CORN AVERAGES 351 



growers only. On receiving this resolution, the Privy Council 

 replied that the Government were ready to consider representa- 

 tions respecting the system of taking the averages, or any 

 proposed change that might be deemed equitable by payers 

 and receivers of tithe. 



This subject next came before the Council in 1879, during 

 discussions on weights and measures. General complaints 

 were made as to the inaccuracies in the official returns collected 

 for the purpose of determining the Gazette average prices of 

 corn ; the Weights and Measures Committee of the Chamber were 

 therefore instructed to obtain detailed information from local 

 Chambers and to communicate with the Government Depart- 

 ments concerned. During the year a mass of information 

 was collected, which revealed many inaccuracies, in spite of 

 the Government's defence of their figures, and in December 

 the Government were asked by the Council to hold an official 

 inquiry into the subject. 



Early in the session of 1880 Colonel Ruggles-Brise, M.P. 

 (Chairman), moved for the appointment of a Committee in 

 the House of Commons, and the assent of the Government 

 was indicated. The General Election intervened before the 

 Committee was appointed, and the new Government pro- 

 posed to legislate immediately. A Bill was drafted b}^ the 

 Board of Trade and introduced at once, but it was too late 

 in the session for progress with it to be made. In November 

 the Council expressed general approval of the amendments 

 in the system of Corn Returns proposed by the Bill, but 

 pointed out certain omissions. In 1881 two Bills were intro- 

 duced by the Government and by Colonel St. John Barne 

 respectively. In March the Council considered these Bills, 

 and, while approving both to some extent, decided that 

 neither was adequate, and that legislation was not advisable 

 until a thorough inquiry into the question had been held. 

 This the Government declined, and no legislation was effected ; 

 but a Return, moved for by Mr. Duckham, M.P., showing 

 the distribution of the markets and the amount of corn 

 returned at each, confirmed the opinions which had been 

 expressed by the Council. 



