The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-05-10 00:00:00

IRISH MILITIA.

On the Order of the Day for the third reading of the
Irish Militia Reduction Bill,
The Earl of tIOSFORD declared that this measure rest
an act of injustice, and a breach of faith towards the
Irish Militia Officers.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL said the object of the Bill
was to put the Irish on the same footing with the Eng-
lish Militia. The Government did hot think it proper
that a large number of persons should be unnecestart4
employed, at a considerable expense.

The Earl ofCALEDON said the reduction in qnestiun
would be protlnet,ive of great hardship in Ireland.
Lord GOSFORD moved to pit off the Bill for six
months.

The Manpress of LANSDOWN thought it would be
proper to have the Bill printed, in order that Noble
Lords might hare an opportunity of expressing their
opinions on it.
The Eirl of LIVERPOOL stid he had no rAjection
whatever to the printing of the Bill.
The Bill was then ordered to be printed, and read a
third time this day week.

INSURRECTIONS IN IRELAND.
The Marquess of LANSDOWN wished to know when
the Irish Insurrection Hill was to be brought under the
consideration of the House; and what time had elapsed
between the receipt of intelligence from the Lord Lieu-
tenant of Ireland, showing the necessity of this measure,
and the period of its renewal. He thought it was impos-
sible for their Lordships to discuss a measure of this ►tn-
portance at the close of a Session ; and the earliest possi-
ble information respecting the necessity of the me;sure
ought to be laid before the House. He would now ask
the Noble Earl if the renewal of the Act was the only re-
medial measure intended; ant if any addition was to
bemade to the military force in Inland. For his
part, lie thought it would be better to employ a 'uni-
tary force for the suppression of disorders, than to rs.
new this Act.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL said a Bill for renewing
the Insurrection Act in Ireland was already before the
other House of Parliament ; and when it Caine before their
Lordships he should be prepared tlgive every neces,ary
explanation as to its necessity. At present this was the
only measure intended for the suppression of tumults in
I relan I ; but with a view to the permanent tranquillity of
that country, it was inten ted to introduce a Bill for the
commutation of tithes, and for the regulation of the po-
lice system. As to the question of the Noble Lord rs.
specting military force, lie would inform him that it was
not the intention of the ttorernimmt th mak any consi-
derahle augmentation in thlt force, unless such ast
should he called for by oeces,ity.
Lora KINI. wished vs know, whether for the last 20.
years the canuect-mi tt i h Behind had not been a bonitos*
sustrad of a relief to this country.
LI Lori LIVERPOI IL said, that he bad not the least
he-
sitation in answering No. . .
1 he Rouse then ad;ourned.

V
. A

11

•
HOUSE 'Off COMMONS.—Patoae.
A petition ins laid on the table from Kenniogliall, in
the County of Norfolk, for the Abolition of the Sl4ve
Trade. Similar petitions were presented from Stone, in
Staffordshire; from Mabley, in the County of Salop ;•
three petition from different places in the County of
Lancaster; from Barnard Castle, and from Leeds, which
were laid on the table.
Lord STANLEY presented a petition from the ChM-
-. her eif -Commerce of Manchester, praying that the
House would take into consideration the duties on East
India Sugar.
• LEATHER TAN.
Mr. CALCRAFT postponed his Irwin. for the re-
peal of the Leather Tax, to Monday the 26th of May.
ROMAN CATHOLICS.
Sit 11. PARNELL preeented a petition from several
Roman Catholic Bishops of Ireland, praying for the re-
peal of that part of the. Penal Laws aainst Remit, Ca-
'Mono, which prevents persons from laying opt money
for the permanent endowment of any institution for the
use of the Members.of that religion.
Mr. ROBERTSON heartily concurred in the, prayer
of the petition. He felt that the members of the n
Catholic communion laboured under the severest hard-
ships, and was maisfied that peace never would be re-
stored to Ireland until these degrading distinctions were,
entirely re coved.—The petition was laid on the table.
Sir O. PAitNELL gage
:notice that on the 7'th Jane
he would wove for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal the
said laws.
' • SILK MANUFACTURES.
Mr. T. WILSON presented a .petition from the, silk
manufactiners of the city of London and Westminster,
complaining of the grievances they labour under in con-
seqnence of the operation of the. Spltalfields Arts. The
,Hon. Member dwelt on the impolitic restrictions of
'these Acts, and trusted that measures would bespeedily
taken for their abolition. To show the importance of
this manufacture, lie should merely remind the House
that 30 years ago the duty paid on the importation of
raw silk was 100,0001.; 20 year's afterwards it increased
to 300,0001. and now it was no less than 2,500,0001.
Mr. RICARDO stated that it was matter of astonish-
ment that such an Act as that called the Spltalfields Act,
'Should he allowed to he .in force in the nineteenth cen-
ttory. „Tim Hon. Member dwelt on the impolicy of the
Act, and o. its utter inutility even with reference to the
objects which it was intended to bring about.
Mr. WALLACE said be had already expressed his
opinion as to the inipolicy of this Act, and was happy
in the expectation that the preselotation of thili petition
would lead. to measures for the abolition of these Aets.„
Mn HUSKISSON said that lie also considered' It
matter of astonishment that such Acts should be io exist-
ence in the present day. He could account for the ex-
istence of this manufacture so being under the operation
of the Act, by the circumstance, that it entirely confined
itself within the range of the operation of the Act.—
However, inditstry4 and a spirit of.competition, had now
applied theniselyes to this manufacture in other, parts of
the country, and from the manner in which it was car-
ried on in these places, he was warranted in saying that,
if the Act were cootinueila Spitalfields would soon he de-
.seeted. by the mannfacturers in this asticle. Ile Ind .in-
tended to bring this subject'under the consideration of
the House, anJ was only restrained by the %eighty allow
tint for the impression to become general anuings the
`workmen, that it would be for their advantagl to leave
these Acts repealed. There was still actinide body
rtift
of those persons whose prejudices. were net • ' ;
but it was the duty of the Legislature to. Et Ittl e
Interest of the public, without attendingtolliejit cii'dr
feelings... He had now to state to the House, that he
' cainumpicated'to that body, promise thit'it was his in-
tention, on the first open day, to britig the idbjeit tinder
the attention of the House. lie hoped on Monday to be
'able to fulfil that promise. , '
L4rd MILTON expressed his satisfaction at the senti-
ments of the Right lion.' Gentleman opposite.' He was,
sorry, howeier, to see that the .petitioners omitted to',
notice the absurdity of laying duties on* the importation'
of raw silk, and at the same time giving a bodnty oil the
exportation of the manufactured article.
Mr. F: BUXTON expressed himself io favour of the
removal of the obnoxious clauses of the Bill.
Alderman THOMPSON hoped that these alterations
would have the effect of increasing the silk trade. As
to the duty on the raw material alluded to by the 'Noble
LOrd; he hoped the situation of the country would soon
enable the Chancellor of the Exchequer to remit it.
Mr. C. SMITH and Mr. W; WILLIAMS expressed
themselves in favour of the repeal of the obnoxious
doses.
Mr. ELLICE hoped that the Right Hon. Gent. would
proceed in such a manner as to give the individuals
concerned in this Bill an opportunity of being begird:—
As opposition appeared to be useless from the aninimltY
whir* prevailed in the House on the necessity of the al-
terations, he hoped the workmen would take them into
consideration, and listen to the voice of those who are
unions only tp promotethe general interest of the pritcle.
Mr. BAlUNG'said, though he supported the.pleasures
of Mitt. Hoe. Gent, be still hoped that theparties con-
cerned would b are an opportunity of being heard. *could
oat but return thankatu the Rt. Hon. °codeine* for in-
troducing. a measure which he had no doubt Would be
eqaallit beneficial to the workmen and misters:
ALI. BRYDGES concurred in the necessity.of. the re-
peal of these Acts. 1
• . Mr. T. WIL.SON presented a petition from..the Silk
11aunfacturers of London, Westminster, and Midaletex,
praying for the repeal of the Spltalfields Acts.
Mr. HUSKISSON said thateon the first open day, lie
would move for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal these
'Acts. With regard to what had fallen front the Hon.
Member for Coventry, the parties would have an eppor-
trinity of stating their objection*. between the different
stages of the Bill, though he did not think, it necessary
Ss
• toprovoke any useless. discussion upon point on which
'the House were unanimous. .. . .
. 'Mr. ELLICE explained.
petition was then laid on the table, and ordered
. • The
tote printed.
The second reading of the Sale of Garde Bill was post-
poned to this day grtnight.
• , Mr 2 HUME moved for several papers relative to the
• • state of the Colony of Cape Breton, with a view of bring-
ing the state of the colony under the consideration of the
House, as soon as they were laid on the table.
, Lord G. CAVENDISH presented a petition from
Ashburton, praying far the Abolition of Slavery ; and
'soother from the same place, praying for an eqsalita-
ton of the Duties on East and West India Sugars.--Both
ordered to be printed.
r . SCOTCH LINEN MANUFACTURE ACTS.
• The Ord4 of the Day for going into a COintuiltee on
• the Scotch Linen Manufacture Ails being moved,
Mr. HUSKISSON. said that 'the laws new II opera-
' lion relative to the unaufacture of linen were at variance
• with every sound principle which ought to govern that
trade. These laws were passed at a tins! when the House
• ' were in the habit of telling mispufacturers how they
Ought to carry on their trade. These laws directed the,
exact number of number of threa Is which ought'- to be
used, as well as the width and breadth. Such law ought
wet to be allowed to remain on the Statute Hook. His
intention, therefore, was to propose the repeal of the
.. Mlle (leo. I:, and several other Acta which directed
,bow individuals were to manage in the manufacture of
• • linen in Scotland. He feared that the public maim,
, . Which io Ireland bad been 'intended is a guarantee for
the goodness of the cloth, galar from inewerieg that
• purpose, was used as a meatill of frith!. ; and; lit-would
therefore leave the option of dying irto these Concerned