The Press.
London, England, 1857-01-24 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

themselves, previous to the meeting of Par-
liament, on the financial measures they wish
to see adopted, we think it may be useful to
show how far the Legislature itself is cow.
witted to the total repeal of the Income Tax
within a definite period.
At the present moment there are two ques-
tions connected with the Income Tax before
the country. The first is—Whether the extra
ninepence in the pound imposed to meet the
necessities of the war should terminate, as the
public expected, a year after the termination
of the war? And second]}--Whether the
ordinary Income Tax of sevenpence in the
pound should decline, according to the Act
of 1853, until its proposed final expiration
in 1800?

As regards the first of these questions, the
mind of the public appears to be thoroughly
made up. Members of the Ministry have
declared that they cannot believe that the
Government will take advantage of what they
term a " quibble," to prolong the extra Income
Tax for two years after the conclusion of a
treaty of peace, when it was the plain intent
of the Act imposing the extraordinary duty
to give the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER the
benefit of one clear year, and no more, that he
might make arrangements for dispensing
with the extraordinary aid. Whatever financial
arrangements the Government may propose
to Parliament in the ensuing ses,don, it is
generally felt that they cannot be so ungracious
as to stand on the letter of the Act imposing
the extra ninepence duty, (instead of being
guided by its spirit), and insist that it shall,
by the existing statute, be prolonged for
another year. If that war duty be abolished,
the loss to the Revenue will be 9,000,000/.

Then comes, secondly, the question whether
the Income•tax Act carried by Mr. GLADSTONE
in 1853, providing for the reduction of the
Income Tax from sevenpence in the pound to
fivepence in the pound from April, 1857, to
April, 1860, and for its complete and final
extinction at that last-named date, should
now, with the establishment of peace, be
carried into effect.

In considering this point, we must look
back to the circumstances under which the
Income-tax Act was carried in 1853, to the
pledges given by the Government—substan-
tially the Government of this day—that the
provisions of the Act should be faithfully ob-
served, and to the measures passed by the
Legislature on the distinct understanding
that the Act should be truly observed.
Mr. GLADSTONE, in his financial statement of
April, 1853, had to review the state of the
finances during the year in which Mr. DISRAELI
had held office as Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer. The Right Hon. Member for Bucks
had, on the 30th April, 1852, estimated the
revenue for the year ensuing, at 51,625,0001.,
and the expenditure of the year at 51,163,000/.
When Mr. GLADSTONE looked at the actual
results, he found that his predecessor had
cautiously allowed for a margin on both bides
the account The revenue was one million
and a half more than Mr. DISRAELI had
thought it safe to count upon. The expen-
diture was 400,0001. less than he had deemed
it wise to provide for. He had counted on a
surplus of 460,000/. ; the actual surplus of the
year was 2,462,0001. It was impossible for Mr.
GLADSTONE to do otherwise than compliment
the prudent reserve of his predecessor in
office, or to refrain from an expression of
satisfaction at that ptosperous condition of
the country in the past year which had placed
such a surplus at his disposal.
It is not necessary to refer to the details of
Mr. GLADSTONE'S Budget further than as they
affect the Income Tax and the prospective
reduction of the tea duty. On the Income
Tax he expressed himself with the greatest
force and clearness .

The general views of her Majesty's Government with
respect to the Income Tax are, that it is an engine of
gigantic power for great national purposes; but at
the sane time that there are circumstances attending its
operation which will make it difficult, perhaps impossible,
at any rate, in our opinion, not desirable, to maintain it
as a portion of the ordinary and permanent finances of the
country. The public feeling of its inequality is a fact
most important in itself. The inquisition it entails is a
most serious disadvantage. And the frauds to which it

75

leads are an evil which it is not possible to characterise in
terms too strong.

He proposed, as the best decision at which
the Government could arrive, to re-enact the
Income Tax for two years, from April, 1853, to
April, 1815, at the rate of 7d. in the pound ;
to continue it from April, 1855, to April, 1857,
at the rate of 61 in the pound; and to con-
tinue it for three years longer, from April,
1857, to April, 1960, at sd. in the pound ; the
tax finally expiring at the latter date, when
the 2,146,000/. of Annuities would fall in.

This plan was proposed by Mr. GLADSTONE,
with the full sanction of her Majesty's Go-
vernment, as a complete settlement of the
Income Tax; and on the faith of this settle-
ment he introduced and carried his scheme
of succession duty, by which a sum of
2,000,000/. yearly was added to the direct taxa-
tion of the country on real property.

The Opposition objected to Mr. GLAnsroNE's
financial plan, that it continued the Income Tax
for seven years with little modification, and that
it afforded no absolute security that its aboli-
tion would then take place. On those grounds
Sir E. B. Lvrrox moved an amendment.
" Seven years," he said, " might be a short
" period in the history of a nation, but it was a
" long period in the life of a generation ; and
" at the end of seven years, what security was
" there that the tax would be abolished ?"

The answer to this question was remarkable.
Mr. GLADSTONE had most distinctly stated that
his opinion was against the tax as a permanent
ordinary portion of our finances. Sir CHARLES
WOOD contended that the assurance of the
total abolition of the tax was firm, and the
plan for its extinction perfectly practicable.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL insisted on the definite
nature of the plan, and Mr. GLADSTONE him-
self, in reply to all objections, insisted that
his scheme was a real substantive one by
which the Income Tax might be got rid of.
" We have," he said, "put the question in' o
" such a manageable form as will enable Prr•
" liament, when the time arrives, to part u .th
" the tax." In reply to Mr. PAcKE,
acutely inquired whether the tax might be
compounded for, or redeemed, for the seven
years it had to run, Mr. GLADSTONE said that
he regarded the idea favourably, and promised
to consider it.

An Income-tax Act, embodying Mr. GLAD*
STONE'S resolution, was introduced and passed
through all its stages, the Succession Duty
Act being allowed to pass on the understand•
ing that the Income and Property Tax Act
would expire at the period fixed, April, 1860.
The operation of this Income-tax Act was
suspended by the War. Tho question is,
whether, with the return of peace, its pro-
visions are to be resumed? In that case, the
Income Tax (supposing the war ninepence to
be given up) would drop on the Ist of April
next to sd. in the pound, would remain at that
rate for three years, and would then expire
altogether.
In our opinion the Legislature is bound
to insist on faith being kept with the
Triblie. The whole scheme of taxation in
1853, especially as regards the additional
taxes imposed, was based on the assumption
that the Income-tax Abolition Act was a
reality, and that its stipulations would be
observed. Whatever may be the financial
schemes of the Administration in the
coming session, the Opposition is, in our
opinion, bound to insist on faith being kept
with the public, on the conditions of the sta-
tute of 1853 being complied with, and on the
reduction of the Income Tax to sd. in the
pound from the Ist of April next, with its
entire extinction three years subsequently.
We have in a previous article anticipated
the question how this immediate reduction
and eventual abolition can take place. The
net revenue for the year ending 31st of March
next, will, we believe, exceed 68,000,000/. The
expenditure in time of peace has, for the
twelve years previous to 1854, averaged from
50,000,0001. to 51,000,000/ A sinking fund of
1,500,0001. has been established to provide for
the liquidation of the recent loans ; the
terest on them may be set down at 1,000,000/.
more Add this 2,500,0001. to the extreme a
our ordinary peace expenditure, and a total
sum of 54,000,0001. is attained. According to

the existing scale of taxation, a surplus of
14,000.0001. would then be available.

of the war taxes on articles of consumption
we have shown that the 2,000,0001. of increased
ditty on spirits might well be retained. The
increased taxes on sugar and tea (the item of
coffee is insignificant) remain to be con-
sidered.

The increased duty on sugar has dimi
nished its consumption. Sir G. C. Lewis
eitiinated that the enhanced duties would
yield 1,900,0001. It is doubtful whether they
h ive yielded so much, as the consumption fell
f •inn 8,33'2,407 cwt. in 1854, to 7,547,157 cwt.
in 1855. The total loss to the Revenue from
abolishing the war duty would not, we
I u igine, allowing for increased consumption,
be more than about 1,500,0001.

The tea duty, which, by the Budget of 1853,
wai at once lowered front 2s. 21(1. per lb. to
is. 10(1., sunk in the following year to Is. 0(1.
Th 3 decline was then arrested by the War, and
in 1855 an additional 3d. per lb was added by
Sir G. C. LEWIS. The duty is, then, at present
ls. 9d., and will, by the terms of existing acts,
fall to Is. 3d. on the sth of April next, and is
on the sth of April, 1858. If the reduction on
tto sth of April next takes place the loss to
the Revenue will probably be about 1,500,000/.
The total loss from the reduction of the duty
on tea and sugar may be about 3,000,000/. :
from the loss of Ild. in the pound on the
Income Tax, 11,000,0001.—together, 14,000,0001.
An amount of 2,000,0001. of Exchequer
Bonds will fall due this next year; but if a
sinking fund of 1,500,000/. is established for
the redemption of recent loans, further re-
demption of debt can hardly be expected. The
bonds may be renewed, or thrown into some
other form of debt. .

If our peace establishment now be substan-
t ally the same as it was before the war broke
ex it, there is no reason why the general finan-
cial scheme of 1853, to which the faith of Par-
liament was pledged, should be interrupted.
'tie increased duties on spirits may meet the
I icreased charges for interest on new loans,
stad for a sinking fund to redeem them. The
oilier figures of Mr. GLADSTONE are as valid
now as they were in 1853—more valid, indeed,
the ordinary revenue has augmented in the
r ttio we have reason to believe. If a reduction
of the tea duties and Income Tax was practi•
cable in 1853, why is it not practicable now, if
our establishments are placed on a peace foot-
ing, and the increased duties on spirits are
allowed to meet the increased charges occa-
sioned by the War?
One point must not be overlooked. The
on)rmous military and naval expenditure of
tiv last three years has replenished our stock
and stores of all kinds. This point was dwelt
on by the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER last
par—May 19, 1856:—
During the last two years we have devoted large sums
o' money to extending and improving our naval and mill
Ulf establishments. Our military arsenals are now much
fuller, our stores are greater, our guns more perfect, our troops
ar ned with much more efficient weapons thou was the case at
the beginning of the war. Our navy is likewise more nume-
rous, better appointed, and more efficient for all the pur.
poses of war ; and although the objects of a belligerent
power are not those which we now seek, it is to be remain•
bered that we are in possession of a much greater amount
of materiel for naval and military purposes than we had
when the war began. It must not, therefore, be supposed
th it all our expenditure baa been for the accomplishment
of temporary objects, for a considerable portion of it remains
in a permanent form.

This assurance is encouraging, but un-
d.iubtedly it arms the hands of those who con-
tend that our expenditure shall now be
reduced to a peace footing.
Be it recollected that in the last year of
peace, 1853, Mr. CODDEN,Iin the Budget debate,
dwelt with emphasis on the fact, that a sum of
no less than 1,875,000/. had been added to the
naval and military estimates since 1851. If we
take the last year of peace as a standard of
peace establishments, we shall, with our addi-
t►onal materiel accumulated during the War,
have our services in a much more efficient
state than they have been in since the close of
the war in 1815.
This much is quite clear,—that to main-
t tin larger establishments for one year or two
than it is proposed permanently to maintain,
will be money completely thrown away,—or
rather worse, as it will place our services on a
false footing, and entail future retrenchments

TILE PRESS.

which may be excessively narrow and in-
jurious.

If it be held that we cannot now return to
the very highest peace establishments known
previous to the late war, the question must be
pressed home, Where does the fault lie? Does
it arise from the mismanagement of our diplo-
macy,—from the arrogance of our Foreign-
office,—from the propensity of Administration
to ferment foreign disputes that it may dis-
tract public attention from home affairs ? If
we cannot return to peace establishments,—
which is the one great question now for the
public to consider,—we are entitled to know,
the reason why ?"

•
Mn. G. H. Moont, M.P. was entertained at a
banquet given by his constituents in Castlebar, on
Thursday week. Archbishop Miele was present,
although he did not take the chair, as was expected,
the honour of presiding having been conferred on
Mr. Mark Blake, a brother-in•law of Mr. Moore.
Among the guests were Mr. Tristram Kennedy, M.P.,
Mr. IrEvoy, M.P., and Mr. Swift, M.P. Mr. Moore,
who made the speech of the evening, referring to
what he termed " the present crisis in the history of
Ireland," said :
- -

The question I was about to say that agitates, but which
rather weighs upon, the public mind of the country, is not
in what national direction, or for what natural end or pur-
pose the national energies of the country shall be directed,
but rather whether it is not now fitting that the separate
national energies of our people should cease altogether;
and having found separation by force impossible, separation
by law a delusion, and united action in an Imperial Parlia-
ment too great a trial for our national virtue, why should
we not frankly accept our position as an amalgamated
nation, and enter into a new career as patt of the united
people in the common interests and the common blessings
of the British Constitution? Well, why not?
Mr. Moore proceeded to answer his own question :
the position of the Irish could never bq the same as
that of the English under the British Constitution,
in fact, that equal terms were not held out to the
people of both countries ; and first among the
oostacles in the way of equality between them he
placed the Established Church. After alluding to the
question of tenant right he returned to that of the
present indifference of the people of Ireland on po•
litical movements, and said public action retrograded
since 1846 :

Ay, thank God, it has. What was the policy of 1846
but an organised imposture, a gross and sinister cheat—
warmed into life by the loudest hearts and truest energies
that ever gave birth to a people's cause? It lived on the
blood of the Government that nourished it, and it expired
amidst the sepulchres of the people it betrayed. If the
Irish members who still profess to do their duty are not
trusted as these men were, thank God, they are watched as
these men ought to have been watched. Whatever amount
of public confidence we may ultimately deserve, there is
not the slightest doubt that we shall ultimately obtain it;
and, so far from regarding the present national distrust
with dismay, I regard it as a good omen of an honester
future. Now that the position of the independent party is
recognised and approved of by the country, no doubt can
exist that it will ultimately be reinforced by the country.
Archbishop tlitiale made a long but somewhat
dull gpeecli, insisting on the necessity of the policy of
independent opposition. The general impression is,
that the demonstration was not as successful as it
was expected to be.

A FIRE broke out in the Accountants' Office of the
Bank of Ireland, Dublin, early on Monday morning,
but was happily got under before much damage was
done. The origin of the fire does not appear very
clear. _ _ _ _ .

DR. KEANE, the Romanist Bishop of Ross, has been
elected to the see of Cloyne.
THE VENERABLE WILLIAM FITZGERAI D, Arch-
deacon of Kildare and rector of Monkstown, has been
appointed by the Lord Lieutenant to the Bishopric
of Cork, Cloyne, and Ross. The new bishop, who
was chaplain to Archbishop Whately, was believed
to be a supporter of the national system of education,
but since the archbishop's secession from the board
it is reported that Dr. Fitzgerald's views have also
undergone some modification upon the education
question.
A Punuc MEETING was held at the Mansion
house, Dublin, on Thursday, at which the Lord
Mayor presided. Alderman Roe proposed, and Isaac
Butt, M.P., seconded, a resolution for the reduction
of the income tax. The members for the city
supported the resolution. An amendment for the
total and immediate abolition of the tax was adopted
unanimously. The discussion was animated.

W. J. PAYNE, ESQ., deputy coroner for the City of
London, has been appointed by the Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster to be coroner for the Duchy of
Lancaster, in the room of the late unfortunate
Mr. Thomas Higgs, who committed suicide a few
days ago.

SATURDAY,

OPPOSITION TO THE INCOME TAX.
A GREAT MEETING was held at Exeter-hall on Wed-
nesday evening, under the presidency of Alderman
Wire, to promote the objects of the Property and
Income Tax Association. The large hall, with the
exception of the gallery, was very well filled, and on
the platform were Major Reed, M.P. (chairman of
the association), Mr. Thomas Chambers, M.P., Mr.
J. Brady, M.P., Mr. Apsley Pellatt, M.P., Colonel
D. M'Dougall, together with deputations from the
towns of Birmingham, Barnsley, Brighton, Bridge-
water, Deptford, Huddersfield, Ipswich, Oxford,
Reading, &c. Letters of apology for non attendance,
but expressing adhesion to the movement, were re-
ceived from General Sir De Lacy Evans, M.P., Mr.
W. Scholefield, M.P., and Mr. It. Matins, M.P. In
opening the business
The CHAIRMAN earnestly impressed upon the
meeting the east: with which the income tax could be
reduced, from the flourishing financial condition of
the country, and insisted that at least the additional
ninepence, put on for the war, should be taken off in
April next.
Major REED, M.P., rose to move the first reso-
lution :

That in the opinion of this meeting the additions made
to the property and income tax for war purposes ought to
cease from the sth of April next, and consequently that
the Acts of Parliament imposing those additions should be
immediately and unconditionally repealed.
The gallant major insisted upon the right of the
people to demand the reduction of the war 91, and
observed, in conclusion:--
For his own part, as one of the independent members
of that assembly, unless the declaration came from Minis-
terial lips that the war Bd. should be given up, and a re•
vision of the injustice done to precarious as compared
with fixed incomes was promised, he undertook to put a
notice on the books of the house which must either extract
from the Government an expression of their readiness to
yield to the popular will, or bring down upon them the
obloquy which they would so richly merit.
Mr. T. CHAMBERS, M.P., seconded the resolution.
The resolution was pu► and carried unanimously.
Mr. A. PELLATT, M.P., rose to move the second
resolution :

That the present system of levying the income tax by
taxing permanent and precarious incomes alike is maul-
fe-Aly unjust, and leads to a general and systematic
evasion ; that the despotic and inquisitorial mode of assess-
ment is repugnant to the feelings of Englishmen, and has
only been submitted to from time to time under the im-
pression that the tax was for a temporary purpose ; and
that the meeting pledges itself to use every legitimate
means to obtain a more equitable adjustment of the tax
and an improvement in the mode of assessment, or a total
repeal 01 it upon trades and professions.
He was for making short work of this matter. If
the Prime Minister did not, through the Queen's
speech, intimate a readiness to remit the extra nine-
pence income tax, some independent member of the
House of Commons ought to get up and move an
amendment to the address for the abolition of the
hateful impost. If no more influential member took
this course, he pledged himself that he should.
Mr. T. ATTWOOD and the Mayor of OXFORD sup-
ported the resolution, which was ultimately carried.
Colonel D. M‘DouGam. proposed the next reso-
lution :

That this meeting recognise with great satisfaction the
strong expression of feeling manifested throughout the
country in favour of the objects of this association, and
desire to tender their special acknowledgments to those
gentlemen who compose the deputations present on this
occasion.

Mr. J. A. NICHOLAY, of Marylebone, seconded the
motion, and stated that his borough bad already
moved in this matter, and would hold a meeting upon
it in the course of a few days. Sir B. Hall would be
invited to attend, and if he refused his adhesion to
the movement, be (Mr. Nicholay) would pledge
himself to resist the right hon. baronet's future
election.
The resolution was carried by a large majority,
and the meeting shortly afterwards separated.

In compliance with a numerously-signed requisi-
tion of the inhabitants of PRESTON. the mayor, Mr.
L. Spencer, convened a public meeting for the pur-
pose of taking into consideration the propriety of
petitioning Parliament in the next session for the
immediate reduction of the income and property tax,
The meeting, which comprised about 1,200► persons
of all classes, took place in the Corn Exchange.
Lune-street, on Thursday evening week, the Mayor
in the chair. Besides many of the principal inhabi-
tants of the town, there were upon the platform
Mr. It. T. Parker and Sir George Strickland, the
members for the borough, and Mr. J. Heywood,
one of the members for the northern division of
Lancashire.

Mr. E. BIBLEY, manufacturer, moved
That as the income and property taxes were increased
to is. 4d. in the pound for the exigencies of the war, the
law enacting that rate ought in justice to expire from the