ABSTRACT
We now return to parliament. There had been long debates on the Income Tax and upon the tariff; then came the Whitsuntide holidays, followed by long debates upon the Maynooth Grant. On the 26th May, Lord J. Russell brought before the House of Commons the following resolutions, of which he had given notice:—
“That the present state of political tranquility, and the recent revival of trade, afford to this House a favourable opportunity to consider of such measures as may tend permanently to improve the condition of the labouring classes.
“That those laws which impose duties usually called protective, tend to impair the efficiency of labour, to restrict the free interchange of commodities, and to impose on the people unnecessary taxation.
“That the present Corn Law tends to check improvements in agriculture, produces uncertainty in all farming speculations, and holds out to the owners and occupiers of land prospects of special advantage which it fails to secure.
“That this House will take the said laws into consideration, with a view to such cautious and deliberate arrangements as may be most beneficial to all classes of her Majesty’s subjects.
“That the freedom of industry would be promoted by a careful revision of the law of parochial settlement which now prevails in England and Wales.
“That a systematic plan of colonization would partially relieve those districts of the country where the deficiency of employment has been most injurious to the labourers in husbandry.
“That the improvements made of late years in the education of the people, as well as its more general diffusion, have been seen with satisfaction by this House.
“That this House will be ready to give its support to measures, founded on liberal and comprehensive principles, which may be conducivè to the further extension of religious and moral instruction.
“That an humble address be presented to her Majesty, to lay the foregoing resolutions before her Majesty.”
