HC Deb 05 October 1831 vol 8 cc8-9

Mr. Littleton moved that the Bill be now read a third time.

Mr. Hume

felt himself bound in principle to oppose the third reading of this Bill. He never could consent to a law which would have the effect of fettering the hands of both masters and operatives, or that should prevent the one buying, and the other selling labour, on the best terms. He had hoped the day for these restrictions had gone by, and that we had grown so much wiser by experience, as to believe that no man could take such care of another's affairs as the individual himself. The main evil under which the commerce of the country had suffered, arose from the restrictions imposed by ignorant legislation, which prevented labour being bought and sold at the market price. The persons who had petitioned in favour of the Bill, he believed were unacquainted with its probable effects—he feared they would find, that instead of plenty of work and high wages, it would produce a monopoly in the hands of a few persons, who would grind the workmen down to the lowest degree of misery. The measure was injurious in policy, and mischievous to individuals; he, therefore, proposed, for the word "now" that the words "this day six months" be substituted.

Lord Granville Somerset

said, that nothing had occurred since he had delivered his opinions on this Bill, to make him believe those opinions were erroneous. He still believed the Bill would operate injuriously to both masters and workmen, but after the discussions that had taken place, he did not expect to alter the opinions of the House; he would, therefore, content himself with recording his own.

Sir Robert Bateson

said, he resided in the manufacturing district in the vicinity of Belfast, and he knew both masters and workmen were favourable to the principle of the Bill, and he also knew that many industrious workpeople had suffered very much by the Truck-system, in having damaged goods forced upon them. Its provisions might be obnoxious to the principles of political economy, but he was quite sure the present system required alteration.

The House divided on the Original Question: Ayes 61; Noes 4—Majority 57.

Bill read a third time and passed.