Star.
London, England, 1824-02-13 00:00:00

[PRICE SEVEN—PENCIs.

his opinions upon this and other subjects of the highest
public interest, there was, he believed, no person who
heard him that would not concur in acknowledging
that no inconsiderable loss had been sustained by his
death—(Near, hear). Through goad and bad report,
he steadily went forward to his object of endeavouring
to mould the laws in conformity to those principles he
was so capable of expounding—(Near)—and however
others might differ from him, his opponents could not
deny him the praise of upright intention. Though his
principles met with opposition, many of the conclusions
he drew from them had already been fulfilled. He
(Mr. Hume) originally gave notice of this motion,
mainly depending on his assistance ; and he could assure
the House, that in bringing it forward now, he was in-
fluenced by no party feeling. Though the motion was
one of rather a complicated nature, that circumstance
should not deter the House from inquiry ; for he thought
it possible to bring forward such information before a
Committee, as would induce the House to concur in

his views. At first his intention was, that only the laws
affecting the emigration of mechanics and the ex-
portation of machinery should be considered. He had
since thought it advisable, on the suggestion of many.
Honourable Members, to add that body of laws

known under the name of the Combination Laws.--
These laws had a more extensive effect than could be
well believed ; and it was unnecessary for him to say that
great advantage must arise from inquiry hurt the sub-
ject. He had no hesitation in laying it down as •s gene-
ral principle, that any laws, the effect of which was to
fetter men's labour, and prevent them from employing
it to the best advantage, ought to be repealed, unless it
could be shewn that some vital interest of the country
required their continuance. It was not until lately that
any approaches were made towards acting upon the
principle laid down by Adam Stnith—L:Here the Hon.
Gentleman read a passage from the Wealth of Nations ;
the import of which was, that any restriction laid upon
the labour of a man's hands, which was his property,
was a violation of natural right.—As the law now
stood, any Gentleman might go to France or any other
country, and spend the whole of his income there, while
the mechanic was denied the same privilege. Laws to
be just ought to be equal. On information given to a
Magistrate that a mechanic was about to leave the coun-
try, he might be sent to prison till he gave good secu-
rity that he would not go. The effect was to increase
the difficulties of emigration, but not to prevent it, for
it was known that mechanics in great numbers found
their way out of the country. They who recognised the
principle of emigration by assisting persons to go to Ca-
nada, the Cape of Good Hope, and other places, should
not surely refuse to the artisan the opportunity of con-
verting his time and talents to the best advantage. No
man would willingly leave his native country unless he
saw a prospect of converting his knowledge and talents
to greater profit than he could at home. The second
object he had in view, the exportation of machinery,v..as
nne which appeared to some of a more doubtful nature,
as to its expediency, than the first. The same principle,
however, in his opinion, applied to both, but the latter
would perhaps require more investigation to remove
existing prejudices. When the House heard all the evi-
dence, they would be able 'to judge what alteration it
might be expedient to introduce in the existing laws.—
When they knew machinery was exported, arid that ma:
nufacturers of machinery went abroad, and constructed
such machines as were required, hewas satisfied theywould
come to the conclusion that it would be for the interest
of the country if this great branch of industry was
added to their other manufactures, aril that England
was allowed to supply the other nations of the world
with machines. The rude material from which they
were constructed was cheap, and in no department of
industry was the manufactured article sold for so large
a sum as compared with the prime cost. If it could be
shewn, as he knew it could, that in other countries they
were reduced to the necessity of making their own
machines, which they would more willingly get from
here if they could be obtained ; this would be another
motive with the House for altering Cle law. They
should consider that there was scarcely any machine
for which a patent was not taken out. This could not
be done without a specification, of which a foreigner
could easily obtain a copy, and thus have the machine
constructed at home. Thus it was clear that the paten-
tee and the country were injured, and that they deprived
themselves of considerable advantage by not allowing
the manufacture of machines for the foreign market.—
The next point, the Combination Laws, might be dis-
patched in a few words. As the law now stood, work-
men were not allowed to consult together as to the
amount of wages that was a fair compensation for
their labour without incurring the penalty of fine
and imprisonment. They did not enjoy the same ad-
vantage as their employers, who might reduce them to
any rate of wages they pleased. Ile heard of resolu-
tions come to by master shoemakers and others, declar-
ing that they would not allow more than a certain
price. The result of this was, a great dissatisfaction
among the working classes. It would be said that
if the laws were repealed the workmen would become
troublesome by striking for wages. This he felt confi-
dent would not be the case if the law was altered.—
Workmen never struck for wages unless when forced to
do so in their own defence. He had it upon the autho-
rity of an Honourable Member whom he did rot
then see in his place, that if all the Statute Laws
affecting masters and workmen were repealed, the
Common Law would be sufficient to meet all the
mischievous effects that could arise from combination. It
was important then to reflect why such Statutes should
be allowed to continue in existence. The reason, he
might be told, was th difficulty of repealing them. He
was certain all difficulty would be removed when proper
information was obtained on the subject. He knew that
some short time back, at a meeting of the weavers of
Spitalfields, when the question was put, they all de-
clared that they were still willing to remain under those
laws. He had no doubt that such a declaration would
not have been made if they had not been led astray by
some interested persons, some specious declaimers who
attended the meeting. Inquiry, however, would open
the eyes of these persons, and spew them the error under
which they laboured in supposing that such laws could'
be for their interest. He hoped he had said enough to