The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-01-26 00:00:00

THE MALT TAX..

The CHAIRIUM, prior to the lecture being de-
livered, said that the Centre' Farmers' Club at the
present time had applied their attention to three
subjects : first, the remission of the malt tax;
sesond, the corn averages revision; and third, the
appointment of local boards to examine the question
of. taxation—he Meant the county expenditure; that
was, the voting of the county money. They
were all aware that this was done at Quarter
Sessions, and an opinion was strongly entertained
by the agricultural classes, that in that particular
taxation and representation did not go together. He
suggested that this subject should form one for their
consideration as the second one in advance, as this
was • matter which had not been taken up by
them.
The Vicx•Cnstauss said they mug bear in mind
that February would soon be here, and there was
a most important subject which must not be left in
abeyance, they must keep up the question of the
malt tax. If that movement was to go quietly
down, and was not kept up in every county, they
would not be able to carry out what was their wish
—the repeal of the malt tax. He thought every
club would be discussing the matter in February ;
and as they had commenoed,and were determined to
carry out, the movement, he hoped they would also
join an the discussion. He therefore suggested that
a day should be left open for that purpose.
The CHAIIIMAN said his impression was that they
should not at any of their meetings loose sight of the
question. It was a subject so for uppermost in the
breasts of every member of this club that some-
thing would be said at every meeting. After some
further observations be said he was much obliged to
Mr. Damen for the hint, that if the malt tax question
should preen at any meeting, and the subject should
lead to • longer discussion than was anticipated, he
was sure any gentleman who was going to bring for-
ward his subject at that meeting would stand aside
in order that • matter of such importance might be
considered.
The Vics-Cestamsx : That is the thing I desire.
We must not lose sight of that important question—
the malt tax.
Mr. Gimes/era proposed that the Chairman should
bring forward the question of the comity expen-
diture.
The Vics-Custauss mid nothing could be done
in this world without the sinews of war, and
he thought it was only reasonable that this
club, in common with others throughout England,
should subscribe what they thought proper to
assist the Central Farmers' Club in carrying out
their views and intentions—that they meant to have
justice. As the corn laws had been repealed, in
Justice to every poor man in England that be should
enjoy that privilege to which he was entitled, so in
justice the Legislature must repeal the malt tax.
If every yeoman in the country was of his opinion,
the Chilneellor of the Exchequer should never go to
bed and sleep until it was done. (Laughter.) The
agriculturists were determined to have justioe, and
asked the Legislature to do it. They demanded no
more than was really justice, and he trusted the
yeomen of England would never allow the
Chancellor of the Exchequer to rest in pesos in
his chair until he had done justice to them.

(Laughter.)
The Cuatairas, after having Stated that he
would introduce the subject of the county expendi
tare' said he had received • letter from Mr. M'lntre,
the Parliamentary agent fur conducting the proceed-
ings for the rowan= of the malt tax, in
which he requested his attendance at • meeting
to be held on Monday, the 25th instant, in
London. The meeting was to be attended
by representatives who were favourable to the
remission of the tax throughout the kingdom.
It was expected that a large meeting would take
place. He thought the subject to be discussed would
be the mode of proceeding which the Association
adopted last year for the prosecution of the qua.
lion —the question being whether they had not
be•Aer commence de novo, abandoning the committee
asked for and obtained, for investigating the question
in the House of Commons, and asking for another
one. The reason for doing so WU because the com-
mittee at present existing was asked for and ob-
tained on the principle of the partial remiseion of
the tax. As they were aware the subject had been
discussed throughout the kingdom, and there was •
strong feeling on the part of the agricultural in-
terest and many others, that instead of • partial re-
mission of the tax there should be the total. The
question was whether another committee should not
be appointed upon the broad and general principle
of the total remission of the tax. If tbe present
committee went to the House of Commons they
would examine the question with the object of
the partial remission of the tax; but the feeling
now was that • committee should go in only for its
total remission. He apprehended the view which
the Association entertained, and which they were
ready to prosecute, would meet with the approbation
of the members of this club. If he was well enough
he intended to go to the meeting. if it wag their
will and pleasure. He hoped to have Mr. Damen
with him, and then he should have secured • good
coadjutor. The committee at present appointed had
turned their attention to feeding nide with malt
instead of barley. Now he had gone far enough into
the question to know that • partial remiesion of the
tax, even if it could be shown that malt
WM • better article for feeding than barley,
would not put malt within the reach of grazier
After some further observations, he said if they
could obtain • total rersivion of the tax, they would
have accomplished all the objects they desired. As
Mr. Harding had said, if there was free trade in one
thing they ought to have it in everything. He looked
upon the malt tax as the last shred of protection,
and it was high time that shred should be cut away.