ng the consumer; while they
would force colonial traders into precarious existence. This view of the
case was ably combated by Mr. Gladstone; and on a division the motion
was negatived by a majority of two hundred and eighty-one against one
hundred and eight. The house considered the tariff in detail after the
Whitsuntide recess; when the duties on cattle and provisions excited
keen discussion, the agricultural members being alarmed at the prospect
of foreign competition, which they anticipated from the reduced duties.
On the house going into committee on the 23rd of May, the motion being
made, "That in lieu of the present rates of duty now payable on the
articles enumerated in the annexed schedules, there shall be raised,
levied, and paid upon the importation of the said articles into the
United Kingdom, the rates of duty proposed in the annexed schedules;"
Mr. Miles moved, by way of amendment, the following words:--"All live
stock imported from foreign countries being charged by weight." In
support of his amendment Mr. Miles went into a variety of calculations
to show the injury that would result to the farmer from the proposed
arrangement of duties, contending that the United States, Denmark,
Holland. Prussia, and the various states of Germany, would fatten cattle
for the English market, and thus render it impossible for the farmers at
home to compete with the foreign breeder. He was supported by the Earl
of March, and Messrs. H. Palmer and G. Heathcote, and opposed by
Lords Alford and Norreys, Colonel Wyndham, and Messrs. Gaily Knight
and Gladstone. The latter said that a material omission in Mr. Miles's
argument, was the want of proof that a large quantity of cattle could
be imported so as to injure the English farmer. Lord John Russell, in
continuation, said that he rejoiced to hear the principles laid down
by Sir Robert Peel; but he argued that they should have been extended
to the corn-laws. Other members spoke on both sides of the question; and
after a reply from Mr. Miles, the amendment was rejected by a majority
of three hundred and eighty against two hundred and sixty-seven.
When the committee resumed on the following day, Mr. Miles moved an
amendment, imposing a duty of 5s. 6d. per cwt. on live cattle, and 9s.
4d. per cwt. on the dead meat. This amendment, however, was withdrawn;
and one moved by Mr. Villiers, that the duty of one shilling per head
on oxen and bulls be substituted for the government propositi