Mr. S. Ricepresented a petition from Mr. Owen, of Lanark. The hon. member professed himself unable to see his way sufficiently clearly to warrant him in founding upon the petition any subsequent motion. He would, nevertheless, willingly lend his aid to any other hon. member who might feel inclined to do so.
§ The following is a copy of the petition:—
§ "The Petition of Rober Owen, of New Lanark,
§ "Humbly sheweth—That your Petitioner believes it to be universally admitted, that, if measures can be devised to relieve the suffering peasantry of Ireland from the distress in which it is on all hands acknowledged that they at present suffer, such measures ought to be zealously promoted by every individual who wishes well to his country, or who is interested in her government.
§ "That your petitioner has observed many proposals submitted to your honourable House to effect this great purpose, and has seen those proposals rejected— not, indeed, as being unnecessary or ill-timed, but as being impracticable or inefficacious.—That your petitioner, as the result of a long and extensive experience among the working classes, has been induced to conclude, that no projects for relief to Ireland can be practicable or efficacious, unless they propose to educate and to employ those to whom relief is to be afforded: and that no plan which shall in practice judiciously educate, and effectually employ the poor and ignorant and unemployed, can fail in effecting great and immediate improvement in their condition, to the gradual diminution of ignorance and poverty and idleness.
§ "That your petitioner believes it to be as practicable as it will be found to be advantageous to form arrangements for the double purpose of education and employment; and is prepared to submit proposals for that purpose to your honourable House.
§ "That these proposals have been so devised as to meet the opinion expressed by a committee of your honourable Housè, on plans submitted by your peti- 900 tioner to that committee in June, 1823.— Your petitioner therefore prays that your honourable House will be pleased to appoint a committee to examine the plans which he now recommends, and to report thereon to your honourable House.—And your petitioner shall ever pray,
§ "ROBERT OWEN."
§ Sir W. De Crespignysaid, he had advised Mr. Owen never to bring his plan again before parliament.
§ Colonel Trenchcontended, that this visionary plan, if adopted, would destroy the very roots of society.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.