The National Register. — London, England, 1821-04-08 00:00:00

'slosh, Lord Castlereagh, and the Speaker, was put and negatived. Mr. CROKER objected to the Prote,tunt being called upon to swear that the Pope had no autism ity in the king dom, while that authority was recognised in the oath pro. posed to be taken by the Roman Catholic. With this feeling he observed that he should move the omission of the worth " Roman Catholic," from the clause which regulated the oath, in order that the same oath should be administered to all classes of his Majesty's subject.. Sir J. MAC IN TOSH said that Catholics might conscien tiously object to the words " or ought to have" (referring to the spiritual authority of the Pope) iu the old oath ; but he thought that Protestants could not feel the seine scruple. Lord CASTLEREAGH opposed the amendment; nod after a few words from Mr. Croker in explauation, it was put and negatived. Sir J. NEWPORT observed, that by the,bill Catholics were excluded from eligibility to become churchwardens bat is Ireland a great ioconvenience might be found from it in many parishes, wh,'re it often happened that the Protest ant clergyman and his clerk were the on.y Protestant inhai Intents. lie would therefore move that the winds," or bs competent to become churchwardens be omitted. Mr. C. W. WY NN said that the right hon. gent. (Mr. Peel), in proposing the exclusion of Catholics from being elected churchwardens, was—as far as respected England— an abrogation of the present law; fur by that they were already eligible Catholics constantly voted in parishes Is Eugland, as well for the repairs of churches as in the elec tion of churchwardens. The amendment was then put and neg atived. Several verbal amendments were subequeutly proposed and agreed to, after which ThiSPEAXER put the questiou—" that the bill do pass." Mr. HUTCHINSON observed that though he had felt it his duty to oppose several of the clauses considering them, as be did, penal clauses, and though he would out say yes or no to the bill as it nuw stood with those clauses, yet if the bill passed he would do every thing in his power to recon cile his Roman Catholic fellow countrymen to it. The bill then passed, and was ordered to be carried to the Lords. The other orders of the day were afterwards disposed of, and the house adjourned at four o'clock. TUESDAY, APRIL 3. Petitions against the Malt Tax were presented from Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Essex, Woodbridge, Great Grimsby, and Lincoln. A petition was presented from Wiltshire, praying for the repeal of the Wool Tax. Mr. Alderman WOOD in..ved the second reading of the Blackfriars Bridge bill. Mr. SUMNER opposed the bill. This was a fresh at tempt to make a demand on the Orphans' Fund. He could not consent to the importation of a fresh tax on the subject to repair this bridge. Mr. Alderman Wood, Mr.T. Wilson,and Mr. Alderman Brydges defended the bill. Sir J. GRAHAM opposed the bill, and moved, that It be read a second time this day three months. The gallery was cleared for a division. The numbers were—Ayes 19—Noes 19. The Speaker gave the casting vote against the bill ; it was of course lost. CATHOLIC Discussions.—Sir J. NEW' PORT hoped the house would indulge him with the opportunity, previous to his carrying the bill to the lords, to return thanks for the great indulgence lie had received during the recent discussions. He was most sensible of, and most grateful fur, the kindness of the house; and he added, that he thought the house never had passed a measure more cal culated to produce the ;pretest aivantage to the empire. Sir J. NEWroRr then took the bill, and prepared to leave the house for the lords. The Speaker desired the Louse to attend their message. Sir J. N. was followed by several members of the house; and Mr. Canning, who en• tered afterwards, immediately left the house to follow and join the message. Lord ALTHORP presented petitions from Retford, Worksop, Doncaster, &c. against the Malt Tax. He concurred in the prayers of the petitioners, and he hoped the house would give effect to their previous vote. The noble lord (Castlereagh) had very frankly told them, that . the second reading of the Malt Tax Repeal bill slioald be resisted; that the government could not go on without tha Malt Tax; but he hoped that members would not be operated neon by any intimations that the loss of the tax would work any change in the administration. Such in timations had before been given, but they had not been attended with may terrible consequences. He trusted that members would do their duty, and consider the state of the country alone. If the tax were repealed, he doubted not that ministers would find the means of doing without ie.—Ordered to be printed. CARLISLE ELEmors.—Mr. C. W. WYNN presented the report of the committee of privileges, appointed to examine the Carlisle petition, complaining of the intro duction of the military during an election. The committee had agreed to several resolutions, stating the facts of the military being introduced on requisition of Drs. Lowry, Heyson, dec.; that there was no reason to attribute cor rupt motives to the magistrate; that there was no proof that the civil force would not have been efficient; that there did not appear to be sufficient reason, from actual actions riots, to call in the militany ; but that, considering all the difficulties of the circumstances, the committee could not recommend the adoption of any further mea sures. The hon. member moved, as a resolution of the house, that they would always view with the greatest jea lousy the introduction of the military, but thut there was no ground for adopting further steps in the present in stance. After some remarks from Lord Lowther, Sir J. Graham and Mr. Curwen, the resolution was agreed to. The County Rates bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday. Mr. CANNING presented a petition, praying for the repeal of the protecting duties imposed by the Union, from Liverpool. MALT DUTY REPEAL BILL.—Mr. WESTERN moved the second reading of the new Malt Ditty Repeal Wi— llie ditty of Is. 2d. imposed in 1819, which was to all in tents mid purposes a war tax. The right hon. gent. had held out the hope of peculiar relief to Scotland—but this tax pressed alike on England, Ireland, and Scotland. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he had no objection to a fair inquiry of the operation of the tax ou Scotland. Lord A. HAMILTON had thought that the tax pressed peculiarly hard on St attend. After the last year's discus sions he had thought the cause of Scutlaud was ilUlickati, and he thecvluie atippottuti the bill. THE NATIONAL RI;GISTEIt Mr. COKE hoped the gentlemen of Scotland would ' support the bill, and submit the question of inquiry here after. if the land-owners would unite, they would teach the minister what lie ought to do; if they enabled him to ' make an inroad amongst the country gentlemen, then would he do what he pleased. He was favourable t o the inquiry asked for by Scotland, and would support it ; but as to the bill, he (Mr. C.)showld support it, but it did not go far enough to afford effectual relief. The order was then read, and Mr. Western moved that the bill be now read a second time. Mr. P. GRENFELL said, be should not oppose this bill with the view of supportiug ministers; but, thiuling that there was and ought to be a real sinking fund, lie hail voted for the new duties of 1819. He had done so, that their finances might Le pot into a useful position. Lord CASTLEKEAGH defended the system of finance adopted in 1819, of which this tax formed a part. The object of that system was to support public credit, and to inspire confidence, nut only at home, but abroad also. A departure from that system now would be most inju rious ; it would destroy our credit abroad and confidence al home. To repeal this tax would be to depart from that system, and fur what purpose ? to scatter about a million and a half over tile country by way of relief, a measure which must fail of producing any beneficial effect. Mr. COKE denounced that excessive taxation which produced all the ills under which the country was la bouring. England was peecisely in that state to which Mr. Fan had predicted her fall; and her calamitous condition-- which he (Mr. Coke) almost regretted he had lived to see— was owing entirely to the system introduced by Mr. Pitt. Much was said of the necessity of keeping faith with the public creditor ; and certainly he should be the last unto to dispute that neces.dty ; but the house was so much alarmed at tile bare mention of breach of faith : why, when had the house been known to keep its faith? (Hear, hear.) lie (Mr. Coke) had no faith in the house at all; and the country had little faith; and the noble lord opposite (Lord Castlereagh) knew it. The noble lord carried things as be thought fit; be governed the country single-banded (hear) ; —.certainly single-handed ; fur the noble lord was one way, and the people were the other. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord had told the house that the proposed reduction of the tux could give no practical relief; but let honourable members look a little to NCH. lii 1816, barley being then at eighteeu shillings per quarter, lie(Alr. Coke) had moved fur the repeal of the war malt tax. The tax was repeultd; barley immediately attained a reniunirating price, and ou complaints were heard from the agriculturists until the Chau. cellor of the Exchequer, among his shifts and his blunders imposed the duty again. The hon. lumber sat down by declaring that he should support the bill before the house; but that be could look only to au entire change of men and measures fur any thing like substantial benefit to the country. Mr WESTERN replied. The gallery was then cleared for a division.— Fur the second reading, 144—Against it 242—Majority against the bill, 98. The other orders being disposed of, the house adjourned WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4. There being only 37 Members present at four o'clock, the House was &War W. to stand adjourned till to-morrow. THURSDAY, APRIL S. _ . . Petitions were presented from the owners and occupiers of land in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire; and the southern part of Duvonshire, complaining of agricultaraldistreso. Referred to the committee. Sir J. MACKINTOSH gave notice, that on Tuesday next he should move for leave to bring in a bill to amend the criminal lass. He should out then bring forward any statements that were calculated to promote discussion; but in the event of obtaining leave to bring in such bill, he proposed to have it printed, and take the discussion on the second reading on Thursday, May S. On the motion of Sir H. PARNELL, the Holyhead Roads Bill was ordered to be re-commiited to.murrow. Mr. BYNG presented a petitiou from inhabitants of Highgate against the Highgate and Hampstead Roads' Bill, and praying to be heard by counsel against the said bill. Mr. CALVERT moved for an account of the number of debtors committed to the Borough Compter, as prisoners fordebt, by the court of requests, fur amuuuts under *Os. — Ordered. Mr. HUME gave notice, that on Thursday next he lihoold move for leave to bring in a bill to disqualify certuill per sons having takes in the ordnance department, from holding seats in the commons' house. The committee on the Stamp Acts was postponed till to morrow. The Spoiled Stamps Bill was ordered to be committed on Tuesday nest GAME LA ws.—Lord CRANBOURNE rose for the pur pose of moving fur a committee to take into cousideration the game laws. He said it was far from bis intention to trench on the proper privileges of any class; but the present state of the laws was such as to call fur revision and amend ment. lie concluded with nioving fur the committee. Sir .1. sElittiGHT did not know what the particular objects of the mover were—but he thuu,.lit aay change would be for the better. The present game laws were disgracetul to the country. Sir J. StIELEY objected to the motion, and moved the previous question. Sir J. YORKE would be glad if in any new bill there WlOl introduced u clause to warrant persons to sell game, that it might be known where it could be rimmed. Mr. BAN KES observed that he had nut been aware till now of the efficacy of the recent law. He was for game being preserved. It endeared gentlemen of the upper crosses to their estates; and it made them feel desirous of visiting their country seats; and it was what separated the upper from the lower clauses. It gave to the gentlemen of England an enjoyment that was not possessed by any other giutleineu in Europe. He must oppose the committee. Col. WOOD hoped that the house would allow them to retrace their steps to go to a CollllllllleC—and thus to ascer tain the best course of calling useful laws into effect. He was favourable to Lord Deere's plan—to mak e game private property, and to legalize the sale of game; or the price of the certificate might be raised. Mr. LOCKHART denied that the objects of the noble lord—as tar as he could understand them—would suppress poaching, or advance the interests of morality. As to making game private property, lie knew not how such ob. jects could ►e accomplished. He thought that it would be better to let the law. remain as they were, except a detiaite plan of probable improvement were suggested. Mr. BENNETT. of Wiltsbi.e, nos favourable to the plan of making game private property His object was to make game so cio nit Ilost St would nut lw worth the Wen lion of ;maybe's to male viulyat iutugd. uu tire suiiauuding game. 107 Mr. COKE jun. said, be was mafavourable to the prop, , sitiou now made, but if a division were pressed he should vote fur the committee. lie was against making (tame private property ;it would be productive of mauy mischiefs. The present laws bad some advantages. They induced gentlemen to visit end reside on tio•ir estates, and east he considered a beneficial result. As to putting an end to poaching, be thought that it was impossible to accomplish such object. Lord LOWTHER remarked, that there appeared to be two objects in view—to legalize the sale of game, sad to prevent poaching. if game were legalized, he thought that would be offering an additioual premium; he should therefore oppose the euminitice. Mr. HARBORD was favourable to the committee. The game laws were highly objectionable. They were nut con genial to the coustitution. They Were unjust, arbitrary, and oppresJive; and they produced the sequences. As to the argument, that such laws sad privi le-"es would induce gentlemen to reside on their estates, it they would not go there but fur the sake of shooting phea sants, the country might us vied be a ithuut them. (A laugh.) Lord CRAMBOURNE replied, alien the gallery was cleared fur the division.—The numbers were—Ayes MI N oes 86. AORICULTURAL HouseTAl.--Mr. CURWEN then brought forward his motion on this subject. He said, if this relief could be obtained, It would be most advents.* geous, and deemed as a very great boon by the farmers. If this proposition were agreed to, he could not say that it could afford any very considerable relief to the agricul tural interests in general, but to the small farmers It would be a great and seasonable relief. The tax was an injudicious one—lt was laying the tax on the plough, and it fell upon the worst lands; for the best lands did not require such heavy cultivation. If the chancellor of the exchequer should torn a deaf ear to hlm, he hoped the noble lord would consider how the tax operated; it levied in many instances 51.105. or about one-sixth of the rent. This tax had no good quality about it; it was cruel, op pressive and burdensome. It had no good quality; it had not the principle which ought to characterize all taxes, that of falling alike on all. (Hear, hear!) It was also productive of many grievous complaints and many op pressive results. H. mentioned an instance where a man was surcharged for having accidentally followed a fox cheer' which came In contact with the man when travel. ling along the road with his horse and bags. He felt per loaded that the chancellor of the exchequer could easily find some substitute; at all events, he was persuaded that there was uo hope of relief except the burdens of the country were placed on shoulders better able to bear them. He ridiculed the idea of poor lands been thrown out of cultivation: how many individnais would also be thrown out of employ. He added that a great change was taking place; the monarchs of Europe were beconr* log the suppliers of grain. The king of Swedeu had ex ported much ; he had forwarded much to Holland fur the purpose of supplying other portions of Europe. He coo-- chided with moving for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the ditty accordingly. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER and others opposed the motion; after which it was withdrawn. The further consideration of the cash payments rein. lotion bill was deferred to Monday uext. TIMBLR DUTIAL—Mr. WALLACE brought forward the question regarding the timber duties. Having moved that the report of the committee on the timber duties act be taken into further consideration; lie proposed, that it be agreed to, and that leave be given to bring in a bill accordingly. Sir H. PARNELL proposed an amendment, namely, that from and after the Ist of January itiSe timber should be admitted, on paying a duty of 21. snidest., en pay ing a duty of 21. Ss. from whatever quarter they might Come. Mr. BENNETT urged strongly in favour of an alga. lization of ditties, and contended, that an advantage was by the proposition of the right hun. genticiaan (Mr. W.), improperly given to Russia over Norway and America.— He proposed to reduce the present ditties of three pounds one-half, namely, to one pound ten on all timber. Mr. DOUGLAS could not wholly agree in the propo sitions of the committee as laid down by his right bon. friend. He considered the preference given to American deals as too great, but a futnre opportunity would occur to discuss that point. With respect to the other countries —we certainly had a right to regulate the trade of our own colonies, but we were not justified in making regu lations iaterfering with the trade of their different coon tries' and giving one an unfair advantage over another, which this measure was ealculated to do. Sir W. RIDLEY reminded the house that they were not only to consider the interests of the consumer, they must also recollect those of the grower and shipper. He thought the duty now proposed was so high, it would operate as a prohibition. At this period of the proceedings a considerable degree of confusion was occasioned by the sodden indisposition of Mr. Williams, who fainted in the house. 'rise hon. member res.overecl sufficiently, on being removed to on: of the committee rooms, to proceed home shortly after in a carriage. Sir H. PARNELL withdrew his amendment. Mr. J. P. GRANT gave notice, that when the report was brought tip lie would move that it should be re-com mitted for the purpose (as we understood) of taking into consideration the propriety of fixing a duty of 11. ss. on Baltic deals, to be calculated cubically, and ou Canada deals 10s. or Iss. Mr. WALLACE wished the hon. gent. to move his amendment. Mr. J. P. GRANT said he was ready to do so sow ; but lie understood the forms of the house would not per mit him. Tile committee then divided on the question of agree ing to the resolutions, when there appeared.—For the motion 71, against it 24, majority 47. We understood thht during our absence a second divi sion took place, ou a proposition of Sir H. Parnell, for restricting the operation of any bill that might Ise founded on the resolutions fur five years, when there appeared.— For the motion IS, against it 51, majority 36. On our re-admission to the gallery we found Mr. G. Bennett making some observations on the juvenile of. lenders' bill, which, after a few remarks from Mr. T. Cuurtenay sad Mr. Dugdale, was oidereil to be read a second time this day Bute months.—Adjourned. VAIDAY. •PIItIL 6. The House was summoned to the House of Peers, to hear the Assent given ls ) COMUSISSIVII to eeet.tio (See Lustis.) ( For rontinnation sts rigs 110.