that a fixed duty on corn would operate injuriously, and in times of scarcity could not be maintained; while, under the present system, prices were equable, and the supply of corn steady and regular. Protection and improvement in agriculture had been coincident, and the increase in the produce of the soil had been commensurate with the increase of the population. By their recent measures for the reduction of protective duties, the present government had gone to the verge of throwing land out of cultivation, and masses of the agricultural population out of employment! He admitted that there were great difficulties in grappling with the question, as since the present government had come into power the population had increased one million and a half. The right honourable baronet then referred to various returns, for the purpose of showing that the labouring classes, in amount of wages and command over the necessaries of life, were in a very different position from what they were a few years since. Admitting the influence of a good harvest, he thought the government was entitled to some credit for the change. The right hon. baronet then referred to the improved position of our commercial affairs, and the large amount of capital invested in railway and other speculations. He disapproved of any government plan of emigration, inasmuch as voluntary emigration was at present going forward fully equal to the wants of our colonies. He believed the education of the people had been of late years materially improved, and that the means at present adopted for the purpose were carried out in the most efficient manner. After expressing the anxiety of the government to do everything in their power to promote the physical and moral welfare of the people, he concluded by meeting the proposition of the noble lord by moving the previous question.
After a few words from Sir C. Burrell, who contended that the labourers in his neighbourhood were well paid and fed, Mr. Labouchere said he regarded a great portion of
