There was a meeting of the county of Kent on
Penenden Heath yes- terday, to consider the Canada Corn Bill and the state of agriculture. The High Sheriff took the chair. There were also on the platform, Lord Stanhope, Lord Radnor, Lord Torrington, Sir E. Knatchbull and Mr. Plumptre, (the Members for the Eastern division of the county,) Mr. Hodges, and other gentlemen. Earl Stanhope, attacking the Govern- ment and their measures, moved a resolution praying for increased agricultural protection and measures to secure employment for the la- bouring classes. Mr. Beacon, as member of the Anti-Corn-law League, moved as an amendment, a series of resolutions against all monopolies ; and Lord Radnor supported the amendment. Sir Edward Knatchbull, who defended the Government, accepted in aid of his own some of Lord Radnor's arguments, and "in the abstract" agreed with his condemnation of monopolies ; but the circumstances of the country must be considered. He thought the Canada Corn Bill would give agriculture additional protection ; which made the people laugh. Mr. Plumptre also defended .Ministers. Mr. Hodges attacked them ; but pronounced it impossible to recover the amount of agricultural protection which had been lost : he advocated a fixed duty—say 12s., or less if that could not be got. (Laughter.) Sir Edward Knatchbull said that it would be impossible to get, or to retain if got. Eventually, Lord Stanhope's petition was ear- ned; and, on his motion, intrusted to himself and Sir Edward Knatch- bull to present respectively to the two Houses of Parliament ; Sir Ed- ward being asked to support its prayer, and to recommend it to his colleagues.
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