ABSTRACT
The royal speech, delivered by the Queen in person on the 19th of January, expressed satisfaction in the results of the repeal of customs-duties, as far as they had yet gone, and recommended to Parliament the consideration whether the repeal of restrictions might not be carried yet further; whether there might not still be a remission ‘of the existing duties upon many articles, the produce or manufacture of other countries.’ In consideration of the release of so much raw material, the manufacturers were expected to acquiesce in the reduction of some remaining articles of manufacture; and this they showed all willingness to do. All agricultural produce which serves as cattle-food, such as buckwheat and Indian corn, was to be admitted duty free. The great reform of policy – of procedure – which had now taken place, had excluded all present thoughts of organic change from the mind of the people.
