Mr. Spring Ricerose to present a petition, on a subject of the greatest importance to the South and West of Ireland. When the subject of reducing the bounties on the importation of Irish linen was first mentioned in that House, it excited considerable agitation in the parts of Ireland to which he alluded. He trusted that, by the present petition, the attention of parliament and of his majesty's government would be called, and not called in vain, to a subject which involved the peace and tranquillity of those districts in Ireland, more than any other that could be named. Within the few last years, individuals and public bodies in those districts had exerted themselves to provide the means of employment for the inferior classes of the population. That employment was found in the manufacture of coarse linen. But the proceedings which had already taken place in the House on this subject, had produced the most alarming consequences. 1217 There had been a diminution of from 800l. to 1000l. a week in the sales of these coarse linens. This measure was more peculiarly alarming, since it took place at the moment of sowing the flax-seed; and there was reason to apprehend, that persons engaged in its cultivation might be induced to sow a smaller quantity; and that thus the means of future industry might be most injuriously curtailed. The petition which he was about to present was from the corporation of the chamber of commerce of the city of Limerick; and all that the Petitioners prayed for was, that the House would not rashly and incautiously withdraw the existing bounties on the export of Irish linens, until they had made due inquiry into the probable consequences of such a proceeding. At present, the only parliamentary information which the House possessed on the subject was contained in the report of a Committee above stairs; which report, so far from advising the repeal of the bounties, declared that the trade depended on those bounties, and that they could not be repealed without the greatest danger. The petitioners trusted, therefore, that no final step would be taken without previous inquiry, in furtherance of a proceeding, which threatened with destruction the rising trade of two entire provinces—Munster and Connaught. Let his majesty's government and the House look at that report; and then say whether the bounties in question ought to be rashly repealed. In the South of Ireland, lord Shannon, one of the most useful and meritorious individuals in the country, had established a manufacturing institution, which gave employment to above five hundred persons, the greater part, if not the whole, of whom, would be discharged, should the bounties be repealed. Again, however, he begged to say, that the petition only prayed for consideration. He was compelled to allow that the right hon. gentleman's general principle was incontrovertible; all that he desired was, that further proceedings should be suspended, until an inquiry had taken place into the real facts of the case; and until the persons interested in the question had had time to prepare their statements in opposition to the intended measure.
Colonel Trenchtrusted that the clear, distinct, and forcible statement of his hon. friend would have its due effect on the House and on his majesty's government. He also had received communications from 1218 Ireland precisely to the same purpose. In a part of the country with which he was perfectly acquainted, the consequence of the adoption of even a mitigated measure, such as that against which this petition was directed, would be the absolute destruction of the linen manufacture. It ought to be recollected, that the Irish were not a very calculating people. Circumstances of distress frequently drove them to extremes, which were not altogether justifiable. Although he was aware that, on general principles, he had not a word to say against the proposed measure, he trusted, nevertheless, as the peace of the West and South of Ireland would inevitably be put in jeopardy by its adoption, that the House would pause before they gave their consent to it. The people of Ireland were open to the management of those who would catch every opportunity to act upon their irritated feelings. He was sure that the withdrawing of those duties, would occasion the interruption of public tranquillity in that country.
Sir H. Parnellsaid, that if the subject was more narrowly examined by his hon. friend, he would find that the withdrawing of the bounty would not be attended with the unfavourable results which he seemed to fear.
Sir J. Newporthoped, that the propriety and the policy of the bounties would be deliberately examined before any further attempt were made to withdraw them.
Sir R. Fergussondeprecated the hue and cry that had been raised against the abolition of the bounties in question, and the violent opposition that had been made thereto. The manufacturers of linen in Scotland were quite satisfied with the statement of the chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. V. Fitzgeraldconceived, that if the gallant officer had heard the petition read, he would not have described it as he had done. If the gallant officer had taken the state of the Irish linen trade into consideration, he would have found that it might be possible to discover objections to the views of the chancellor of the Exchequer, as far as the subject of that petition was in question. He had that day transmitted to his right hon. friend, a memorial from the high sheriffs, and grand jury of the county of Clare, on the subject of the abolition. The memorial stated, that every means had been adopted for the encouragement of the linen trade in 1219 the Western counties, and that the trade had extended, but would be destroyed, if the protecting bounties were now withdrawn. The report of the committee last year had truly stated, that the population were without the means of productive employment—an evil which was generally felt and acknowledged, and which would be increased, if these bounties were suddenly withdrawn. He did not defend the principle of protecting duties; but he begged the House to consider, how very differently circumstanced were the two countries, and particularly the population of Ireland, in reference to the population of this country. The great object was to render the former a manufacturing population, and by that means to render them a useful, a peaceful, and a comfortable people. He implored the House not to destroy the hope that presented itself of effecting that most desirable object, by suddenly injuring a branch of trade which gave employment to so many of the poor of Ireland.
Mr. Hutchinsonsaid, that the declared intention of withdrawing the bounties had given the most fearful alarm to the people of Ireland—an alarm which every hour increased. In the county of Cork alone, there were not less than 60,000 persons occupied in that branch of manufacture; and these persons were of the poorest class. He had been informed by individuals acquainted with the trade, that the coarse linen manufacture would be mainly suppressed by the abolition of the bounty. The consequence would be, that the population would be reduced to a state of starvation, and driven to acts of outrage. He held a petition from the merchants and manufacturers of Cork on the same subject, which he would present when the chancellor of the Exchequer should appear in his place.
Mr. Maberlywas surprised that the chancellor of the Exchequer, when he came down with a proposition to abolish all bounties, was not at the same time prepared to do away with the duties on the raw materials. There was, for instance, a duty of 30 per cent on hemp, and that duty was continued, notwithstanding a kind of pledge that had been given last session. The linen trade was of the last importance to Ireland; and the question, instead of being treated in an incidental manner, ought to undergo a special discussion. If the interests of this trade were not considered worthy of attention by the 1220 right hon. gentleman, he should feel it his duty to bring the matter before the House, in the shape of a motion to withdraw the duty on raw material.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.