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4

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also, that this is not Old fréland, but simply young

WAG

EXAMINER.

TH E

Prince Edward Island. Le

Mr. . Conroy would give his decided Opposition to any increase, knowing, ashe well did, how difficult it was for the tenants to pay the present tax.

Mr. Clark. 1 am not yet convinced that it would be good or sound policy to increase the present tax, I should be sorry to doubt the sincerity of those hon. rnembers who say “Increase the Tax upon Land, and decrease the Tax upon other commodities ;” but who

‘can say, or who can guarantee that, when the time ar-

rives for the House to make a reduction of the duties, some other public work or improvement may not, be thought more requisite than such reduction, and ought to be attended to, in preference to it. . I shall not, there- fore, yote for an increase of the present Tax.

Mr. Mooney. I entirely coincide, Sir, with what fell from the hon. member from Prince County,(Mr N. Conroy.) When he said the tenants experience great difficulty in paying the present tax, he spoke the truth, and nothing butthe truth, I am, Sir, really surprised to hear hon, members make so light of the tax, and think it is no trouble, or in any way difficult for the tenant to raise the money. This is a proof to me, Sir, that they know nothing of the situation of the people, and, appa- rently forget the numerous applications this year by petition, praying us to. appropriate moneys to purchase seed grain and potatoes, They seem also to lose sight eporihes of the large sum that was appropriated for a similar purpose last year, and that the people have not yet repaid all the money; and that one petition sets forth that, if they are compelled to pay it, it will be their ruin, I should consider the present tax a very unjust one were it not that if it be repealed, the Quit Rent—as the hon, Speaker observes—may be again revived. Any man. that has a farm, says the learned member for Char- lottetown, ought to feel that he should contribute to the revenue. ‘That is all very well, Sir: it is easy enough to feel, but it is not so, easy to pay. He (Mr. Palmer) thinks the tax nothing at all. I am most happy to.think he does not occupy a seat here as the representative of any comntry district; for I see he just knows nothing at all about the condition of the generality of the farmers of this Island. I! agree for once with some part of what has fallen from the hon. member for the Third District of Prince County, Dr. Conroy, reletive to education; but, Sir, there are more pressing wants that must be first attended to. First, there are the stomach’s wants, often very scantily supplied. Secondly, the body must b> clothed before we clothe the mind. Many things have to be done to the land; before we sow our visible seed, the soil must be made fit to receive it. So, in like manner, there are many things to be done before the figurative seed of education be broad-cast, or it will not produce the ex- pected fruit. fam not, Sir, altogether of opinion that education will supply all the other numerous wants felt by the people; neither am I thoroughly convinced that itis a plan altogether good to fill a tab too. full, whether it be Clean or dirty. fam fearful that, so long as the farmer is so circumstanced that he cannot afford to lose the labor of his children, so long will their education be neglected. I should not, therefore, support an increase, even if it were to be applied for the extension of educa- tion.

PARLIAMENTARY SUMMARY.

Saturpay, March 18.

Mr. ) .MeLean, as chairman of a special committee, introduced a Bill relative to the Currency, which, on motion, was read a first time, and its second readine ordered for tomorrow, :

Kiection Lavs.—Mr. Palmer introduced a Bill to consolidate and amenl the Election Laws, which, on motion of the hon. member, was read a first time, and its second reading ordered for Wednesday next. It is a very long Bill, and embraces a number of alterations:

the main one appears to be, the adoption of ‘the prin- ciple of simultaneous polling.

Books.—Mr. Haviland, in accordance with previous notice, introduced a Bill relative to the importa- tion of Books, with the view to protect the British Au- thors; which, on motion of the hon. member, was read a first time, and its second reading ordered for Wednes- dav next.

Bill lo vacate Seals of Members.—On motion of Mr. Thornton, this Bill was read a second time, and there- upon submitted to a Committee of the whole House. Mr. Clark took the chair. A debate ensued, and much difference of opinion prevailed. Ultimately, on motion of the hon. Speaker, the chairman reported progress and asked leave to sit again. 7

Treasury.—Mr. Rac moved that an Address be present- ed to His Excellency, requesting him to take steps, to complete the correspondence, in His Excellency’s pos- session, relative tothe Treasury of this Island ; the incom- pieteness of which prevented His Excellency from lay- ing before the House the portions in his possession. Phe motion met with much opposition.

Or. Conroy moved an amendment for the appointment or a Committee to investigate forthwith the affairs of the Treasury; which, on a division, only found Messrs. J. H. Conroy, Douse and D. McLean to support it.

The original resolution Was then put and carried a Committee sppointed to prepare the Address.

Governor's Silary.—Mr. Haviland moved an Ad

vv? tid ie

, and

dress lay before the

Ye ne! lonady stin : s Excetlency, requesting him to

nors of this Island. Motion granted, and a Commiitee appointed, to wait on His Excellency.

Tvuespayr, March 21.

Census.—Mr. D. McLean, intro?yced a Bill to regu- late the mode of taking a Censys of this Island. On motion 6F the hon. meinber, the Bill was read a fi time, aid its secop4, reading ordered for to-morrow.

Currency.~-On motion of Mr. D. McLean, the Cur- rency Bil’ was read a second time, submitted toa m- mitiee of the whole House,—Mr. Whelan in the chair.

the hon. Speaker, the Chairman reported progress and asked leave to sit again. ;

Vacating of Members’ Seats,—On motion of Mr. Thornton, the Bill declaring what offices shall be consid- ered offices of emolument, the acceptance of which, by members of the House of Assembly, shall cause their seats to become vacated, was read a second time, and committed toa Committee of the whole. After some time spent in discussion thereof, the Bill was reported agreed to with amendments.

Wepnespay, March 2%

Mr. D. McLean moved the second reading of the Censys Bill; and, on further motion that the House go into Committe on the same,—

Mr. Rae moved, as an amendment, that the House go into Committee that day six months, urging many reasons in support of his motion. The country, he said as he was every day more and more convinced, was in a much worse condition than some hon. members suppose it to be. He would be pleased to find, hereafter, that he was mistaken; but he was of of opinion, that more dis- tress would exist in some parts of the Island this year than he had ever known to prevail in it before. As the benefit to be derived from a Census would not be much, in comparison with the expense which the taking of it would occasion, and as so many more important de- mands existed, to which our disposable means ought to be applied, he hoped the measure would be delayed till more auspicious times.

A short debate ensued, after which the question being put on the amendment, it was negatived by a majority of 11 to6. The original motion was then put and carried; and the House went into Committee. Mr. McDonald inthe chair. Soon after a Message was announced from the Legislative Council; and the Committee ad- journed.

Message from Legislative Council.—The message alluded to informed the House that H. M. Legislative Council had agreed to the Seal Fishery Bill, without amendment.

Tuurspay, March 23.

Cony-Right Bill—On motion of Mr. Haviland, the Bill to regulate the importation of Books, and to pro- tect the BritishAuthor, was read a second time, and com- mitted to a Committee of the whole, Dr. Jardine in the chair, ‘Phe hon, member, Mr. Haviland, explained the principle of the Bill; which, he said, if it became law, would have the effect of so reducing the price of Books, that we might expect to see rise. up good Book-stores and circulating Libraries. The Bill, he observed, was founded on a Despatch from the Home Government, which had hitherto been disregarded, and the benefit to be derived from legislative action thereon quite over- looked. Having passed the Committee, it was reported agreed to with amendment, and ordered to be engrossed.

Currency.—In the afternoon sitting, on motion of Mr. Wheian the House went into Committee, to resume the consideration of the Currency Bill. Much discussion ensued as to determining the weight of Dollars, which was not settled when the Committee adjourned.

Duties Lost to the Revenue—Dr. Conroy, as chairman of a Special Committee, reported the amount of goods imported into the Island, during the absence of the late Governor in September last, upon which, duties were not paid. The report having been read, the hon. mem-| ber moved that the House go into Committee on the same to-morrow, and then the House adjourned.

Gleanings from the last English Papers.

THE CORN ‘FRADE.

The Corn trade has been ina dull and inactive state during the fortnight. The foreign arrivals continue on a very limited scale, nevertheless holders are not able ‘o improve prices. At Marklane, onthe I4th instant, English Wheat sold at the currency of the previous Monday, whilst foreign was a shade lower. Flour maintained our last quotations. In Indian Corn the | transactions were ofa trifling character. No feature worthy of notice in any article took place in the mar- kets held in London on the 16th and 18th instant. At the provincial markets held during the week ending February the 2Ist, business was dull, and prices ten- ded downwards. The advices from Scotland state, that, at Edinburgh and Glasgow, the trade was very inactive, and that Wheat had receded, during the period above noted, from one is. to Is. Gd. per quarter. Since the | 2ist, the markets throughout the United Kingdom are jtather firmer; and, in a fewfinstances, prices manifest anadvancing tendency. It is worthy of re nark, that ia! bh ugh the per‘od is nowat hand when the Corn duties

House any despatches relative to the salary of Gover-'

ee

will again be reimposed to asmall extent, there is not much prospect at present of prices rising much beyond the rates now current. This arises from two causes namely, the absence ofan Prish demand for almost every article of bread-stuffs, and the encouraging appearance of the Wheat plant. Purthermore, it is admitted that the very large quantity of foreign Wheat and Flour which has been consumed in this country during the antumn and winter, must have left a larger proportion of the last crop in the hands of farmers in this country than they usually hold at this period. It is, therefore, reasonable to infer that, unless encouraged by boister-

Subsequently to a brief discussion, on motion of|ous and ungenial weather, they will, after the sowing

season bring forward good supplies., At the present time the value of the best Western Canal Flour is about 27s. 6d.; Indian Corn, 26s, to 303.; American Wheat, 60s to 68s., and Canadian, 56s. to 62s. 8d per quarter.

THE RUSSELL MINISTRY.

The present Ministry are evidently doomed, and be- tray all the vacillation of lost men. Defeated in the Lords on the Diplomatic Relations Bill—defeated jn the Commons on Mr. Ward’s motion. for money—opposed on the budget. and obliged to make explanation after explanation—having recourse to a secret committee for the estimates, and then giving that up as_ impracticable —their reign seems of but short duration. Having first opposed the mcome tax when it was recommended in order to relieve the springs of trade, and make up for the defalcation of their own miserable addition to taxation in 1840, and now adopting it, and extending it, on pleas, that are at once trifling and insulting—having advocated economy in opposition, and been unexampledly profuse of expenditure in office. On Tuesday night they gave up the secrecy of the committee on the navy and army estimates they had proposed the night before. They found it was warranted neither by precedent nor reason, and whatever motives they might have for concealment, they were compelled to yield to the good sense of the pub- lic. We shall now probably know the true reasons for in- ereasing the navy and army estimates, and how much of that increase is due to their own timidity and want of confidence in the people, and how much to the influence of interested advisers.

Sir R. Peer anp THE ConsERvaTives.—Sir Robert Peel has formally resigned the leadership of that section of the Conservatives who attached themselves to his policy. That party has resolved to hold an indepen- dent position, watching the course of events, supporting good measures, and ready to take office when their services may be required. Sir Robert, however, has determined not again to take office, for the labours of which he feels unequal.

Foop. From America.—A _ parliamentary return shews that the various sums paid by the Government for freights on donations of food from America, for the relief of the poor in Ireland and Scotland, in the course of 184%, amounted to /41,725 8s 5d; and that (948 9s 1d was further paid for freights from port to port in the United Kingdom,

Tse Bririsn anp Norra American Royan Mai Steam Suips.—During the past year this admirable line of steamers made 20 voyages to and from Liver- pool and Boston, the distance steamed being 120,000 miles. The number of passengers conveyed from Liverpool to Boston amounted to 1804; from Liverpoo! to Halifax, 249; and from Halifax to Boston, 247. On the return trips, the numbers were, from Boston to Halifax, 253; from Boston to Liverpool, 1484; and from Halifax to Liverpol, 270. The average time of each passage out was I5 days, and each passage home 13 days, inclusive of the detention at Halifax.

Many ladies at Naples, when attending balls or private parties, now wear tricolor cockades, instead of flowers, in their hair,

Death OF Lorp Granvitte Somerset, M. P.— This nobleman, whose name has been familiar-to the public for some years back in connexion with politica! events, died on Wednesday evening at his residence 81, Harley-street, aged 56 years. His Lordship had been suffering forsome time back from an affection of heart, and general depression of the nerves owing to mental excitement; but until the 19th inst. no dan- gerous symptoms manifested themselves. From that day he gradually sunk, and died as already stated.

Cue_TENHAM LiTERARY AND Parosopnicat InstI- Tution.—Mr. Humphreys’ Lecture on History.—On Friday evening, E. R Humphreys, Esq. of Prince Edward Island, North America, delivered a lecture ai this Institution on the “ Claims of History as a Study.” The lecture was re-delivered on Wednesday morning, as the first of a course of lectures on “Modern His- tory.”—Cheltenham Free Pre s.

By the last Mail we learn that the Right Rev. John Bird Summer, Bishop of Chester, brother to the Bishop of Winchester, and second cousin to the Hon. W. Swabey ofthis town, has been created Archbishop of Canterbury, on the death of the late incumbent. The appointment is universally approved of by the Clergy

and people of England.— Gazetie,