The Sun.
London, England, 1817-05-02 00:00:00

Terence to the Committee appointed lost Session.
The nut thing (lone by that Committee was to
limit its inquiry into the wool trade to the gene-
ral question of 'agricultural -distress ; and with
this view, to confine itself to the state of the wool
market, so as to exclude all the qoestious about
the preference due to foreign re 001, or the effect
produced on the machinery umployed in the
woollen manufacture, 911(1 the varioos other ques-
tions involved in' an extensive general iliqpuiry.
The Hon, Gentleman said, that the wo,l-;;rowers
had not nu opportunity Of hying thedrd before the
Committee of la,t. ye.tr ; whereas the fact WAS
otherwise!, for that Committee way appoioted
before the Easter recess, and when met again after
the recess, an opportuoity,was given to the wool
growers to come forward, but not one Of them
appeared. It the Committee now proposed was.
'asked for on, the principle of excluding foreign
wool, he should at once dis:tgree from any motion
for the appointment of a Committee On any.suclt
principle, at such a time. He would disagree
from it on this principle—that a duty on the ittp•
portation of a raw material, which was wrought
up in this country, and which employed the labour
and capital of the country, was as much advan-
tage to the landed interest as could lie received
by any forced encouragement of the growth of
British wool.
Mr. DAVIES GIL/3ERD said, that he also hedts
Petition from wool growers ou the South Downs,
the prayer of which was the same as that now
presented. Although he very much concurred
with the Noble Lord who spoke last in his ge.ne-
ral principles, yet he must agree with the Peti«
tioners, that it would he expedient to lay a mo.
Berate duty on the importation of the coarser kinds
of foreign wool, which could not in any degree
affect the manufacturing interest, or the foreign
trade. The Petitioners wished, either a duty on
the importation of foreign wool, or a bounty on
the exportation of foreign wool ; but they, would
prefer a tax ou the importation of the foreign
produce.
Mr.FRANILAND Lewis Whiled to say a few words
as to the Committee of last year. He well re-
membered that the Noble Lord (Lasceltes) had
said, that the. Committee could do little more
than give a good excuse for not going into the
general inquiry. All that the Committee really
did, was to make such ti superficial • and general
inquiry as enabled them to report to the House,
that the agricultural distress was not owing to the
state of the wool trade. if any Member of the
Committee attempted to put a question to any of
the witnesses who appeared before the Committee,
which touched the general question, us to the ex-
pediency of permitting importation, he was ini•
mediately stopped. He therefore maintained,
that the House was bound to institute a complete
inquiry into the state of the wool Inuit., with re-
ference. to the interests of the British wool-
grower.
Lord LASCELLES explained.
Mr. CURWEN thought that it was necessary that
an inquiry should be instituted ; but was aware
that it would lead to a' very wide investigation,
and involve questions of foreign policy of great
importance.
Mr. SIIIFFNAL observed, that all the petitioners
wished for was a fair remuneration, and that they
would prefer a tax on the importation Of foreign
wool.

The petition was then brought up, read, or•
tiered to lie on the table, and to be printed.
Mr. BURRELL presented a similar petition from
the wool-growers of Sussex, which was disposed
of in the same/way.
Mr. 0. Limantur presented a similar petition
from the wont-growers of,Lewes, in Sussex, and
Mr. WESTERN one from tie wool-growers of Bs-
sex, which were both read, ordered to lie on dm
table, and to be printed.
Lord PALMERSTON postponed the Army Ma..
mates from to-morrow, till Monday next.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CLAIMS

Mr. GRAVrAN held in his hand a petition frOln
he Corporation of'Dablin, which he regretted
that most respectable body had not, by availing
themselves of an ancient privilege which they
claimed, presented to the House by their own
Officers, as,it would have relieved him from what
be felt to be a very unpleasant duty. It was the
petition of the Corporatioo of Dublin against the
Chial9 of the Catholics. As he had the honour
to be one of the Representatives of the City of
Dublin, he was, in that capacity, instructed to
present it ; hut, at the same time, be must con-
fess that lie totally differed front the sentiments
expressed in this petition by his worthy and ho-
nourable constituents---he differed from them to-
tally and sincerely. But, as he did not think it
his duty to pass any ciriticisms or observations on
the petition of the City which he had the honour
to represent, he would merely beg leave to lament
that the task vas imposed upon him of doing that
which he would not presume to condemn.
The petition was then brought up, read, Lnd
ordered to lie on the table.
Sir F. BURDETT MSC to present a petition,
praying for Pdrliamentary Reform, from the free-
holders and othey inhabitants of the borough of
St. Eves, in the county of Huntingdon, :and took
the opportunity of saying a few words in general
terms on the corrupt state of the representation,
and thepaSsiveness with which, the people hart
borne the violent attacks lately made Ott the Con-
stitution.
~"

:able

e petition wa reutl, anti ordered to lie On the

Sir F. BURDETT said, that he would bring for.
ward his motion on the subject of Reform on the
first open day after Tuesday the 20th of May.

FINANCE REPORT.
Mr: DAVIES Oat mar moved that the Order of
the Day for n Committee on the first Report of
the Select Committee on Finance should be lead,
for the purpose of postponing it till to-morrow,
which would probably be the most convenient day
For discussing it._

Mr. BROUGIIAM wished that it should he past.
P a few days, as he knew there were se-
veral to take a part in the :rieh ldMlnbers anxious
dig-
mission who could not be present to-morrow.
Mr. D. Guaiarr said, be only wished to fix the
most convenient day.
Lord CASTLVIttiAati said, that it Was intended to
introduce Bills founded on the Report of the
Committee to regulate or abolish the various