26 



Any system of Corn Laws ought to secure to the 

 British grower a remunerating price in unpropitious 

 seasons ; and though the present Corn Laws, the 

 best that were ever enacted, and which have pre- 

 served steady and moderate prices during the un- 

 favourable seasons which have happened from 1828 

 to J 832, have not, this has not been the fault of the 

 Corn Laws, but the consequence of unpropitious 

 seasons and of the outgoings of the occupier not fall- 

 ing in proportion with the fall in the price of produce. 



We see what effect the present prices of corn,, 

 or rather the price of 54s. a quarter, the probable 

 future average price of corn produced within our 

 own territories at home, will have upon the in- 

 comes of landed proprietors ; and if there be a 

 free trade in corn, or a nearer approximation to it, 

 which would reduce the price still lower, it would 

 not only affect landlords in a greater degree, but it 

 would reach to all persons connected with agri- 

 culture. It is clear from the evidence of Mr. 

 Sanders that such would be the case, even with 

 a duty of 10s. a quarter. When he is asked " do 

 you think the present system is adapted to give 

 the best chance of steadiness ?" His reply is,* (*) 

 " I consider a fixed duty wholly impracticable. I 

 have known fine Baltic wheats equal to English, 

 sold at 20s. to 22s. a quarter for five or six years 

 in succession : I have known purchases there at 

 15s. and 18s. a quarter. A succession of good 

 crops here and in Europe would again probably 



* See Sanders's Evidence, Question 1 4552. 



