The Sun.
London, England, 1821-03-28 00:00:00

KENT COAL METERS' BILL.

On the 2d reading of the Kent Coal :Meters' Bill, Mr. CAL-
CRAFT opposed the Bill, on the ground that its object was only
to benefit a single individual to the injury of the public. He
moved that it be read a second time this day six months.
Sir E. KNATCTIBU M. said that if it were the fact that the
Bill was injurious to the interests of a large body, he would
immediately withdraw it ; he, however, believed the contrary
to be the case. If the Hon. Member persevered in his motion,
he should not divide the House.

Mr. CALCRArT explained. He should contend against
the principle of the Bill.
The question was thou put, the Amendment was carried, and
the Bill lost.

SHIP-OWNERS, &c.
Sir W. DE CRESPIGN Y rose to present a petition from cer-
tain Merchants, Ship-owners, and others of the City of London'
and its vicinity, complaining generally of the want of protection
feltby those in the shipping interests against foreign competi-
tion, and of the mistaken policy which head been pursued with
respect to the employment of foreigners in cases where English-
men might be as advantageously employed. The Hon. Baro-
' net proceeded in a very inaudible tone to observe, ,that although
this petition was signed by very few names, yet thousands
would have attached their names if sufficient time had been al-
lowed. He read from the petition the different points touched
upon by the petitioners, adverting to the monopolizing system
pursued by. the East India Company, to the exclusion of many
Merchants, who might derive considerable advantages from the
trade. The Corn Bill, it was observed, instead of inspiring con-
fidence, had created considerable distress, and had the effect of,
urging the farmers to sell their corn at any price, however low,
under the expectation that it would be still worse. • The pe-
titioners then alluded to the expence of the military establish-
ment, and referred the House to certain pamphlets written by
Mr. Ricardo and Mr. Pim, pu'iiished byHatchard—(A laugh)—
on political economy. In conclusion they prayed that the House
would take all these matters into itadeep consideration. The
Hon. Member hoped that the House would not suffer this peti-
tion to lie neglected on the table till the day of judgment—.
(A laugh:)
Mr. S. WORTLEY put it to the good sense of the Houst
whether. such a Petition ought to be received, it appearing to' be
a kind of advertisement of Mr. Hatchard's, and the books he
published rather than a Petition deserving the attention of the

Sir W. DE CRESPIGNY observed upon the respeetab:
signatures which were attached to the Petition.

The question was put, and the Petition was laid on the table,

TIM BE R DUTIES.
Mr. S. WORTLEY wished to know when it was the inten
tion -of the Hon. Member opposite to bring on his motion re.
specting the Timber Duties.
Mr. WALLACE was aware that this was a question which
had excited very considerable interest. He should name Thurs-
day next for bringing forward the subject ; and he moved that
the Committee be appointed for that day.
Mr, RICARDO presented a Petition from four Merchants
trading in timber to Norway, praying for an alteration in the
Timber Duties. The Petitioners stated the great hardship
which they endured as the duties upon timber now stood, and
alluded to the advantages enjoyed:by other timber Merchants
trading to other parts, compared with-themselves, and observed
upon the inferiority of American tO Nor Way Timber. He
moved that the Petition be brought up. • -
Sir ISAAC COFFIN supported-the petition, and complain-
ed, of the disadvantages under which this country laboured in
the Timber Trade. This country was now paying an enor-
mous sum for comparatively small returns in the Timber Trade
of Canada; and he. had no hesitation' in saying, that with re.:
spect to this particular trade, it would be much better for this,.
country if Canada were sunk to the bOttom of the sea.
Mr. PHILIPS observed that the evils were now felt of the
system of temporary. expediency which had been pursued with
regard to the timber trade. The case with respect to the tim-
ber trade of Norway had been understated. The fact was,
upon Norway timber a duty of 31. 17s. was laid, while that
from Russia only paid 2L 2s.
The petition was then laid-on the table.
Mr. J. P. GRANT presented a Petition from James Both-
wick, an individual who had brected a machine in Scotland for
sawing timber, complaining of the unequal duties. The peti=
tioner had erected the machine at the great expence of 20,0001.,
and by,the alteratiOn in the duties the whole of this capital bad
been annihilated. It was laid on the table.
EXCISE.

Lord MOUNTOHAR LES moved for various Returns con.
'netted with the Ekeise in Ireland:—Ordered.
• ROMAN CATHOLICS.

. Mr. BLACKBURN presented a Petition frinn the Clergy
of Manchester against •the Roman Catholic Bill.—Ordered to
be printed.

BEER DUTIES.

Mr. LUSIIINGTON brought
,up—the Report on the Beer
Duties' Bill. The amendments were agreed to, and the Bill
was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow (this day.)
The Innkeepers' Bill was read a second time, and ordered to
be committed to-morrow (this day.)
A person from the Mint presented an Account of the ex-
pences of the prosecution of persons for the imitation of the
Coin of the Realm.
CHARITABLE ESTABLISHMENTS.

Upon the motion of Sir T. LETHBRIDGE, the House
went into a Committee on the Charitable Establishments' Bill.
Several amendments were introduced. After which the Hous..:
resumed; the Report was received, and the Bill ordered to be
read a third time to-morrow (this day.)