Star.
London, England, 1824-05-04 00:00:00

CUSTOMS, COALS, AND LINEN DUTIES BILL.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIIEQUER moved
the recommitment of the Customs, Coals, and Linen
Duties Bill. The House resolved itself into the Com-
mittee, and he then moved to correct an error in the Bill,
to make the Bounty on Linens cease on the sth of July,
1825, instead of 1824, as it now stood in the Bill.
Mr. S. RICE had no hope to alter the intention of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, now that the prin.
ciples of free trade were so much adopted ; but if the
linen manufacturers were as near him as those of silk,
he had no doubt but that the Right Hon. Gentleman
would change his opinion, and not destroy a trade
which in many parts of Ireland was still in its infancy.
If he could hope to succeed, he would move a more
distant date for the ceasing of these bounties, and he
trusted the Right Hon. Gentleman would grant them
two or three years longer. In several places the sales
had fallen from 1,000/. a-week to lets than 2001.
Mr. D. BROWNE lamented that the Ministers and
people of this country knew so little of the state of Ire-
land. It was lamentable to hear the first Minister of the
State saying, in another place, that there was no export
of coarse linen from Ireland. That was the species of
manufacture upon which the greatest amount of bounties
was paid. It was a breach of national faith to disturb
the linen trade of Ireland, which had been guaranteed
to them when the woollen trade was taken from them
by this country. He feared, however, that all he could
say would not be able to stop this measure ; but if the
House knew the ruin that this would bring on Ireland,
they would not agree to the present proposition ; but,
upon another occasion, he would bring forward his
oppos:tiun to it in another shape.
Sir 11. PARNELL thought the fair way was to look
what advantage these bounties would be of to Ireland,
because it was too much the habit in that country to

look with dread at any alteration in existing things
Foreign yarn was not allowed to be sold in Ireland, and
therefore the Scotch and English manufacturers could
excel them in making coarse linens. There was no
manufacture in any country from which the people en-
gaged in it received so little wages, in proportion to the
extent of the trade. If any encouragement was to be
given; in his opinion, it ought to be to the cotton manu-
facture of Ireland ; he therefore should oppose the pro-
position of the Member for Limerick.
Mr. C. HUTCHINSON differed in opinion with the
Honourable Baronet, and contended, that the condition
of the people engaged in the Linen Manufactures of
Ireland had been bettered by it. In the county of Cork
60,000 pet sons were interested in the continuance of
these Bounties ; and he begged the Chancellor of the
Exchequer to pause before he took those Bounties away,
which had had an almost magical effect on the people
of the West and South of Ireland. The Right Honour•
able Gentleman was not acquainted with the distress of
Ireland, or he would grant them the continuance of
those bounties for two years at least.
Colonel FRENCH thought it unwise to run the risk
of destroying the linen trade of Ireland by the discon-
tinuance of these bounties in support of a general system
of free trade, which no one could deny the justice of,
lie therefot e hoped the present measure would be post-
poned for three or four years.
Mr. I)AWSON said, the linen-manufacturers of the
North of Ireland were unanimously of opinion that the
discontinuance of the bounties would have no effect on
the Irish linen trade. There was linen manufactured in
Ireland to the amount of two millions sterling yearly,
and the bounties amounted to 90,0001. which would be
reduced only 9,0001. a year. He was astonished at the
observation of the Member for the Queen's County, that
the linen manufacture was productive of no good to
Ireland. Did he not know the order and civilization in
those parts of Ireland where it was carried on ?
Mr. D. Buowsz explained.
Mr. HUME believed that the bounties would be a
benefit to the consumer of the article, and not to the
manufacturer. The amount proposed to be taken off
was so small, that it could produce no hurt to Ireland
equal to the doubts and fears that had been urged
against this measure in Parliament. Their object should
be to dismiss and dispel the doubts and fears which
seemed now to be entertained, for he was quite satisfied
they were much exaggerated.
Mr. ROBERTSON urged the Chancellor of the
Exchequer to continue the bounties for sometime longer,
in order that Ireland might not be placed in a worse si-
tuation than she was at present.
The amendment of the CIIANCILLIAtt of the EXCHIQUER, and
other verbal amendments, were agreed to.
In answer to some observations from Mr. Alderman Wools and
Mr. Hume,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought him-
possible to take off the duty on small coals without injury to the
Revenue.

Mr. T. WILSON wished the matter left to the discretion of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Alderman WOOD said, there could be no difficulty in carrying
this measure into effect, as all vessels having small coals on board
were obliged to be certified as such. The large coals would be less
used ; and the other, when mixed with clay, would be advantageous
to the poor.—The Report was ordered to be received to-morrow.
The Report of the Rum Duties Bill was brought up, the amend-
nants agreed to, and the Bill to he read a third time to-morrow.
The Sheriffs of the City of London presented a Petition from the
Corporation of London, praying to be allowed to bring in a Bill to
borrow money at £4 per Cent.—Referred to a Committee.
The Order of the Day for the second reading of the Hides and
Skins Bill was read.
Mr. DAVENPORT opposed this Bill as highly injurious to the
Leather Trade. If this Bill was passed into a law, not a Petition
presented to the House would have a whole skin. He moved the
second reading this day six months.
The House divided.—For the second reading, 27 ; Against it, 10.
—Majority, 17.
A motion was then made that it be referred to a Committee to
consider of the propriety of repealing the Acts of the 43d and 44th
of the late King, relative to the flaying of hides.
The Report of the Sugar Bounties 13111 was brought up, the
amendments agreed to, and the Bill ordered to be read a third time
to-morrow.—Adjourned.

THE EVENING STA It.

LONDON.

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1824.
THE FUNDS.

STOCK EXCHANGE. TWELVE O'CLOCK.

Consols opened this morning at 961 for the Account, and got
up to 961 4, but soon after lowered again to 961 4, and fur
Money 96i