SILK TRADE. (Hansard, 9 March 1824)

Mr. Baring
said, he did not mean to oppose the bringing up the report. This declaration must not, however, be attributed to any alteration in his opinion, but to that due deference which he felt for the opinion of the House, of which he certainly must say, he never witnessed a more decided expression than on last evening. He was, therefore, bound to presume that he was wrong, and that parliament was right; and that none of those evils would ensue which his apprehensions for the interest of the silk trade had induced him to entertain. He nevertheless trusted, that sufficient time would be allowed for a full examination of the details of the measure.

§ Mr. Huskisson
said, he felt much obliged to his hon. friend for the candid manner in which he had stated his intentions with regard to the future progress of the measure. He was not anxious for greater expedition than would be necessary to give all parties concerned the proposed relief at the earliest possible period. It was with this view that he wished the resolution to be now brought up, in order that the bill might be brought in as speedily as might be.

Mr. Baring
was aware that if these duties were to be taken off, it was important to proceed with their remission as soon as possible; but he thought that much difficulty would be found in dealing with the drawback to be allowed upon the stock on hand. Perhaps the parties would be better satisfied if government proceeded by degrees with this experiment, rather than remit the duty at once.

§ Mr. Hume
thought that the principles which had been laid down by every intelligent man connected with trade, who had spoken to this subject, were such as left no doubt of the policy which his majesty's ministers were in this instance pursuing. He could not concur, therefore, with his hon. friend, in considering the measure in question a mere experiment. 850 It proceeded upon such sound principles, that there could be no reasonable doubt of its success. Some difficulties might arise as to the mode of dealing with persons who had stocks on hand; but, surely, there could be no question, whether the duties ought to be remitted at once or by degrees. The general opinion of experienced men was decidedly in favour of their being taken off with the least delay possible. Every man connected with the silk trade would, in that case know what to do, and employ his workmen accordingly. He hoped that the case of the small shopkeepers would meet with due attention. If any parties should be in possession of goods uncut, he would propose that they should return their goods on a certain day, to a particular place; and then let the Excise take a proper account of them. The country would never grudge that proportion of bounty which it would be necessary to return to individuals, to save them from distress and ruin; and, as no private funds would be charged with the expense of these returns of duty, they would of course be borne by the nation.

§ Mr. Ellice
said, he was satisfied that government was disposed to settle this question fairly, which would best be done out of doors, without a discussion in that House; and he thought he might safety state, that if justice were done to the parties interested by a return of the bounties on their stock, they would instantly resume their wonted occupations.

§ Sir H. Parnell
wished to have it understood, that the proposed arrangement of duties on thrown silk, and foreign silk goods should not be considered as a final settlement of them. The duty of 7s. 6d. a pound on thrown silk, was particularly objectionable. It was wholly at variance with the principles of free trade, and while it gave a protection to the silk spinner, would operate as a direct tax upon the raw material of the manufacturer, and on the consumer. The duty on goods of 30 per cent would be nothing less than a prohibitory duty and it was not correct to say, that the intended measure was to make the trade in silk free. Both the duties on thrown silk and goods, in his opinion, ought to be reduced after two years, by degrees, until they were wholly taken off. For until this occurred, the silk manufacture of these countries would not be as perfect or as extensive as it ought to be.

Mr. Alderman Wood
gave credit to ministers for a desire to meet all the difficulties of this subject; but feared that many would be encountered in dealing with the stocks on hand.