Star.
London, England, 1821-02-07 00:00:00

FOREIGN TRADE.

Mr. T. WALLACE rose to move for a Select
Committee on the state of the Foreign Trade of this
country. He said, that before the House could deem
itself in a situation to agree to any new measures with
respect to the state of Foreign Trade, it was desirable
that they should be in possession of the results of a
diligent search and examination of witnesses by a
Committee. The House would remember, that a
Committee was appointed last year upon the motion
of an Honourable Friend of his (Mr. Baring), upon
the same subject. He would have willingly left it in
the hands of that Gentleman to revive the Committee,
in order that they might resume their beneficial la-
bour, if it had not appeared to him (Mr. Wallace) that
as a Member a a Government zealous for the im-
provement of the condition of the country, and desir-
ous of lending themselves to any arrangement that
had a practical good in view, and especially as con-
nected with a department which enabled him to assist
the labour of that Committee in a great degree—u •
der all these circumstances, he thought it the more
desirable that he should undertake the revival of that
inquiry, and give to it all the importance and encou-
ragement which the countenance of Government
could afford to it. He would add, that Government
was anxious to spew its sensibility for the distresses
of the country, and that, where a remedy was to bz.
hoped for, they would, as far.as in them lay, procure
it without delay. He was happy to say, that in our
exports some considerable improvements had.recenslT

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appeared. In some of the manufactures, particularly
that of Cotton and Wool, there have been also im-
provements ; and, though the manufacturers wereinot
in the enjoyment of anything like their former pro-
sperity, still they were able to provide enough for
their ordinary wants: Some improvement, be would
add, was also made in the manufacture of Muslins.—
In stating these facts, the satisfaction which he felt,
arose, not only from the prosperity of the manufac-
turer, but also from the consequent good effect which
it must have on the condition of the Agriculturalist.
So connected were the two branches together, that
whenever there was an improvement in the one, it
would necessarily be followed by improvement in
the other. But it was not altogether on account of
the distresses of the country, great and imperative as
they were, that he recommended the appointment of
a Committee. It was partly in consequence of the
altered situation in which this country was placed by
the effects of peace, as welt as on account of the al-
tered situation of other countries, in which the spirit
of Commerce had been actively prevailing. Such
was the extent of competition throughout Europe,
that this country had now no other hope of main-
taining her commercial predominance than by com-
mercial means, and a fair spirit of rivalship. It was
unnecessary for him to remind the House that this.
country was possessed of very many advantages over
her neighbours—such as her enterprize, her capital,
her experience, and skill. But it was not to be for.
gotteh, that those advantages were to be exercised*
under the pressure of burdens which did not exist in
any other country. It was incumbent, therelore,'on
the Legislature, under these circumstances, to apply
all its energy for the purpose of making these advan-
tages as available as possible ; and that desirable
consequence he believed could only be expected frodi
a complete revision of our Commercial Laws ; re-
moving all those embarrassments which it was prac-
ticable to remove, and taking away every obstacle,
as far as they could, to the fair exertions of our ma-
nufacturers. In considering, however, this part of
the subject, it would be necessary to recollect that
we could not expect from other countries, that they
would give any support to our industry, without
our giving some support to their's. The principle,
therefore, must be mutual—( Hear, hear, hear).—
It was necessary, also, that we should get rid of that
feeling, of which we were so tenacious, that it was
in our power to produce everything that was requi-
site for our own consumption; a principle than which
nothing could be more hostile to the prosperity of a
country, in a commercial view, and to which might
be traced not only the fall of the commercial great-
ness of several countries, but many of those divisions
and jealousies that had distracted and disturbed many
of the nations of Europe. However, he felt that
this principle of free trade, however commendable
in the abstract, could not be acted upon in this coun-
try, except under very considerable limitations, for
the protection to particular branches of manufacture,
which-had grown up under the existing system, must
still be renewed. Yet it would be the duty of Par-
liament to provide that these protections should not
be perverted into a means of monopoly to an extent
oppressive to the people at large—(!fear).—The
Committee having last year recommended, among
other things, some amendment in the Navigation
Laws, he should take care to bring in a Bill to carry
into effect their recommendation. He would also
attend to other suggestions appearing in their Report,
and particularly to that for the concentration and.
consolidation of the commercial laws—(Hear).—
It ought to be an important part of our policy to
attend to the claims of our colonies, and to the ship-
ping interest of this country. He owned that he
was sanguine in his expectations of great commer-
cial advantages from the labours of the Committee.
One of the greatest objects of its attention would be
to put the trade of this country in such a situation as
that, whatever might be the changes of other States,
we would be able to reap the full benefit of them.
Without opening every means within our reach for
facilitating the improvement of our own industry, it
was useless to expect that the trade of the counts),
could be maintained. But as far as he could see, it
was not only practicable to maintain our trade, but
also to extend it, and thus to add to our strength and
resources—to raise us to our proper rank amongst
the nations, and to secure to us the possession of that
general influence which we deserved. He concluded
by moving that a Select Committee be appointed to
inquire into the best means of maintaining and im-
proving the Foreign Trade of this country.
Mr. CUItWEN expressed his satisfaction that his
Majesty's Ministers were at length awakened to the
distresses of the country, and espeCially to those of
the Agricultural branch, whose interest was insepa-
rably connected with that of the Manufacturer.
Mr. BARING felt that he could not be justified,
after the able speech of his Right Hon. Friend, in
taking up the time of the House at any length. If
he was to inquire how it happened, that in the sixth
year of peace the Agricultural, the Commercial, and
Manufacturing bodies of the country, were all com-
plaining of the distresses which they respectively
suffered—if he were to enter into this question, it
must necessarily lead to a discussion that the time of
the House could not allow. He felt great satisfac-
tion at the announcement of his Right Hon. Friend,
not only because the what influence and sanction of
Government would be given to this inquiry, but
also because it would have the assistance of the great
talents and experience of the Right lion. Gentleman
• himself. He flattered . himself that great benefit
must result from the labour of the Committee; and
although he was not one who thought that our trade
could be brought back to its former state of prospe-
rity—yet he was of opinion that much improvement
was practicable ; and that surrounded as we were by
commercial countries, it was still in our power to
bring back to a considerable extent our foreign trade;
and not like. the Netherlands or Italy, be forced to
live rather upon the fruits of former prosperity. He
thought that the magnitude of the object in view
ought, to be sufficient to unite persons of all political
sentiments in its furtherance. At least it was worth
a trial to see what would be the effect of an altera-

tiou in our commercial laws; and by that amended
system, let the country stand or fall—( ilear,hear).
Sir J. NEWPORT expressed a hope that the sub-
ject :of the foreign Timber Trade would be com-
pletely disposed of by the Committee, before they
occupied themselves with any other of the subjects
that would regularly come before them.—The motion

being carried, the Members of the Committee were
then appointed.