Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-03-05
NEW COMMERCIAL POLICY OF ENGLAND.

Sir Robert Peel entered on his great financial
scheme.
The right hon. barone,, after some remarks on
agriculture, proposed that the duty on all kinds
Ut seeds for agricultural purposes should not ex
coed 5s. per cwt. He then went on to propose
the admission of maize or Indian corn for fat,en.
ing of cattle duty free, and proceeded. Maize
Is generally used in the United States, | believe
partly Tor human food !; and believe that, though
u IS very much disregarded in this country, on
part OF the continent it is made into excellent
1000, and In parts Of the United States it Is even
preferred to articles of food which we in this
country use. do believe that the free importa-
ton OF maize, so far from doing any disservice
10 agriculture, will, by promoting the feeding of
catue' BE an advantage rather than detriment
lHear, hear) propose, also, that the article of
ouckwheat shall be subjectto the same rule; that
maize and buckwheat. and the flour of maize and
buckwheat, shall be admitted duty free pro-
pose to admit the meal equally with the grain it.
self. CLEAR, hear) After showing the adyan.
tage OF Indian wheat in the fattening of cattle
over linseed cake, and the high price Of the lat
ter he came to The reduction of the duty on ar-
cies which constitute the food Of man. am not
ABOUT TO propose the immediate repeal of the du-
ties which are imposed upon grain.
L am induced to propose, as an earnest of the
principle upon which l shall act, the immediate
reduction OF the duty on many articles of prina.
ry Importance which constitute the food of man.
shall propose that all the reductions shall be i'm
mediate; but l will first take those articles Of
consumption in respect to which propose inn
mediate and total repeal. propose to take an
extensive review Of all articles included in the
tariii which enter into the consumption of the
people. propose, on the part of her Majesty
government, that the duty should be Immediate
~ reduced upon butter from eos. to los. per cwt.;
upon cheese, from los. to SIS. per cwt; upon hons
from sEl los to P2 6s 6cb fro,, o.
10 IS per cwt. Now, take the articles Of agr-
cultural produce upon which | propose an imme-
diate repeal. propose an immediate repeal of
the duty on all those articles which constitute
meat, as distinguished from grain that the duty
on fresh beef, on sailed beef, on what are called
unenumerated articles, salt pork and fresh pork,
on potatoes, on vegetables Of all kinds shall be
repealed. (Cheers.) propose that all that en-
ters into the vegetable, any thing that constitutes
animal food, shall be admitted duty free. (Cheers)
believe the agricuturists need fear no alarm
from all this. tell them, as told the manu-
Iacturers that have given them increased facili-
ties Tor meeting foreign competition, by admit
ling the importation of many articles for feeding
OF cattle. tremendous cheering) Horses and
all animals included in the tariff TO be admitted
duty free. will now state, with the permission
OF the House, the proposal which mean to make
on the subject of grain. (Hear.) Ipropose that,
from the passing OF the act, some articles shall
De admitted duty free. On the one hand, do
not propose the immediate repeal of the corn
laws, but, In the hope of final arrangement, of
preventing undue apprehensons, and giving time
Tor the adjustment of agriculture 10 the new state
OF circumstances, though propose temporary
continuance OF protection, propose it on the dis
tlnct understanding that, after the lapse of GER
tam time, foreign grain shall be imported into
this country duty free. (Cheers.) / am deeply
convinced that any intermediate proposal will be
OF no avail. (Cheers from the Opposition bench
esq., 1t would have been entirely out of my pow
er to have explained, or TO have suggested any
modlhcation of the corn law, with guarantee
mat IL should be continued. The choice, think,
Is either between the maintenance intact Of the
existing amount OF protection in every particular,
or laying the foundation for an ultimate settle
ment by means Of ultimate freedom. (Cheers.)
propose, therefore, considerable reduction
In the existing amount of duties, and 1 propose
that the continuance Of duty SO reduced shall be
Ior period of three years-(great cheering)-l
that 1t shall then continue till that period of the
year when believe there will be least inconve-
nlence In the termination Of the protection.-|
(iear) propose that in all cases those resric-
lions which apply to the import Of meal, the pro-
duce OF grain shall be removed. Ipresume they
were established for the protection of the millers
IN this country, and that ii is now unnecessary
they should he continued. | therefore see no
reason why they should remain on barley or any
other articles. (liear.)
PiOPoSo ti'dt OH dHu Tue uTSt OIL COTua-
~, lS49, oats, barley and wheat shall be subject
only to that nominal rate Of duty which have
proposed to apply to maize and buckwheat
propose that, Immediately from the passing of
this act, all corn the produce of British colonies
possessions out of Europe, shall be admitted at
nominal duty. (Cheers.)
Now, on the one hand, offer to those who in
sist on the immediate removal of these laws, the
unrestricted importation, at least the importation
at nominal duty, of all kinds of corn and all
kinds Of meal the produce of corn from British
colonial possessions ont of Europe, duty free
and to the agricultursts offer other articles, the
produce of the United States, and an article to
the free export of which the United States gives
the utmost lmportance-ihat Of maize. This is
the provision with respect TO other descriptions
OF grain which we propose TO endure during that
period when foreign grain is 10 be subjected to
duty.
We intend to meet some Of the objections tnat
have been made. At the same time to fix on a
duty that would be considered valuable, would
not answer the purpose am DESTROYS of attain
ing, that of making immediate reduction on
account OF temporary circumstances. (flear.)
We propose, therefore, that the enactment to en-
dure for three years shall be to this effect That
in lieu of the duties now payable on the importa-
ton Of corn, grain, meal, or flour, there shall be
paid until the LIST day of February, 1919, the fol-
lowing duties, viz IF imported from any foreign
country.
WHEAT.
Whenever the average price Of wheat, made up
and published in the manner required by law,
shall be for every quarter
Under 4Ss. the duty shall be for every quarter los.
48 49s. ditto ditto 9s
40 sos. ditto ditto SIS
30 Sis. ditto ditto Is
81 52s. ditto ditto 6s
SO 53S. ditto ditto 1s
81 I;,,o