Star.
London, England, 1817-04-25 00:00:00

NEW ISSUE OP VCOHIQUIS BILLS.

The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER
rose to call the attention of the House to a Motion
he intended to submit to their consideration on Mon-
day, and which at this moment was particularly in-
teresting to the country. Aware that the mere no-
tice of that motion, without any* int:oductory re-
, marks, might excite some Harm. he lelt himself
bound tifgive a general account of what he intended
that day. On Monday next it was his intention To
move that in a Committee of the whole House, his
Majesty shall, by a resqlution of the Consmittee, be
authorised to issue Exchequer Bills to a certain
amitunt, for the relief of the public distress, on se-
curity being given. This motion was intended for
the relief of the labouring poor. He should propose
that the money be allotted partly to Corporations,
to enable them to employ labourers is finishing public
works, and in this instance security would be re-
quired for the repayment of the money in a given
time. Other parts of the mosey would be given
to parishes and Associated bodies, on securities being
given on the parisbiates, and also by individuals.
It was not meant, howitvir, that such Money von to
be employed in what might abstractly Wailed itisueus

for the great object which his Majesty's Ministers bad'
in view, was the findang of employment for the poor,
which indeed was the most rational and satisfactory
way of giving relief. In order to prevent any unre-
cessary alarm in the money market, the sum be
meant to propose would be between one and twc mil-
lions, and he thought this could be no inconvenience
to the money minket, as it was this year very well
able to bear it. Such was an outline of the plan he
intended on Monday nest to submit to the House,
and he should only further add, that he was specially
commanded by his Royal. Highness the Prince Re-
gent, to recommend this to the immediate and warm-
est attention of the House. The notice was then read.

Mr. LAMB said, it was impossible not to feel that
the subject now adverted to by the Right Hon. Gentle-
man was one of the must important that could possibly
engage the attention of the Briiish Legislature. He
must say, that the effect it would have on the Funds
was of minor importance, but it gave a melancholy
picture of the alarming effects resulting from that
system of laws which had unhappily grown up in
the country. He expressed an anxious hope that ibis
was not, however, the only measure Ministers in-
tended to take for alleviating the publiedistress. It
1 might be proper, indeed, to give the present proposed
relief, but he implored Ministers, he implored the
House, at once to go to the root of the evil, and not
merely to alleviate but to revent the future recur-
rence of public calamity. They had much to do,
much was expected from them, and their every step
was watched with a longing eye.
Mr. BROUGHAM had not the most distant wish
to anticipate the discussion which would piobably
take place on Monday: He was afraid he had not
understood the precise object of the Right Honour.
able Gentleman. He would not give an opinion at
present respecting the advance of money to Corpora.
tions, but he implored the Right Hon. Gentleman to
consider one thing, and to consider it seriously, when
he spoke of giving money to Parishes and requiring
personal security. By doing so, he was rather afraid
le was placing Country Gentlemen in most difficult
and delicate situations. The Poor, if this took place,
knew they would be relieved, if their richer neigh-
bours would come forward and undertake to be so
far responsible to Government for the repaying of
the money, as agree to be subjected to tbe.hasard of
extents in aid. Now this was, perhaps, placing Gen-
tlemen in a very unpleasant and rather delicate situ-
ation, Inr•if they refused, as probably some might,
they would be looked to with an unfavourable rye.
He was aware, that to this there might be many
tbi igs said by way of answer, and it was for that
very reason he let it to the consideration of the Right
Honourable Gentlemen.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.
I can only say, that in granting this relief, his Ma-
jesty's Ministers do not, in the slightest manner, wish j
it to be understood that they at all think it will afford
permanent relief to the Country. The great object
they have in view, is to afford temporary relief, till
these sotirces be again re-opened, which have unfor-
, tuna'ely been shut, but which, there is every reason
to believe, will not long be the case. Nor is it meant
to prevent any thing being done by Parliament, but,
on the contrary, to do every thing in the mean time
while Parliament is deliberating what can possibly be
done. I have been fully understood by the Honour-
' able and Learned Gentleman opposite, and the hints
he has thrown out will be a suitable subject for the
House to direct their attention, when the question is
submitted to their consideration. They will, without.
doubt, do every thing to prevent that disadvantage
alluded to, Irom taking place. The House, however,
cannot but see the necessity of the public distress'
being relieved as soon as possible, and the great ad-'j
vantage which will result from no delay taking place
in granting this relief. Every thing possible shall be j
attended to when the preposition is laid before the
Committee of the whole House on Monday. When
the sums granted to Parishes are mentioned, it will
be seen that the first security demanded will be on the
Parish Rates, with security also being given by per-
sons. I have only further to add, that I judged it
proper, both to the House and to the monied interest,
to give some explanation of the proposed grant, and
conclude by expressing my confidence it will
meet that attention from the Committee which its
importance demands.

Mr. BROUGHAM.—I see I have fully under-
stood the plan of the Right Honourable Gentleman,
but I merely took the opportunity to throw out this
hint for his consideration. It is proper, if money is
advanced, that security be given, and wishing that
every attention should be paid to the interests of all
parties, I wished him to notice this. At present I
shall not further anticipate what may then take place.
Mr. LYTTLETON observed, that the execution
of the plan proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman
must necessarily be attended with considerable diffi-
culties. He trusted that the relief would not be
strictly confined to the quarters mentioned by the
Right Honourable 'Gentleman. With respect to the
Parish Funds, loaded as they were, he thought they
would be a very insufficient security for the money
advanced. The subject was of infinite importance;
and lie strongly recommended to the Right Hon.
Gentleman to postpone the consideration of it beyond
Monday, in order to give Honourable Members an
eppoitunity of communicating with their Constituents,
and of arranging their own ideas with respect to it.
_ _

Mr. PONSONBY was not prepared to give an
immediate opinion on the proposition; but urged the
propriety of deferripg for a few days the discussion
on a subject of so much weight and importance.
The CHANCELLOR cf the EXCHEQUER
expresvd his anxiety to consult the wishes of Ho-,
courable Gentlemen on the subject. Would it be
satisfactory, were be to confine himself to the state-
ment of his plan on Monday, and to defer calling on
the House for any opinion until a subsequent day ?
Mr. PONSONBY said that would be very satis-
factory.
The CHANCELLOR of the .EXCHEQUER
then intimated his intentient of satisfying himself on
Monday with making his own statement, unless no
very decided objection should appear to the adoption
of the proposition.
Mr. TIERNEY asked the Right Hon. Gentleman
when he anent to enter into the discussion of the
general lPinanees of the Country I
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
-replied. that he was quite prepared to do so at ere.
sent; bus that it warilecessarT. in-tb• 6rst- place, to