The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-01-27 00:00:00

Standard-office, Half-past Six o'clock

Ministerial Explanation.

HOUSE OF LOR.BS.—Last ight.

The Duke of WELLINGTON said, in consequence of the
accounts received from Ireland, and difftrent parts of
Great Britain, in the course of the autumn, his right hon.
friend at the head of the government deemed it necessary
to call the government together, and to submit the reports
which had reached him to their consideration, and to pro-
pose the adoption of certain measures. Oneoftbe measures
suggested was an order in Councilto suspend theoperation of
the existing corn yaws, so as to open the ports for the ad-
mission of corn duty free. He (the Duke of Wellington)
did not think the measure was at that time absolutely ne-
cessary. At the same time measures were taken to afford
employment for the people and to procure them food. It
was said that the suspension of the corn-law might ren-
der the renewal of it difficult, and that an essential altera-
tion might be necessary. Every one admitted that some
alteration was necessary. (Hear, hear.) He (the Duke
of Wellington) was opposed to the adoption of any
essential alteration in the corn-laws, but considered una-
nimity in the Cabinet to be essential to the safety of the
government itself; and having served the Crown for 50
years in high public stations, he did everything in his power
to reconcile the differences of opinion which existed among
his colleagues, and to preserve a government which en-
joyed the confidence of the Sovereign, the people, and
bath houses of parliament. He, however, failed in so doing.
The question was then discussed whether his right hon.
friend should call parliatiient together to propose the
alteration which he thought necessary, having a divided
Cabinet, or whether he should resign the situation which
he held. The latter course was determined upon. Lord
John Russell having failed in forming a Cabinet, his right
hon. friend was again sent for, and determined if be stood
alone, be would enable her Majesty, as a minister, to
meet parliament. He (the Duke of Wellington) ap-
plauded the determination of his right hon. friend, and
was resolved to stand by him. He was delighted with the
course taken by his right hon. friend, and would have ta-
ken the same course under the same circumstances. He
was well aware at the time of the situation in which his
right bon. friend stood with respect to the corn-laws. How
could his right hon. friend go into parliament and defend the
corn-law when it was known that his opinion was in favour
of an alteration. In supporting his right hon. friend be knew
that he must be a party to a material alteration of the
Although the purport involved a material al-
teration of the corn• laws, he believed it would be satis-
factory to the country, and give such advantages to the
landed interest, as they bad a right to expect on the gene-
ral arrangement of the affairs of the country. (Hear,
hear.) But whatever the measure might he, he (the Duke
of Wellington) could not refuse to aid his Sovereign in
meeting Parliament in such an emergency. Hear, hear.)

corn-law

UOLJSE OF COMMONS.—Last Night.

RAILWAYS

Sir R. PEEL called the attention of the house to the
number of railway plans likely to be brought before the
house, which required the adoption of some mode of
dealing with the vast amount of business of this descrip-
tion likely to be brought under consideration. There
was no less than 815 railway plans deposited with the
Board of Trade, proposing to construct 20,687 new
miles of railway, at a proposed expenditure of capi-
tal to the extent of. £330,000,000 sterling. This was an
amount of capital, that they might well doubt the pru-
dence of its being at once applied to one description of
speculation. Even for the benefit of railway enterprise
itself, he thought it right that some principle should be
laid down for the government of their construction. The
right hon. bar, concluded by moving for a select com-
mittee to consider the mode in which the house shall deal
with railway bills proposed to be submitted to the house
during the present session.

Mr. GISBORNE said, before giving their sanction to

such a motion, they ought to have a more comprehensive
statement before them than the very meagre one which
they had just heard from the right hon. gentleman. He
wished to know if the proceedings before the Standing
Orders Committee were to be suspended during the dis-
cussions of the committee?

Sir R PEEL replied in the negative. He had purposely
beenlless explicit in his statement than if he had to propose
his plan to the house itself.