Sir John Bourkepresented a Petition from Ballynahinch, in the county of Galway, praying for assistance in the promotion of Public Works in Ireland. The petitioners complained of the reduction of the duty on barilla, which had caused an annual loss of 119,000l. during the last four years, and which had thrown thousands out of employment in the most distressed districts in the west of Ireland. It would be easy to make a canal from Galway Bay to the interior to make, which with several roads that were much wanted, would furnish employment to people who had been brought to the verge of starvation by the duty on foreign barilla being taken off. That had destroyed their kelp manufacture, which was their only source of employment and income. If facilities were afforded to the people of Ireland, as they had been to those of Scotland, the greatest possible good would result. The Commissioners for Public Works had recommended the expenditure of certain sums for the improvement of the Highland districts, on condition that an equal sum should be furnished by the surrounding districts. This had been done, and the condition of the people had by this expenditure, been most materially improved. He was satisfied the same means would be attended with the like beneficial 156 results in Ireland, he therefore hoped his suggestion would be taken into consideration, which would render the plan of emigration no longer necessary.
§ Petition to be printed.