were born to inherit the land,would continue to be trained up in idleness, as they had heretofore been (a laugh), and be chiefly qualified for consuming the fortunes they possessed. (Hear, hear.) v But whilst the right hon. gentleman was dreading the displacement of agricultural labourers let him reflect upon the alternative of injuring trade, which would result in the displacement of a considerable number of manufacturing labourers. It appeared that in ten years, upwards of 360,000 agricultural labourers had gone from their villages to the manufacturing districts, as a means of living. Did not the right hon. gentleman perceive that, by the returning of any considerable portion of that number to the agricultural districts in consequence of the want of employment in manufactures, there would be just as great a displacement of agricultural labour as he apprehended would result from the introduction of foreign corn, and the consequent lowering of prices. (Hear, hear.) But the landowners themselves were now convinced that increased production and low prices did not displace labour; on the contrary, they went to their farmers and told them that the principle to go upon was, by the application of more labour, and increased skill and new improvemens, to produce the largest possible quantity of corn, and at the lowest possible price. And if this argument against low prices was good, it was just as much so against improvement as against free trade; increased supply and reduced price was the result of both."
Increase of poor rates:—
