§ Mr. Huntpresented a numerously-signed Petition from the Carpenters and Joiners of this city, stating, that 12,000 of them were out of work at this period of the year, when they were generally fully employed. These Petitioners attributed this slackness of occupation to the frequent application of machinery, and the substitution of cast-iron for timber in recent buildings. They did not assume, that this practice was not a great improvement in the construction of modern edifices, but they suggested that they might be relieved by the erection of some large public building, out of the funds of the State, if Parliament should sanction the project. They further expressed their firm conviction, that the working classes would never feel their condition improved until a Reform in Parliament took place, and each man in the State enjoyed the right of being represented in that House.
Sir Charles Burrellbelieved, that a great proportion of the distress experienced by these persons arose from their own perverseness in attempting to control their masters in the choice of hands; and in raising the price of their labour. At this moment no carpenter would work in the country under 30s. per week. He was sure the House would agree with him, that those persons deserved no commiseration if, through the controlling influence of unions amongst themselves, and clubs which exercised a tyrannical and injurious effect on all the trade, more particularly by preventing the employment of men not banded in these illegal associations, they caused their own distress.
§ Mr. Huntsaid, he had been assured by the petitioners they had not entered into these clubs, to the principle of which they professed themselves inimical, and had determined to petition in opposition to them.
Sir Charles Burrellonly spoke from his own knowledge, which certainly did not extend to the individual petitioners.
§ Petition laid on the Table.