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The two

in general very satisfactory.
sides of the account were too nearly ba-
lanced to be the source of any cause of
congratulation either to the House or to
the country. He felt great disappointment
when he discovered there was so little done
to relieve the people from hose taxes which
still so heavily pressed upon them. He
did expect that a speculating Ministry
-a Ministry which was so fond of indulg-
ing in utopian speculations, would have
done something in the way of effecting a
reduction on tea and other articles of ge-
neral use by the poorer classes of society,

He greatly feared the general consequences which would result to the country from the present measures of Her Majesty's Government. In the first place, it would be impossible for them to make any calculation as to what would be the probable amount of the income for the present year; no one, in fact, could tell what might be the effect of those great changes which were about to take place. As to the Estimates, that must be purely a matter of speculation. As to the general expenditure of the country, that demanded a serious reduction. It was the duty of that House carefully to look after the state of the revenue, and

tries might soon be put upon a more satisfactory footing than that on which they now stood. A Commission to inquire into the collection of the revenue had at one time been appointed; but he was sorry to find it was not now in existence. Government ought to look into this subject, with a view of reducing the expenditure, for it was enormous. By a return which had lately been obtained, he found that within the last three years and a half there had been in this department no fewer than 600 new places created, with salaries to the amount of between 70,000l. and 80,000l.; and this was totally unconnected with ex-in order to carry out their own favourite tensive additions which had been made in principle, which was to rely for an increasother departments of the public service.ed revenue on an increased consumption. He found, for instance, that four places had been created with salaries of 6,000l. a year each, two at 5,000l. a year each, one at 3,000l. a year, one at 2,500l. a year, ten at 2,000l. a year each, fifteen at 1,8001. a year each, eight at 1,500l. a year each, two at 1,250l. a year each, thirteen at 1,2001. a year each, twelve at 1,000l. a year each, sixteen at 8001. a year each, and thirty-one at from 600l. to 750l. a year each; being 113 places at salaries amounting to 149,500l. and all created within the last three years and a half. Could it be wondered at, then, that there was a great increase in the expenditure? He also found a great increase in the ex-minutely to inquire into every item of the penditure connected with the Woods and public outlay; and which inquiries might Forests. He considered that when the very possibly lead to useful retrenchments. expenses of living had been so much re- The Chancellor of the Exchequer made duced as of late years, the salaries of what was apparently a very fair speech: public officers ought to receive a corre- it might, perhaps, be looked upon as one sponding diminution. Until, however, the of a series of "prosperity speeches." He House devoted itself seriously to consider- might be permitted to call the speech just ing the expenditure of the country, it was concluded the first prosperity speech of the of no use for him or others to complain. Chancellor of the Exchequer of the day. Ministers would always be ready to make That speech certainly treated largely of all estimates if they thought the House was that prosperity which flowed over this ready to vote money. The taxes were in country for the last four years-a prosvalue now 10,000,000l. more than they perity which might be attributed to various were in 1814. He could not, however, causes. Reference, to be sure, was made but admit that the Chancellor of the Ex- to the good harvests which had prevailed chequer's statement had been most clear-well, that might have had some influence and comprehensive.

MR. HUDSON, at that late hour was unwilling to occupy the House at any length; he would therefore confine himself to a few general observations. The House should feel much indebted to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Portsmouth, in having called their attention to the very important omissions of the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer; whose statements he (Mr. Hudson) did not think were

on the general prosperity; he, however, would refer to the years 1822, 1823, and 1824, when there were abundant harvests and when there was an abundance of capital in the country. How was that capital applied? Was it applied to the internal improvements of the country? It was not; on the contrary, it was exported in bullion to South America. He would come down to the years 1833, 1834, 1835, and 1836, when the money of the country was not

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expended in its internal improvements, as had been the case within the last four years, it being embarked in the construction of railroads and canals in the United States. Good harvests were a blessing, and their continuance might be the means of a nation's prosperity; still it was quite possible for a crisis to occur, to meet which the nation should not be unprepared, and which he feared might be the case from the measures lately propounded by the Government. The whole of the speech they had heard was very laudatory of past policy, and very complimentary to Ministers, who, it appeared, were rather oblivious of an old copy line often written by himself when a schoolboy-and which it would not be amiss to bear in mind-" Self-praise is no commendation." He did not much admire the former Government, but he neither admired the proceedings of, nor did he place any confidence in the present Ministry-who

were continually boasting of the prosperity of the years of their office; but those causes which really led to that prosperity, he sincerely wished they had allowed to remain undisturbed.

MR. JAMES: The noble Member for Lynn had stated that the difference between the sugar duty of 25s. 3d. and 14s., had gone into the pockets of the West India planters. He could assure the noble Lord they had not had a farthing of it. In the present state of the labour market in those Colonies, the cost of production exceeded any return obtained for the article produced. If the noble Lord had not made a better speculation on the Derby than the West India planters, all he could say was, that he made a much worse book than usual. Vote agreed to. House resumed. House adjourned at a quarter past Twelve o'clock until Friday next.

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APPENDIX.

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SPEECH OF MR. HUDSON RESPECTING RAILWAY LABOURERS,"
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1846.-(See note, p. 220.)

MR. HUDSON had no objection to the inquiry, because he was satisfied that it would redound to the credit of those gentlemen who had the honour of being connected with these public works. He believed that it was the wish of these gentlemen to improve not only the social but moral condition of their labourers. He could say for himself, that he had received several communications from clergymen relative to the necessity of having some religious instruction imparted to the labourers on certain lines with which he was connected; and in every instance of such an application, he had placed money at the disposal of the clergyman of the district for that purpose. In their contracts for

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work, the railway directors had a stringent clause prohibiting contractors, under a heavy penalty, from permitting labourers to work on Sundays. He had great doubts whether the appointment of the proposed Committee would be any public benefit; but at the same time, he would not oppose it, and he should be rejoiced if it effected any good. In every instance where grounds of complaint had been made relative to the treatment of labourers, it had been immediately remedied: in some cases it had come to his knowledge, that they received their wages at public houses, and the moment he heard it, he had insisted upon the practice being abolished.

INDEX.

INDEX

TO

HANSARD'S PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES,

VOLUME LXXXVI.

BEING THE FOURTH VOLUME OF SESSION 1846.

EXPLANATION OF THE ABBREVIATIONS.

-

1R. 2R. 3R. First, Second, or Third Reading-Amend., Amendment.-Res., Resolution.- Com.
Committed. Re-Com., Re-committed. Rep., Reported.— Adj., Adjourned.—cl., Clause.-- add. cl.
Additional Clause. neg., Negatived. l., Lords. — c., Commons. m. q., Main Question.—o. q.
Original Question. -o. m., Original Motion.— p. q., Previous Question.-r. p., Report Progress-
A., Ayes.— N., Noes — M., Majority.— 1st Div., 2nd Div., First or Second Division.

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-

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It has seemed better, instead of incumbering this Index with a reference to Private Bills, upon which
debate seldom occurs, to collect them in a Table at the end of the Session, in form similar to the Paper
issued by the House of Commons. The date will be a sufficient reference to the Volume
The indicates that no Debate took place upon that Reading.

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{INDEX}

Corn Importation, Com. 70; Rep. 238, 249
Customs Duties, Com. 844

Factories, 2R. Amend. Adj. 534, 535, 998,
1007

Privilege, Breach of, 815, 818, 819

BARING, Right Hon. F. T., Portsmouth
Budget, The, 1452

Fees in Courts of Law and Equity, Com. moved
for, 108

BARRON, Sir H. W., Waterford City
Corn Importation-Oats, Com. 130
Railways (Ireland), 7, 8

Battersea Park Bill,
c. 2R.* 612.

BEAUFORT, Duke of

Corn Importation, 2R. 1399

BEAUMONT, Lord

Corn Importation, 2R. 1359

Corn Laws, Returns moved for, 170
Customs Duties, 1R. 865

Religious Opinions Relief, Questions for the
Judges, 322

Sattara, Rajah of, 218, 219

BENETT, MR. J. Wilts, S.
Corn Importation, 3R. 434
BENNETT, Mr. P., Suffolk, W.

Corn Importation, Com. cl. 1, Amend. r. p. 91;
3R. 629

BENTINCK, Lord W. G. F. C., King's
Lynn

Bridport Election, 889
Budget, The, 1463

Canada-Commercial Policy of Government,
Address moved for, 553, 1425

Corn Importation, Com. Amend. 35, 36, 54;
r. p. 89; Oats, Amend. 121,
135; 137;
Rep. 288, 298; 3R. 709

Customs Duties, Com. Amend., 819; 3R. 876
Factories, 2R. 1019

BERKELEY, Hon. C. F., Cheltenham
Taylor, Sir C., Charges against, 958

BERNAL, Mr. R., Weymouth
Committees, Attendance on, 465
Factories, 2R. 1014

Bingley Union, The,

c. Questions (Mr. Ferrand), 953
Birdhill, Tragical Occurrence at,
c. Question (Mr. O'Connell), 1287

BORTHWICK, Mr. P., Evesham

Corn Importation-Oats, Com. 136; Rep. 259
Customs Duties, Com. 848

BOUVERIE, Hon. E. P., Kilmarnock, &c.
Andover Union, Leave to Report Proceedings of
Committee, 1411

Poor Relief (Scotland), 980

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BOWRING, Dr. J., Bolton
Customs Duties, Com. 850
Man, Isle of, 176

Quarantine Laws, Address moved, 877
Russia and Turkey, Treaty between, 1423

Bridport Election,

c. Petition (Mr. G. Bankes), 328, 882; Amend.
(Mr. Christie), 887, [A. 47, N. 47, M. O.]
910; (Mr. Henley) 1414, [A. 48, N. 80,
M. 32] 1419; Select Committee appointed,
1420

BRIGHT, Mr. J., Durham City
Customs Duties, 3R. 876
Factories, 2R, 1050

Game Laws-Silvester's Case, 813
Lace Factories, 2R. 945

Privilege, Breach of, 817

Smith, Mr. J. T., Case of, Com. moved for,
548

BROOKE, Lord, Warwickshire, S.
Corn Importation, 3R. 455

BROTHERTON, Mr. J., Salford
Factories, 2R. 523

Lace Factories, 2R. 948

BROUGHAM, Lord

Art Unions, 970

Charitable Trusts, 2R. 780, 790

Clerks of the Crown (Ireland), Returns moved
for, 580

Corn Importation, 1R. 730; 2R. 1176, 1182,
1283, 1284, 1286, 1291, 1363, 1367, 1372
Corn Laws, Returns moved for, 169
Customs Duties, 1R. 866

Education in Wales, 862

Hardinge, Viscount, and Lord Gough, Pensions
to, Address, 103

Religious Opinions Relief, Questions for the
Judges, 318, 583, 604, 606
Sattara, Rajah of, 219

BUCCLEUCH, Duke of

Burghs (Scotland), Com. 175
Customs Duties, ÍR. 862
Education in Wales, 862

Budget, The, c. 1429

BULLER, Mr. C., Liskeard

Corn Importation, Com. cl. 1, 91

Counsel, Members of the House acting as, 93
Fees in Courts of Law and Equity, Com. moved
for, 200

New Zealand, 967

Burghs (Scotland) Bill,

1. 2R. 24; Com. add. cl. (Duke of Richmond),
175; cl. neg. ib.; 3R. 271; Royal Assent,
536

BURRELL, Sir C. M., New Shoreham
Corn Importation, Rep. Amend. 226, 299
Business of the House,

c. Statement (Sir R. Peel), 1421

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CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER-cont.
Corn Importation, Com. cl. 1, 92; Oats, 134
Counsel, Members of the House acting as, 92, 93
Customs Duties, Com. 837

Smith, Mr. J. T., Case of, Com. moved for, 551
Supply Civil Contingencies, 1206; - Public
Departments, 1207

Channel Islands, The

c. Question (Mr. Roebuck), 176

CHAPMAN, Mr. A., Whitby
Supply Civil Contingencies, 1206
Charitable Trusts Bill,

1. 2R. 733, [Contents 40, Non-Contents 42,
M. 2] 809

CHRISTIE, Mr. W. D., Weymouth

Bridport Election, Amend. 887, 908, 910
Loughborough Petty Sessions, 223

Poor Laws--Magisterial Oppression, 810, 1426
Privilege, Breach of, 818

Civil Contingencies-Supply, c. 1204

CLANRICARDE, Marquess of

Clerks of the Crown, (Ireland), Address moved,
576, 581

Ireland, Crime in, Returns moved for, 976, 977
Parliament, New Houses of-Ventilation, 170

CLARENDON, Earl of

Corn Importation, 2R. 1228, 1333

CLERK, Right Hon. Sir G., Stamford
Canada-Commercial Policy of Government,
Address moved, 594
Customs Duties, 3R. 874

Quarantine Laws, Address moved, 881
Railway Companies Dissolution, Com. cl. 11,912
Railway Legislation, 223

Clerks of the Crown (Ireland),
1. Returns moved for, 576
CLEVELAND, Duke of
Corn Importation, 2R. 1114

COBDEN, Mr. R. Stockport
Corn Importation, 3R. 617, 619, 623
Factories, 2R. 1075

CHANCELLOR, The LORD (The Right Hon. COLLETT, Mr. J., Athlone

Lord Lyndhurst)
Charitable Trusts Bill, 2R. 733, 768
Death by Accident Compensation, 3R. 174
Deodands Abolition, 3R. 174

Ireland, Crime in, Returns moved for, 977
Religious Opinions Relief, Questions for the
Judges, 307, 309, 320, 416, 582, 583; Com.

590, 606, 612

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Game Laws-Silvester's Case-Capt. Lyons,
and Sir C. Taylor, 329, 811, 812, 813, 959
Colonial Office-Appointment of Mr.
Rogers

c. Observations (Mr. V. Smith), 1420

COLQUHOUN, Mr. J. C., Newcastle, Staff.
Corn Importation, 3R. 616
Factories, 2R. 466

Roman Catholic Relief, Com. Amend. 141, 154,
160

Commercial Policy of Government-Ca-
nada

c. Address moved for (Lord G. Bentinck), 553;
-Question, 1425

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