The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-12-06 00:00:00

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THE AGRICUGTURAL, QUESTION.

!VICO! THY NOILWICII feeiteree, inc. I.]
Oar attention is alesost wore or less engaged upon
theistariogs of the Agticuiturel Question; because it is
not only of the most vital importance to the Country,
itinto#FH6i -Td-' Most =kilo Tilirissial inisiiierazne
lefts* *I mw;Coonity,lorelkr, Mr. Edmond iVode-
honee.l.contirsiing our possins .1811401elic seed a
put isiskh we Give MO- build that. Ministers haiel I
determined so *far to wereedse proposition of the Agri-i
cliturists as le ley s Mire twenty shillings per
quer ? on ferelAit cereiniiiirmed, to reduce the rate
:it which importation if immiltesil to seventy shillings
per /tarter:for wheat,• alai to form a proportional'
scale ler ether Orb of Okla shbuld seem to demand
a few remeeks usitigilidiately:
• With respect to the stitrattion of grain from arid-
'tattoo, we were.lout sincirperfectly apprized of all
the eircousetinces,
.probably before Mr. Wodchouse
could have beard of theist. and from what we have
sioce learned there is untiorstionably ground for sup-
posing that similar expedients bare already beeu re-
spited to is other places, in London especially, to re-
-11107i or exchange foreign corn and to get it into the
'market. We'recomroend a survey, and we venture to
enforce our recommendiatinn; because the fact most
• important to the agricultural case is, to ascertain how
fa the domestic sppply is 'equal to the demand. All
the rut hinges ppon that point. If the home growth
)ei equal to the demand, It is trite cleat that ex po rta-
tis.: :oust take place and that- prices must fall to the
Catainental level, because no 'mai will export till he
Can obtain no higher -price at boom than he can
~isrped. If on the contrary, importation be Indispen.
Bible, as • tLe law now stands, peke' must be kept
at continual and ' great fluctuation. Scarcity
mast be actually produced before wheat can be got
.;) to eighty shillings, 'the importation rate ; the
umsent the ports open, the warehouses would be
,r.clos4d. and such an influx of corn would take place, I
that prices would fall instantly and for a considerable
period loan indefinite amount. Nothing can be so in-
jurious as such a state of things to the community.—
No‘v then. since it is sufficiently proved, we think, that
i'.e two points of supply and demand are at least'very
near each other, it is, we contend, extremely momeu-
-10(111 to ascertain whether, subsequently to the closing
of the ports, notch of the foreign wheat placed under
lode has found its way to the market surreptitiously.
The tiovernment owes to the country as much certain
it.formation--or many facts—as it lies within its in-
fluence to procure. The appointment of an officer of
e'.-enue to survey the different depots, wheV-Is not only
acquainted with the usages of Vie Custoni•houses in
respect of foreign grain under lock, but who is also a
j udge of the difference between corn of Foreign and. Eng-
liils growth competent to determine whether any substi-.
talon of the one for the other has been effected in any
wareheue. would be of essential service in the enquiry
so morniutons to the agriculture and commerce of the
country. As Mr. Wodehouse has'already comtutini-1
cate4 with Me President of the Bottrit of Teade upon
the subject, we invite his especial attention to our red-
boning, and we are quite sure that gentleman will net
refuse hit'iid towards effecting apurpose so desireable
t r his constituents, should he deem it of any furce.--
We 'insist strongly upon the measure, because long and
deep' consideration leads us to know that' facts with
relation to the growth and supply are all that is
nor necessary to a complete understanding of the
course most judiciously to be pursued with regard
to legislation upon this most vitally momentous
(python.
Wo entertain great doubts concerning the truth of
the rumour that assigns to Ministers the intention of
laying such a..duty as we have ab.•ve-stated upon im-
ported coa:, although it is circulated in high quarters.
The administiation no doubt would gladly conciliate
the landed interest, upon whom it was plain by the
proceedings in Parliament at the end of last Session,
th -y could not place the absolute reliance for support
ttey hoped and imagined. But to legislating ;n their
behalf there are insuperable difficulties, which indeed
are stated in the report of the Committee, though
s )(trued down by the fallacies introduction of vision-
ary possibilities. • These however give support to the-
rumour, because the ,provisions which are stated to be
is contemplation, go precisely to the maintenance of
such of its doctrines. as we conceive to have been in-
troduced purely for the sake• of gulling the tenant a
Hale longer, ani of giving a temporary hope to the
landlord. Of such a nature we have before shewn,
and will again sbew the proposed duty to be. The
price of wheat in this country. supposing such a lair
• to be made. will of course amount to the cost of the
grain abroad. the expense of transit. and the duty
added together. The average.of the two tint is about
37 shillings, and if 20 shillings tax be imposed, ol
course the price will be about 57—!with perhaps a six-
pence or *billing •per quarter for the merchant's profit.
list should the world remain at poseigt it is probable
the prigs footle 1n America and onl the 'Continent will
fall from the acknowledged superabundance of the sup-
ply. A law impoiiog such a duty would then only
servo to ix the enrage about where it now stands.—
This is so plaits, that the agricultural interest will in
a moment seise upon the truth, and consequently Mi-
nisters can gain nothing by the concession. if such.
they deem the measure..
For ~selves' we consider the question to be already
decided. and we sincerely believe any attempt to
• raise the-price will be abortive, and every endeavour
t. persuade .the Agriculturalist that he has any
chance bat by reducing his expenses, to be a gross
• fallacy palmed upon him for interested purposes.

. •
(ICON THE NORWICIIII MERCURY. NOV. 24.)
We have last remitted the following Letter from oar wor-
thy Canty amber;M krelates to the abstraction of Wheat
• .dsosa soder the Rift'ti leek, which we were the first to bring
wife thrl peblie., la a Postscript. a few weeks ago.-.-t
We Ana ineinsmodied. sad we are persuaded it would be
weld feu the Aem Ida. if I general survey of the
wateheases a der do lest was inititated
• .re THE same of vu smawtot MFACCIT.
Saa—[a oat of per Papers of this month, there was as
allusive nedele a head that was supposed to have been'
- oneiniteed co the emit of Yeashite. • respecting beaded
Cora. Thrsone roped tad previously reined we from ea.'
other ocestft.• midi ogled to illyt Robinson for laterals.
sin.. 'The Oast, as stated. is prretil_ It was' oensloletti
• sealed se the part of the CAMP of anion.
Awe dies netergor to have bile lay oeitsiVaaes
Mud. NU gag heelless *firpig4lll, sod noteares takes.
'Arel. it labgte& will guartra.dost a rennin* of such
graetins. ' • •
64 I eat. Sr. per obedient Servant. •
RDITUND WODRUOUSIL"