960,000 agricultural labourers in England and Wales, according to the last census. I undertake to say they do not expend on an average 30s. a year on their families, supposing every one of them to be in employ. I say manufactured goods, excluding shoes. I assert that the whole of the agricultural peasantry and their families in England and Wales do not spend a million and a half per annum for manufactured goods, in clothing and bedding. And, with regard to your exciseable and duty. paying articles, what can the poor Wretch lay out upon them, who out of 8s, or 9s. a week has a wife and family to support? (Hear.) I undertake to prove to your satisfaction and you may do it yourselves if you will but dare to look the figures in the face (loud cheers)—will undertake to prove to you that they do not pay upon an average each family 15s. per annum, that the whole of their contributions to the revenue do not amount to £700,000, Now, is not this a mighty interest to be disturbed? I would keep that interest as justly as though it were one of the most important; but I say, when you have by your present system brought down your agricultural peasantry to that state, have you anything to offer for buttering their condition, or at all events to justify resisting an inquiry?
He maintained that, at least in the manufacturing districts, whenever provisions were dear wages were low, and whenever food was cheap wages were high, and said that the recent strikes in Lancashire for advance of wages was the consequence of the fall of wheat below 50s. What was the plan of the agriculturists to raise the condition of tenants and farm labourers? Mr. Cobden concluded by saying:—
