The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-04-15 00:00:00

REVISION OF THS MALT TAX-

- -
The PRESIDINT said that, SO thily use. all
fully aware, the subject for that evening's
discussion was the further consideration of
the Revision of the Malt Tax. As one of the members
of the committee appointed at their last meeting to
draw up • series of resolutions to be submitted to them
on the present occasion, he would simply remark that
they had given the subject their most serious considera-
tion. He thought it would not become him at that
part of the proe,eedinue to go into the question they
were to have brought before them, as he felt quite
satisfied that it had been placed in very 'aisle bands.
He would therefore at once cell upon Mr. Floyer to
move the first resolution. (Applause.)
Mr. FLOYKR, on rising, said: In taking part in the
proceedings that evening, which he proposed to do by
the kind invitation of his good friend in the chair and
the committee appointed by the lest meeting, he was
most anxious, is the first place, to inset 'en objection
which had been raised before now, and which he dare
say had suggested itself to the consideration even of
some present, that, in dealing with the question which
was about to come under discussion that night, they
sougnt to interfere with • tax, the produce of which
was of s• large a character, the amount so great, that
to repeal it or even to diminish it in any niaterial
degree, would interfere with the revenue if this
country diminish it so far as to greatly affect the public
credit. Now, having at one time had the honour of a
seat in the House of Commons as one of the conserva-
tive members of this runty, in mining here to take
part in their proceedicgs, he should be out of place if he
gave his assent or contributed his aid to any scheme
which shenl4 be said to affect, in ny degree, the
public credit of this country. The agriculturista of
England were also known to look upon the 'maitre-
nance of the public credit as one of the first public
duties they were called upon to perform. They be-
lieved that to find a proper amount of publie income—
to provide means for paying the public creditor—above
all, to end the orrery amount that is requisite for
the due defence of the country by sea and land, is one
of the first. obligations this country has placed upon
them. He believed that he should be able to show
that, looking back to past experience, that in obtaining
• repeal of the Malt Tax they would not, in so doing,
affect the public, which it was their object to uphold.
The question which that evening claimed their con-
sideration had been raised before, even in the House of
Commons. It was raised some 10 or 12 years ago by
that good and true friend of the agricultural interests,
the late Mr. Colley, whose loss in the Here of
Commons they, as agriculturists, had ruse te regret.
It was objected at that time, that the credit If the
country would be seriously affected bv any material re-
duction of the malt duty. It was said it could not be
spared frets the public revenue. He (Ur. Floya), and
those sis the House who were favourable to the repeal,
made the best they could of their ease at that toe.;
but since then there had arisen stronger grounds
on which to bar their armorer, especially when we
found that taxes had been repealed, which, if not re-
pealed, would have enabled the malt tax to be, if not
wholly repealed, at least reduced to • very largo
extent. To go back no farther than 1860. In that
year the Chancellor of the Exchequer repealed tars
on home and foreign protium to an extent
of three millions and upwards sterdeg, • a min
equal in amount to half the malt tax. These
I were the total repeal of the paper duties, the *eduction
et the wine dries, together 'nth • revision ed the
tariff on Customs. Now, he was not ping to say
whether it woald have bee. preferable to remit those
duties rather than the malt tax—that question was out
of the argument. He simply said those duties were
remitted, and if it had pleased the Chancelhar of the
Exchequer at that time, instead of dealing with those
duties to have dealt with the Malt Tax, he might have
reamed the latter enabelf for the loss of the rams
amount to the revenue. But passing to another phase
in this subject, he asked upon what principle this Malt
Tax was felt to press heavily upon them. He did not
look at the subject as respect the brewer. He thought
the brewer stood in such • position that he was hardly
prepared to take up the question on his behaff ; but
theist was no doubt about it. affecting the growth of
barley, and as such, that it operated prejudicially against
the interest' of agriculturists. There could be no
doubt that with respect to the tax it increased the
i cost of production n the manufactured rate of the
malt, and with it, increased the price of beer, and
therefore, must necessarily tend to cheek the itonannip-
Rea of malt liquor, and consequently of the barley of
which it is made. His reeelation said "That all taxes
and duties levied by legislative enactment on the staple
produce of this country, either in it. natural or
manufactured state, operate injuriously on its prodem
ties and press down the springs of industry." New
the Malt Tax checked the growth of barley.inasmuch as
it °beaked consumption. It mattered not what might
be the object of the purchaser, or the nature of the
articles purchased; the higher the price of the article
the lees ability would there be to purchase it, and conse-
quently, if the price of be was high, the consemptias
of that article would nesesearily be lea. than if the
price were low. This, then, was an agricultural ques-
tion, as the tax, checking the consumption of malt,
wasinjurious to the original producer of that article
the farmer. He was not at that moment prepared to
my to what extent it might be desirable to malt
barley for the use of cattle. He was not
prepared to state what was its relative value
when employed as food for cattle, but
this he did say, that the agriculturist was justly
entitled to apply, with the least possible restrictions,
all the means it was deemed desirable for the oarrying
on of Ids business. Let them look at the question in
the light of increased cost of production. It might be
a question whether beer was necoessary to life—
whether it was possible for their labourers to work and
give their hard tail, and suffer toil as they do, without
the dimulous and sustenance of beer. This they knew,
was a generel fact, that beer was oar of those smarms
of sustenance which is brought largely in the support
of the physical frame of the labourer. In hay-making
and harvesting, the constun;dion of beer, as long heck
as we could remember, eod as far as we could look beck
to, was an article of cornisption. If so, the tax upon
malt, which so largely Increases the price the beer of
the farmer, is. heavy burden upon him in the carrying
on of his business. These then were some of the
mints that might fairly be urged against this isipost.
Again, he might say, with regard to the labourer
himself, there might be a question raised as to the
probability, were the malt tax repealed, of the labourer
brewing in his own home. There could be no question,
he thought, if it were possible for them to produce •
good wholesome beverage—if they could have it as
their ordinary drink with their wives and families,—
that their oondition,morally and physically, would be very
materially heproved. He thought there was no other
mode—no other way in which a step could be taken
more likely or better calculated to put down intemper-
ance at public houses than to give to labourers the
power of taking theit beer with their families. But
apart from this view of the case be would
wish to point the meeting to the bearing of this tax as
regards the admitted principle of taxation in the
present day. What was the great feature of the doctrine
of taxation as set forth by our leading financiers of the
, present day ? It was this—that there ought to be no
, taxation of those articles of prime necessity which enter
, most materially in the food and sustenance of the

great masa of the labouring population. Let them
look back at our own political history.
What was the object of the great poli-
tical struggle which convulsed this country
from one end to the other, and which led to the break-
ing-up of the great Conservative party? What was it
that led to the subscription of upwards of one hundred
thousand pounds in the manufacturing counties' but for
the carrying the principle that taxation should not be
levied upon articles of prime necessity? But it might
be said that the principle aimed at pointed °Wady to
bread. Wheat atood first upon the list—that was an
affair of the highest importanee to the people. But what
stood next? Was it not barley? If so, what was the
great grievance to be overthrown? What wag the
severe and overbearing duty which by • paltry struggle
was to be set aside? It was • duty going up, at the
highest point, to lls. per quarter on wheat, and reced-
kg to the vanishing point of l• It was a duty, taking
the averages, of Sc. per quarter. But what was the tax-
ation of which this meeting now complained as coca.
pared with that which raised se much commotion a few
years ago? The import duty es wheat could not rise
to more than 15 or 20 per cent, on the cost of the
article; the malt tax had sometimes been as high as 100
per cent, on the article taxed. Many of them could, no
doubt, remember the time when barley was sold in
their market at a guinea per quarter. It might be sold
at that price again, and if so, the duty would be upon
that barley, converted into milt, 100 per cent. Seeing
then such to be the ease, vise it not their duty to

I agitate for a revision of the malt ter, especially wise
those great champions for the repeal of the own laws
could sit by and, perhaps, if they did nothing worm,
-could go into the lobby.( the House of Commons and
vote spinet it. So mush for the political bearing Of
the case. But it might be asked, if the burden proem
so heavily upon the grower of the barley, hew was II
that the impost had never been repealed? He believed
It was because the agriculturists had never yet made up
their minds that it should be repealed. He thought the
barley growers and beer drinkers shade' take a lessen
of the eider growers and eider drinkers. About the
year 1763, (he believed it was), the then Chancellor if
the Exchequer made • proposal of putting • tax ef 10e,
per hogshead on eider. What did the eider growers
and oiler drinkers do under these cireumatanees? They
did not sit still; but on the other hand they stirred up
the country throughout it. whet, length and breadth--
they even stirred up the city di London one of the
least likely places one would have supposed to get up
an agitation of that sort. Alderuien &afford, • eels.
hinted man of that day, who bed recently been sleeted
one of the members for London, same up to the House
of Commons with these petitions from the city *rabid
the obnoxionetex. So greatly were the feeling, of the
people stirred up, that the great Lord
Chatham weal down to the Homo of Commeni
and there thundered with hie well-known voice as
the trembling ministry. It was then be gave utterance
to that famous nying, which at the present time, when
' they Won expecting the domieilary visit* of the excise
' under the proposed regulations of Mr. Glaciate**, we.
molt appropriate, that `every Englishman's house le
his castle.' Then it was that the famous Gretreitle
obtained the name of the "Gentle Shepherd." It PM
the resolution of the eider growers and eider drinker*
of that day that whatever happened they would never per
• tax upon eider. The coneequenee was, the tax of 10e.
that was first proposed was reduced to 4e. a hogshead,
and very speedily the tax was taken off altogether. Their
loyalty we. never for • moment disputed, hot It wad
their firm determination that they would not submit to
what they felt was so unfair and Inequitable tax. The
agriculturistm had no hopes of a champion each as Lord
Chathaut to isindeet their case; but this be did myths*
if they were of opinion that this tax pressed nnfairly
and heavily upon them—although they did not wish
it abolished to interfere with she public of the
country—when the time arrived that it weld be
abolished with safety in that respect • then it would be
for the agriculturist to assert his ritlrth and maintain
his claims with moderetkek,_yele with • resolution
which should make itseffEisia-ainrfeli it the Treasury
°Mee. U they urged their-4de, with ,e fineness meth
as their cause: demanded, the GovernMent would glee
them a patient bearing, and they would not have their
demands postponed to those who were more chunourthe,
though with not greater rouse for clamour than those
who advocated a redress of that grievance which they
advocated that evening. With these remarks he begged
to propose "That the members of the Dorchester Club,
and their agricultural friends attending this meeting,
are deeply impressed with the conviction that all taxes
and duties levied by legislative enactment on the staple
produce of this country, either in its natural or manu-
factured date, operate injuriously on its production,
and press down the springs of industry."
Mr. GALPIII, Mayor of Dorelmeter,said : In obedience
to the call made upon him, he had very great pleasure
in seconding the resolution. Mr. Ployer had gone so
'fully into the merits of this question, that he felt it
would be quite unnecessary for him to take up the time
of the meeting by any lengthened remarks. The spirit
of the resolution was one to which be could most cor-
dially assent. It bore not only upon the tax which was
the subject of that evening's consideration, but it in-
volved the principle that all taxes and duties levied
upon this country operated upon its production in-
juriously, and touched upon the springs of industry.
Seeing, then, that this was so, he was prepared to join
them in asking for the repeal of the melt duty. But
he thought that if they would succeed in their efforts,
they ought to evince • firmer attitude than they
had hitherto. The mode of action they had adopted
was such, that their object appeared to be now in •
fairer way of accomplishment than when the subject
WAS first introduced to their notice • nevertheless, if
it was intended that their views should have their due
weight with the Government, it must be by the
strenuous exertions of the whole country. One isolated
meeting from one particular part et the country would
be futile in obtaining the object they sought. He was
always glad to lend his co-operation for the relief of the
manufacturing interests, and be should always be happy
to co-operate with his agricultural friends in ...ides ifor
relief from the malt tax. He bad, therefore, great
pleasure in seconding the resolution.
The resolution was then put from the :chair, and
carried unanimously.
Mr. Margit said he roe with peed pleasure to pro-
pose the second resolution, although he felt himself
rather unfortunately placed, as another gentleman who
was unavoidably absent was to have had it placed in
I his ears. The resolution was as follows :—" That the
enormous ter levied on malt, by limiting its use as feed
for man and beast, °Parade one of the most valuable
kinds of corn fur whisk the climate and soil of England
are peculiarly adopted." He seemly need my that he
fully concurred in WU resolution. He believed that
bsrley was one of the most valuable crepe. One et the
great iniprovements in modern number* was the Sri-
teasive growth of roots—turnips • and the natural crop
following that of turnips wee bake,. Instead, there-
fore, of being any trammels placed it the way of
the growth of that useful crop, every encouragesneat
ought Lobe afforded for it, waltivation. It was generally
admitted that English barley was the best barley in the
world. A great deal that was grown was not so valu-
able, and consequently is eot used for malting per-
poses. The brewers uniformly buy the beet, sontending
that the inferior samples do not produee • sufficient
quantity of ciosharine patter to iridium them to use it,
and they therefore employ
.enger AO assist in their
brewings, instead of employing a. suflicient quantity
of malt. Now he believed it wee as good in brewing
good wholesome beer as pure malt or bops. It was
this rejected article, the inferior boxier, that created the
diMoulty. It was thrown upon the market and sold
for grinding purposes, and consequently Was net re-
munerative. It would not pay to malt it, as it would
have to bear the mime tax as good barley, whereas
In the absence of the duty, this barley could be (*a-
verted into malt for their men and their besets.
Perhaps he ought not tthe up the time of the meeting
in speaking of the commercial and social aspect of the
subject, but he would say a few words upon the
political bearing of this tax. It was scarcely pomade
to speak upon this without miring the brewers up with
the question. He had no with to say emu word against
the brewers as individuals. Asia body they were • very
honourable and respectable claw of men • nevertheless
they could Rot help seeing that they ',mimed • vest
amount of political influence. It was well known that
if a person wished to represent even one of our small
boroughs, the first thing be had to do was to round the
hbeerharrel. The Malt Tax gave the brewer ud the beer.
house a monopoly—in his opinion an unfair monopoly
In the representation of this country. But the unfair-
ness of this duty was seen as it more particularly affected
the peer man. They must all of theta have been
forcibly struck with one item in thelate very clever and
excielleat budget of the Chancellor ef the Exchequer.
He stated that sines the passing et the commercial
tariff en foreign imports, the importation of wine has
greatly increased, and ha also my that to further extend
the importation of foreign wine, the duty under •
certain percentage of alcoholic strength shall be pedaled
to • shilling e, gallon. Now let • poor man go for •
gallon of beer, for which he pays 21., 300 shilling of
which guest. pay the malt tax. Wu this fair—that the
poor man should pay so heavy • duty on his gallon of
beer as the nob man paid for his gallon of
wine? The great bugbear against the remission
of the malt tax was the piping cry that
the Chancellor of the Exchequer could
riot do without it; but be asked weld he not do with-
out it? If they looked back they would finl that
during the last 20 years the revenue of the eacentry had
increased 20 millions yearly, and that during the last
four yaps the increase bad been nine millions yearly,
and the Chancellor of the Exchequer informed u when
he made his last financial statement that the present
large expenditure was exceptional. We had had •
Crimean war, • China war, and an Indian mutiny, and
later still we had been obliged to snake great prepara-
tions to avert a rupture with America. We had now
got abetter navy than any nation; we bad • fine army
and brave volunteers'; and be thought we were now in •
position, without numb farther national outlay, in •
position to hied all other nations to keep the peace.
He did not blame the blovernmeut for expending
money in she protection of our coasts, but now that
the revenue was so greet he asked for the repeal
of the Malt Tax—not as • favour but ass right. •
: Mr. Herrn; said he had much pleasure in seadodiv
the resolution. He was sure that being so far ad-
I minced in the evening of life they would not expect
from him • long speech. When the manufacturers or
: traders had • grievance to complain of they all pot to-
, gather and worked unanimously for what was to pro-
: mote their interests and when they refiected that the
, agricultural interest was the pretest and mast ire-
' portant of all interests ;be thuld but regret at their
• supineness in reference to matters connected with
their welfare. There was sot • more loyal set et men
in England thee the egricultariets. As to democracy,
• be hated the very word,. That wee& weed which would
. not vegetate in thesoil of old &Wand ;it withered the
• hand that planted it, and poisoned all who partook of
Its fruit. Rethought it wee the ditty of the fanner to
. look well to his labourer's interest& What he would
I like to 'aos the for every labourer to have • capital
• cottage to reside in and • good garden. Having made
• these observations he was sure they would allow an old
• man of 83 years front mitering en the subject at greater
, length. He had groat pleasure in seconding the
• resolution.

(For remainder of discussion see Second Edition.)

Muitime.—A horrible mod* was perpetrated at •
public...house known as the Hare and Hounds, Blast
Lane Mod, about three miler from Cola*, as Warder
night. The landlord had • niece with him as hie
servant, whip was married to a taller named Walker
Moore, but who, in consequence of ill*sage, hail left
her husband. Moore, and a man named Metcalfe, bad,
it &Mere, gym to the Hare and Hounds Set the
of seeing his wife, and after they had something
fuor:gilt, *We Nixed hold el the unfortunate woman
while she was kneelieg at his side Meaning ire-iread,
and rut her throat from ear to ear. The rutlaa
at once apprehended, and Its dieelosed to the *dim
sonstable that be had visited his wife for the express
purpose of taking her life. An inquest was hold on
the body of the murdered woman on Wedneeday, when
the jury returned • verdiet of wilful murder naiad
the husband. The motive under the lathes* of which
Moore perpetrated his crime seems to have been
jettleasy, and he stated that he wield have been better
satiated had he succeeded in murdering his wife's
amain. The great.* excitement, it is said, prevailed
in Colt* while the inquest was preeseding, husdyadl
of people having satiembled about the door et the hotel
in whit* it was held.

-81.4-135-1"i0/10-1--Airrositt Ya.—Thers are 116 persons
seeking to be made " Gentian's& try Act of Parliament"
nut term, eommeneing on Tuesday. Of that niunbsr
76 are new candidates. and the romainder are fer re
mewed certificate*. The New Law List enbileits 'l'
10,000 members of the profession.

Printed end published foe the Proprietor, by CIIARLIM
Waymire° Illzu.aa% of lola Road, Pordiortee,
Dorchester, Printer, at the Oise of mu Dersei
Cenigar Arm Charelystreet, Dersheiter, Taw
day, April lb, 1442.

2

a

11....W'F