Star.
London, England, 1824-03-23 00:00:00

WOOL TRADE.

Sir THOMAS LETHBRIDGE presented two Pe-
titions from %Vool-traders in Somersetshire, praying for
the benefit of the drawbacks upon their stock on hand.
He wished to know what were the intentions of the
RightHon.Gentleman on the subject of these drawbacks?
The CHANCELLOR cf the EXCHEQUER replied,
that his intention was, instead of immediately reducing
the duty, to adopt the suggestions of the merchants
and manufacturers, which were, to reduce the duty at
two distinct periods—namely, to take off 3d. per lb. on
the 10th of September, and the remaining 21 on the
10th of December.. Under these circumstances, he pro-
posed to allow nikdrawback upon stock on hand.
lie believed the measures proposed by Ministers were
calculated to serve the best interests of the vountry ; and,
impressed with that feeling, he should be ashamed of
himself if he did not give them his humble but strenu-
ous support—(Hear).
After a few words from Mr. CALORATT, Mr. Hums,
Mr. BARING, and Mr. T. WILSON, the amendment of
'the Chancellor of the Exchequer relative to silk, "-cur
for the purpose of exhibiting patterns," was carried.
Mr. HUME then moved that the fallowing words
should be added after the word " patterns"—" or in
pieces, being cut, not less than 30 yards. in length."
Mr. BARING supported the amendment. Equal
protection should be extended to all persons in the trade;
and it should not be forgotten, that the whole stock of
many dealers in the country consisted chiefly of cut
pieces. He suggested, that, instead of silk being scat
to be warehoused* it should be measured on the spot by

M.,

Excise officers. The mercer would thus be relieved from
the risk of hiving his silk stained, and alscr4rom the in-
convenience wfiich must arise from his being tempoT
rarily deprived of his stock.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
the paranyiunt difficulty in this case had been to carry
the principle Into effect with as little inconvenience as
possible to the dealers. If the ,suggestion of the Ho-
nourable Gentleman were adopted, they would be
obliged to send Custom-house officers to every town in
the Kingdom, and he knew not where they were to find
them. Officers had been sent to Nottingham, because
the silk-manufacture was carried on there, and they
had also been statiqned at all the sea-ports. Persons,
therefore, who were included in his amendment, would
naturally find their way to the officers at the nearest
station. It was quite clear,' that in proportion as they
extended the range of this bounty, they must tnultiply,
the difficulties which opposed the carrying of the clause'
into effect.
Mr. R. SMITH asked whether there was any model,
by which it could be ascertained whither silk had been'
cut for patterns or for sale?
Mr. HERRIES said, that on the first instance the de-
claration of the dealer would be taken. If a doubt
arose, an appeal would be made to persons experienced
in the trade, who would, in every disputed case, be
called,on to decide. According to this amendment,
every cut piece of silk must be measured ;
.and, he be-
lieved, the dealer would much rather be saved the con-
sequent trouble and loss of time than claim the bounty.
Mr. CALCRAFT said, there was nuthing compul-
sory in the amendment. if the bounty would not repay
the trouble of measuting, of course the mercer would
not demand it.
After a few observations from Mr. BRIGHT and Mr.
-Burr reftwoarti in support of the amendment, the Com-
mittee divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment, 30 1 Against it, 76 1 Majority, 46.

O.) the re-aJon:.sion of strangers to the gallery, Mr.
ELLICE was inquiring,with reference to a questiont% hich
he hid asked on a lot titer evening, how the Right Hon.
Gentleman meant to deal with dye.' silk?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER be-

lieved he bad misunderstood the Honourable Gentle-
man when be had formerly put the questieni.-If he
now understood him correctly, he alluded to organzine
silk, dyed ; and she (the Chancellor of the Exchequer
could see no reason why organzine silk dyed should be
dealt with differently from any other silk that bad un-
dergone the same process.
On reading the clause which edmits the impottation
of foreign silk after the sth of July, 1826, on•the pay- .
men t of 30/. for eves y 1001. value of the-silk so imported,
Mr. BARING rose to move, as an amendment, that
the period should be extended from the sth of -July,
1826, to the 5111 of July, 1829, forming a period of five
years, as was proposed by-the petitioners on this occa-
sion. The House wer4istaken if they supposed that
the principles of flee tine had been adopted., If those
principles were to be carried into effect, they ought to
be applied to all cases, instead of beingconfiued to orte.
Woollens, linens, &c. wise treated in the same
manner. Ministers had, however, made an exhibition
of the principles of free trade is ith respect to this parti-
cular article, though it was kpown and admitted that at
all .-times this country laboured under great-disadvan-
tages with reference to this trade. The.Honourable
Gentleman pruteeded to contend, tsar. the silk-manu-
facturers generally werehostile to the measure proposed,
although some were tempted, by the immediate bounties,
to give a species Of assent to it. The throwsters,particular-.
ly, were bribed by the present advantage, into shutting
their eyes to the evils which would fall upon the trade:
.He understood that the throwstet in Italy would be
able toAhrow his silk four shillings in the pound weight
cheaper. than the same trader could do in Englato. He
did not know how this difference ara•e ; but it was im-
portant in the case. The 'Honourable Gentleman then
read an extract of a letter written by the Committee of
the silk-trade in Derby, to the Committee of the silk-
trade in London, expressing a hope that when the time
came the Chancellor of the Exchequer would grant a
further respite to the admission of French silks, it such
a course should be found desirable; and .insisted from
thence that the silknrea generally who assented to the
new measure, (lid it in the hope of getting at its present
bounites, and escaping its-ultimate execution. In con-
clusion, he objected particularly to thetime—two years,
and a hall—fixed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
for admitting the foreign article. He thought that the
delay ought to be either greater or less; and rather
with a view of recording his opinion than from any
expectation of having his amendment adopted, he
should move to add three years‘to the term now pro-
posed, and say, for the year 1826, the year 1829.
M r. R. G OR DON observed, with respect to free trade,
that everybody was for it in the general ; but it was too
apt to be opposed as soon as it touched ones own inte-
rests, or those of one's constituents. lie decidedly op-
posed the Amendment.
The CHANCELLOR of the-EXCHEQUER did not
rise, at such a time, to discuss the principle of the Bill,
but he denied that thelmpression of the silk trade, in the
main, was unfavourable to it. The Right Honourable
Gentleman then quoted a letter from a body of silk-ma.
nufacturers at Derby, expressing their general readiness
to-make the trial, as proposed by the Bill, although
there were some traders, certainly, who feared the fo-
reign competition; and a second letter, fiom the silk
trade of Manchester, desiring, in the strongest terms,
that Government would not suffer itself to be disheart-
ened by the opposition that was made to the measure.
With respect to the alarm which the Bill was said to' be
exciting throughout this country, he would just assure
the House—he had it front good authority—that it was
producing a good deal of alarm in France. He simply
stated the fact as it came to him, without attempting to
'draw any inference,from it ; but, however our traders
Might be distressed at the idea of the French silks meet-
ing them in the markets of this country, the French silk-
manufacturers were very seriously apprehensive of the
consequence of our silks meeting theirs in the general
markets of the world.
Mr.BARING repeated, that those who consented to the
=mine were misled by a desire for the present bointies.
Mr. F. BUXTON thought the working manufacturers
were fairly entitled to the extension of time proposed.
He was an enemy to hastily throwing off, in favour of
new principles of political economy, the old rules under'
which the country had arrived at its present height of
. wealth and greatness—(Hear, hear, from Mr. Hume).'
The Honourable Member for Aberdeen cheered. Well
If that argument had no weight, he would produeeone
which should be concluiive with the Honourable Mem-
ber himself—if the wishes of the manufacturers were
assented to, he understood that they were Willing to
give all drawbacks,.and to have the tax imposed (being
drawn by instalments) for three years. The,drar.back

amounted to 500,0001. and the duty to 7.50,0001.,0 that
by this course the country would be in krocketl,2so,ooo/.
THE SILK TRADE.
• The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved
the Order of the Day for the Committee on the Silk
Trade Bill.

The House then resolved itself into a Committee upon
the Silk Trade Bill, and Counsel *ere called in, and heard
at the bar, in behalf of the Petitioners against the Bill.
Mr. HARRISON opened their case. Ile recited the
Various Acts of Parliament by which. the .trade
to the present time, been regulated ;an contended, that
for years the trade in this country would be unequal to
compete with the foreign manufactureas—first,.because
of the difference in the price and regulations of labour;
secondly, in the cost of the raw material; and thirdly,
in the expense of machinery. He pointed out the di•.:
advantages under which the British manufacturers la-
bowed under these several heads ; and informed the
Committee, that he was ready to call witnesses to the
bar in proof of the positions which he had laid down ia
his speech.--The Counsel was then ordered to withdi a w.
Several clauses of the Bill were then agreed to with-
out discussion.
On the clause " allowing. silk manufactures for et.
portation to be warehoused and bounty allowed mid( r
certain regulations," being put to the Committee by
Mr. Bucioner4,
The CHANOELLOR.of the EXCHEQUER, refer.
ring to the petition which had been presented by the
Honourable Member for Wareham, praying that the
bounty might be allowed upon goods that were cut, as
well as upod those which were uncut, observed, that he
had no objectidn to allow the_ bounty upon silk goods
that were in entii e pieces, or upon such as had been only
cut for the purpose of exhibiting patterns thereof. Ile
therefoie moved, that after the 'parenthesis containing
the words " not being less in quantity than three hun.
died pounds weight," there be added the following
words, " and in entire pieces, o?. such as have been only
cut for exhibiting patterns the: eof."
Mr. W. WILLIAMS said, the Honourable Member
_

for Nottingham (Mr. Birch) wa, not at all inconsistent
in the argument he had used. His asserti,in was, that
the drawback would be of no service to the Public, but
would benefit the mercer, .whO would put the amount in
his pocket. He was precisely of the same opinion. Thd
mercer's profit was at present so considerable, that on
large orders he could abate 3d. or 4d. per yard, and not
sell at a loss; and 14 this provision they were about to
increase his profit. lie conceived the measure originally
introduced WAS a Wise one; and, fully impressed with
that idea, the Chancellor of the Exchequer slibtild hat;
his strenuou< support. In his of inion, that Right Ha-
nourable Gentleman had been too'aiixiou's to meet the
wishes of those who opposed this measure; and i e
thought it would have been much better if he had stud,'
firmly on the proposition first made to that House. It
would be wise to make no farther concessions, but to
act up*to that which seemed to be just to all parties.
The Right Honourable Gentleman must khow that it
was totally impossible to please everybody —(icar).—
He ought to stand upon' a great principle, and bid de-
fiance to opposition. By looking only to the general ad-
vantage of his country, he would be certain to command
the approbation. and gratitude of all disinterested men.
Mr. CALCRAFI' said, that the argument of the
Honourable Member went to an extraordinary length.
-According to 'him, tb3 Chancellor of the Exchequer
ought to adhere to his firstproposition, be it good or
bad..--(0 No, no''). The I lonourable Member-ought,
however, to recollect that the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer had already altered his plan. The importation of
foreigrisilk was tothave commenced on the sth ofJuly,
'1524; but the Right Honourable Gentleman had re•
'considered the •matter ; and, in conformity with repre-
sentations which had been made to him on-the subject,
the importation of foreign silk was postponed till July,
1826. Such evil counsel as had been-given by the Hon.
Member was sufficient to corrupt even a Chancellor of
the Exchequer. The Honourable Member said, that at
present the mercer could afford, on large orders, to give
up 3d. or 4d. in the yard. What, then, would be the
effect if this drawback were allowed 7 Why, he would.
then be enabled to abate 7d. br Bd. per yard —(llmr,
hear). He hoped the Right Honourable Gentleman
would carry his measure of relief a little farther, and
that it would be extended to remnants of silk consisting
of 30 or 40 yards. Ile bad no interest whatsoever in the
trade; and it would be observed, that the Petition
which he had presented prayed that the drawback
might be-allowed on the quantity of 25 yards, whereas
he was willing that it should not go below '4O.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS never had argued that the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer should persist in a measure;
when once brought in, whether it was right or wrong.
Mr. G. PHILIPS supportedthe Bill; and pressed the necessity
of repealing the Spitalfields Acts. With those Acts still in being,
hat the London trade should bear competition was impossible. lie
agreed with his Honourable Friend the Member for Taunton, that
it would be desirable to give time to the manufacturers to prepare
for this great change now prcposed in the silk trade. The French
looms were on all sides allowed to be superior to those of Lanca-
shire, and great expense and delay mustbe encountered in construct-
ing new machinery. ' Half a year, or a whole one, ought tp be al-
lowed, and before the whole of the, time should expire, there ought
to be a total repeal of the Spitalfields Acts.
Mr. C. WY NN explained the conduct of the Board of Controul
in having refused. the application of a young Gentleman spoken to
onapirn silks.evious night, to be allowed to go out to the East Indies to
trade

Mr. Alderman THOMJ'SON was for postponing the operation
of the measure till October, so as to secure the manufacturers and
dealers in the transactions of the summer trade.
The Amendment was rejected without a division.
Mr. ELLICE urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer to post-
, pone the measure from the month of February, 1826, till October
in the same year.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was afraid to
concede the request of the Hon. Gentleman, from the dread of
other applications of the same nature.
The original clause was then carried. Mel-louse resumed, and
the report was ordered to be received to-morrow.
The report of the Committee a Supply was brought up, and the
House agreed to the resolutions.
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the
House•adjourned at TWILVK O'CLOCK.

WISTZRN HEMISPHERE.—Tie interest excited by
recent and passing' events to, and relative to, the New States of
South America, Mexico, the Havannah, &c. induces such an inquiry
after the best sources of information, that we ate led tp call the at-
tention of our Readers to Messrs. CAREY *and Las's Geography era
Statistics of the Western Ilenfigthere,as comprehending the most copious
information on those subjects yet published. To adopt the words of
the Literary Gdmette," this Volume contains by far the most valuable
condensation of American Geography, Hiatery, and Statistics, which
has issued from the Press. It is constructed on a comprehensive and
excellent plan ; the Maps, Charts, and Plates are numerous and well
executed; and when all the modern infotination required by the
changes and revolutions on the New Continent is taken into the ac-
count, we are free to say that it is a very complete iUust ration of the
important matter which' it embraces. Either for instruction or re-
ference it is calculated to be a standard work." To t his we may
add, that the statistical accounts are all brought down to a very late
period, so as to furnish the most satisficthry • details, and comprise
within a single octavo Volume, a mass of information, which
otherwise, only to be obtained through a nititiplidty of very ai-
-1 ,kensi to Work).