machinery. Then it was
attempted to make the matter compulsory ; but the
bills brought into Parliament for that purpose al-
ways failed. A committee of the:House of Lords sat,
inquired into the subject, and reported upon it ; and
now this last attempt had been made to obtain the
information through the intervention of the officers
of Excise. So far it seemed to be successful. He had
read the returns of stock with the exception of a few
instances in which the numbers had been estimated.
Nine-tenths of the returns. were made very freely,
having been a little stimulated, perhaps, in some parts
by the presence of the cattle plague. The acreage re-
turns were not complete, but iu many cases he be-
lieved the reports were very good. He hoped they
would consider this subject as being one which
affected the interests of the whole country. He
argued that as farmers were interested in statistics
connected with every other trade, with the exports
and imports of the country, and with the produce of
America, France, and other parts of the world, they
ought in mere fairness willingly to furnish informa-
tion relating to themselves. (Hear.) He asked them
to talk over the matter among themselves ; and if
they thought the present mode of collecting statistics
objectionable, they should try to suggest a better.
These were points on which the Government were
in the dark—they were feeling their way. It was
said that it would not do to collect statistical infor-
mation through the police, the clergy, or Boards of
Guardians ; and, now they were trying the revenue
officers, they were told that would not do also? Now
Government asked, "Is there any way, or are you
determined that this information shall not be forth-
coming ? And, if you are, let us know what are your
reason 3, if you have any ?" for he: confessed he was
not able to arrive at any conclusion with regard to
the objections against giving agricultural statistics.
He felt deeply interested in the welfare of British
agriculture. He was perfectly certain that at the
present time it was in a critical position, and he was
also quite certain that the way to overcome the diffi-
cuhies with which they had to contend was to en-
courage the most perfect freedom of intercommuni-
cation between all classes, to disclose with readiness
the difficulties which arose, and to meet all ques-
tions in a liberal and candid spirit, making at the
same time proper allowances for local views, local
knowledge, and even (if it be so) local prejudice ;
because he believed local prejudice to be generally
founded on something that had truth at the bottom.
(Applause.)
Mr. ACLAND, M.P., responded to the toast of
" The Members of Parliament for North Devon."
After some introductory remarks, the hon. gentle-
man said he thought the House of Commons was on
its trial. Fearful disclosures had lately been made
before the commissions of inquiry, such as had never
been reported before. (Hear, hear.) Those who.
had made it impossible for the _Liberal party, to
which it was his pride to belong, to carry to a suc-
cessful issue that which they believed to be for the
good of the country—a measure for dealing tem-
perately, moderately, and conscientiously with the
great question of Reform—had incurred a solemn
responsibility. (Cheers.) While regretting much
of the intemperance in Mr. Bright's speeches, he
had learnt to respect but not to over-estimate his
power. He did not believe that the late Govern-
ment had been led by him, and while not over-
estimating the hon. gentleman's power they must
be careful not to over-estimate the amount of
danger which his influence might be expected to
produce. (Hear, hear.) While then he (Mr.
Arland) was in fay.our 0
; of Reform, he was not
an aanwelS.xetraenmde gmo oa dn measure
d he
highly valued the Parliamentary independence
which his constituentsha.d aecordedtohim. (Cheers.)

Northampton.
Reform Meeting
On Monday last Northampton uttered its voice the
from an early hour in the
subject of Reform. Although
morning the rain descended in torrents, yet there was
such a mighty gathering that the Tories themselves admit
had the
of its power.. The branch of the Reform League, which
has only been organised some two or three
conducting of the day's proceedings. Durimngon
the various parties aud friends from the neighboue morning
and villages, headed by bands of music, arrivreldng
created considerable excitement amongst the inhabritahnich
At the time appointed the procession was formed in the.
Market-square, and paraded the town for three hours. It
was composed as follows : —Band of the 4th Northampton-
shire Rifles; carriage, containing Edmond Reales, Esq. ;
Councillors Shoosmith and Gurney, officers of the Reform
League ; banner bearing the inscription, "Ernest Jones, the
Tyrant's Foe ;" the Wolverton Branch of the Reform
League's banner, "No Taxation without Representation."
likewise one of considerable importance, bearing the fol-
lowing facts—"Northampton, which has a population of
38,000, and 7,000 houses, has only 2,000 voters."
The following societies had their representatives :—The
Amalgamated Society of Cordwainers, Tailors' Trade So-
cieties, Temperance Societies, Freemasons and Bricklayers'
Society, Ancient Order of Foresters, Ancient Order of Shep-
herds, Sanctuary No. 2,988, Town and Country Co-opera-
tive Society, and a long string of carriages, containing the
Liberal leading gentlemen of the town. It was computed
that the number of the procession must have been 10,000.
Meetings were held in the afternoon and evening, at
which the following resolutions were unanimouslypassed :-
1. That this meeting protests against the continuance of
the present system of representation, whereby the people
are compelled to obey laws in the making of which they
have no voice.

2. To return thanks to the Right Hon. William E wart
Gladstone, John Bright, J. S. Mill, and others, for their
arduous endeavours to obtain an advanced franchise for the
people.

3. That this meeting resolves to help on Refbrm by all
the means in its power.
The resolutions were proposed and seconded by gentle-
men of the town and county, and were supported by
Edmond Beales, Esq., Colonel Dickson, W. Bradlaugh,
Esq., and
Mr. CHARLES Gir 11. P., who on rising was loudly
cheered. The hon. gentleman alluded to the fact that he
had not spoken in favour of the late Reform Bill, as the
occasion was one on which Government wanted members'