The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-18 00:00:00

(Hear, hear.) On the meeting of Parliament the Right Hon. ' for British agriculture, not less than that which
Gentleman reconstructed his Cabinet, and left out the Minister existed at its formation.' This Committee, therefore,
ar m recant-
endears'lia u t ot
a m .
of Trade.—( Hear, hear.) There was a great comalaiet to the mends that provincial Protection Societies urge, by deputation
farmers of this country !—( Laughter, and Hear, bear.) or otherwise; their local representatives
use their st in I ees t
n t
es
sup-
The agricultural Members went to the Right Hon. Baronet port Mr. Miles's metio", a
complaining of the coming tariff—murmuring against the list these free-trade measures." That appeal, therefore, was
Canada Corn Bill, but now they must be perfectly reconciled. clearly made, not for the purpose of gaining a tonal! remission
Now the agriculturist must feel perfectly secure.--( Hear, of local taxation to the amount of 2a0,000/. to the agricultural
hear, and laughter.) Well, now it was a decided demonstra- interest, but it was made expressly fur the purpose of reeistino,
tion.—( Great laughter.) But it would not do well to com_ the further progress of those measures which it was the inten-
pare the conduct of the Right Hon. Baronet when in op- tic's of her Majesty's Government to introduce, and to
position and when in power. It was the old story— they must imply censure and condemnation on their financial policy,
not contrast too much the hour of courtship with the moment Whatever, therefore, was the ground for supporting this motion,
of possession.—(Great cheering and laughter from both sides it was clearly out of his power to acquisesee in in—( Hear, hear.)
of the (louse.) There was a strangeness is the conduct of The Ilouse consented, by a large majority, to the continuance
the Right Hon. Gentleman. The Right Hon. Gentleman's of a tax of 5,200,000/. on the income awl property of the coun-
protection speech was the best which could be heard any where, try. The ceetinuance of that tax would nut have been em-
it was a great thing to see the Right Hon. Baronet rise, and aented to by the House and the public, it it had not been aceorne
hear him talk about the leaders of the gentlemen of England puttied by a declaration of Government in respect to its fitian-
being in possession of the confidence of the Sovereign.— cull policy.—( Hear, hear.) He conceived, therefore, that if
(Great laughter and cheers.) They did not now hear much he were to acquiesce in this proposal—foreseeing that it would
of the s. Gentlemen of England."—(Hesr. hear, rene.ved lead to an abandonment of the policy previously declared—be
cheering and laughter.) What of that ? they had the should be guilty of gross bad faith. —( Hear.) It was quite clear
pleasures of memory—(Hear, hear, and great laugher)—the that if he abandoned 400,0001. of revenue, he could not follow
charms of reminiscence—they were his first love, and though out the principles which he laid down in proposing the income-tax
he may not kneel to them now, as in the hour of passion, without a deficit to that amount.—( Hear, hear.) The motion
to vent.
L(eHt ear
the , hear.)House look He e wt
00 :eH
still they would recal the past, and nothing in his mind was was, therefore, to be regarded as a vote of censure upon the
more unwise and unseemly ,han a tone of recrimination and financial
Government policy
of he
had Government.—(Hear,
m
adopted.rn e
reproach.—( Great laughter and cheering.) What was the not say that he at all regretted the course of policy which the
use of it ? In all cases, he believed, when the object had present
ceased to charm, it was; in vain to appeal to the feelings.— condition of the country when he came into office.—( Hear. )
(Loud and prolonged cheering.) The Right Hon. Baronet, He well recollected the statements which were made as to the
like any gallant, endeavoured to sooth, and pacify, and keep distressed condition of the manufacturers.—( Hear, hear.) He
things quiet, but it was useless. The Right Honourable Baronet well remembered the complaints as to the state of commerce •
maintained a tone of arrogant silence and haughty frigidity and, above all, as to the condition of the labourers in the manse
towards the advances of the county Members, and if they knew factoring districts.—(Hecr.) He remembered hearing fr
anything of human nature, they would take the hint, but they the Hon. Member for Sheffield, that, in that town, theie
went on—be advised them to halt, but they would still go on.— were 3,000 houses uninhabited. He well remembered the
(Laughter.) The Right Hon. Gentleman would not say one touching accounts which were given of the condition of the
eersehd of
the animals
state m dead
nad
t
word the more for it, but he did say he_ would have no whin- labouring classes, who were represented as struggling to main-
ing there.—tlmntente laughter and cheers.) Now, if that tain andi unwholesomedisease.—(Hear,
;e ( Hear,subsistenceHuepotenmtehien
bfl
were not the case of the great agricultural interest, why should from
it be treated differently from any ether beauty, although she from Paisley, that in that town, in 1841, twelve thousand-per-
was a deluded one.—(Great laughter and cheers.) They bad sons—and at one ti re seventeen thousand persons who
rose
been convinced at the catastrophe. Protection was now in in the morning without knowing how to obtain subsistence
the same condition as Protestantism in /82••'•—( Hear, hear, and for the day, except from voluntary and casual, charity.--( Hear,
great laughter.) For his part, if they were to have free hear.) In assuming office he did not think that he was put in
trade, he would sooner, with Honourable Gentle- to support the partial interest of any class—( Cheers)—but he
men opposite. support that questions,. when emanating considered that it was the duty of the Government to take a
from the honesty and genius of :the Honourable Member comprehensive view of the interest of all classes—(Cheers)--
for Stockport, then when proposed by any one, however and he had now proved that it was the interest of all—
versed anti skilful in Parliamentary maeeauvring, who had and especially of the agricultural class—that manufactures
tampered with the generous confidence of a great people and a and commerce should be re-animated and revived.—( Cheers. )
great party.—( Hear, hear, and great cheering.) For him- It. was easy to talk of the affect which the importation of 300
self he could not say what might be the result. (The Hon. , r 400 swine might have upon the agriculturist. But lei the
Gentleman 'concluded with these words)—Dissolve the Par; House look to what had been the effect of the measures of the
liament if you like, and appeal to the people, who, I believe, Government upon the condition of the manufacturers.—(Heats -
mistrust you. For me, at least, I take this opportunity of ex- hear.) They were now told that the impreivement was only that,
pressing my opinion thus publicly, that I believe a Conserve- effect of the season, or that the remission of five millions of
five Government is an organised hyprocrisy.—(Loud and pre- taxes had had nothing to do with the revival of industry. BIM
longed cheers, which lasted for several minutes.) they would recollect when they were told that confidence in
Mr. DAIIBY, said that he did not think the Government better seasons would be wholly useless—that there was no hope
would feel that this attack was of such severe consequence as for the revival of manufactures and commerce—tbat ell was
the Honourable Gentleman who had just sat down delusion—if they did not take the food of other countries ili
seemed to think. The Honourable Gentleman seemed exchange for the manufactures of this.—( Hear.) The improve
, year.een given
(,
rt,
c outni fromght H
ot
n h.e
Bmaarnounfeatc tt
inerin manufacturing
addi l
a-
conceive that the Government which he had formerly supported went. however, had taken place. He would now read some of the
but which he now opposed, were bound to carry out all the
circulars
inthe whichpresets
e s had been b
suppositions which he conceived to be necessary to the welfare trios
of the particular interest which he espoused.—( Hear, and circular dated January 1, 18.5, from a manufacturing, house
laughter.) The lion. Gentleman seemed to have coalesced in the north, setting forth the great improvement which had
not only with the Whigs but with the Radicals themselves. taken plat ein manufactures and commerce in consequence of
The Hon. Gentleman had accused his present opponents with the relief of the burt.hens a industry and the opening of new
having caught the Whigs bathing, and of having taken their markets.) Sach was the account et the commencement of
clothes, but he (Mr. D'lsraeli) fancied that not only had the the present year.—( Hear, hear.) lot ' them contrast that
Right Hon. Baronet caught the Whig, bathing, but that he with the statements made as to the condition of commerce and
also desired to trade in their old clothes.—(Expressions of agriculture in the year 1542.—( Hear, hew-.) Now let them,
dissent.) Well, if lie (Mr. Darby) were attacked, he observe the bearing this had upon agriculture; and it was a
felt that he Cad a right to defend himself. The 110- remarkable circumstance as showing the increased prosperity
nourable Gentleman seemed to be an advocate for of the country. In 1844 the quantity of wheat used in this
a free trade in corn. It was undoubtedly the ease, that when country was 2,128,000 quarters, being no less than 247,000 guar-
the present Ministry came into office they found the agricultu- tees more than in the preceding year, 1843, and the wholeof that
cal interest in a difficult position. This was the effect of the consumption was of wheat the produce of this country.
cleverness of the Noble Lord the Member for the City of The importation of Foreign wheat in the latter year was
(ein7,ti tho4o consumptioncuarters so
London in financial affairs. The Noble Lard had brought the precisely the same as that of the preceding year ;in speaking,
country into this position, and the consequence had been that.therefore, of the improved condition of the labourer, it must
the Canadian Corn Bill had been passed. It was the Noble
bate remembered,
in
one thatyea
rt,ll
to
ore t washe
aamis
an increase
.ta f s e
2i
Lord who hid brought the country to this pass, and it became
the bounden duty of the Government to restore the protection that it might be fairly said, that the measures of the present Go.
which they had hitherto enjoyed to the agricultural class; and vernment had tended to increase manufactures and he had alreadoe
he must say, that those taunts of the Noble Lord were alike given them conclusive proof that there had been a correspond.
uncalled for and unnecessary. When the Canadian Corn Bill ing benefit to agriculture.—( Hear, bear.) He opposed this
was passed, there was undoubtedly a supposition that the pro- motion in 1845 upon precisely the same grounds as he did in t
tection that had hitherto been enjoyed should be preserved. 1836, he then thought it held out hopes d relief whicls could
That there was distress in the agricultural districts was un- not be carried into effect. He, at that time, differed from
doubted, and he believed that, if the facts were made out, the those with whom he was acting, but he said then, as he said
only effectual remedy for the mischief would be an alteration of now, there was no tax mainly bearing on agriculture except; the
the corn-laws. But at the present moment, he must say, that malt tax, that it was in their power to relieve, and he thought ‘
if the country was labouring under distress, it was the bounden that all would agree with him that the taxes they proposed to
duty of that House to remove it. He had never entertained a remove were far the best. The question of agricultural pre-
doubt of the justice of the measure, and when the Hon. Gen- tection would shortly be raised, and upon that occasion he
tleman began to make these attacks, he (Mr. Darby) thought should be prepared to say why the corn-laws should not be abne
that he ought to have good grounds for making them ; and tithed ; at the same time, he must say that he thought it was
when he saw that the principle of free trade was to he advocated, for the interests of toe country that they should relae.their see
he must say that he would rather see it promulgated by the strictive laws with great caution. He said this for the *dean-
Hon. Member for Stockport rather than by the Hon. Gentle- tage of all classes cf the community. he believed the system of
man at the head of her Majesty's Government.—( Hear, hear.) prohibition and extreme protection to he wrong ; he did ndt
He Insist candidly acknewlege that be was sent into that House support the Protection of the West India interests in a cowmen
with a view to support that protection which the agriculturists vial point of view, but he lo ked at the length it had existid. '
of this country had hitherto enjoyed, and he must say that, in and the obligation they were under to maintain their ecolo-
•
the course which be had hitherto pursued, he had nothing to . nial empire, added to which he believed the
regret, and if the same circumstances were again to arise, he sudden removal of protection was an injury-(Hear)-
must say that heshould act precisely in the same way again— not only to the West Indies, but to trade in general. They
(Divide, divide)—and if those measures were to obviate the had been taunted on onenidelof the House with acting inju.
protection which the agriculturists desired, and which their riously to the agricultural, and on-the other side with being
interests needed, he should feel obliged to vote with the Hon. mere instruments of the agricultural ; arty. In spite of all
Member for Somersetshire. The farmers had been called this be would say, that it was their intention to continue in
upon to reduce their expenditure, but he believed that this the course they were pursuing, not yielding to one party or the
was an utter impossibilit y. —(l:6lde, divide.) other. They had attempted gradually to abolish prohibitory
Sir CHARLES BURRELL (who rose amidst much eon- duties, and to relax extreme protection. The Hon. Gentles
fusion) said that he would not detain the House one moment. man the Member for Shrewsbury had repeated an accusation
He saw the state of excitement which the House evinced, and that he had made on a former occasion. He should not enter
he only rose for the purpose of saying that the notice of the into any personal controversy.—( Hear, hear.) But when he
Hon. Member for Somersetshire was good in itself, and well proposed the tariff in 1842, and when he was charged by Hon-
worthy of attention, and if it led to a modification which had ourable Members for doing so, he found that an How-
of late been introduced, it would be advisable not only with ourable Member got up in his place, and asserted
regard to corn, but cattle.—( Divide, divide.) that the change had been made without due examination.
Mr. G. SMYTHE said that he had listened with surprise He found the same Hon. GOntleman also stating, that the con-
if not with admiration, to the crushing reply made by the Hon. duct pursued by the Right Hoe Baronet was in exact hare
and Learned Member for East Sussex to the speech of his mony, in perfect consistency, with the principles in reference
Hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury—the speech not de. to free trade laid down by Air. Pitt; and his reason for laying
livered that night, but that delivered a fortnight ago.—( Hear, down thus much, was to refute the accusations which had been
hear.) He was not unjustifiable, and he trusted that some brought against the present Government; that in order to get
Hon. Gentlemen at least might believe that he rose not without into, and being in, to keep in office, they had changed their
some cause to answer the speech of the Hon. and Learned policy on this question. Those sentiments were attributed to
Member for East Sussex, the invective, and the philippic Mr. D'lsreeli.—(Cheere and laughter.) He held in the
which he had directed against his Hon. Friend the Member for same estimation the panegyric and the attack ; but he certainly
Shrewsbury. It was far from his intenion to interfere in the had been surprised, remembering the defence of the Hon.
schism that appeared in the House that evening. It was far Gentleman, that the accusation which he had made nhat night
from his intention to address a speech to that House in the should proceed from hitn.—( Cheers. )
spirit of the Hon. Member for Sussex, and continued in the Mr. BANKES said, as he understood that his Right Hon.
same spirit in the speech also of the Hon. Member for East Friend proposed to postpone the consideration of one remission
Sussex; but he would say this to the Hon. Members, that it of taxation until after Easter, he should delay until that
was not by raking among preceding speeches—not by going period what he had to say in reference to the agricultural
back fifteen years, that he could entertain or form any opinion of interest.
his Hon. Friend.—(" Hear," from Col. Peel ) The Hon. and Captain HARRIS expressed his regret at the recriminatory
Gallant Colonel, the Clerk to the Beard of Ordnance, had done 'character which the de
ate had assumed. The Right Hon.
him the honour to cheer a speech of his. If the lion. and Gal- Baronet had, however, admitted that there were special burdens
lent Colonel would call to his mind the vote he gave on the pressing upon agriculture, and be was now called upon to
Irish Registration Bill, and supposing that question coming on make a relaxation in its favour. He hoped that those who
again to-morrow, how would his vete then agree with that he were connected in that interest would combine to secure the
had formerly given? Or, supposing that the Maynooth ques- object.
tion were discussed, how would the Hon. and Gallant Colonel Mr. PLUMPTRE wished very briefly to state his reason
vote on that question? lie would tell the Hon. and Learned for objecting to the motion of the Hon. Member for Somer..
Member for East Sussex, that this question, if it were not setshire. He thought that neither the time nor manner were
solved by the great minds that the Hon. Member for Wolver- such as to call upon him for support ; and fcr that reason he
hampton made so happy an allusion to—if this question were must withheld his assent.
not solved by them, he (Mr. Smythe) might be permitted to The House then divided, when the numbers were—
suggest to the Honourable and Learned Gentleman, For the resolution 78
that his great parochial mind—(Loud laughter)—would Against
136
never solve the national diffisulties.—(Continued laughter.) Majority against the resolution......
Differing, as he probably would, from his Hon. Friend the CUSTONiS' DUTIES ACT.
Member for Shrewsbury, on the vote he woula come to that The House then went into Committee on the Customs'
evening, he could not withhold his testimony that the effect of Duties Act. When the item of " Basket rods" had been read
the speech of his Hon. Friend would be more likely to he pro- otat as one of three on which the duties was prepared to be re•
duetive of public good than the motion of the lien. Member mined,
for East Sussex would be. His motion resulted in the bringing Mr. M. MILNES seid if the duty should be remitted on
the state of the country before the House, but he (Mr. this article, great injury would be done to the growers of them
Smythe) thought it would be productive of more good to bring in this country.
Mr. FERRAND agreed with the Hon. Member.
the state of the House before the country.—(Cheers.)
Mr. P. BORTHWICK rose amid a mingled shout of Sir R. PEEL could not see why exception should be taken
" Speak out," 'c Go en," and "Divide, slivide.") The Hon. to this more than to other articles of the same class which had
Member made several atternets to be heard, but the cries and just been read.—The subject then dropped.
shouts from all parts of the House completely drowned every Upon the item of " Bones" being read,
When the Hon. Member could be listened to, he Capt. PECH ELL expressed a hope that these foreign boties
sentence.
said,—What was the question before the House?—(Laughter, would not b' allowed to be ground or crushed in workhouses.
cheers, and cries of " Divide.") It was unseemly to see one On the item of" furniture wood" being read,
section of the 1101191! liAirg against another section, but he Mr. C. BULLER said there had been lately several new
protested against this question being brought before the House kinds of wood, for the manufacture of furniture, introduced into
in such an unconnected manner.—(Laughter and cheers, which this country. These were not enumerated in the new tariff.
interrupted the Hon. Member, and after a futile effort to ad- and he wished to know whether they would be admitted under
dress a few words to the [louse, he sat down.) the general description. He referred in particular to Ceylon .
Sir ROBERT PEEL said he wished in a few sentences to woods' and several which came from New Zealand. --
state the grounds why he felt it to be his duty to offer his op- Sir
CEO. CLERK was understood to say that these woods
position to the motion which had been made. He opposed the would not be excluded.
motion because the object of it was merely to transfer a certain Mr. LITIOUCHERE sail there were many woods grown
sum from the county-rate to the consolidated fund. In his in the colonies which might be used for furniture woods, which
opinion they would be practising delusion upon the were now excluded by the duties impwed on them.
agricultural interest—( Hear, hear )—impressing them with Mr. HUME suggested that all woods used for furniture
a belief that it could in any material degree bear should be admCLERK said this would admit all kinds of wood
itted.
upon their interests. His Hon. Friend stated that the total Sir GEO.
amount which he believed his motion would produce was about without duty.
260,0001., to be transferred from one , fund to another. Mr. HUTI' said he would to-morrow deliver a list of New
It was not an absolute remission of taxation falling Upon anti- Zealand woods to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
culturistn but merely to transfer that amount from the county- Mr. C. BULLER said this would be unjust to Ceylon.
rate to the consolidated fund. Now, supposing in that way The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it was
they gave absolute relief of 260,040/. to the agriculturists, absolutely necessary to enumerate the furniture woods.
they would have to bear it in another way: It Mr. HUME said they might enumerate the woods on which
would only be relieving them from one species of duty was to be paid, and admit all others free.
taxation to take up another. But his Honourable Friend Air. HAWES wade a similar suggestion.
forgot that he confined this relief to the agriculturists of Eng- The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that
land. Why was it not to be extended to Scotland and Ireland? if au
new wood should be imported, it would be in the die-
Consequently the whole would be a charge of perhaps 300,000/. cretion of the Treasury to admit it free et' duty.
or 400,0001., which must be placed on the Consolidated Fund. Mr. C. BULLER said it was proposed to admit olive woods
Now he had a strong impression that if placed on the Consoli- free, but not big wood.
dated Fund the check on the expenditure would be much less After a few words, the items were agreed to.
efficient than it was at present. The Government, acting Upon certain articles relating to food being proposede
through its officers, probably newly appointed, who would have b he was dee
Mr. EWART said that he would postpone hise_ motion rale-
much smaller means of exercising their vigilance than the par- five to butter and cheese, to the duty on whi
ties who were appointed to superintend this charge. To ob- cidedly opposed, till the third resolution.
to trench on the protective
twin, therefore, relief from -England for 260,000/• of direct Mr. MILES wished the llouse to defer the consideration of
taxation in the county-rate there must- be a transfer to the those articles which were calculated
t.
They might take WA
consolidated fund, probably of nearly 400,0001., with prospect t onls that night, and defer the
interests of the British agriculturist.
of a continued increase, to be placed upon that fund. ittot, who articles which were not so oppor
another oil when they came to them.
contributed to that fund ? The consolidated fund meant others for discussion. One article he should. object to would
nothing more nor less than the taxation of the country, to be grease and .
d would be unfit ornood and could not compete with
which the agricultural interest was liable. His Hon. Friend Sir G. CLERK said theft the grease and lard which would be
said that the taxation now placed on the county rate would be so imparts
relief to the lower class of farmers and peasants. But did the\
ar.l37ille t said the Hon. Member for Somersetshire
not the lower class of farmers and peasants contribute by indi- 'il .
forgotten chalk.—( Great laughter.) Grease and butter
Test taxation to the consolidated fund? Consequently, it lase!
ained, because they were unfit for food: It
i_c t_u_r_al Eroduce.
of being unfit for
would be merely commutation of taxation, and his belief was
rv‘a.ethreer a singular-eireumstance that the articles to be imported
that the agricultural interest which his Hon. Friend intended to
fore, should have the extraordinary quality
food. He did not think that the House was called on to legis-
ree,
benefit would derive no substantial benefit from that measure.
1,..5.t eh
tforrefgolorld. to dogs, when human beings .were held in sutra
His lion. Friend, however, professed that to be his object. Ile
l'gMr. MILES—If this proposition is agreed to, I shall move
(Sir Robert Peel) rather thought that his Hon. Friend would
receive support from others who meant their acquiescence in
the adjournment of the House.
this motion to be tantamount to a cotolemna.tian of the finale-
.. Mr. B. meat
the lion. Member for Somerset
cast proeosals made by her Majesty's Government.
he found in a circular which had been issued from the 13Peacoleur•
the • • do it.' • '
tion Agricultural Society, that gentlemen Ita•t twee eeressly store wishes to bring egricuitare into utter contempt, this is
Mr. MILE`
• taxation which they proposed was not favourable to 6.—l am not to be told how to do my duty. I
invited to vote for this motion upon the ground that the re- way to
mission of
tehe agricultural interest, and that the motnin of his Hon. am not to be deterred by the taunts and sneers of the Hon.
Friend ought to be acquiesced in, for the express purpose of effee- Member. He might know my eharacter well enough to know,
.. farther progress in measures of free•trade that if lam determined on a thing I will dolt. T have thrown
tually resisting the -
If, therefore, that were the, ground upon which his Hun, out a proposition which shows me wish 4i9t to put
Friend brought forwa:d his Motion, or others were inclined to any impedime it in the way of the tariff. 'es
support it, still less was it in his power to acquiesce in the mo. Sir it. PEEL the
ways prepared to press particular articles
tion of his Hon. Friend. Ile had had placed in his hand the s, Sir the wishes of any Gentleman in that. House.
following letter, addressed to a Member of that House, solicit. Mr. B ESCOT l' explained.
ing his support to the motion of his Hon. Friend upon rather Several items having been gone through,
different grounds from that which he stated it. This niter The House resumed, the Chairman reported Progreso, and
was from a local Protection Society, addressed by the obtained leave to sic again on Wednesday.
Supply', when %Via-
secretary of the society to a Member of Parliament, and Time House then want into Committee of S
was to this effect:—'c I am directed to inform rap estimates were agreed to.
. and obtained 'cafe tit
you that a communication from the Central Protection So-, The CHAIRMAN reported progres.,
cicty was laid before the Matiegiug Ccuurnittee yesterday, o? sit again on W°lnemi4Y*
which the following is a copy :—llt is the o inion of this '
Cemmittee, that the re • slain ofl d p'
h' h S.
mi ston the severe uttes wlc .•r House adjourned at a Qua; ter past Two ocl k
The other orders of the day were then disopcose.d of, and the
..............•••••=•••••••••••••••=•
Robert Peel proposes to abolish in his remission of taxation,
will tend materially to lessen the empinereent of agricultural Gar Los Plait FAlR.—Grcit preparations are beings
labour, anti reduce the price of man) of the iminerous ton.
wade at Greenwich ter the lieliday folks during the I:mbar
duetions of the soil. The principle upon which agri-
cultural Protection is based, is to maintain protection week, notwithstanding the continual severity of the weather;
.
.