The Express.
London, England, 1864-06-24 00:00:00

STAMP DUTY UPON BANKERS' ORDERS.

Mr. Alderman SALOMONS asked the Chancellor of the
Exchequer whether it wan true that as order addressed to
bankers or other persons for any payment of miner,
whether as dividend or otherwise, and which bed hitherto
been exempt from stamp duty, as urine neither • letter nor
a power of attorney, was by • new construction put by the
Commissioners of Inland Revenue on the act of the
preemt melon, to be made liable to the duty of five shil-
lings, or any other duties charged co letters or powers of
attorney ; and, if so, whether such sew construction world
not he a great hardship on individuals, and an interferesoe
with established usage.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said his bon.
friend must have beep misinformed as to the facts of Miscue.
The act of the prseest manors had ea bearing on the subject,
except to reduce existing duties. What lad taken place
was this. Some persons bad felt a doubt whether orders of
the character to which his hon. friend referred were
liable to • duty as powers of attorney. The opiaiou
of the law officers of the crown being taken on
the subject, their opinion was that they were liable. That
opinion, however, was am oldas the mouth at Denember,lB6o,
cod be was not cognisant of any further proceedings having
been taken since that time. It was not a question of peoalty,
no penalty being imposed for sot Wog • stamp. It was
purely a queetiou of discretion in the parties as to the
legality of the instrument they used, end the risk of being
linable to enforced, is cans it should be queirtioned in • court
of justice.
Mr. Alderman SALOMONS said the answer of the right
boo. gentleman was perfectly satisfactory. (Laughter and
cries of "Order.")
THE GLADIATOR.

Lord STANLEY asked the Secretary to the Admiralty
whether it was true that the Gladiator wax lately required
to Gerry troops from the Dumber of 200 to 2110. to Dublin :
that objection was made on the ground of insufficient
spate, sod that the somber was accordiugly reduced to
140; and whether be would produce any eorrespoodepee
that might have passisd oa the subject.
Lord C. PAGET bad so objection to produce the ONTO-
spoodenosua the subject. The Gladiator was ordered, oe the
21st May. to be in readiness to assist is coeveying a bat-
talion of the 60th Riles to Dublin. With regard to the
capacity of the vessel, she was reported to boa 1.210 toes
burden, and to be able to take 400 troops for five day'. A
telegram was received from Portsmouth, represent-
ing the invooverneees which would arise from the
' overcrowding of women and children in the Gladiator,
and a change was oonsequeotly made in the distnbutiou of
the troops between the different vesicle employed on the
occasion. Perhaps the house would allow him to refer to
soother subject to which it took great interest. He wished
Ito allude to a letter from the hoe. and gallant member for
Portsmouth, which appeared in the Times of that morning.
It was usual, when members differed in the °nuns of de-
bate, to set up and speak their minds, and Dot to write to
the newspapers. (Hear, heat.) This was • matter in which
the house had expressed great interest, viz., the convey.
apes of troops from the West Indies, sod perhaps the
house would permit him to reed a latter which lie had re-
ceived from the by drographer of her Majesty's navy.
Mr. DISRAELI—I rise to order. (Hear, bear.) I am
sure the house will give permission to the noble lord to
make any statement which he may think n for the
advantage of the public service, or in vindication of his 01•11
conduct, but it can only be made on that understanding.
The noble lord is now taking a highly irregular course.
Lord C. PAGET—It is a personal explanation—not that
my personal character is is the least involved in it.
(Laughtir.). . .

Tbe SPEAKER—If the noble lord wished' to make • per-
enn►l expl■nation I hare no doubt the house will permit
him to do so. but I rather understand from him that it is
not a personal matter. !Hear. hear.)
Lord C. PAGET—It is no far a personal explanation
that I stated to the haute the reasons which induced the
government to send troops from Caps Coast to the West
Indies under particular circumstances, ad I wish to refer
to the way M which my statement was contradicted by the
boo. and palltot member—(cries of "Order." "Order,'
in the midst of which the noble lord resumed his rest.)

THE CONFERENCE.
Mr. DISRAELI—I would take this opportunity of asking
the Doblelord the First Minister whether he has any Con,-
mutilation to make to the house respecting the proseedings
of the Contemns yesterday ? (Hear, bear.)
Lord PALMERSTON, who on Firing was greeted with
lout cheers. said—Sir, the question of the right hon. gen-
tleman is a very natural one, aed I am quite aware that
the anxiety not only of the booms but of the public at
large, upon the subject to which It relates, eatitlee it to
DOOM communicatioa from her Majesty's government.
(Neer, bear.) The Cooference met yesterday in the after.
woe, after the Levee. It adjourned witil Saturday, when
it will meet at an earlier hour. The probability is that
that meeting of Saturday will be the last and fioal weskit%
of the Confereoos, and it will be my duty on Monday to
lay oa the table of this how all the papers connected with
the proceedings of the Conference, I hope including the
yressediap whisk gay take plug to Saturday. I gall