Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 3).djvu/422

 the 'Times' and of other journals of the proceedings of this great meeting.

hisses.) It is a renewal of the old war of tariffs; therefore, it is the war of Protection. (Great uproar.) We must not retrograde, our course is onward." (Hisses and uproar.)
 * [Footnote: *tection in its worst and most pernicious form. (Cries of 'Shame,' and

Mr. : I rise to order. (Cheers, and a few cries of "No, no!") Sir, I will not so far depart from the usages of debate as to introduce a speech on rising to order, but will submit that the course of discussion is irregular and unfair. I have challenged the hon. member to discuss this particular point with me publicly. He has declined my challenge. (Great cheering.)

The : I think that my friend Mr. Young in calling my hon. friend Mr. Lindsay to order has rather himself travelled a little out of order. ("Hear, hear!" and a laugh.) I cannot think that Mr. Lindsay is out of order; but it will rest with the meeting to decide whether or not they will hear Mr. Lindsay in continuation. ("Hear, hear!" and disapprobation.)

Mr. : Gentlemen, remember that we are in the city of London, and that the eyes of England are upon us. We are assembled to discuss a question of deep interest to its maritime interests, viz., what is the best course for the nation to pursue in the first place.

Mr. : No, no; to inquire what should be done. ("Hear, hear!")

Mr. : Well, then, I suppose it is to discuss this, that we have come here. Now, I say, we have to inquire what is the best policy to be pursued for the nation at large (cheers); and, secondly, for ourselves as shipowners. (Cheers.) The question before us is this, whether the reversal of our Free-trade policy will be best for the interest of the country at large. ("Hear, hear!" hisses and confusion.)

Mr. : The Legislature will inquire into that. "Hear, hear!")

Mr. : I say this resolution goes to the root of Free-trade, and confirms the memorial sent by you last year to the Queen. (Cheers.) Now, then, in reply to that memorial—and bear in mind that you received that reply from a Protectionist Government, my Lord Derby's through whom you made this appeal. ("Hear," cheers, hisses, and cries of "Question, question!") I am speaking to the question. Now, the answer given to your memorial by the Board of Trade clearly and distinctly proved that under a Free-trade policy the British shipping had increased in a far greater ratio than it ever did under a Protectionist policy. ("Hear, hear!" and a cry, "Prove it!") It has been proved, and let those deny it who can, that from 1842 to 1849 British shipping built and registered during the period of reciprocity increased 843,000 tons; but from 1850 to 1857 it had increased 1,670,000 tons,]*