Star.
London, England, 1827-03-02 00:00:00

Average of twelve years Sys.

AINCIAL AIIIILAO /I TAXIS Or VINZAT

10T11 INCLO
Per Quart
s. d.
83 S.
• 76 2
. 94 0
. 83 8
• 72 3
. 65 10
• 54 5'
• 43 3
• 51 9
. 62 0
. 66 6
• 56 11,

Year ended . 1815
1816
1817
1818
Idl9
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826.

12 num raom ISIS so 1826,

a d.
Average of 6 years 74 2

s. &
Avenge of 6 years 55 9

Average of 12 years . 645. 114.
Average of first six weeks 1227 . 335. 6d:
The Right Hon. Gentleman then proceeded
have made the Committee acquainted with the outline
of the duties which the Resolutions propose, and the
principle upon which those Resolutions have been
founded ; and I can only say, that it has been the earnest
desire and endeavour of his Majesty's Government to
poize the scales equally between the great contending
interests—(Hear, heat). Casting, I will admit, into
the balance the principle (I mean the arrangement of
the duties) in the favour of trade, but casting also into
the balance, as I think it must be allowed on all hands,
price in the favour of apicultui ists—(Chrers). 1 there
fore believe and trust that the plan proposed will be
found to be both impartial and beneficial, and I con.
fess I do not anticipate from any party any objections
but such as every system must of necessity be exposed
to. I am however desirous to prevent any misunder-
standing or misconception on the subject. 1 am aware
that I may be asked this question. If you agree to a scale
of duties which at a given point n ill act practically as
prohibitory, why will you not at that point grant us a
real prohibitory duty? I will meet such lion. Gen-
tlemen as would put that question upon their own,

ground. I repeat, that in no-instance excepting thel
one I have mentioned, has a prohibitory duty been Id-
mitted es a principle by this country, when legislat►ng
Ilwith reference to the admission of foreign corn. In the
long series of years which occurred between 1670 ancr
1774, when the uniaterrumed object of Parliament was
not only to discourage the importation of foreign corn,
but also to promote the exportation of corn from this
country, prohibition was never had recourse to, but
always protecting duties. In the second place, I can-
not but remark, that the experiment has been tried by
the Act of 1815, and has most unquestionably failed; and
in the third place it appears tome most desirabk, i t there
is to be any trade in corn at all, that it should be car-
ried on on the came principles that other trades are, and
in as far as possible, be treated as a regular branch of
commerce, and that it should not exist merely by those
sudden jerks and impulses which arise only out of ex-
traordinary circumstances—(Cheers). If the importa-
tion of corn is always free—not free as to the fact of
coming into our home market—butfree in principle, it
will fl iw in an equal and regular current, and not in-
undate our markets ; it will supply the real wants of the
country, and not at the one moment overwhelm us, and
on the next leave us destitute, as is now the case: we
shall no longer be subject to a perpetual series of alter-
nations from a drought to a deluge—(Cheers). The
effect of such regular supply will necessarily be to pro-
duce, by degrees, a steadiness in the markets, which
has not for too many years been known. It will put an
end to those extreme variations which have continually
occurred since 1815; the price of corn will no longer be
fluctuating from 112 s. to 38s. but its vibrations will
be bounded by the small circle of from fifty-five shillings
to sixty-five shillings. In fact the fluctuations in the
price will no longer be such as to overwhelm all
sober, plain calculation, and from causing a dearth
force the barrier's of the laws, by obliging Parliament
or the Executive to legislate against, the Legislation.—
(Hear, hear).—And, Sir, there is a further advantage
which will attend the working of the system proposed
in the resolutions I shall have the honour of submitting
to the Committee. It will operate as a cure to an evil
of the very first magnitude. I allude to the abuses
which at present occur in the striking of the average,—
(Cheers).—After I have stated to the Committee that it
happened twice io two years that the opening of the
Ports was regulated by the fractions of twopence and
fivepence, it will be impossible to prevent some suspi-
cions from arising that the averages were not just
and correct—(Hear, hear, hear). By this plan the
averages will not only be made up weekly, as they
are at present, but they will also be weekly de-
clared, so as to regulate the duty. This will
prevent all undue influence, but when three months,
as is at present the case, are allowed before an average
can be struck, which will affect the opening of the
ports, it is very easy to imagine that great capitalists
possess an opportunity of creating such a rise or fall as
may be most conducive to their own particular inte•
rests. This improper influence will be done away with,
for the average of one week will overturn any unusual
effect which may have been produced by the average
of the week preceding. By this plan the trade in corn
will be regulated by the ordinary principles of com-
merce, and it will assume a character more analogous
Ito the usual transactions of the British Merchants—

(Hear, hear). Again: the plan which I propose will get
rid of the interference of the Executive Government,
which as some Hon. Gentlemen have very complacently
argued operates as a cure, but which I regard as quite the
reverse—(Hear, and laughter). But a short time has
elapsed since his Majesty s Government felt themselves
imperiously called upon to admit, on their own respon-
sibility, a certain quantity of foreign corn, and Parlia-
ment and the country agreed that they were right in
the step they took ; yet, Sir, while I am conscious that
a great public good was effected by the extraordinary
power which my colleagues and myself then assumed,
I am also conscious that great private injury was occa-
sioned. Why, Sir, every stroke of the pen which then
relieved the public from the danger of famine, also
destroyed many a private fortune—(Hear)—And al-
though Hon. Gents. may talk glibly, and say that we did
but do our duty by the country iu acting the part we did,
and I myself confess that we should have been unworthy
of the confidence of the country had we not so acted, and
if we would not have recourse to the same exercise
of discretionary power under similar circumstances;
still, Sir, I must say, that we should be still more un-
worthy of the confidence of the country if we had not
endeavoured to guard against the recurrence of such an
extremity, after we had witnessed the serious injuries it
caused.—(Cheers.) Why then, if this measure will pro.
duce that effect, that is in itself an advantage worthy
of deep consideration, and if it shall appear to do so,
when it comes to be discussed and reflected on, may it
not be found, that those great interests which have long
seemed as wide asunder as are the Poles, have gra-
dually been approximating, and are now mere nearly
connected with each other than has been supposed ?
—(Cheers.)—Should that happily be the case, this
plan, Sir, will tend to calm the effervescence and to
soothe the ill blood which has too long existed—
(Cheers).—lt may have the salutary effect of preying
that there is room in the world for both, and that the
prosperity of the one may go hand in hand with and
conduce to the prosperity of the other—(Continued
cheers). These are the reasons, Sir, and considerations
which have actuated his Majesty's Government in
adopting this plan, and I do not feel that it is necessary,
nor do I think that it would be convenient for me to en-
ter further into detail at the present moment. There will
be a more proper time for such a proceeding—(Hear).
I do not propose to call for any vote this night; my
object is to place these Resolutions on the Journals
of the House, and afterwards to move for an adjourn-
ment of the question until Friday se'nnight. I place
the Resolutions in the hands of the Committee; and
whatever objections may be found with them in their
details, I entreat the House to receive them as a peace-
offering, and as the best measure which the Govern-
ment can recommend, devised as it has been by my
Noble Friend at the head of the Gore, nment, as a means
of reconciling conflicting interests, and binding them
together in the spirit of unanimity and good understand-
ing."—(Loud and general cheering from both sides).
The following Resolutions were then put from the
Chair :

" That it is the opinion of this Committees, that any sort of
corn, grain, meal, and Hour, which may now, by law, be imported
into the United Kingdom, should at all times be admissible for
home use, upon payment of the duties following, viz.—if imported
from any foreign country--

WEIZAT, •IZ.
Whenever the ge price of wheat made up and
published in manner required by law, shall be 60s. anti A s. d.
wider 61s. the quarter, the duty shall be (or every qr. 1 0 0
And in respect of every integral shilling by which such

r price shall be above 60s. suds doty iamb he Alarmed
by es. until such price shall be 70s.
'4 Whenever such price shall be at dr *Wee iros. the
duty shall be for every quartet
" Whenever itch price shall be under &h. and not undue.
595. the duty shall be fur every quarter .
And in erspeet of each integral shilling, at any poi ag
each integral shilling, by which such ptici shall be us:
der Siis. each duty shall he increased by Its.

assure.
" Whenever the average price of barley made up and
published in manner required by la* shall be 30s.rad
under 51s. the quarter, the duty slian be for ever, qr.
And in respect of every Integral shales by which
such price shall be above SOL such duty shall be de-
creased by Is. 6d. until such price shall he 375. When:
ever such price shall be at or above srs. the duty shall
be, for every quarter
'• Whenever suck price shall be ender Ms. aod not today
291. the doty shall be for every quarter
And in respect of each integral shilling, or any part of
each integral shilling, by which such price shall be
under 495. such duty shall be increased ls. 6d,

Cats.
a, Whenever the average price of oats made of. Itnd pub,'
licked in manner required by kW shall be tis. and
under 22a. the quarter, the duty shalt be for every
quarter
And in respect of every Integral shilling by which such
price dial Ise above Cl,. such duty shall be decreased
le. lit. web pike shall be Mts.
" such price shall be at or above tea. the duty
dtall baler every quarter
* IFlliewever svch•price shall be under 21s. and sotunder
No,. the duty shall be for every quarter
And in respect of each integral shilling, or any part of
each integral Aiding, by which such price Slap be
under 20s. such duty shall be increased by Is.
avC, TEAS, MID SUNS.
▪ Whenever the average price of rye, or ed peas, or ag
beans, made up and publish►d in manner required by
• law, shall be 555. and under 565. the quarter, the duty
shall be for every quarter
Andkin respect of every integral sidling by whicli
- such price shall ►e above 351. such duty shall be .e.
creased by Is. 6d. until such price shall be !Ss.
Whenever such price shall be at or above 45L the duty
dull be for every quarter
Wisenever such price shall be under 555. and OW un-
der 345. the duty shall be for every quarter ,
• And in respect of each integral shilling, or any part of
each integral shilling, by which such price shall be
under 345. such duty shall be increased by Is. 641.
WHEAT MEAL AND FLOC{.
For every barrel, being 1961 b. a duty equal In moan
duty payablems.Bee bushels of wheat.
OATMEAL.
• " For every quantity of 2511 b. a duty equal is amount
duty payable on a quarter of oats.
. SEAMS OLUSDIAN COEN, auce-weEAT, ataa Oa BOW
w Fat every quarter, a duty equal in amount to the
albia is a quarter of barley.
• " If the produce of and imported from any British pmessien
North America or elsewhere, out of Europe:
WHEAT.

M For every quarter .
.
Until the price of British Wheat, made wp and pub-
lished in manner required by law, shall be 651.

per quarter.
Whenever such price shall be at or above 655. the
duty shall be for every quarter . .
WILEY.
" For every quarter
Until the price of British barley, made up and pub.
fished in manner required by law, Man be 335. per

quarter.
44 Whene►er such price shall be at or above Us. the duty
shall be, for every quarter

OAT..

" For every quarter . . . .
Until the price of British oats, made up and published
in manner required by law, shall be 245. per quarter.
" Whenever such price shall be at or above 245. the dor
shall be, for every quarter . . .
Ali, BUMS, AND PI US.

M For every quarter . .
Until the price of British rye, or of beans, or of peas,
made up and published in manner required by law.
rat 40s.
er such price shall be at or above 40s. the duty
AA he for every quarter .

MINA! DIAL AND FLOCS.
" For every barrel, being 196 lb. a duty equal in amount
duty payable on five bushels of wheat.
oarstaaL.
For every quantity of 2521 b. a duty equal In amount
payable on a quarter of oats.
YAMS OA INDIAN COLN, soca.watal, drat OD awl.
" For every quarter, a duty equal in amount to the duty
en a quarter of barley.
" That it is the opinion of this Committee, that
duties shall be regulated and determined, from week to
the average prices of corn, made tip in manner required
which prices shall, at the several ports of the United King(
terming the several rates of the said duties, for and during t
next after the receipt of the proper certificates of such
prices at such poets respectively."
Mr. WESTERN said, that the Right Hon.
man had brought forward his Resolutions
which did bins the greatest honour. He had very
entreated that all party notions might be laid aside
he (Mr. Western) should endeavour to dismiss his pis
conceived opinions on the subject. He was happy to
hear that ample time was to be allowed for the CAA.
sideration of the novel plan which had that evening bees
introduced, and he trusted that the Committee wntdl
examine it with deliberation and with c tuti in. lie
confessed that it appeared to him no less dangerou,
than it was novel, and be hoped that it ssould be dui,
reflected on before it was adopted. He regarded it a;
a dangerous innovation on a system which had 'lona
the test of ages. He thought that the Right Hon.
Gentleman had not dealt fairly with the Act of 1815. It
might be true, that that was the first Act which expressly
provided against importation until corn had reached a
certain price ; but it was also true, that for a long sexier
of years circumstances had operated as an effectual bar
to the importation of foreign corn, and the Act of 151.5
only confirmed to the British agriculturist, the prove•
lion which circumstances had before given
(Here the Hon. Member was interrupted by the
which prevailed in the House, and rendered him
audible.) He was not desirous of entering into an,
evasion on the question, if it was contrary to theft
tithe House—(Hear) but there were some few obserr
dens which he wished to make. The Rt. Hon. Gentle-
bad mistaken the facts when he stated that the pikes of
wheat bad been 112s.since the passing of the Act in 1815;
it was in 1812 that wheat was 112 s. per quarterTheam.
Member then proceeded to argue that the law of 181.5
had enabled a supply to be gained from foreign countries
when required, and that it had protected our bums
agricultuie, which had been a benefit to every
of commerce. In support of this argument be _
a variety of official returns, and maintained that
plan proposed was a far greater and more al.
innovation than the Act of 1815. He could not
*Liking that a system of duty would be more oboor,_
than prohibition up to a certain price. The system of
prohibition inculcated upon the mind the idea that pro.
tection to British agriculture was the seik object is
view, and that considerations of revenue formed no pail
of it. Neither the present price of grain, nor its price
for any considerable period during the operation of
Bill of 1815, was, or had been, so high as to disci
manufactures. Indeed, high price cf corn had
rally beeti coincident with the greatest manufactur
prospered. 1n.1821, agriculture and manufactures .
been depressed together. In Feb. 1825, when the Ittgl>

omi 4e. s, fie
be the
t •
of• 1 2 0 Val
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'tom
old
eta it.
04
9r• 0 10 is
tel "hi
db. 111611
en.
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of 10 II
be
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they
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be
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o 11 I wer
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so
the
Pri°
amount to to b
inste
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o
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S
the the
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they
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er.
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peal.
his
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sent
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o 0 y ter(
amount to the the
ease
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tat to tit duty oscil
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111313•
aft.
IC duty mu*
Si
it an the aid systl
k to week, by pose
quired by kw;
Kingdom, cle of
-
aring the week the
such average take
wig
lon. Gentle- • Ben
s in a spirit
very justly not
el aside, and of Is
Hiss his pro• tine
as happy to take
or the cut• belt
vening bees sine
tittee wouli 112
tuti 40. Ile Wit
dangeroui it w
uld be duly ble,
garded
tent
by
oactlitoihtgalhdstlsHstiont.mait li
cb expressly tbei
I reached
I long series
Pc%
ffectual ber mien
Act of 151.5 wit;
the protec to I
rem him.— fro'
sy the noise way
ed him ie seal
nto any die why
the feeling' Co.
ew observe. obs
Gentleman foe
se prices of he
ict in 1811.51 ten
er.Theam• anc
w of 1813 • ver
A countries coe
our htstne of
'ery branch
~ ern
t be quoted tua
rd that the sot
e alarming ' pry
Id not help wo
e obnoxious res
system of 131
ea that pro. Oki
e object ill lltl
sed no pat era
or its price the
scion of thei, the
discourage to]
had gene
mfacturia; do
Kluges had ties
▪ the Rig!' lee