ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 228, 18 July 1846, Page 80

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

United States. — The Neio York Herald, in speculating upon the chances that a fixed duty would be imposed in lieu of the sliding scale, says — " A repeal of .the Corn Laws of England, and the adoption of a low fixed duty on foreign grain, will lead to a complete revolution in the commercial system of this and other nations. We learn that our Minister in London is engaged in negotiations in relation to this matter; and we are prepared to receive at any time the announcement that a treaty between the United States and Great Britain has been concluded, entirely of a commercial character, opening the ports of each for the products and manufactures of the other, upon more liberal and advantageous terms than any yet proposed. Thejcloser these two nations can be brcughr to each other in the pursuits of commerce, the danger of any rupture becomes reduced, and the greater the interest each has in maintaining peaceful relations. The Conservative or middle party in the Senate has this in view ; and as they hold the balance of power, they will, without doubt, accomplish their object. The course Mr. Calhoun is pursuing has this end in view ; and he will make every honourable sacrifice to bring about such a desirable result." Lord Glenlyon has accepted the office of Lord in Waiting, in the room of Lord Ilardwicke. As there are few proprietors in Scotland more deeply interested in the welfare of agriculture then the heir to the dukedom and estates of Athol, Lord Glenlyon's acceptance of office at this critical period may be considered as an indication that he, as an agriculturist, feels no apprehension of the result of the ministerial measures. — Times.

That, after this appointment, the noble lord's course in Parliament will be pleasing to the Minister, cannot be doubted ; but we fear it will also give great satisfaction in a still higher quarter, where so strong an impression is said to have been made by the friends of the Free-trade delusion, as to attract the notice of a Whig nobleman who once held office as head of the Government. The noble viscount, in a recent visit at Windsor Castle, was struck with the warmth of approval bestowed upon the project by an illustrious personage ; and is reported to have used these remarkable words — " Madam, this will not do ; the next thing will touch your crown." That his lordship was not consulted during a late attempt to form an Administration, will no longer be surprising. — Mornivg Post.

We are assured that Earl Talbot has signified his intention to give his cordial support to the measures proposed by Sir Robert Peel. Lord Talbot, we believe, farms from 1,300 to 2,000 acres of land, chiefly arable. It is confidently reported that Lord Talbot, foreseeing that his avowed sentiments may not be acceptable to the Staffordshire Agricultural Protection Society, of which he is president, has signified a wish that this office may be intrusted to other hands. — Times.

Sir Charles Henry Coote, member for the Queen's County, and Mr. John Hope Jolinstone, member for Dumfriesshire — heretofore a strong Protectionist — are said to have tendered their votes to the Minister. It is remarked, as a curious coincidence, that the son of the former has just been presented to a Crown living of JE6OO a-year, and the son of the latter appointed to the Audit Office. — Morning Post. We have no hesitation whatever in saying, that the great measures propounded by Sir Robert Peel on Tuesday have come upon us with the most agreeable surprise ; and we further feel quite warranted in asserting, that, on the whole, they have given the greatest satisfaction to the intelligent inhabitants of this vast city (Glasgow). — Scotch Reformers' Gazette.

It is well deserving of notice, that the announcement of Sir Robert reel's intended change in the Corn Laws has produced scarcely any effect on the Corn-market. The price of wheat, instead of going down with a run, as it ought to have done according to the confident assertions of Monopolist writers and speakers, has slightly risen in se-

veral markets, and remained stationary in most, and has not anywhere sunk to a serious extent. As the corn-dealers are at once a shrewd and sensitive race, we may take it for granted that they do not expect any fall from present prices to follow the introduction of the new system : if they did, their fears would have been shown by ■ rapid decline in all the principal markets in the kingdom. The fact is, that they know what is the real extent of the supply both of British and foreign grain too well to entertain any such feari.-<-Zi-verpool Times. j