The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-20 00:00:00

would be able to do at some time or other, and perhaps at no
remote periodwith success.—( Cheers.)
After a few words from Mr. TATTON EGERTON,

Mr. LABOUCHERE believed that the steps the Govern.
ment were taking would not turn out beneficial to those for
whom they were intended. He had not consulted his con-
stituents, but he believed the measure would create great
alarm among them; but he should be ashamed of himself,
if he resisted a great improvement on that account. He
trusted, however, that in other matters the Government would
recollect what they had done with respect to silk. He believed
the silk trade would improve under a revision of the duties.
He thought the whole of the silk duties ought to be revised,
and not those on' thrown silk alone. On the whole, he felt
inclined to support the proposition of the Government.
Mr. BROCKLEHURST believed that the reduction of
the duty on thrown silk would not do any good for those it was
intended by the Government to benefit.
Mr. HUME had heard with great surprise the alarm with
which the Hon, Member had viewed this measure. He had
visited the factories of this country, as well as those of Belgium
and other countries, but the factory of the Hon. Member for
Macclesfield (Mr. Brocklehuret) was that which he had found
in the most perfect state of any. He thought the Government
would have done better by removing the duty altogether from
manufactured silk, for by this means they would have prevented
smuggling, and allowed the fair trader to enter into fair com-
petition. He thought the Government deserved every support
the House could give them, and he hoped the House would not
refuse to let the reduction pass.
Mr. WILLIAMS agreed with the policy of taking the
duties off the raw materials of manufacture ; but if they took
the import duties off the manufactured articles, great distress
would be caused. They should first take the tax off corn, and
give their labouring population cheap food, or they would do
great injustice. He contended that great reduction should be
made on the article of waste silk, for it was of very little value.
Mr. ENTWISLE said that he visited a country district,
and the people told him that, if they had free trade, they would
not mind those duties at all. For this reason, hewould lend his
aid to any proposition for the removal of restrictions on
commerce.______

Dr. BOWRING—The duty on India silks in France was
not half so high as that levied on French silks imported into
England.
After a few words from Mr. BROCKLEHURST, the Com.
mittee divided, when there appeared
For the amendment
Against it

Majority against the amendment —59
On our return to the gallery, we found
Mr. E. BULLER addressing the Committee. He had a
notice of motion on the paper to introduce tallow into the reso-
lutions, but at that late hour of the night he did not wish to
press it. He wished to know whether another opportunity
would be afforded for bringing on the question.
Sir. R. PEEL said the Hon. Member would have an op-
portunity of moving in Committee on the Bill. It would
greatly interfere with the operations of trade if they were not
to report the proceedings of this Committee before the holidays.
A desultory conversation arose as to the propriety of pro-
ceeding with those articles, including butter, cheese, tallow,
and railway sleepers, with regard to which Hon. Members had
motions. And it was finally determined, that an early day
after the holidays should be set aside in Committee upon the
Customs' Act, to enable those Hon. Members to bring for-
ward their motions, on the understanding, however, that no
discussion should be re-opened with regard to these articles in
the tariff upon which the Committee had already decided.
Sir R. PEEL hoped a discussion would not be re-opened on
those questions of the tariff which bad been already before the
House.

Lord d. RUSSELL agreed with the Right Hon. Baronet,
and hoped the agricultural Members would not re-open ques-
tions already discussed.
Mr. DARBY said he knew nothing which had been of more
service in cultivation than the sowing of tares, and he would
be sorry to see any principle adopted which would check their
growth.

Sir R. PEEL said the Hon. Member need have no such
apprehensions.
Colonel SIBTHORP said, however trifling the question of
taxes might be, yet it showed a disposition on the part of the
Government to injure agriculture, or at least to be very careless
of its interests. The resolution was then agreed to, and the
House resumed.

The CHAIRMAN then reported the resolutions to the House.
SUPPLY.

The House then went into a Committee of Supply, Mr,
Greene in the chair, and twe sums, of 100,0001. and 740,0001.
were voted on account of the Ordnance Estimates.

The House then resumed, and the Chairman reported
accordingly.
Captain PECHELL moved for a return from the clerk of
each petty sessions in England and Wales, of the description
of the building or place in which the justices of the petty
session district hold their usual sittings, with the amount of
rent, if any, and the parties to whom the same is paid.
The remaining orders of the day were then disposed of, and
the House adjourned at Five Minutes past One o'clock.