The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-09 00:00:00

and prudence, and to sow discontent and disaffection for the
future ? He wished that they should admit corn on the same
grounds from Australasia as from Canada. The Hon. Gentle-
man then read extracts from the dispatches of the Governor
of Van Diemen's Land to show the beneficial results which
would accrue to the inhabitants of Australia. That gentleman
had formerly been a Member of that House for 'Warwick, his
large property connected him with the great agricultural inte-
rest of that county, and if he were at all interested, it would be
on the opposite side. He was delighted at having the oppor-
tunity of holding up some proof of the disinterestedness of that
excellent Governor. He objected to the duty now charged
open colonial produce, because it was stated some years ago by
the Right Hon. Baronet to be the maximum. The Right
Hen. Gentleman he believed had not disapproved of his opi-
nions on this subject. He knew very well that his real oppo-
nents were gentlemen who sat below the gangway on the other
side. He would undertake to prove that the Hon. Member
for Northumberland never adopted his own views on
agricultural- protection. He also objected to this discrimi-
nating duty, because it intimated to the people of Australia and
to the world that the former were less deserving of the favour
of the Government than their brother colonists. He would
contend for it, that if the agricultural produce of that colony
were permitted to come into England, it would give an impetus
to British manufacture, and increase employment; and thus the
idle labouring population would not be thrown back upon the
country for parochial relief. He declared when he looked at
the returns as to the state of the population in these realms,
and the obstruction that was offered to every description of
improvement in Ireland, all this affected him to a degree that
he could not express. —( Hear, hear.) He would ask, why not
give to Australia the same advantage that was given to the
United States? There could be no disguising the fact that
this state of things had induced smuggling to a great extent
along the coast; and would this country, then, persevere
in holding a state of law that would encourage such
a practice? Would this country continue laws that
would encourage the produce of America, and de-
preciate that of Australia? Surely not. This, then, was
his case ; and all he asked for was, the same protection to corn
brought from Australia, as that given to the corn brought from
Canada. He asked it not only as an act of justice, but as an
act of prudence and good government.—( Hear, hear.) One
word more, and he had done. He heard the Right Hors. Ba-
ronet at the head of her Majesty's Government, upon the in-
troduction of an important measure lately, speak of a small but
dark cloud that appeared in the western horizon. He did not
mean to say that the Right Hon. Baronet was then actuated
by any feeling of fear ; but, again, he would say that this Go-
vetnment ought to give the people of Australia equal rights and
privileges with all her Majesty's subjects.
Sir W. JAMES said he would occupy the attention of the
House but for a few minutes. He supported this measure not
only in compliance with the wishes of his constituents, but also
because he conceived it was one which was in accordance with
the general policy of her Majesty's present Government.—
( Hear, hear.) His Hon. Friend who had proposed the mea-
sure might have gone into the, question of the corn-laws and
the colonial government, but he ( Sir W. James) conceived he
had acted more wisely and prudently by not doing so.
Sir G. CLERK said he felt that he laboured under great
disadvantages in attempting to reply to the eloquent speech of
his Learned Friend opposite ; but he could not permit the
measure he had proposed to go to a vote without stating why
it was that he ( Sir G. Clerk) intended to negative it. He
conceived he (Mr. H.) had greatly exaggerated ,the benefits
which he said would follow frcm the adoption of the measure.
He ( Sir G. Clerk) did not think that any of these advantages
would follow it. The great trade upon which Australia de-
pended was its wool trade. As for its trade in corn, it would
be impossible that it could have the accounts of the state of the
agriculture of this country, in any one year, in sufficient time
to be of any benefit to it in its trade in corn.
He knew perfectly well that he would be asked this question—
', Why, then, if you suppose that no great quantity of wheat is
likely to be brought from these colonies, do you offer any ob-
jection to this motion ?" Now, although the Hon. Gentleman
had attempted to throw some ridicule on the settlement of the
corn-laws which took place in ISO., he (Sir G. Clerk) still
remained of opinion that it was very unwise constantly to be
tampering with the laws relating to that article, in the produc-
tion of which so great a portion of the capital of this country
waa invested. He would call to the recollection of the House
the statement which was made by his Noble Friend the Secre-
tary for the Colonies, when he submitted the Canada Corn Bill
to the consideration of Parliament in 1643. He stated then
distinctly that the measure had been brought firward in con-
sequence of declarations which had been made—which, al-
though not binding on the Legislature, had been acted upon by
the Colonial Legislature. If the Hon. Gentleman would look
to the returns which had been laid on the table of the House of
the quantity of wheat flour which had been brought from Ca-
nada in the lest year into this country, he would find that the
amount was very small. The Hon. Gentleman must re-
member that if the existing Canada Corn Bill
was an anomaly, the present motion would only
introduce a fresh anomaly into the leg,-slation of
this country. He ( Sir G. Clerk) had stated that the South
Australian colonies would derive no advantage from the mo-
tion if it were carried, as those colonies did not at the present
moment raise sufficient corn to support the people of that
country. It appeared that during the last three years 46,000
quarters of wheat had been imported into the South Austra- '
lien colonies from Valparaiso, and a considerable quantity from
Calcutta. Now, it was perfectly clear that if this motion were
adopted it would cause an outlet for the corn of South Ame-
rica, through which it would come to this country. Under
these circumstances, looking to the small amount of corn raised
in the South Australian colonies, even including Van Diemen's
Land, he did not think that the Hon. Gentleman had made
out such a case as ought to induce the House to tamper with
and alter the existing corn law of this country. As far as
price was considered he apprehended that the very small quan-
tity of corn that came from South Australia would not effect
the price of corn in this country. But they knew perfectly
well from experience what panics had been created in this
country by the alterations which have already been
made by the Government, not only as regarded the
trade in corn, but as regarded also the trade in many
other articles the produce of this country. He knew
perfectly well that if they were to make the proposed
alteration a great deal of alarm would be created.
amongst the agriculturists of this country. It would do much
more harm to this country than any benefit it might confer on
the South Australian colonies. He knew that to tamper with
the corn-laws at the present moment would so far shake the
confidence of the farmers of this country, as to be productive of
much greater injury, not only to them, but to the community
at large, than any benefit which the Hon. Gentleman expected
would be conferred upon the colonies. For these reason, he
should oppose the motion.
Mr. I.A.BOUCHERE would occupy a very small portion of
the time of the House in stating the reasons which induced him
to support the motion which his Hon. Friend had brought for.
ward with so much ability and judgment. He had opposed the
measure of her Majesty's Government with regard to the im •
portation of Canadian corn, and subsequent reflection had not
induced him to regret the part he had taken with respect to
that measure. He thought then, and he thought now, that it
was rot desirable in a greater degree than already existed to
raise up a protected interest with regard to corn in the British
colonies. He had objected to the measure because he thought
that a protected interest would form an obstacle to the altera-
tions in the general corn-law of England, which he thought
ought to be made, and which he believed would be made. This
was one of the reasons which had induced him to object to the
Canada Corn Bill. He staled at that time what he felt now,
that it was impossible to keep together a vast colonial empire
except on the principles of equal treatment and justice. He
felt if such a Bill as the Canada Bill were to be passed, that it
would only be justice if they should require it to extend such a
measure to the other colonies. 'The Right Hon. Gentleman
had argued this question in a very singu'ar manner. First of
all, he dealt
_with the justice of the case, and the
necessity of dealing, in an equal manner, with
the various British colonies. He said that it would
be quite impossible, if the motion were agreed to,
that any core would be sent to this country from Australia.
That, to a certain degree, met the question of justice. He was
then obliged to find some reason for refusing this boon, which
was so trifling. He said that, trifling as it was, it would alarm
the great agricultural interest in this country. Now he (Mr.
Labouchere) thought a worse compliment never could be paid
by a Minister than this. In the first place, he said that no man
of common sense and intelligence could look into thi..iubject
and have the smallest apprehension that any quantity of corn
would be sent to this country ; and then he said that, notwith-
standing this, the agricultural portion of the community would
take great alarm at a measure like this. The agriculturists
haul been alarmed at the Canada Corn Bill, believing it to be a
means of introducing American eorn to this country ; but he
(Mr. Labouchere) eould not conceive the most timid agricul-
turist in England fearing that corn would come over half the
surface of the earth to this conntry. He (Mr. Labouchere)
concurred with the Right Hon. Gentleman that it was not wise
to be always tampering with commercial laws of this descrip-
tion. Changes produced a want of confidence ; but still he
thought no one engaged in the corn trade, and still less
those who were engaged in the cultivation of corn, could believe
that this measure would produce any sensible change in their
interest. One great objeetion which he had to the present corn-
law was that it could raver last. It was utterly impossible that it
could last. The reasons upon which he supported this motion
were of the simplest kind. He did not profess to believe that
any advantage would accrue to the colonies in consequence of
it. But on the other hand it must be remembered that that
which was trifling to grant might yet be much to refuse.
When the British colonies came forward and asked to be put
on the same footing with regard to these duties as Canada, he
thought that if they were not able to give a better answer to
them than the answer which had been given by the Right
Hon. Gentleman, the request ought to be granted. With
these views he should certainly give his support to the motion
of his Hon. Friend.

Captain BOLTS thought that the present measure was quite
consistent with the Canada Corn-bill, and he could not un-
derstand how these gentlemen on his side of the House who
supported the one, could oppose the present motion.—( Hear,
hear.) If there was a distinction to he made at all, he was
of opinion that it should be made in favour of Australia; for
the population of Australia was British, without any foreign
admixture; and they had a most affectionate regard for the
mother-country. Besides no smuggling could take place from
Australia. But the reverse of this was the case with Canada ;
there the population was composed of indians, Americans, and
French, as well as English. There were rebellions there
which had cost this country lir se sums to
/1 oppress. They
cared little whether they would be under the American stripes
or the Union Jack ;and there were the greatest facilities for
smuggling from America. He could not understand, there-
fore, why there shouldfin. be any
favour of Canasta. preference shown in
people hopfed the House would not act so un-
justly towards the
amngsto
them.—(
and wait till a spirit of
discontent arose
Hear, hear.)
read an extract of a letter whiticha.i—he( had received froimiea wmouerld-
chant in the city who traded exclusively with Australia. The
Hon. and Gallant Gentleman then read the extract to the
effect, that this country need not fear any great
competition
from Australia, for that it could not sendtothi s
than 20,0' 0 quarters of wheat for several
though only 3s. 3d. there, would be vastly increased and
thPritchea'
great freight which would be charged. He was from opinionthe
-
that the worst policy they could pursue was not to oafd mil corn With
theypeet to the mother
free of all duty.—( Hear, hear.)
country, and the colonies, he thought ought to be con-
sidered as one large country, and that equal jiutstice should be
most
done to all.—( Hear, hear.) He was sure
to show a preference fur one colonwya3mothree
unwise policy
another, and he was persuaded that if they made the Americanthan
colonies an integral portion of the kingdom they would still
remain British colonies instead of the United States of Ame-
rica. All he should say in conclusion was this, that if they
acted so unjustly towards Australia they would break a link in
the chain which bound that colony to the mother country.
Mr. M. GIBSON said, that the Hon. and Gallant Gen-
tleman who had just sat down propounded sound views re-
spectin • • g the motion which had been submitted to them; and
knowing how much the Honourable and Gallant Gentleman
was looked up to by the agriculturists of Suffolk, and how
much weight they gave to his opinion, he trusted that
his views would tend to remove the alarm entertained by the
agriculturists respecting his motion.—( Hear, hear.) He was
afraid the Right Hon. Gentleman (the Vice-President of the
Board of Trade) was premature in opposing the motion, and
he hoped, notwithstanding his opposition. arter the speeches
they had hears from the other side, the First 31iniiter of the
Crown would give his assent to the preposition of his Hon
Friend.—( Hear, bear.) Nor would that be an unusual course,
for when his Hon. Friend the Member for Lambeth brought
Ikwwer4 e gettein motion, the flight Hon. Gentleman (the
Vit*.PrAutiaetit of the Board of Trade) was tao precipitate in
giving o pz:gatiats I for his negative was afterwards re-
;timed by the Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir R. Peel), and