Star.
London, England, 1831-03-11 00:00:00

BARILLA AND KELP.

As the reduction of the Duty on Barilla, tended to destroy
a native product, by favouring a foreign one, the Kelp
Manufacturers lately presented a protest to the Board of
Trade, containing among other statements the following
graphic description of the mode in which the Kelp estates
are let and managed :
" Your Honourable Board may require to be informed
what is the relative situation of landlord and tenant in the
iKelp districts :—A piece of ground, called a Lot, is held by
P, each tenant under a lease, and this he is encouraged to cul-
Ltlnte and improve • but, with all his skill and perseverance,
tatid the influence Of even the best seasons, he can never do
more than provide the necessaries of life for himself and his
family—stud, in bad seasons, the landlord, in place of re-
ceiving his rent, is frequently obliged to provide for the
wants of the population. In few instances do the Proprie-
tors draw a direct income from their tenants, but, in lieu of
rent, the tenant engages to deliver a certain quantity of
Kelp, which he prepares at a particular season, from burn-
ing the Sea-weeds, which abound to a great extent along
the bays and estuaries with which the country is so much
indented. The Kelp is sent to market, and consigned to an
Agent, who accounts with the Proprietor for the proceeds ;
and in this way his rents are received. .

" From theunture of this arrangement, and the circum-
stance that the kelp is sent to market entirely at the risk
and disposal of the landlord (the tenants being merely re-
, quired to deliver the stipulated quantity), it is evident that
the stage in the depression of its value nt which kelp must
cease to be made, is when it will not afford a return for the
labour expendeu on its manufacture, (which, in other words,
constitutes the cent of the lot), together.witb the charges in-
cident to its being brought to market. • At} the inferior de.
scriptions of kelp have already fallen below this point, part
of the kelp has ceased to be manufactured, and the popula-
tion, unable to procure other labour, have been driven from
their homes. To afford your Honourable Board an idea of
the extent to which the population in these districts are in-
debted to the kelp manufacture, it may be stated, that the
inhabitants of the islands of North and South Uist and Ben-
becula amount at present to about twelve thousand five hun-
dred, seven or eight thousand of whom could find no other
means of support, and must be removed, were it to be done
away with.
" Of the Kelp at present sent to market, the average does
not do more than pay the charges. Any measure, there-
fore, which would lower its value, must have the effect your
Memorialists have stated, and operate its extinction, accom-
panied with all the evils which must arise from a large popu-
lation being unable to find employment in any other branch
of industry on their native soil, whilst inaunnountable diffi-
culties oppose their removal elsewhere. The seas and
mountains by which they are separated from the low coun-
try in Scotland, - their ignorance of the English language,
—their total want of knowledge of every branch of manu-
facture not practised in the Highlands, mould tender it im-
possible for them to find useful employment either in Scot-
land or England ; and it is wholly out of their power to de-
fru), the expense of their emigration to America. Under
these circumstances, it is evident that if their present means
of sitbsistence are extinguished, the most deplorable con-
sequences may ensue."

The following story is in cirenlation :—" When a Noble
Lord tendered his resignation, as Lord in Waiting, as
Illustrious Person said to him. ' I am sorry to lose
you, but I am at issue with the Boroughmongers, and I'll
beat them."

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4' i
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IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

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HOUSE OF LORDS, Mauest 10.
Ors the motion of the Earl of Sitar Tamar, certain standing orders
we►e , for the purpose of passing Grosvenor's Harr 11,H.
The whiten Debtor's Bill was lead the third time.
The Earl LIMERICK presented a petition from the soap ni..nw-
lecturers of Limerick, complaining of distress.
The Duke of RUTLAND presented a petition from the ship owner,
of Scarborough, in the county of York, complaining of distress, an.l
praying relief.
Earl CAWDOR presented a petition from Pembroke, for the
dboli-
tiro of the malt tax.

Sir A. Glum and other Members from the Commons, brought t
the Census (Ireland) Bill, and the Bankrupts' Estates Bill.
Alderman WOAD brought up the London Bridge Bill.
The Mutiny Hill was read a second time.
The Marine Mutiny Bill was read a third time.
TIT UE.
Lord TENTERDEN gave notice that it ss-as his intention on Tues-
day next to bring In a bill which would have for object to limit the
time of modtues, or compensations in lieu of tithes. The noble and
learned lord observed that a mods,. deeimandi required a reasonable
commencement. It must extend, in some instances, beyond the me-
mory of Man—namely, to the reign of Richard the Second; and ma
onsiderahle difficulty occurred proving custom from so taily a la-
ri,sel, the intended measure would ds a seasonable time to which
o ght to be limited.

Lord FIFE was desirous of hearing the noble and learned lord state
more In detail the object of his bill. It was one which involved the
ti•hts of the people, sad should be cautiously examined. The bill in-
-I....duced by another noble and learned lord had been brought in as a
humane act,but he did not think it deserved that character. It was a
bill to force pentane in prison to give up the property of their la:•ti.
lies, without allowing them the opportunity of waiting to obtai.,
better means of payment. There was something like oppression in
such a measure, and hi. hope was, that it might not be hurried through
the house.

Lord WYNFORD said he was not conscious of having incurred st,,v
blame. The noble lord had misconceived the effect of every-past of hi,
bill. Roth the measures he had introduced were brought in before
Christmas, and so far from taking any noble lord by surprise, he had
frequently expressed himself ready to postpone the consideration of the
bills. As to oppression, the only object was to compel persons to ap-
ply their property to the payment of their debts, instead of living upon
it in the rules of • prison.
Lord TENTERDEN assured the noble lord he hid DO inten-
tion to hurry his bill. All he &skid was, permission to read it
the first time, and Ly it on the utile for the consideration of she
house.

REFOAXIIIIIMI NGIIAM PETITION.

Earl GREY presented the petition of the inhabitants of Birming-
ham, med at a numerous meeting, held on the 2d of March. The
petitioners prayed, that the measure proposed fur reform in parlLlment
might pass into a law. The meeting was attended by not less than fifteen
thousand persons, and their lordships well knew that there was no place
where the ideas upon annual parliaments and vote by ballot, were car-
ried to more excess ; but the petitioners in this instance were only use-
nimous in favour of the measure proposed in the other house of pariii.
ment. There was one fact to which the noble earl called the atten-
tion of their lordships. Although this was the petition of la,ooo per.
sons, it was only signed by Mr. Attwood, the chairman.
Earl GREY also presented a petition to the same effect, from the
Parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, signed by 6,04)0 pentot.s. Also, pc-
titian., having the same prayer, from the parishes of St. Mary Strat-
ford; St. Leonard, Bromley; front Dartmouth, in the county of Devon;
and two from Burghs in Scotland.
The Earl of CLANRICA RDE presented a petition from a parish in
Ireland for a repeal of the Union.
Lord CALTHORPE presented a petition from the merchants,
bankers, and traders of Birmingham, praying for a moderate re.
form. The noble lord declared himself the friend and advocate of
moderate reform, but opposed that sweeping reform which many at that
tints had so strong a &site to effect. The effect of a sudden inroad
upon established institutions must be injurious to the best interests of
the community.
Several Members how the Commons brought up the Calico Drawback
Repeal. Bill, which was read the first time.
Report of the Penitentiary Committee was brought up to
the Bar.

The House then Adjourned.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Alaacu 10.
The house proceeded to ballot for an Election Committee, to try the
merits of the petition complaining of an undue election for Tregony.
The Committee being elected were sworn at the table.
Ma. BAILLIR presented a petition from Bristol, agreed to at a
large and respectable electing, in favour of the plan of Reform brought
in by ministers. He should oppose that part of the bill which gave ad.
dit;oual members to counties, as it would prevent the repeal of the corn
lass ; and that part which disfranchised existing electors, which wou.d
disfranchise three thousand of his constituents.

CALICO
Lord ALTHORP moved the third reading of the Calico DlHit/.
Repeal Bill.
The bill w.ts read a third time and partied.

GROWTH OF TOBACCO IN IRELAND.
Mr. WARBURTON said c commi.tee had sat 01 .he growth of
tobacco in Ireland, and af.cr full inquiry had reported on its impolicy,
es it could not be continued without a ptotect'on amounting to 1.•200
per cent. and also endangering the revenue. He meant to move for
leave to bring in a bill founded on the report of the committee which
be hoped would be allowed to proceed to the second evading without
opposition. He moved that the house resolve itself into a committee
on the tobacco duties.

Lord ALT HOE? said he had intended to bring in • bill for the
same putpose, but found it impracticable dining the present w mien :
but be perfectly agreed in the principle of the measure, and if persons,
after what has taken place in that house, embarked capital in that spe-
culation, they could have no claim to compensation.
Mr. F. LF.Witi thought there was no use in bringing in the bill if
it was to be opposed on the second reading. He thought the bill was
indispensably necessary to the equalization of duty between England
and Ireland, and the prevention of smuggling.
Mr. RUTHYEN said the Act, if passed. would strengthen the
feeling in Ireland that there was a want of sympathy towards that part
of the country in the House of Commons. However the question
might be disposed of, he was confident the Irish members and the
people of Ireland would support ministers in the great measureinf

Colonel CHICHESTER said the cultivation of tobacco wa• ext•:n.
sive and beneficial in the county of Wexford, sot: he hoped the nt.ble
lord would persevere in his opposition to die bill this year.
Mr. GRATTAN thought the noble lord acted like a man of feeling
in opposing the bill for the present year
Mr. H. El AV IS was much surprised that the noble lord who agretd
in the principle of the bill, should oppose its passing this year, as every
year would irerease the difßeulty. The bill was necessary for the pro-
tection of the fair trade in England.
J EPHSON said lie should oppose the bill, as he was confident
the grog th of tobacco in Ireland must lead to a reduction of duty,
which would be beneficial to the people.
illr. CALLAGHAN thought the reason assigned by the hon. gent.
went meanly to prove the necessity of the bill. Ireland, he thought,
shoold not be allowed to grow tobacco so long as Kiigland and Scot.
land were prohibited from the cultivation. The ineenite was also ne-
cessary fur the protection of the dealers in tobacco in Ireland. He was
confident that the teduction of the duty on tobacco would increase the
revenue.

Mr. LEADER said the bill would be a violation of the act of union.
He thought the noble lord acted with good feeling and good judgment
in oppos.tog the bill for the present.
Mr. CURTEIS said he thought the growth of tobacco in Ireland
should be at once discontinued, or it should be permitted in England
and Scotland.

Lord OXMANTOWN thought if the growth of tobacco must be
prohibited in Ireland, it should be done without delay, which would
increase the loss whenever the prohibition should take place.
Lord VA LENTIA said the privilege of growing tobacco in Ireland
was given by a British Act of Parliament, and its cultivation was gra-
dually increasing, and ought not to he interfered with —at least not for
the present. He should join the Noble Lord in his opposition to the
Bill, on the second reading; but he should not take up the time of
the house at present, as he knew. after the long debate they had passed
through. they must require a little test (Hear, and laughter.)
Lord LOWTHER did not see any necessity now, since we had lost
the colonies, to legislate for their benefit, and he hoped the benefit of
growing tobacco would not be confined to Ireland, but would be ex-
tended to England and Scotland.
Sir K. BATESON also opposed the prohibition of growing tobacco
in Ireland, and wished it extended to England and Scotland.
Mr. BROWNLOW regretted that the Civil List brought lee-
ward by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, should have been infringed
upon, as the reduction of the duty would have pat a stop to smug-
gling, and would have equalized the trade by con rtition and he
contended, that if the growing of tobacco was to be permitted in In—
land, It must in fairness be extended to Scotland and England ; but it
was necessary that such a permission must be accompanied with a re-
tluction of duty.
Mr. OOULBURN complained of the plan of conduct pursued by
the noble lord who filled the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer, us
being calculated to excite a prejudice in the public mind against his pet.
deeessor. The hen. member entered into au explanittion of the former
measures, and 000eloded with expressing a hope that the noble
would reconsider the =ware.

Lend ALTHORP esplalazd, that it wu his wish to put • rop
to the growth of tobacco, but he wax at.xious to arola aciting qtly po.
polar cry *Oust the administration in Ireland at the prsent tomcat.
Lord 11E ILLSEN expressed a hope that the Bill woald n. t pas,.

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