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 CHAPTER XI.

MR. VILLIERS' MOTION, 1844.

On Tuesday, June 25th, Mr. Villiers moved— That this House do resolve itself into a Committee, for the purpose of considering the following Resolutions:—

"That it appears by a recent census that the people of this country are rapidly increasing in number.

"That it is in evidence before this House that a large proportion of Her Majesty's subjects are insufficiently provided with the first necessaries of life.

"That, nevertheless, a Corn Law is in force which restricts the supply of food, and thereby lessens its abundance.

"That any such restriction having for its object to impede the free purchase of an article upon which depends the subsistence of the community, is indefensible in principle, injurious in operation, and ought to be abolished.

"That it is therefore expedient that the Act 5 and 6 Vic., c. 14, shall be repealed forthwith."

The subjects of his speech were:—

Continued discussion inspires hope; the protection societies were but an exhibition that theirs was a losing, while that of the Anti-Corn-Law League was essentially a gaining cause; and public opinion will ultimately carry that which is based on truth and justice.

2. All the arguments adduced in support of the Corn Law had been sifted, and found wanting; the most plausible of them all, that of " independence of foreigners,"