CHAPTER XX.
MR. VILLIERS' MOTION.
On Tuesday, June 10th, Mr. Villiers moved for a committee of the whole House for the purpose of considering his resolutions for the abolition of all restrictions on the importation of foreign corn:—
"That the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole House, for the purpose of considering the following resolutions:—
"That the Corn Law restricts the supply of food, and prevents the free exchange of the products of labour.
"That it is, therefore, prejudicial to the welfare of the country, especially to that of the working classes, and bas proved delusive ta those for whose benefit the law was designed; and
"That it is expedient that all restrictions on corn should be now abolished."
After taking a review of the declarations made by Lord J. Russell, Sir James Graham, Colonel Wood, and many others on this important subject during the session, Mr. Villiers proceeded to congratulate himself on the improvement of his position in bringing forward these resolutions at present, as compared with that which he occupied on similar occasions in former sessions. There was now a general admission on the part of those on both sides of the House that it had become the duty of some member of parliament to test the opinions of the most influential parties in parliament on this question; and, therefore, he now came forward to contend that the Corn Laws were
