The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-07-25 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-MONDAY.

IlisznE moved the issue of a new writ for Dur-
ham, in the room of Lord Dungannon, declared not to
have been duly elected.
Mr. HUME opposed the motion, which was, however,
carried by a majority of 145 to 17.
Sir R. PEEL and Sir J. GRAHAM intimated that it was
the intention of the Government to carry the Irish Arms
Bill, the Irish Poor Law Amendment Bill, and the Scotch
Church Bill. That other measures might not be carried
was not attributable to the Government, for the time of
the house had been taken up by the corn law question no
less than 17 or 18 times, arising from the Canada Wheat
and Flour Bill, and much of its time had been also occu-
pied by the continued opposition to the Irish Arms Bill.
In the presentsshape of the Factories Bill it was not ab-
solutely essential that it should pass this session, though,
if possible, he should like to proceed with it. He could
not hope to pass an English Poor Law Amendment Bill
during the present sessian, nor did he conceive himself
pledz.ed to do so after the bill of last year continuing the
commission; yet still there were some amendments he
would wish to make if he could. 'With respect to the
Ecclesiastical Courts Bill and the County Courts Bill,
they were not prepared to say that they should be per-
severed in, although not wishing to give up all hope of
carrying them.
Lord J. RUSSELL hoped the government would name
an early day upon which they would state positively what
measures they would proceed with, and what abandon,
during the present session. The bill respecting the Scotch
Church would meet with a most determined opposition—
the Ecclesiastical Courts Bill had been so altered that,
competent authorities had told him that in its amended
shape it would produce nothing but mischief—the Factories
Bill, contrary to general understanding, still contained
objectionable educational clauses; and it was not very
gratifying to those who felt an interest in the English
Poor Law Bill to find that Sir James Graham's pledge
that such a measure should be introduced this session was
not to he carried out.
Sir R. PEEL said that a great many government days
had been taken up by the discussion of motions which led
to frequently adjourned debates, towards w,dch system
there was of late years a growing tendency. More gen-
tlemen took part in those debates than was formerly
usual, and the government, in consequence, felt much dif-
ficulty in proceeding with their measures. He attached
much importance to the Scotch Church Bill; but he would
take an early opportunity of stating what measures should
.be proceeded with, and what abandoned.
Sir J. GRAHAM complained of the bitterness of feeling
which characterised the speech of Lord J. Russell, and
expressed himself in indignant terms at being charged
with breach of faith respecting the Factories Bill, and the
English Poor Law Amendment Bill. The Factory Bill

no longer contained any compulsory educational clauses ;
and as to the Eng'ish Poor Law Bill, he proposed to
abolish the Gilbert unions, and he believed that those who
were interested in the amendment of the poor-laws would
be rather gratified than annoyed by its not being intro-
duced.
After some further conversation the house resolved it-
self into committee on the Irish Arms Bill, in which they
remained until nine o'clock, when the house resumed,
having made but little progress with the clauses.
On the order of the day for the house resolving itself
into a committee of supply,
Mr. C. Woon moved as an amendment—" That this
house do resolve itself into a committee of the whole house
to consider sO, much of the act 5 and 6 Vic., c. 47, (Cus-
toms Act,) at_relates to the duties on the importation of
foreign sheep and lambs' wool." The hon. gentleman said
the object he bad in view was to obtain an expression of
the opinion of the house that it was necessary to make a
reduction in the duties on the importation of foreign wool ;
and he then proceeded to show that this duty enabled
France, Belgium, and Prussia to drive us out of the foreign
markets by the cheapness at which they obtained the raw
materi•,l. They had neither greater skill nor capital than
our manufacturers, nor had they better machinery, so that
the real obstacle we had to contend with was the duty
which enhanced the price of wool to our manufacturers.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER regretted to have
to resist a motion for the reduction of taxation, when so
strongly supported as it had been by the right hon. gen-

tleman. Still he must observe that this duty on wool
existed long before the present depression in the woollen
trade, and that depression could not be attributed to it
but rather to other causes, such as the modern inventions
of mixed fabrics of cotton and wool. His chief objection
to the motion, however, was that he could not allow the
revenue to be so far interfered with. When settling the
new tariff the wool duties were retained as being those
which it was not prudent to abolish, for financial reasons
wholly.
Sir IL PEEL, while he resisted the reduction of the duty
for the present, would not say a word against the propriety
of a reduction whenever the financial position of the
country would permit it. It was not very easy to substi-
tute another tax for this; in fact, notwithstanding the
income tax, there was still a deficiency in the revenue.
They were bound to sustain public credit, and he hoped
the house would not in the present condition of the coun-
try sanction a reduction of taxation to the extent of
£lOO,OOO, more particularly when they recollected that if
this motion were acceded to, the claims for a reduction
of the duty on cotton could not be resisted, and thus an
additions'. -f..700,000 or ;CSOO,OOO would be lost to.the
revenue. iie did not think the reduction of the duty
would be prejudicial to the agricultural interest, and it
was not upon that ground that he felt himself called upon
to support it.
The house divided, and the motion was negatived by a
majority of 142 to 72, and the house adjourned.