Star.
London, England, 1823-02-27 00:00:00

DRANO* smarms.

Mr. BROUGHAM gave notice, in behalf of a Noble Friend
who was then absent, that be would bring forward a motion re.
lady. to Secret and Illegal Societies in Ireland, on Tuesday
next—(Hear, hear).
Mr. ROBERT FITZGERALD concurred in the propriety
of the minion of which the House bad just received notice; and
gate notice himself of a motion on the subject of Unconstitu-
tional Oaths in Ireland.
CORN LAWS.

Mr. WOOLRIDGE WHITMORE rose to make
his promised motion on this subject. Since he had
given notice of his intention to propose an alteration
in the existing Corn Laws, he had been addressed by
various persons with various objections. Amongst
these one very prevalent was, that no practical re-
sults could be derived from any such attempt; and
that the agitation of the subject at present was cal-
culated to cause the greatest alarm, and increase
rather than allay the distrds which it was his object
to remedy. He, however, could not give in to this
opinion. He did think that practical benefit might be
attained, and that the discussion would rather dispel
than otherwise the alarm of their situation, by causing
them to know that it was to the law they were to at-
tribute its evils. When they were satisfied that this
law was the cause of the distress, they would see that
so long as it was in existence, they must continue to
labour under the evils they then complained Of. The
House, he believed, would concur with him in opi-
nion, that the main feature of the last Corn Bill was
the principle of fluctuation, which it inevitably en-
tailed—(Hear).—He wished to keep this question se-
parate from the subject ofcurrency, which would come
on at a proper time for discussion ; and he believed
the best they- could do for the interests of both sub-
jects, was to keep them as much separate as possible.
In order to put the House in possession of the view
which he took of the effect of the laws in force upon
this subject, he would entreat them to conceive that
a law of a similar nature were passed in some other
country—and he would suppose Holland, because
that was a great importing. country. The result of
such a measure, according to his notions, would be
a run of exceedingly high prices for many years.—
Capital would be brought to bear upon the culture
of corn—the poor soil would be put in requisition,
and the pastures of the country broken up; What
would follow from this? There would soon be at
least a two years accumulation upon hand over and
above the consumption. This would, of course,
produce a glut in the markets, open which the over-
production would fall back. The result of this
would be cousiderable distress to the farmers—a
great destruction of capital—the produce of the soil
not paying for the manure employed to raise it, and
the poor lands would be forced out of cultivation.
Then for two or three years there would be a positive
scarcity—the upshot of the introduction of such a

measure being either a glut or o,,starsity. Now if' Agriculturist could be persuaded
the House would look at what had been the situation price not likely to fluctuate as regard
of England, they wiatild. see--thao it -was_ precis ly they would embrace his ptopnsition,
what he had shewn *twit! -be that of flelland in a .conclude, by asking leave to brag •
similar situation. Let them look at the previous high the Corn Laws.--The question hay
Mr. CURWEN rose to conclei
1
prices, and the low ow-which bid followed, to be ;
convinced that the vie* he took was a correct one.. course which the Honourable Me
But he would open to the House what he considered ;the introduction of this question.
a most important view i and this was, that the end ofi confessed that he should not feel
the low prices Tied awned, and that they were about ijustice to the memory of that g
I
to have a recurrence to higher. The reason upon Marquis of Londonderry) if he
'
which he funneled ihii was, that the low. prices hadl opinion, that in the latter period ,
caused a considerable increase of consumption. The dividual had done all that he col
corn had gone from the farmer to the miller for im-
protection of the .agricultui Ist.—H+mediate consumption, and it now happened that there cercly to see the agriculturists rel
save a
ngver open
,
was less in hand than was actually necessary. With
not believe that an
the permission of the House he would read some ex-
general scarcity, would e thi
tracts of letters he had received on this part of his 80:. now. He wished foreign Corn
subject from Mr. Cropper, of Liverpool, than whom in certain quantities, and not unr'
he begged to say no man, in his opinion, was better ties. He admitted that labour
qualified to elucidate the matter. The Honourable have some effect on the price a.
Member then read passages relative to the extent of Corn; but that must be relieved
the growth of corn:—" It appeared that 1820 was taxes pressing most severely upoi
an abundant year; 1621, though partially injured by manufacture. The quantity of la
the wet, was an average year ; 1622, I believe was since 1818 had nearly doubled ; bi
an average year." He then went on to remark on from the deterioration of the soil,
the increased consumption of the manufacturing dis-
minished, since 1814, by a million
tricts. That increase he stated to be in the ratio of however, deprecated any alteration
71/! per cent. in 1821, over that of 1620, and in the ports at the present moment. If
1822, of 27 per cent. over that of the same period. he believed, they would have it
•
He also went on to state, that this inordinate con-
555. per quarter to morrow. It woi
sumption had fallen chiefly upon fine flour tread. when they did not want it, and %slit
Where brown bread was formerly used, it was now would be no protection at all. Hi
scarcely ever seen—wheat had completely superseded flourishing state of the revenue
the u* of it. With respect to the culture of corn, he the Chancellor of the Exchequi
had no hesitation in saying that consumption was them relief; for in all parts the
going on at a much more rapid rate than the growth culture were greatly diminished,
of the article, and Mr. Cropper remarked, " that the the great part of the assessed t.
stores will probably be nearly exhausted before we are and horses would be no relief to
aware." Wages, he observed, had been advanced 15 because they had already take
or 20 per cent. and this had enabled the men to procure reducing their establishments-1
double what they formerly used. He also was of opi-
He hoped that more than two
i
nion that there was a great deterioration of the soil.. taken off; and among those he
In Nottingham, for instance, the quantity of manure Candles to be taken off, so as to
had fallen off about one-half. In other places, where to carry on some work at home.
lime was used, there was a falling off to the same should be relieved was the Tax i
amount, and in other ,places of nearly one-tenth.--
duty on leather would not be hal
Now he thought it incumbent upon Hon. Gentlemen by reduction. This, said the Hon.
to consider whether this-change in affairs proceeded improve the morals of the poop;
from this law or not ; and if they found it ,did, he cottager to brew his own ale, and
could not doubt they would feel it to be their duty to drink ardent spirits. This wool
to make an alteration in it. He need not acquaint consumption of barley. He was
the House with the state of the Landed Interest, with would never wish to import a sing
the present poverty and destitution of the Farmers. for none would bring.it. here whi
Every man who bad been in the country must have make large profits out of us. The
seen that it was obvious all this evil proceeded from formerly were the cause of much
a system of laws called Protecting Laws. It would distress which now prevailed. H,
not be misapplied to take a view of the operation of any alterations were to be made
this law as regarded other interests in the empire.—
Laws, it would have the most in'
In a political point of view, he could conceive nothing he was for waiting a more favor:.
more fraught with peril to the country. Either the the remission of taxation. He slim
Bill in question did answer or it did not. If it did pose the motion, and wished the Hi
not, it was beneath contedipt. If it did, then he would draw it, and join in attempting to
ask the House to consider the effects of its operation tion of taxes, such as pressed hank
in the event of an increasing population. It was clear If the Chancellor of the Exchequer
that this 4WD' if it was intended to enhance the price Assessed Taxes as he had proposed,
of agricaltutal produce, was intended to raise one in-
no use. Take off the taxes on comfit
terest to an eminence over others, at once invidious cottage windows, and beer, and tber
and dangerous. He was sure. that the Landed Inte. a million of acres put under cultiv
test did not desire to have this pre-eminence assigned being applied to a Sinking Fund,
to them ; but if they did, it would not be politic to millions to be employed in Bimini:grant it. All institutions intended to be permanent, saw evidently an inclination on the
must be grounded on the general interests; and as a not to suffer any large property in I
proof that hone others were permanent, he bid.them as the Funds, not to pay its share i
look at other countries. He referred to Poland, which was shown at the Norfelk Meeting,
~ had been the scene of anarchy, bloodshed, and parti- ence or eloquence of any man w
, .
boip He referred to France, where the first cry of people there could counteract th+
the evolution was " Guerre aux Chateaux!" He in. would be easy to make it liable top;
treated them to consider whether this was a period at totes: that ought to be done, for Oil
which to introduce such invidious distinctions, when
ought not to be the only propei ti
that great question of Reform, which must sooner or which paid nothing to the exigencies
later occupy the consideration of Parliament, was
er from the spech of the Hon.
Mr. BENETT (Wilts) thought, •
gaining more ground every day in the minds of the
nation. No. principle, he would undertake to say, goo was to makers th country depen+
nations for a supply of corn. But '
ever was introduced into Legislation more calculated
proved that all countries who di
to excite hostility and awaken jealousy. Though that
might net be the object, it was the effect, of the law. countries for their food had !Intel'
On the score of trade, he asked, was it policy to ex- .
tend protection to" one interest in preference to ano-
istence. The income of land, as i
ther ? Was it policy to .draw this distinction with Peaty Tax, was 48 millions; but, ii
tion of taxation, the fall of rents
respect to the manufactures, which, if not the glor,
were certainly the riches of the country ? There ways much felt. Every reduction of r:
land
no principle of taxation from which the People were
the pockets of the
holders. Ili
more averse than that of the high price of corn. He the reductions of taxation on the f
cent. though
vation of the land. The strongest ,
4.7 per cent. still remat
entreated them to look at the real state of the country,
which formerly displayed at ever step the unerring be formed of the good to result from
marks of wealth and prosperity.y Let them see in .on, when they had got off 18 per
which pressed upon agriculture. He
a
time the errors of their course, or expect to witnAs
at
ion,
fulfilment of the Poet's description :
Not far removed the date,
should have a much lower price of "
When Commerce proudly nourished through the State: tection than with protection in the-dui
At her command the palace learned to rise, had a positive prohibition of imporm
Again the long fallen columns sought the skies : - have much lower prices than by layi
The canvas glowed beyond e'en Nature warm; He was astonished the Hon. Member
The pregnant quarry teens'd with human form;
Till, mere unsteady than the southern gale,. (Whitnilre) wished this to be an inv
Commerce on other shores displayed her sail ; at the time that he allowed that cul
While nought remained of all that riches gave, coming 'deteriorated. He contendet
But towns unmanned, and Lords without a slave : had fallen in proportion to the diminl
And late the Nation found, with fruitless skill, '
Its former strength was but plethoric ill." of corn. Many had been ruined w?
l
iire was well convinced, that relief
When the effects of this superabundant production, at a reduced price; but they were .
a carded to agriculture by raising '
or rather of.lowprices, ceased to be felt; then would
there be found a considerable falling off iri all the
kept easily
withb e found, he
hhiei i
beyond its proper level, which, '
"o.
branches of the Revenue. Government did right .
wasit' mtoigbhe.t
not to cut down the Sinking Fund, for they would faith
Want it one day to cover the deficit of the Revenue,
which would be as much as could -be made of it. • a with the agriculturist, who, at li
The purport of his alteration in the Corn Laws was, .
reduced to sell his ground to pay hi
...
relief would be by reduction of
gradually to draw down the importation price to •
hoped Ministers would reduce the
sixty shillings. He proposed this price because he
was satisfied that foreign Corn in this country never directly on agriculture, such as the
would be lower than sixty shillings. It was the dUty and beer duties. He therefore end(
of the House to give relief to the country, and pre- not to receive any measure which at
pire for the high prises which he thought were ap- 41, ter tu e Corn Laws, had in principle
proaching. 'He considered, when he looked at the Mr. WODEHOUSE hriped, that
burdens on the land, that it was entitled to a free other-Alley would receive substanti;
trade in Corn. He alluded to die Poor Rates, the a good many of the landholders
County Rates, the Land Tax, and the expensive Doctor, so many nostrums were pi
Church Establishment. Without this was done, he cure. For himself; he was sincerely
was convinced that in times of scarcity no Govern- high prices at present were neither
meat would be able to meet the irritation of the desirable. He-contended that we
People under the present import price. He was smutty importing country since ,
aware of the extravagant views of the Aviculturists contrary, we had exported since that
upon this subject : but he was also convinced that we bad imported. He voted ago:.
.their views were erroneous. No argument would tural Report, because it mainTained
ever convince him that it was just to raise the import slime on the subject of the burdens
price Of Corn above 60s. and he was sure, if the 'and on the treat que don oldie .dtc