The Press.
London, England, 1853-09-17 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

Nor do we assert that the produce of hops
has declined with the diminished acreage.
Owing either to favourable seasons or to su-
perior cultivation, the general growth for some
yearn past has been equal to that of any pre-
vious period. But, from the facts of the enor
monaly-increased consumption of nux vomica
on the one hand, and of the great sale of bitter
ale on the other—to which may be added the
present high price of hops—it is evident that
the consumption of this valuable article is not
nearly so great as it would be were the restric-
tions on its growth removed or modified, so
that it could be brought into the market in
greater abundance and at a lower rate. What
its substitute is we need scarcely say. Even
in a sanitary point of view, the quality of the
beer drank by our labouring classes deserves
some consideration.

The duty is higher now than during
the war—the five per cent. added in 1840
having never been repealed. At the moderate
yield of ten hundredweight of hops per acre,
a garden of four acres would be taxed to the
extent of nearly 40/. ; and this taxation falls
directly, in the first instance, upon probably
a needy grower.
The duty is condemned by every rule of
that code by which our Government professes
to regulate its policy. Its collection is exces-
sively costly, so that the grower is taxed
without corresponding benefit to the Exche-
quer. The excise rules are vexatious, requir-
ing the frequent presence of an officer during
the prcccss of drying and packing. The duty
varies in amount so greatly that no financier
can rely on it ; in 1542 it produced only
61,0001., in 1846 it yielded 446,900/. And,
lastly, the tax is so high as partly to defeat
itself—it being to a great extent prohibitory—
thus causing the use of loxious drugs as a
substitute.

The growers have frequently represented
the hnrdship of their ease to successive Go•
vernments ; but they arc not a powerful body,
and they do not make up by unity and wisdom
for what they want in force. Unfortunately,
country gentlemen are often unable to per-
ceive their interests except through the me-
dium of their prejudices. The growers of
East Kent, as their hops bring a much higher
price in the market than those of other dis-
tricts, think they should not be benefited by
a reduction of the duty per cwt. to the same
extent as the growers o 1 inferior descriptions ;
while the Mid Kent. and Sussex growers are
inclined to favour an ad valorem duty, as that
would relieve them at the expense of their
rivals. The Minister who receives deputations
from various districts finds it easy
to answer one by the arguments of another.
Thus it happens that the restrictions placed
on the culture of this wholesome and useful
plant remain from year to year unrelieved.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in an-
swer to a recent deputation, is reported to have
expressed himself favourable to an acreage
duty. The plan, whatever its recommenda-
tions, is open to this objection—in bad years
the duty could never be collected. The pro
duce of the gardens would not pay the tax.
As that would be in all seasons the
anme. while the produce is so various, hop.
growing would partake much more of a specu-
lative spirit than it does at present. To the
suggestion of an vu? valorem duty no Govern-
ment would ever listen. _ _

Were the growers to unite in urging that the
duty should be reduced from its present rate
(nearly 2d. per lb.) to its rate previous to the
war of one penny per lb., we believe no Go-
vernment would be able to resist so reasonable
a request. At the same time, by a change in
the marhine/7 of collection, it would not be
difficult to make the hop-factors (usually men
of capital) responsible for the payment of the
duty instead of the growers. as at present.
We do not pretend to explain the details by
which this change could be effected • i is
practicable. and would be found much less
costly. burdensome, and vexatious than the
existing mode of collection.
As it is found that the revenue speedily re-
covers—owing to increased consumption
from a reduction of the duty on any article in
general use, experience points to this mode of
relieving the pressure of taxation as more con-
venient than a policy of total repeal. The

SATURDAY,

community are benefited, and the Exchequer
only temporarily impaired. With the changes
we have indicated it is probable that the cul-
tivation of the hop would so speedly increase
as to return an amount of duty little, if at all,
below that which is at present received.
It is to be hoped that Mr. GLADSTONE, after
adopting so many parts of his predecessor's
budget of greater importance, will not long
refuse to concede the proposed reduction of
the hop duty, merely to show his indepen-
dence, or to prove that the wishes of his Man-
chester friends are more powerful with him
than reasons of policy and justice. Should he
still decline to make beer cheap, he may at
least help to render it wholesome.

THE AYLESBURY AGRICULTURAL
MEETING.

THERE has been some wonderment that Mr.
DISRAELI did not take advantage of a purely
agricultural gathering to issue a political
manifesto. We can understand the discomfi-
ture of the journalists who have exercised
their ingenuity, and tested their readers'
patience, in attempting to anticipate Mr.
DISRAELI'S topics and views. But, as it is not
within our recollection that he ever made a
political speech on any similar anniversary,
we cannot think he is to blame for any disap-
pointment which may have been experienced.
A journal of yesterday endeavours in the
worst possible taste and feeling to disparage
the modest efforts of agricultural societies to
confer some mark of approval on the la-
bourers who, in their humble walk, have
distinguished themselves by the excellence
of their conduct and character. Because a
reward adequate to their merit cannot be
offered to them, the Times thinks they had
better go altogether unrewarded. Better
nothing than a prize of two pounds. This is
the lofty philanthropy of the patriot in •• The
Needy Knife-grinder, ' but it is entirely op-
posed to the humane good feeling which it is
the first object of these associations to culti-
vate. Humble as the rewards may be, we are
sure our peasantry prize them, as a testimony
to worth, far above their intrinsic value.