Monday, Feb, 16.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 228, 18 July 1846, Page 79

Monday, Feb, 16.

The Earl of March resumed the adjourned debate. He commenced by twittjj|g Lord Northland with having changed his opinions on the question, and with having spoken twice during the last two months — on the first occasion on one side, and on the second on the other.

Mr. M. Gibson followed, attacking the arguments of the Protectionists, founded upon their statistical statement of the cost of raising wheat.

Mr. Halsey made a long speech in favour of protection.

Mr. Dickinson gave his support to the Government.

Lord A. Churchill, the new member for Woodstock, then declared his intention to oppose the ministerial measures.

Sir W. Clay elaborately combated the various arguments of the Protectionists during the debate, contending that it would strengthen our connexion with the colonies, instead of severing them from the mother country; and ended by expressing his high approbation of the plan of Ministers.

Mr. L. W. Buck thought the ministerial plaD would inflict a very serious injury on this country, and gave his negative to the measure. Lord H. Vane spoke in its favour. Sir J. Tyrell opposed it.

Mr. James spoke at considerable length in favour of the measure ; and when he sat down, no fewer than twenty members rose on the protection side of the house ; but the speaker called upon

Sir R. Peel, who, with more than his accustomed animation, opened with the exclamation "Two matters have occupied the attention of the house during this protracted debate "—" — one was, by what party the affairs of this country should be conducted ? — the other was, upon what principles of commerce the great calamity which threatened the existence of many millions of our fellow-countrymen was to be avoided ? He admitted that as to the party question he had no defence to make, he had already admitted that the conduct of the measure now before Parliament ought to have been committed to other hands. He admitted that the management of the measure should be confided to those who had been the uniform supporters of an alteration of the law ; but when a considerable part of the empire was actually threatened with famine, he thought it his duty, as a public man, to do everything in his power to avert the calamity. When, however, he found himself outvoted in the Cabinet, he immediately tendered his resignation. A Richmond ministry, upon the principle of protection, being out of the question, he saw that a settlement of the Corn Laws was inevitable, and accordingly made that intimation in the highest quarter. Sir Robert Peel having resigned on the 6th of December, on the Sth, as a private gentleman — when leave was given to Lord John Russell to form a ministry upon the basis of a removal of the duty on corn — the right honourable baronet addressed a letter to her Majesty, in which he most unequivocally expressed his intention to sujport any measure the noble lord might propose, upon the basis of his letter to the electors of London, and also to support any financial measures which might be rendered necessary by an addition to the army or navy. He wished also to avoid any indication of hostile feeling to France, or any appearance of concert with the noble lord, as these might defeat the object he had at heart ; in short, he was ready to do anything to promote the adjustment of the Corn Laws. The right honourable baronet, after an explanation which appeared to give general satisfaction, then addressed himself to the second question, and in a most convincing speech, which carried conviction with it, he detailed the frightful state of Ireland, proved by the most indisputable evidence, that the extent of destruction of the potatoes was, upon an average, more than a half of the last crop ; and then he asked how he could ask for £200,000 or £300,000 from the taxes of England, and still retain a 17s. duty on the importation of corn ? The right honourable baronet concluded his speech amidst long-reiterated cheers from all parts of the house. Upon the motion of Lord John Manners, the debate was again adjourned.