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This item is from the Carlisle Journal [2], 12 November 1846:
FREE TRADE AND WAGES. – The Protectionists used to be fond of asserting
that the manufacturers were anxious to repeal the corn laws [3] in order
that they might reduce the wages of their workmen. Events have
falsified the assertion. In Carlisle the wages of the hand-loom
weavers, since the passing of Sir Robert PEEL's measures, have been
considerably increased upon certain fabrics, and we understand there is
the prospect of a further rise very shortly. The manufacturing
population of Carlisle are, we feel happy in adding, in full
employment, and we are not aware of any intention among the millowners
to resort to the short-time system, now so extensively adopted in
Lancashire.
that the manufacturers were anxious to repeal the corn laws [3] in order
that they might reduce the wages of their workmen. Events have
falsified the assertion. In Carlisle the wages of the hand-loom
weavers, since the passing of Sir Robert PEEL's measures, have been
considerably increased upon certain fabrics, and we understand there is
the prospect of a further rise very shortly. The manufacturing
population of Carlisle are, we feel happy in adding, in full
employment, and we are not aware of any intention among the millowners
to resort to the short-time system, now so extensively adopted in
Lancashire.
(HT: T. Alan Russell)