Star. — London, England, 1831-02-15 00:00:00

Mt A vied, particularly she duties on Cape wines. Since the finance state. went had been submitted to the house, he had seen letters from some of the most respectable parties connected with she wine trade of the Cape of Good Hope, and from whose letters it appeared, that in a statement forwarded to the Colonial-office in the course of last year, It WWI clearly ahewn that no less a sum than one million nine htmaroi I:iousand pounds was invested in vineyards in the neighbourhood Cape Town. besides investments of 60,0001. in vineyards in other pants of the colony. That in brandy casks alone there was invested no law • .u,lithan 2i 0,0001. that the stock of wine on hand was worth 126,0001. arol the wine in bond 100,0001. making a total of upwards of 1,700,0001. embarked in that trade. If the duty took effect the value of the casks would be the only value of the bonded wines. There were no less than 499 families engaged in the Cape wine trade, and the consequence of the pre. *rot measure would be such a tall in the value, that the whole of this o +ital. with the exception of the casks which contained the wine, wad& be destroyed. By this measure the duty upon the wines of P which now paid 100 per cent would not be increased to more L i lt per cent. whilst the additional tax of sixpence a gallon on Cape wines would increase the tax on that commodity to 110 per ten*. He saw alts reason why the wines of the Cape of Good Hope should not be entitled to the same protection against foreign wines, as British spi•its were against foreign spirits. He also hoped the noble lord would reconsider his proposition with respect to the timber trade. He was sorry to Wu. pass on the patience of the house; but if members had the same typos. oinks , that he had of seeing the state of the shipping interest, they would ace that he was only performing his duty to a valuable class of society. By the returns on the table, it would appear that itt the year 1829 the North American timber trade employed 1.169 ships, 431,900 tonnage, and 20,098 seamen ; that the number of British seamen em ployed in the Baltic outward trade amounted to 346 men, 46 sh4s, and 7.500 tonnage, whilst the foreigners in the same trade anytime& W 1113 ships, 40,791 tons, and 1,641 seamen. From this it was evident that if some competition were not kept up in the trade, between the Bri tish colonies and the Baltic, the whole colonial timber trade, as far as the home supply was concerned. would be destroyed. Before he sat down, he begged to ask the noble toed (the Chancellor of the Brche- 1 quer) whether it was his intention to allow any drawback upon the stuck in hand of printed cottons? When the noble lord considered that this was the season of the year when houses in that trade laid in their stocks, and that the alteration of duties would make a difference of 30 per cent. he trusted that the noble lord would, if possible, avert the ruinous consequences which must result from refusing drawbacks. Lord ALTHORP replied, that every man who considered this sub. ject must admit that any plan to return the duties on all the printed cottons in all the shops, would open a door to the greatest fraud. It was true that in all cases of alteration of duties some loss must be una voidably experienced by the parties engaged in the trade; but experi ence convinced him that a proposal to remedy individual losses would be productive of the greatest injury to the public, by the facilities it would afford to frauds. Sir J. YORKE could not but repeat the opinion he had often ex pressed, that it was better ‘l to bear the ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of." That was what he would apply to the government plans of taxation ; but if tax on the transfer of stock were to be abandoned, he should be sorry if it were made the occasion of generating ill feeling between the landed and monied interests. With respect to the plans generally he hesitated not to say that the noble lord had attempted too much ; his lordship had desired to conciliate public good opinion to too great an extent. He recommended the noble lord to take off two taxes only this year—those on coal and calicoes. He would wait to see the effects of diem before he proceeded farther. He was against taxing the raw material of cotton on its importation. Mr. WARBURTON was glad that the transfer tax was withdrawn ; tend he trusted a property tax would be imposed. If a property tax were proposed it would produce many millions, and he would give it his support, as it would enable Government to take off many millions of taxes which now pressed on the productive industry of the country, and relieve Government from the necessity of imposing any taxes on such an infant branch of trade as steam boats. He regretted that it was thought requisite to impose a tax on steam packets ' • it was a branch of industry that on the contrary ought to be encouraged. To our western coast the tax would be ruin : if war commenced, how valuable would be steam packets and vessels. To the changes in the timber duties he gave his unqualified assent. (Hear.) The protecting duties were bad in prin ciple and opwation. Mr. P. THOMSON said, that after the most deliberate reflection he considered that the plans of the Noble Lord, as brought forward on Friday, had merited the support of the House, and the approbation of the country. He felt assured that it was only by the mutations of taxes that the country could experience any relief from the 'butdens that now pressed on its industry. Though it had been, in the Noble Lord's opinion, incumbent on him to withdraw parts of the plans, he WAS sure that the country would approve the financial plans of the Noble Lord. Be it remembered that there were to be repealed 4,000,0001. taxes, and imposed only 1,400,0001. He regretted that the country was to be denied all the benefits contemplated by the Noble Lord ; at the same dine he was pleased at the spirit with which the objectionable portions were abandoned. His Noble Friend had by his arrangemenr ' 400,1001. on hand above the estimated expenditure, which was leaving the sum of 100,00 U. more than he had set out with. His object had been demonstrated to reduce the tax on the article for the consumer, and to increase the revenue by the effects of an accession of consumption. This was the principle of the commu tation of taxes that had been brought forward by the Govern ment. The Right Hon. Secretary regretted that the relief did not go farther • but it was as far as the present circumstances would al low. It had been said that the alteration of the duty on timber would affect the interest of the ship-owners. It would be useless to attempt to contend that the shipping interest was not mixed up with the ques tion, but he would contend that the interest of the ship-owners ought not to be considered independently, at the expense of every other portion of society. The duty being taken off coals had given an advantage to the shipping interest in the accession it would uccasion in the coasting trade : this advantage in this particular was such, that a gentleman in the trade had informed him (Mr. Thomson) that he would now be enabled to double the business he had done formerly. Gentlemen who were of the agricultural interest must be aware of the benefit they would derive from the alteration in the duty on timber, when they came to re quite it for the purposes of building; and those who asserted that the measure would be so prejudicial to shipping interest., were, perhaps, not aware that there were four hundred and eight thousand tons of shipping em„loyed in this country before there existed any trade in Canadian tim ber. He had hoped that the plan of his noble friend would have been adopted. He (P. Thomson) was sorry that it had failed : but to this conclusion they must come at last—to remove the burdens from the la bouring classes; and assist the springs of industry, and by all means to keep faith with the public creditor, Mr. PRAEI) rose. There were several members rose at the same time, but the preference was conceded to Mr. Prised, he being a new another. He said, that had the noble chancellor not withdrawn his proposed tax on the transfer of funded property, he (Mr. P.) would have been ready to concede that it might be expedient, but he would have been prepared to prove that it was unjust. He did not con sider that the taxes taken off would increase consumption to make up the deficiency caused in the revenue. He acknowledged that the present tax on calico was an oppressive and likewise a partial tax; but by the proposed alteration the poorer class of people would derive very little benefit. A piece of cloth, such as is worn by the common people, would weigh about 41bs. and cost about Bs.—it would, by the new arrangement, pay a duty of fourpence. The finest description of calico, such as worn by the higher circles, would weigh about 2lbs. cost 40s. and would pay a duty of only twopence ; and consequently, the poorer classes were taxed double the amount of the rich. The noble lord could therefore take very little credit to himself for any great boon that he granted to the poor people. He thought that the noble lord had overlooked that putting on a penny of duty on raw cotton would go to extinguish our im. port of East India cotton, and would be much in favour of the im portation of American and other cottons. The hon. member quoted the prices of cottons from different markets, and on comparison showed that the tax would act at the rate of four and a half to se ven and a half per cent. on East India cotton to that of some of the others. At no distant period the alteration of the noble lord's pro. position would be severely felt. The East India cotton was impotted in British ships exclusively, and the present was no time to depress the value of property of any description, either in our home territories or that of our colonies. The hon. member at considerable length examined the reasoning that had been urged by the noble lord, and endeas oured to prove that his lordship had been brought to wrong conclusions. Sir J. GRAHAM complimented the hon. member who spoke last for his speech, and said that he would prove a great acquisition to the house. The hon. baronet acknowledged that the question relating to the funded property was a difficult subject ; but he would not have sup ported the tax because it was expedient, if he had not thought it just. The hon. baronet traced the circumstances of the country from 1797, at which period it had been legislated that the public creditor could not receive gold which he had paid in, but only paper in re turn ; these acts of legislative injustice having accumulated in effects had involved succeeding ministers, so that now it was not the con. sideration of what was just, or what unjust, but the question was, what measure was the smallest portion of injus tice to supply the wants of the state? Yet with all the insinuations about the unjustness of the measure. a right bon. baronet who was in his place, had in 1818, when be was Secretary of Ireland, voted foe the continuation of the property tax, although the Act expressly stated that it should c ease to ex ist six months after peace was established. He did not coratider that the violation had originated with the present ministers, Mr. Pitt had made it a part of a special contract, most solemn with the public credi. tor, that one per cent. of a sinking fund should be provided on the whole debt ; Net minister after minister had succeeded, and no attention had been paid to this contract. The sinking fund had come down from five millions till, when the last ministry went out, the surplus revenue was only 300,0001. The right hon. baronet was convinced that the tax on funded property was quite consistent with the general statute that had been framed for the property tax. The hon. member for Dumfries had, on a previous evening, charged ministers with dishonesty, and had concluded his attack with intimating that the present ministry would I I I • 111 ..... not be of long standing. How far that hoe. member might be correct tliskplear tbspomensystemlllMEl l o bid received nodal but heights. in his calculation , he (Sir J. Graham) would not now stop to inquire; alts had net Lisiipsied. Tose allowed the Inssvelmeslaidie Ckme but he would take that opportunity saying, that the great principle was and noble ailed was es erdeleg an maser& policy for whirr they contemdA when they were on the opposition bench, was trine hemmed the Cg Ibis sonntry to the nemest and the molest that the time had arrived when it was indispensable to relieve the Itsespor thestry, that we wield be dm lint to do burdens of the country—and in room of this pledge they had, as one whit wen was sad patient= to them to allow con& ezaniple.— measure removed the tax of coals, as being one of the greatest meths With osopme to the alteraden In the table deans it was absolutely of the main.spring of manufacture. The aoolition of the duty ea asemerr ;he the present absurd Mane she dodos Baltic timber was printed calicoes he also defended ; *present the duty wan Std. yer yard. taken to Own* foe the pusses of Magee to with bide The hon. baronet replied to different statements of Mr. Petted, and dis- the advantage in duty of Cana ember. Hear. Tim tor if seated from the conclusions adduced by that hon. member. Ministers the izebeinter's but was favenedie to as well as ftPaod. of the Crown acted properly, after having submitted a measure to the the stead the in coal was &bees that would be gratega fith representatives of the people of England, who had alone the right to ad- be tat evaldsl• (Haws hoax) vise, and if the representatives of the people disapproved of that mem Mr. NORTH geld, it was with rest aerptise he had heard the noble sure, it was the duty of Ministers to withdraw it. He was satisfied that bod a ter onathimaressel psinolgers, which *odd organ in supporting the commutation of taxation that had been brought for- yon the Itith absents. 'llse Weir the Irish abeam= estril ward he could not be taxed with dishonesty. in this country was too great to allow the tax to, keep them at bona; Mr. PRAED explained. but still they wield fad it as a meat vexations impost. The noble Me K. DOUGLAS replied to the allusions that had been made to lord's reduction of newspaper tax is Oust 'Main, without a ma him by the right hon baronet who bad just sat down. He considered it responding tandem in Ireland, Would &Pelee the Irish nllleilleese a bad specimen of the policy of Ministers that they in their first act had of the advantage they had ling excit e discootent. He abandoned a measure which they were conscious was just. Expediency was glad that the tax on Imams had been withdrawn, as to was what a Government of no free country ought ever to resort to. The him It appeased to be • violation of Palk faith' This might not have Noble Lord in his proposition for a tax on the transfer of property would been the view of but it mistimed little to the publis wbe only reach that property which wen constrained to chants lands from tar the violation dis contra % proceeds ken want of interity, or a want distress or misfortune, whilst the wealthy whose property was not ex- of capacity. The Legislature in this case were parties to a contract, for por e d to these casualties would not be disturbed. The Noble Lord had which they had meshed • consiimedes. Mid were as much bound by it in giving his statement calculated on annual sales of this description of as an individual by a contract into which be bad entered. Disguise it property to the amount of one hundred millions. This exposed a deeper as they might, the real argument of the Government was, Mr. NU vie picture of distress in the country than the hon. member bedews hadany bated the public faith—other governments did the same ; and they conception of. He looked upon the plans proposed by the Noble thought they might do the same also. It was important to the public Chancellor as violations of the general policy of the country. They honour that it should be distinctly understood, that the tax was &ban would have the moot baneful effects both upon our home and colonial dolled as a violation of the public faith; and that if persevered in, the territories. The Noble Chancellor had calculated that the income Legislature would ever after be impotent to make a contract. (Hear.) would be the same as the revenue of last year, and yet the affairs of Mr. C. GRANT said it was a little unfortunate that the speech of Europe and the present state of Ireland were such, that it might be the learned gentleman was not delivered before his noble:friend had an probable we would reqtdre an accession both to the army and navy ; flounced his intention of relinquishing the proposed tax on transfers.-- but the Noble Chancellor had made no provision for th ese extremities (Great cheering.) The speech was no doubt able, but it was rather late; in his calculations. The Honourable Member concluded with declaring for every one must perceive that it was intended* at part of a debate that he had no faith in the measures proposed by the Chancellor of the in opposition to that tax.—(Hear, hear.) A mush more calculated to Exchequer. excite discontent in Ireland has not lately boa made. The hoe. Mr. C. FERGUSON thought that neither the proposing nor the and learned gentleman appeared to insinuate that his noble friend had abandoning of these taxes would divest Ministers of the confidence of been deficient in integrity in introducing the proposed tax. His the lame He admitted that if the tax had been laid on the transfer noble friend a character which made it certain that no et property that it would have been deemed a breach of faith with the man in that house, with the samples of th e learned gentleman, public creditor. A tax upon the importation of raw cotton, without and no man out of that house, would asepsis biro of want of integrity. manses to value, would be th e ruin of our cotton importation; It was --(lmmense cheering.) The govenneset propessd the tax with the absolutely necessary that this duty should be levied ad valorem. He conscientious conviction of its with public faith ; bat when did not think that the tax on steam would be advisable. It would be they found the opinion of that bore, if the public, was opposed Math to collect it would not be productive, and it would be very op - to k, his noble Mend acted wisely in witabswing it. (Hear, bear.) regain, by preying on an improvement on our means of communica. The learned gentleman with an astadding sort of tact, had reminded tion, as steam navigation was as it were in its infancy. He approved the Irish people that the late goverment had attempted to raise their of the principle upon which ministers were acting, of withdrawing the stamp duty on newspapers. Wee he afraid that his imputation on burthens from the sources of labour and as much as possible transfer- the present government might drive the Irish people for refuge to ring them to another elms. the late ministry ? (Grouches:log.) Mr. COURTENAY acknowledged that arrangements originating Mr. ROBINSON said until France shelved a disposition to reed in 1797 had involved the country in diaculty—but he did not consider cote with us, it was impolitic on oar pert to sacrifice the interest of the that that justified the measure that had been proposed by the Cape of Good Hope, and our commence with Portugal, which took from Ministry. The measure was one of an unjust nature of Itself, in. us manufactures to the amount of two without a year, at a duty of fif dependent of any law existing ; it was to be an infringement of a teen per cent. less than the manufactures of alba countries; besides bargain between two parties, and a breach of contract. The sir. taking so much of the fish cured in Newfoundland, that the trade of cumstances of the proposition were without precedent or reuse— that colony mainly depended on the continuance of that market. He He denied that the provision of a sinking fund of one per cent. believed in his conscience that the system for some time pursued formed any part of the bargain with the public creditor; it was a towards our colonies, would kb% the trade of this country into great measure proposed by Mr. Pitt for the benefit of the country. The jeopardy. If the noble lord could induce France to take our manufac honourable member had hoped that the provision would have been tures, he would gladly consent to the reduction of duty on French wines. attended to, and he certainly did regret that it had been neglected ; He wished to ast the noble lord whether the King of Holland had yet but the ho nourable baronet did not seem to know that there was one settled the question referred to him respecting the boundary line between description of fund on which one per cent. was sunk—the three and a the United States and Canada. half per cents. He did not think that ministers had realised their Mr. DUNCOMBE had the highest respect for the noble lord, aad professions; they had, when they sat on the other side, always de- thought it an additional proof of his wisdom and candour that be bad eared that there ought to be a great deduction, both of taxes and so readily abandoned the tax on the transfer of property, which, he expenditure ; but, in fact, they were adopting the very system of the thought, ought to have saved the house from the speech of the lona Duke of Wellington, which they had so much derided.--(Cries of gentleman ( Ste North), which, though very elaborately prepared, was hear, hear, and a number of members spoke at the same time across a day after the fair. (Great cheering.) The repeal o the coal duty the table, but the confusion prevented what they said from ranching would be received as a boon by the whole country. (Hear.) The prin. the gallery.) The Duke of Wellington had done away with many ciple the noble lord had laid down was, to relieve the lathing of the wren.places —(cries of " small ones !")—and a great many large ones try and the distress of the people, and certainly no pdedyle could be too—(Hear, bear.) The honourable member anent approved of more entitled to the aproadon of the house and the alloteY. (Hoer, the reduction on coals and candles, but be certainly ed of bear.) He hoped the noble lord would be able to roped the duty en the alteration in the duty on Cape wine; it would be the means of most soap, which would be a great relief to the country. (Hrs. bosr.) En seriously injuring our colonies. He disapproved of the alteration in the thought the repeal tithe Union would be a dismembenient at the em. cotton duty. pire, which should be resisted even by a civil war. (Hear, Ines), . . Mr. SCHONSWAR objected to the tax on timber, as depriving Ca. O'GORMAN MAHON lamented that the him. abeelii nada of the means of buying the vast quantity of manufactures thence assert that he would sooner have a civil war than In a was= I imported from this country. The tax would throw out of employ a OD which cortainlY very many in Ireland had set their hear". The as. great number of ships. It would also put a check on the number of ble lord (Althorp) had said he would rather have blood than • forge emigrants to North America, the ships which now conveyed them being the Union; it was the worst declaration he ever beard in that lionea r eed deprived of their return cargo. be hoped never to hear It repeated ; threats would never andmansinits , Lord HO WICK would not, as had been the case of an hon. member of the Irish people i they would be MOO inwards if ildills.„ 211 • In ow' opposite, continue the argument on the transfer of stock, as they were as scam -bosts was a tax on the poor Irish Pam* who woad low beds. firmly convinced on his side of the house of the justice of that measure, as petved of the resource of coining over to Ilemleed to sell tide laser. they might be on the opposite side of its injustice. (Hear.) He He was glad to hear from the Secretary for bind that as ( Lord Howick) was convinced that the tax would prove in the end as had taken place with the craven= in Dublin. Me naloied tin el =t he he beneficial to the Cape as it was to this country. It appeared, from all taverna inDublin had pleaded gulltbas thefillelloOttelleeleilleellob Ile the intelligence received from that colony, that of the wbok community hoped they would hear him out. They were hosethht to teletlemillwasam the least prosperous were the wine growers, though favoured by the which all the relent ministers, the Prelnier,sod th e lad Millorhalli present laws. It would then be ultimately for the good of the Cape to declared to be oppressive and unconstitutional. Thy were also to be check the trade at once, and divert the capital of the colony from an tried by a jury appointed by sheriffs, who were appointed by a unnatural channel. Nothing could be more in favour his argument'l i on, abhorred by the people ; and after the deck:ado= than the comparison instituted by the hoe. member between the marl. in at house by the noble lord, that Mr. O'Comadl, while he moke ties of wine imported from France and from the Cape. that the fact that Pelee, really excited to treason and sedition—alter Seth a declaration,l two great countries, living at each other's door, aid formed to supply Mr. O'Connell and his fellow patriot bad no thanes of as Impartial each other, should have carried on so paltry steads. He trusted - din trial; and they did right to plaid guilty, and throw thorned's, on the the present measure would be the commencement of a better and House of Commons for protection. He hoped the noble Ind maul wiser system ; that France would follow the example, and that, in a exempt the Irish labourers from the tax on coming over ' and that he few years, the trade between the two countries would be hugely in- would not tax the growth of tobacco in Ireland , so much of which was creased. With respect to the cotton duty, an bee. member ha d said already _taken by the established church—a church that was the was that it would be as oppressive for the poor as the printed cotton of Irelsnd. In this country it might be a blaming, but in Ireland it tax. He had forgotten that the duty proposed applied to all kinds of Wall a CUM* 1 cotton, and, consequently, to the peat quantity of it which was used Mr. ATTWOOD thought the noble lord would have been fully Ps. by the upper classes (hear.) titled in the proposed tax on funded property. There was is=ty Mr. GOULBURN had heard with great pleasure, for the sake in this country that could be transferred without tax but the of the national faith, the announcement of the withdrawal of the per t y . The stamps produced 7,000,0001. a year, shiest the war; transfer duty. He only regretted that such a measure should ever which was taxation on the transfer of property. (Hem.) The Add have been submitted to Parliamant.—(Hear.) He bad heard es- Parliament should be strong indeed that would go to the inimenens ' really with regret, the Right Hon. Baronet defending It on the length of saying, that a large property should be created exam ground of former injustices baying been committed by government..-. taxation for its own protection. (Immense chewing.) N he Ile would, however not advert to his speech farther than to correct an im- eontended, so monstrous was ever intended as th at stock d putation thrown on it by AIL Pitt, who would, he nad said, have sane. not be subjected to those taxes to which eves,' other species of dotted the present duty. In 1803, when Lord Wm:tab reposed a property in the country was subjected. Talk of viblation of Mane. property tax, exempting from it property under 1601. except such as what was th e Bank Restriction Act ? And if the exigoodee of wan in the funds or in lands, Mr. Pitt said that such an exception the country justified that measure, was there not the same just'. would be a breach of the principle on which loans had been contracted, dation for this proposition ? (Hear.) What was the Act of the and inconsistent with the national good faith. With respect to the sub. ear 1819 (Peel's Bill) ? Not a word was then said by T t e ti p t ec % jest before them, he (Mr. Goulburn) objected to the noble lord, that in le baronet (Sir R. Peel) about the violation of faith, relieving the poor from certain burdens, he imposed others which reseed which he was now so jealous. It was then admitted that the alteradin no less heavily on them. Thus he had substituted to the duty on printed effected by the bill would be five per cent nothing was said about the calicoes—an article of moderate consumption among the poor—a violation of faith to that extent. The right bon bare was quite silent duty on raw material which formed a great part of their apparel. He upon that point ; but the violation of faith, instead of being to the had observed with pain, in the measures of Government, an anti- extent of five, was to the extent of 26 or 30 per cent. In the present colonial policy, that while they relieved our own immediate poor proposition there was nothing unjust; and if the measure were lost, they neglected those more remote who had no less a claim to their there was one consolation, the noble lord's character would remain...-. protection. The tax on cotton was a prohibition on the cotton of He thought, under the peculiar circumstances of the country, the tax the East Indies, a trade which all the preceding Governments had was just and politic; and the state of the Continent also justified made efforts to protect. It bad been already stated that the duty the principle of the tax. The state of affairs abroad let very little on Cape wine would ruin the trade. The timber tax would, by reason to calculate on the continuation of peace ; he would hue calling in the timber of the Baltic, put a stop to the industry and the noble lord to be prepared for war. As to the other taxes, they resources of our important North American colonies, creating were ill suited to the circumstances of the country. They pre there general dissatisfaction. His great objection to the present seated labour without an ohject. Was there no evil in the eternal financial arrangement, was, that it prof'weW to leave no sur pl u s changes and mutations ?—(Hear.) No tax could be touched without for the redemption of the debt; that it did not even assure the promos serious evils to trade. The abandonment of the repeal of the duty on of our revenue, at the end of the year, meeting the amount of our glass—its repeal having been spoken of—bad been that day of the most charges. The Right Hon. Baronet had said that he (Mr. Goulburn) serious consequences to the trade. (Hear.) And that was a trifling had left no surplus. Now he had left a surplus of 2,900,0001.—(Hear, sample of the evil resulting from those eternal and laborious mutations. bear.)—He had thus adhered to the resolutions passed in that House Then, there was to be a tax on raw cotton ; thus exposing the cotton in 1827, that the Minister should look as near as possible to a surplus trade to the evil from which he bad proposed to relieve the ghee of 3,000,0001. The Right Hon. Baronet bed also incorrectly stated trade; and it was doing that which they had laboured long to mum that he (Mr. Goulburn) had calculated for the present year on a Suf. from the silk trade. Most mischievous must be these eternal made ef plus of only 300,0001. He bad, on the contrary, told the House that mutations; he regretted that they were resorted to as sources of relief. notwithstanding the reduction in taxation, he should from the reduction They would not encourage industry as it was contended. The Noble of the interest of the Four per Cents, from the increased productiveness Lard said tobacco could not be grown in Ireland without a bounty; If of malt and other duties, and by economy, have a surplus of 1,600,0001. that were so, why did they propose prohibitory duties? He ad- These were calculations which be was justified in making. but the cal- vested to that feet to show the inconsistency of the principles es. culations of the Noble Lord, founded on the increased productiveness of which these mutations of taxation proceeded. He would advert 'educed duties, had gone beyond all that was justified by precedents ; only to one other point—to the proposed tax on steam vessels.. Ho and he ( Mr. Goulburn) confessed that, adding to the account the chance thought it was most unjust. It wet contrary to all the P elhei P lee el of a bad harvest, and of ether occurrences, he looked to the possibility trade. Instead of duty there ought rather to have been bounty. Steam of our being reduced to that last of all evils for a nation, the necessity navigation was what ought to have every possible encouragement of borrowing.—(Cheers.) dally when we knew what of bris America in particular, and other Sir JAMES GRAHAM explained. He had been misunderstood ; countries were making to establish a navy. The tax would hare the he would never have given his consent to the transfer stock tax, if he most serious effect on die passengers between this country and Ireand. had not been satisfied of its justice. One man had been in the habit of bringing over about .80,000 labourer Sir T. ACLAND highly approved of the repeal of the coal tax, as from Ireland at 2a. ild. a head—the amount of the tax ; so that she affording great relief to the poor. It would promote, among other tax would be imposed upon the humblest of labourers, and the repot branches of industry, the shipping interest, to which ; it would g iv e the beggar. It was, in other impiety, most impolitic—it was taxing increased employment in the coasting trade. With respect to the labour, and that labour of the lowest character. He lamented that such, steam-boat tax, he thought a news Wsmal, easy, and just mode et a tai waspeposod—it was utterly unworthy oft noble lord , and the levying it would be to Ley it on the toolago. dear-coaches had log soUghtsthil pelnelpim of taxation that ought to be pursued in these been made to seeldlinte to the ellipidgi of the State ; whyshed. those. (Year. not the new cirespatan bear be r r ial perthe ? There was an minim Ille SHAW observed that he would take u . himself to my that disadvantage buFtwed a die UM "' which Wag that mod by won the Member for Waserforil (Mr. 0' ) wield not speak of the poor, which he bspkd wield new sinsothed. Ado as the Meniser. he Clare (O'Gorman Mahon) bad dose; bet Mr. SPRING RlOlll said, the tax on the tram& of Medi that lith. Ilimbas• was sit Aga& ef ju dging et the qualiliestiess ef cops no vidadon of pnblie faith; f ie w i tl a te washy of th e the sesposeable gsmilenn In t Jam. public faith there was no Mama of elan& (ass) TY. visit hen. Mr. HUNT was cetan *Mae House absidd been bum en: Leman oppodte had task mime NB the wood " smples,7 se width gaged six bests, after the C if the Enebeirm hod abamilensd 1. also attached much imPortolati hot it in alinseds•whin sepias, the tax on trandars Gold deem, be wools bath been alai Ware' they could have what all the tbdr tale _prayed he, re. minutes.minutes. As to the Mei ef nadnoildllkas meld .advise no heath trnehment, trenehment, great would be the C=lnut an the country. With respect to of faith; but what was that width was aillol oedema faith ?—it was an Cape wine, his noble friend had not been justly dealt with. He argued, Act of Parliament, and might net the Partisan* repeal what another Parliament had done? He thought thelfotue could almost make black white; it had in 1817, voted that a one-pound note and a shillihg were equal to a guinea, which would fetch twenty.seven shillings Then, he declared, there was nothing to prevent the parliament dealing with the funds, and It would be no breach of faith. H, was glad that the tobacco duty was not to be dim for there was now scarcely moving anywhere without being d in iat i t s ut with a pad of whiskered dandies smoking cigars. Had it succeeded, the reli e f was pot essential to the poor; that filthy weed was not necessary to the poor. But the whole plan would disapp oin t the countrythew nibidings would not satisfy the country. t was not redeeming t h e n pledges and promises to the country. The country would not sad ought not to be satisfied with what was now proposed. The o n l y source would be a graduated property tax ; and that would ( n o bl e them to repeal many taxes, the malt, soap, and other taxes. To tha t they must come, or they would soon be obliged to resign their piae„; and without the regret of the public, and it west tax to which no objee. Lion had been urged except from some large landowners. He regrett"; the tax on steam-packet passengers ;it was the first effort of govern. ment to tax machinery. (There werecalls of question.) Mr. H. said that as he could not be heard (cries of No) he should move that th, house do adjourn. Mr. WARBUNTON seconded the motion. Sir J. YORKE said if the adjournment were nightly pressed, to the Impediment of public business, it would be requisite to come to some understanding to prevent the agitation of the question after it was once disposed of. Mr. HUNT said, as it appeared to be the wish of the house to pre med, he should not throw further impediment In the way. He did not desire to be pertinacious, and he should not trouble the house with any further remarks on the question. Motion foe adjournment withdrawn. Mr. HERRIES, with reference to the proposed equalization of duty on wines, wished to ask whether it was intended to dispense with the stipulation of the Methuen or Portuguese Treaty regarding wines, which prohibited such equalization He meant to give no opinion on the subject. It was also requisite to know whether any steps were taken to revise that Treaty. Lord PALMERSTON said no steps had been taken for the revision; and that was in consequence of the conduct of Portugal regarding wool lens. The duties on wines and woollens did remain unaltered, therefore the treaty of 1810 was fulfilled. He considered that stipulations of the treaty allowed the alteration now proposed. Mr. HERRIES was satisfied with the explanation. Mr. ROBINSON asked whether the disputes between England and America, as to boundaries, were settled ? Lord PALMERSTON replied that the answer was now on its way to America. Report of Supply then read and agreed to. vEsTants BILL. Mr. HOBHOUSE moved the second reading of the vestries bill (though twelve o'clock had arrived), but he apprehended there was n o objection to the principle of the bill. Mr. ROSS said he could not approve the bill. Mr. HOBHOUSE said, he wished the honourable mcmbtr would come at once to a vote on the bill, as he believed no biU would satisfy him. Sir R. PEEL urged the for a short ,as he was certain not pro t p e rie do ti of the honourable member post. poning his motionthirty mem. bees in the house had Read the ill. _ _ _ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was of a similar opl Afte n r . a few words from Mr. BURNOUSE, the second reading of the bill was postponed to Thursday next. 113111/OGLIWG SPIRITS IN lIIIIAND. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved for leave to bring in a bill for the more effectual prevention of smuggling of ardent spirits in Ireland. In doing so, the noble lord observed, that be did ON approve of the present mode of punishing offences of this nature. He should suggest the imposing of a fine under certain modifications. After a few words from Mr. HERRIES, leave was given to bring [in the bill. - - _ Mr. HUNT rose to move the adjournment of the house, it being twelve o'clock ; but the honourable gentleman sat down immediately after, "anklet cries of chair, chair. GENZZAL FAST. Mr. PERCEVAL than rase and moved that a day be set apart for fasting and humiliation on account of the present disturbed and dis tressed stateof the country. The hon. member said that his duty to GOD and his Sovereign were the only considerations that induced him to bring the present motion before the house. He lamented that no power alga, neither his strength, advanced age, talent, nor personal character could be called in to lend force to the question. He had only one claim upon the attention of the house, and that was in the name he bore. His name was his only earthly boast ; he was in short the crea ture of his country's and his King's munificence; but for it he should not now have been in the situation of addressing the house. (Hear.) The necessity for a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, wu evi dent to him. Of one fact he was convinced, and it alone justitiid the measure the country, it could nor be denied, was in a state of com plete dherganisation from one end to the other ; there were no bonds of attachment between the employer and the employed; nothing but mutual distrust existed between man and man ; around them the nations were shaking; there were wars and rumours of wars, which ought to cause the people of England to look to the Disposer of events with all hu mility; great struggles and convulsions were every where taking place, se that there was, in his mind, great ground for fear and trembling.— The hon. member went on to show that politics were not altogether in. separable from the pulpit, nor religion from the House of Commons.— He implored the house respectfully and most sincerely to support the motion. He then moved, that an humble address be presented to his Majesty, that he would be n,ost graciously pleased to issue his procla mation to name a day for a general fast, and that on the same day a contribution be made in all the churches and chapels In the kingdom, for the benefit of the poor. Mr. H. HUGHES seconded the motion. Lord ALTHORP said he gave the hon. gentleman great credit for the spirit that had dictated, and the zeal with which be had protect, the motion ; but his lordship was of opinion that the subject was more fitly adapted for the consideastion of the authorities of the church than to be 4 discussed in chat house. He did not mean to put a negative to the motion, his only wish was to save discussion on the subject in the house. Mr. PERCEVAL withdrew his motion. ADJOURNMENT Or THE NoUn. Mr. HUNT said he rose to fulfil his pledge, tomove that the House do adjourn, it being past twelve o'clock. The Speaker could inform him whether or not he was in order. The SPEAKER asked if any one would second the motion. Mr. HUNT said he did not want any one to second the motion. He had redeemed his pledge by moving for the adjournment which he should do every night when the clock struck twelve. , No person seconded the motion. Several petitions were presented, and other routine business gene through, and the House adjourned at 90 minutes to two o'clock. MARRIED. Saturday, at S:. James's Church, Lady Elizabeth Pack, to Major- Gen. Sir T. Reynell, But. K.C.B.—On the Bth inst. at Colton, Lan cashire. J. I. Rawlinson, of the Inner Temple, Esq Barrister at Law, and Fellow of Trinity C ollege , Cambridge, to Mary, eldest daughter of the Rev. J. Romney, B.D. of Witestock Hall. in the county o: L n eister—The 12th inst. at Kensington, D. Heming, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn Fields, to Miss Charlotte H. Harding, of the High.street Ken sington—At Trinity Church, Brompton, on Saturday, Dr. Jonathan Labatt, of Rutland-square , Dublin, to Mira Mary Bolton, of the Orange, Brompton—The inst. at Ooudhurst, Kent, by he Rev. .1. Harrison, M.A. Rector of Bugbrooke, in the county of North. am n, the Rev. W. Harrison, M.A. Student of Christ Church, Oz. ford, and Rector of Wannington, in the county of Warwick, to slary. aline. third surviving daughtet of the Rev. W. B. Harrison, M.A. Vicar of Ooudhurst—At Waterfotd, A. F. Wainewright, Esq of the 50th IRegimert, to Helen, daughter of Lieutenant-General Hojel, of that day. At Clifton, on the 9th inst. in the 19th ye it, Alex. Hanlon Pringle. Rsq. youngest son of theists Joha Pringle, Esq. agent to the ROD. E.I. Company at the Cape.—Wednesday, at his residence, Harborne, Staf. fordshire, aged 68, George Sinicox, Esq. long known as an active ma. gistrate for the county of Warwick.—The 10th inst. Wm. &Wart, jun. of Golden-square.—Same date, at Dover, after a long illness, aged 40, Caroline Jane, wife of L. B. Allen, Esq. of Dulwielneommon.—The 7th inst. on the Marine-parade, Brighton, bliss Susannah Lee, in her 71st year.—The 11th inst. of paralysis, CatherinelalHeroe, York•row, Boarding - school, Newington, Surrey, after a loos and protracted illness. The Rev. Dr. Andrew Thompson died on Wednesday evening, at Edinburgh. He was just returning home from a meeting of Prcaby• tcry, and having met a friend at the west end of Princes -street, be was giving him an account of the proceedings which bad taken place. This gentleman walked along with him to his own door, where, stopping for a moment, as if he wished to say something more, he lowileog some wends indistinctly, and instantly fell down on the pavement He was carried Into his own house in a state of insensibility, but on opening a vein only a few ounces of blood flowed, and he expired. - ••• The Proprietors qf Tag STAR, with a view b eoneributediei , main aid of Our various great questions ~.w peadiso.risake a tender of their tallow to insert RleOhliiollB qf Public Muting, at HALT lasts USUAL MODERATE RATE Or CHARGE, and as Tns STAR is in established oirvulation throughout the United Marlow, tbe such rooiortaal arososuatealisas &shwa* pubic loth. • obeisis. The copy qf such resolutions may either be sent pe peg, or through As Prissier* qf load Newspaper..—!a As Pano rama, slate if, wesseeniosti on January 1, sea be Joked the bra. sad gnat' Ma °nig mount 4/ Ow potkinglisp gime* Manaus, whisik has aPP•orfal It IN" 'modal& Paper. [GM WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO-MORROW. blob • 4e. 4m. I Afterooon 4s. 22m. LO'NDON : hinted and Yublhihed by JOHN MATNIE, at the STAR Orrice, No. 1, Pickett-plats, Temple Bar. the is the Ja as the the 1 se] 31, to so du Fa foe to ne tb lb I lib yr) pe A SN 71 la T • • • • It gf.t 1