§ The Duke of Richmondin presenting a petition from owners and occupiers of land in the Vale of Alford, in the county of Aberdeen, against certain parts of the tariff, said that circumstances had prevented him from attending for many weeks past, and from presenting petitions which had been intrusted to him. The petition which he had now to lay on their Lordships' Table was on a subject of considerable importance, and on which a very strong feeling existed in the country. He himself did not participate to any great extent in the alarm which prevailed on the subject; but he could not but regard with regret so sudden a change as was proposed in the duties on some articles of foreign produce—a change from high to almost nominal duties. The petitioners amongst 599 other things, complained of the introduction of live cattle at a rate of duty much lower than that on salted provisions, which would in time so compete with the home-grower as to enable our navy and commercial marine to be victualled with foreign provisions salted here. He would not enter into the discussion of this subject at present; but he felt it right to say thus much, as he might not have another opportunity of doing so before the bill founded on the tariff was brought into the other House.
Lord Broughamregretted that his noble Friend the noble Duke did not wait till his noble Friend the President of the Board of Trade was present. In his absence it would be better not to go into the subject now.
The Lord Chancellorsaid, that if the noble Duke had given notice of his intention to bring forward the subject on the presentation of a petition, an opportunity would be given for discussing it; but, as it was, ample opportunity would be given for discussing the subject hereafter.
§ The Duke of Richmonddid not think it necessary that any noble Lord should give notice of his intention to make any remarks on the presentation of a petition. In that respect their Lordships had advantages not enjoyed in the other House, where the party presenting a petition was obliged to confine himself to a mere detail of the heads of its statement and prayer.
§ Petition laid on the Table.