§ Mr. James Talbotwished to call the attention of the House to the great advantages that would result, not alone to the country adjacent to the Shannon, but to all Ireland, nay to the empire, from the improvement of the navigation of that noble river, by encouraging manufactories, commerce, and agriculture along its course. An estimate of the expenses was drawn up under the superintendence of the Board of Public Works in Ireland, and the estimate of the improvement of navigation, of the river for 123 miles was only 153,000l. It would be desirable, that a Committee should be appointed to investigate the value of the lands adjoining the river, and through which some of the improvements would be made, together with many other circumstances necessarily attendant on the object, and to carry the full purposes of the Motion into effect. The hon. member moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the navigation of the Shannon, and its tributary streams, and the best means of improving it.
§ Mr. William RocheAs one of the Representatives for the city of Limerick, the principal port on the line of the Shannon, I rise to second and express my warm approbation of the Motion of my hon. friend, the member for Athlone. But, Sir, I do still more on national than on local grounds, because I should not deem myself justified in permitting local feelings to prevail over national interests: but when, Sir, they not only do not conflict, but are intimately identified together, then local improvement may justly and legitimately give additional zeal to national consideration. Sir, nationally, I approve of this Motion and its object, because I am convinced it will powerfully conduce to that great desideratum in the prosperity of every nation, but so peculiarly wanted in Ireland, namely, the profitable and permanent employment of the people, consequently to their improvement, comfort, and contentment, in a manner much more effectual and enduring than laws of pains and penalties ever can accomplish. Locally, Sir, I am glad of this Motion, because I am aware that every improvement conferred upon the Shannon will extend a beneficial influence to Limerick, and reciprocally that every advantage conferred upon Limerick must prove useful to the whole line of the Shannon. Limerick, Sir, is the great emporium and outlet for the produce of that noble stream, certainly, as from the hands of nature, the finest in his Majesty's home dominions. Of that produce, Sir, it exports to this country not less than 1,000,000l. in value a-year, and that in articles of primary importance, because in articles of human subsistence so conducive to the interests of all classes, but peculiarly so to that great source of your opulence, the manufacturing interests. Sir, the Shannon flows through nearly the centre of Ireland; therefore every improvement it experiences must directly or indirectly benefit the whole of that country; but directly it will promote the interests of no less than 2,000,000 of people and 2,000,000 of fertile acres spread along its banks, which banks, including the right and left bank, extend to 500 miles of coast, or equal to the eastern or western shores of England. Sir, if that fine, but neglected river, was in this country, what millions would not be expended upon it; because here you know and experience the value of quick and cheap commercial 592 intercourse, and therefore you have perhaps 1,000 miles of river and canal navigation for every hundred possessed by Ireland. Why, Sir, on one canal in Canada you have conferred above a million of money. Give half, nay a quarter of that sum for this purpose to Ireland, and you will confer it on a people that wish not, that cannot, separate themselves from you; whereas (tho' while we are connected with that country, I speak not begrudgingly) by granting it to Canada, you may perhaps be only accelerating separation by inspiring strength. Sir, a diversity of opinion prevails on the expediency of restoring Ireland's domestic Legislature, but surely none can on her domestic improvement. Indeed, those most opposed to the former ought to be the most zealous for the latter, because it is the expectation of a livelier attention to domestic improvements that operates powerfully in creating a desire for a domestic Legislature,—also, Sir, experience has shown, that even more than anticipated advantages have accrued from every improvement extended to Ireland. This, Sir, is a subject and an arena upon which all parties in Ireland may meet in amicable understanding, and co-operate with undivided concord and zeal. I therefore trust, Sir, that under these considerations, and many others with which I may illustrate the subject, but shall not detain the House, the Motion of my hon. friend, which I heartily second, will experience the unanimous approval of Parliament.
§ Mr. Littletonadmitted, that the subject was well worthy of attention, and suggested, that the names of such proprietors of land on the Shannon as had seats in the House should be included in the Committee, and that they should bear a proportion of whatever expense it might be deemed expedient to incur. The money thus expended he thought would be extremely well employed, and would be ultimately repaid in the advantages gained. The improvement of the river was a matter of national importance, and would be well worthy of encouragement.
§ The Committee was appointed.