The Express.
London, England, 1852-05-01 00:00:00

Mr.
pion oa
of the iv
bee. sitting
'lona eadeal
(hoe to

Mr. Bernal, I fear
peados are not
on which 1 have
the present day.
, of the preferable
call direct taxation.
Well, I receive
- attention of the bon.
gentleman. and I am honoured by it ; but I fear, when 1
pursue the critical investigation to which in a usement I

sad means,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER wld--7[t'
Bernal, the chief branch of the reveney sir, having mused
by lapse of time, and a considsr►!'le dead", 114712 E ma-
sequently ensued, it would be incumbent on me, air, were
there no other reason, to invite the consideration of the
Hone of Common to the state of the public finances. Sir,
of late year commercial considerations have been so mired
up with the transactions and arrangements of the public
finances, and unhappily political passions have so blended
with all the points of commercial controversy, that I think,
sir, it would he almost presumption to hope that on this oc-
casion I should be able to obtain, not only the serious, but
the calm and unimpassioned attention of the house to the
grave subject 1 am about to bring under their considers.
tion. Out when I recollect that on the right principles
upon which the finances of • country is established must
mainly depend the greatness of a realm and the happiness
of a people, I am not altogether without hope that I may
induce, ou this ()nation, gentlemen on either side to dismiss
from their minds all prejudgment and prejudice, and
join with me in a,, attempt clearly to comprehend the
exact financial position of this country. (Hear, lieu.) Sir,
when • minister, responsible for the condition ret
finances, finds himself in the position to which I haw
laded; when he has to submit to the house facts whicemina
can di•pute, that, by the cession of a considerable source of
revenue there is necessarily a considerable deficiency in dig
public income, there is of count one question which bat*
ably occurs to every one who is engaged is fan ilkseriss,
via., what are the soundest means, and, at dio sons dims,

would solicit hie attention, I shell not find that welcome

adhesion to the principles of direct taxation which at the
present he seems to evince. Now, ow: WO Nowa had Auriag
the same 10 jean considerable) experience of the temper of

. _
the House of Commons, and of the country, with respect
to this third mode of raising the revenue of the
country. And I wish to draw tho most serious
attention of the house, if I can attract it, to this

very important branch of the subject. It is exactly
ten years ago since ono of the most eminent of modern
statesmen, who was one of the principal means of effecting
that reduction in our customs duties, and even our excise
duties, to which I have recalled the recollection of the
house, it is exactly ten years ago since he introduced, and
successfully, a measure which entailed on this country a
l►rge portion of direct taxation. Now, let me recall the
recollection of tho house to the circumstances under which

the property end income tax we introduced to our atten-
tion in the year 1842 ; the fortunes which it has experi-
enced ; and the fate which awaited it. Remember, that
that important tax, which hem ceased now by the lapse of
time—that that important measure of direct taxatien
was introduced into the house apologetically. It
was introduced as a measure necessitated by

an emergency, and framed to meet an evJsemrq.
And yet, even with all these circumstances, the He.. of
Commons and the country could not be indeme 19 Oliva
the tax unless it was framed on a large basis of nomptlass.
(Hear, hear.) Nor was there in your acceptance of • direst
tax an property and income any evidence that the inclinaties
a the Use. at Commons as the country was in favour et
and Main, bemuse the measure was in that imamate
intredmed way as being justified by the emergency, and
wee so samilelled that the multitude could not feel the op-
pressivemese of its operation. (Hear, hear.) What were
the effeet if that law, of that tax, introduced as it was by
one of the most powerful and able statesmen of modern
times, notwithstanding all hie talent and all his power
in this house ? It was with difficulty renewed, and
could only be renewed after repeated discussions,
and after motions made in this house by mem-
bers of great distinction, who impugned the justice
of its provisions, and complained of the oppression of
its enutments—(ministerial cheen)—until at last, before
that ten yeah hal elapsed, it had become so odious and so
unpopular, that its existence was only renewed provision-
ally, and that, too, on the severe condition, that it should
be samitted to • critical scrutiny by a committee up-stain.
Now, sir, so far therefore as the property and income tax is
aseerned, the conduct of this house with respect to direct
taxation, has scarcely been more encouraging, perhaps
scarcely less so, than its conduct with regard to raising
revenue by indirect taxation, either in the shape of duties
on articles of foreign import, or on articles of domestic
manufacture. Sir, it was my hope that before the difficult
duty devolved on me of making the statement which I
have now the honour of submitting to the house
to-night, it was my hope that the report of the
committee on the income tax might have been on
the table. I feel great difficulty and delicacy, of course, in
adverting to a subject which is still under consideration by
a committee of this house. Of that committee I have the
honour to be a member, and therefore, if I can do nothing
else, I can say this, that I can bear witness to the impartial
spirit, and the indefatigable industry with which the in-
quiries of that committee have been carried on—(" hear,
hear," and cheers) ;—and I am sure, at least I hope, that
the honourable gentleman opposite, who is chairman of that
committee, will admit, that so soon as 1 had the power of
exercising any influence in the conduct of its inquiries—
that since that time I have at least thrown no obstacle in
its way. (" Hear, hear," from Dlr. Hume.) I have not
tried to narrow the issue on the question. I have given
every facility to an investigation—which I thought the
country required, and the results of which I have watched
with the utmost interest. Under these circumstances it would
be presumptuous in me to give an opinion on points upon
which the committee have not as yet decided, or at least
1 upon which they have not officially informed the house of
their decision. Yet there are one or two points upon which
it is impossible for mo to be entirely silent. One great ob-
jection to a tax on property and income, one of the cause
ails odium and unpopularity in this country, was unques-
tlonably that there was no difference between the mode of
rating and amassment en income of a temporary, and that
eta permaima dermeter. (Hear, hear.) Now, air, that
meet important question, that most interesting and import-
ant maim is now submitted to your committee, and as
I said before, it would be arrogant in me to give
an opinion, until their opinion has been formally
mad officially communicated to the house. But I must say
disi ant upon the subject we have received the amplest
album item the ablest men. I may my that on that sub-
jut the unimilleee have listened to men who have made
dm prlalgamisin which such assessments should be cal-
lOWA the of their lives, and who have brought to
MS osimmittso that science could offer to aid and en-
=, and who have put before us every combination
usexperience and philosophy combined could devise
aid Went. Sir, I will not presume, I say. to enter into
Ilea question as to the justice or injustice of the
solumes which those gentlemen—the most eminent actua-
ries in the country—have offered to us, but as a prac-
tical man, looking to the effect on our revenue, looking
at it at this moment especially, when we have to consider
the most desirable way in which revenue can be raised, I
oral' my this—not prejudging the question at issue, not for a
mament maintaining, neither acknowledging nor denying the
es which those 'Amnia—moat eminent men in that
—have offered, not denying that their prin•
y be just—this I may say, that if their opinions be
may
,I am painfully sensible of this, that Schedules A,
2, sad C will not be less odious than Schedule D. (Hear.)
Well, then, when I am to recommend a system of raising
revenge, I must consider circumstances of that character in
emestions of finance, and that the feelings of the people
nmestlMl amaidered as well as the principles of science.
Owe) There is another point on which I may
Ma with more frankness as teasels taxes on
peeparty and ,income. I have not
to I will
trommed,
ma , give an opinion on the rase err injusticea
mire of reedng the income of ossuary ; but on
an peat the consailese was unmans's'', sal their opinion
ima be no seem, • I Wine it is the wasaimens opinion
offer RC/LW of Commemes sad I am me It la die mini-
milizi=:•_4l i fir ampay, and that pan is that if taxes
a elailieboacter Bite the income tot—
em' a Impair ON el IMMO* a penmen* feature of our
alisl= NM"
Well'bua rem a swartriast.
es a et' Va. they will =lie dances
of et Illarbsqw. seremesily to appeal
tbrlgsr
is ei el Ming 1•94a61. Be doubt direct
Oman be be :therm an my, simple, and
pane ; but, when yen wish to apply
11111=tamilles geeerally, It is areskibing the obstacles
liras encounter, sad the prejsdiess you mato (Ministerial
seem.) Bpi?, ia
natty ligel:isisi;lssiadeptiLtlisisslticithatantronw !thole •
fioluld
ly us in Its application, as indirect taxa-
, SUL (Hear, lea) The INS who lives in the palace and
the cottager, ff they otemme equally, are proportion-
ably assessed for indirect taxation. It le not possible that
direct taxation could effect so close a molt, perhaps it is
not necessary ; bat if year revenue is to depend mainly,
1 or In • great degree, on direct taxation, that you must make
the application of direct taxation very general, is to me •
conclusion that it is impossible to withstand. (Hear, hear.)
No doubt, by establishing a temporary measure of direct
taxation, based on a largo system of exemptions,
you may give great impulse to industry, you
may lighten the springs of that industry very
effectually for a time, but not to dwell on the
gross and sterna injustice of a system of finance that would
tax directly • very limited portion of the population; not to
dwell on that, but looking only to the economical and
financial consequences of such a system, who can but feel
that in the long run industry itself must suffer from it, for
after all, what is direct taxation founded on but a system
of exemptions ? It is in feet, and to • degree, a confisca-
tion of capital. (Hear, hear) It is making a war on capi-
tal which ultimately mast impoverish that industry
which it is your object to cherish. (Hear, hear.) Well,
then, when I lime examined the most notable essay in the
direction of direct taxation which has occurred during the
same period to which I have called your attention with re-
seed to the reduction of customs duties and excise duties,
the same memorable ten years—is the instance of the pro-
perty and income tax, very encouraging to a minister who
looks to direct taxation as a means of supplying deficiencies ?
Framed with all Ouse objectionable circumstances it has ob-
tained great odium, and is universally admitted to have
been founded on great injustice. Not that I am urging this
as any objection to tho minister who introduced the mea-
sure. The minister who introduced it avowedly as a tem-
porary measure to meet the peculiar circumstances and en-
coustar an emergency vas perfectly justified in the course
he took, and his success was deserved. But I ens
speaking of • syst in of finance, wherein facts like
these at present under discussion are to become a per-
, manna feature, end which if its fe inures of exemption be
removed will exercise an influence vet different from that
new anticipated by the country. But, sir, framed as this
measure was by the most adroit of modern financiers, and
tempered in all the features which might create apparent
hostility, it has of late incurred such a degree of odium,
and has been the source of so much oppression, that we have
not been able to keep it standing, but have been obliged—
at least those who were responsible for the finances of the

what is the most popular and most practicable method, or,
plabaps, I ought to say on such a subject, the method the
least unpopular and iniAt predicable, by which we may
Supply the deficiency which none can deny. It is nano-
, cosary for se to remind the house that the revenue of this
coantry is raised, generally speaking, by three methods : by
ditties as articles of foreign import; by duties on articles
of domestic manufacture ; and, lastly, by a system of direct
taxation. Now, we have to ingaire, in the first place, what
are the means which are most practicable, and iu which I
should be most successful in obtaining the consent of

the house in haviug recourse to, iu order to replace
the tioaocee of the country in that satisfactory state
in which I em sure hon. gentlemen, wherever they tit in

this house, wish them to be placed. (Hear, hear.) Now,
sir, with regard to the first method—Tamely, that of raising
an increased supply by duties on articles of foreign produce
imported Into this country as a very considerable branch
of the revenue is still raised by that method, that, perhaps,
is the first means that naturally presents itself. Now, sir,
. . .

. -
U I leek—if I try to anticipate what may be the opinion
of the House of Commons on that subject—if I observe
whiff has occurred on the subject of customs duties during
the several years in which the present parliament has
exiiited—if I, indeed, extend the rasp of my observations,
mad amine what was the eroded of the parliament
which promekd this, I do not think that the prospect of
supplying the deficiency, certainly in the present parks-
went, by an increase's( customs duties, is very encouraging.
(Cheers keen the opposition.) Sir, since the year 1642-
10 years ego—from the year 1842—1 take that
period because it is an epoch frequently referred to
in this house, and considered by many (I think
myself erroneously) as the inaugurating epoch
of a new system in the management of our finances and of
our commerce. If I take the period of 1842 to the present
time—tlee ten years from 1842 to 1851 inclusive—l tied one
very remarkable feature in the financial management of
this eouutry, namely, that in every one of those years there
has been • reduction of the duties on foreign articles bt
ported into this country. (" Hear, hear," from the ewe&
don.) There is no single year of those ten years in which
thin has not been a reduction—and a considerable redue-
tion—of the means of raising revenue by duties on articles
of foreign import. You have in those ten years reduced
or repealed the duties upon coffee, upon timber, upon cur-
rants, upon wool, upon sugar, molasees, and cotton wool,
upon butter and cheese, upon silk manufactures, upon
tallow and spirits, upon copper ore, upon oil and sperm,
and on an massing number of articles which produced but
a small seassust to your revenue, but which it would be
shame papeeterous to trouble the house with in detail. It
is wellisivit be am to observe this remarkable feature, thee
the reimetien of your customs duties from the year 1842 km
been gamine, has been continuous ; that in 1842 yea
struck of nearly a million and a half of revenue collected
born the customs duties; and in 1843 you struck elf
128,0001. ; in 1844, 279,0001. ; in 1845 upwards of a wid•
lion and • half; in 1848 upwards of 1,160,0001. ;
1847, 343,000/. ; in 1848 upwards of 578,0001. ; in 1849 up•
wards of 381,0001; in 1850 upwards of 331,0001.; and at
1851 upwards of 801,0001.—(loud cheers from the eppesb
soon)—making an aggregate, in ten years, of ass*
11,000,000/. sterling. (Loud cheers from the opposition.)
Well, then, I think the house will agree with me theit.
Weft a deficiency to supply, and looking to the 9011111111
Item whence it is most probable that I must obtain the ea-
akineme which is necessary alter the catalogue dish I
lam toad, it would be somewhat presumptuous en my pin
siptime that I could induce the present House of Caw
mere le supply the deficiency by import duties. (Hest.)
Well, then, have I • more encouraging prospect V
I seek to supply the deficiency by • recourse to duties at
articles of domestic manufacture? Sir, in the greet ems.
troversies upon commercial legislation which hews nieured
eflate years, and especially which have prevailed dusks
the last six years, two epinkes have been advocated is
this house, and have bees very warmly supported in the
country, as to the p:incipal moms by which you mest ttf
Love the industry of this orailky: ono important psi, is
this house and in the esereary lays advocated, and cams
fully, the repeal of the mime duties ; and the dist d
their opinions—of the perealease etas& °pietism—et lie
triemph, I may my, of Irk epiims is this lisess his
hem exemplified in the tale ebb\ I has mewed the
the leformation of the hewn this mein. Well, bat these
hes been in this house • party, If net triumphant, way far
pubs& ia their numbers, and fres their seal and the eler
*Minn Obi pbenverance with whisk thy lave main taismi
tlideirokierl, who have asserted that the beet method
of Winks ear native industry hos boon by the reads.
des m repeal of what are ediell anise duties.
X* ems advocated that *Odes aim moistly, with a
pester amplitude of statilital lumina Om rag lam led
espies td Meal Led George liesemlii (ism him)
These ere *item wilt* lave hem elimplihmed ,aim 1p
authority—bye writer of the highs* ansidesslbin I gni
they are epielins which I myself erferibor vibe eaddsi
the gravest attention and wereidiedien. But, if there he ;
one aide of Abloom who are eferdska that you must not
supply a deficient revenue by custents duties, and another
side of at house who are equity Vs:opinion that excise du-
ties are more injurious to industry than • duty on the im-
port of foreign articles, what Is the prospect of the success
of • Chancellor of the Exchequer if his memo( supplying

a delitiney are limited to those two important source, of
psi& wnleh ? But this is not all. It is not merely that
• poudig piety in this house is opposed to excise duties,
Mama Asp think their inftuence is peculiarly pernicious
Sift mmenhe of our national industry—even bon. genii'-
s's agresite—even those who consider a customs duty
fie WON el final grievances—even those hon. gentlemen
eilluftd Emig the last ten years scarcely lees repug-
nant,* sibs ear seresas by a duty ou articles of do-
msulliMeMOfteeftelles lilt as sow place before the house •
eMelreedte Maillelielftlal invasions during the same period
oldie Yee leereas, Ikea 1842, upon that greet source of
oar mean% ale aMbe. While you have reduced the eal-
ealatai ~See idieuggems frog the customs to the amount
et 9 lima lhal Sine, which I have shown you that
you have ewessuilal Yt mtmeMphshing, the Home of Com-
mons has dunes** aro period repealed the excise on
vinegar, sad sastioaa, the odes on elms, and, finally, the
slam ins brick,: by whisk se ins a ana• then $ revenue
assoeatiog to assrly ass =Moe and • half has Amid.
taseconly, sad at the same tins that you have mob
this filet nteceseful welt upon your custom revenue,
been taken hon your excise ditties. But is that all,
sir ? Can I Sweet, sir, what marred in this hexes
only this day week, when a right Ina gestimonn.
once a amber of the late sdniniatration, connected in
that sipeeity with the department which peculiarly watches
over the Portend of our trade and aavigatitsa—the member
fur the city of Mencbester—an estive number she of that
confederation whieb has exercised of late years et consider-
able en influence upon the thaws of this country—when
that right hoe. gentleman and down and proposed the
repeal of those duties which virtually would further have
reduced the public income to the amount of 1,400,0001.
Well, then, sir, under these circumstanced, I think the
house will agree with me that not only with regard to the
customs duties, but also with respect to the excise duties,
the minister who would propose to supply the deficiency by

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 1, 1852.

eountxy have been obliged totop OM their Mess to the 4,338,0001., there has been received 3,691,000/. only. And,
Meese of Commis to ensure its peeeisieeel existence, sad lam sorry to say, that that 3,691,0001. cannot be counted
as I have reminded the house, it has sow for two years been on subsequent to the half year in which we have had the
submitted to the severest ordeal a publication's br money advantage of receiving it from the right hon. gentleman,
raising ma undergo, the searching scrutiny of a easamittee because the portion of the window duty received be him will
of the House of Commas, the members of which being cease. We now come to the property tax. The property tax
themselves the victims, are alive to all the grievance, they was estimated at 5,380,0001. ' • and the right hon. gentleman's
enquire into. (Hear, hear.) But if I proceed a step fur- estimate was realised only tothe amount of 6,283,000/.; being
thee, and consider, and try to induce the hones to a diminution of nearly 100,000!. The right hon. gentleman
consider, whether directC taxation is that simple, that facile, estimated the Peet-office at 830,0001. in February last.
and satisfactory method by which revenue can be raised in But here there is a circumstance to be referred to. Such
a country like England ; can I shut my era to a remark- was the extraordinary effect hero of the Great Exhibition
able circumstance with regard to the direction of the Wei- —(ironical cheers and laughter, which interrupted the sen-
dence of taxation which occurred in the last session of this fence.) lion. gentlemen may laugh at my details ; but
parliament ? What was the principal feature of your last 1 can enure them these matters must ho considered
financial year ? The abolition of one of the moat consider- —(cheering}—and when the hon. gentleman opposite (Mr.
able sources of direct taxation. (Hear, boar.) The mi- Hume, we understood) becomes a Chancellor of the Ma-
nistee, by one fell swoop, by repeal of the window duty, , cheeuer, which he may become, he will know and apple.
was depiived of nearly two millions steil;ng raised by direct elate what an inuCCTSB advantage it is to have something
taxation. (" No, no.") I think I shall be able to show Ito give an extraordinary Impulse to consumption
to—l am willing to believe—friendly critics, that lam fully and communication. (Cheers, and laughter.) Because
authorised in my estimate. It was said, to be sure, on that of the effect of the Great Exhibition in this dine.
occasion, that the principle of direct taxation was not in 'ion, I was about to say, the estimated 830,0001. for the
question, and direct taxation, to the amount of nearly two Post-office reached 1046,000 L Besides the effect of the
millions, Wlll at once taken oft; not on fiscal but on sanitary Exhibition upon that branch of the revenue, there was also
considerations. (A laugh.) Every one knows now upon this branch the effect of the census. (Hear, hear.)
that all the sanitary objects winch we wished to The arrangements for the census largely affected the Pott-
ies accomplished, could have been accomplished office ; and our Pest-office bill for the census, if I can trust
*Mk we retained the tax. (" No, no.") my recollection, was nearly 32,000/. Now, that item, of
I think there would be no difficulty in showing that fact, course, cannot figure in any future estimate or return until
Hat no might have preserved the taxes windows, and yet the next censer is taken. The right hon. gentleman call-
ow, obtained the sanitary malts we wished to accomplish. mated the Woods at 160,0001., and the Woods gave but
It was a most plansibbs tatleamoigedierangable pretext, but 150,0001. The right hon. gentleman's estimate for the
the osionoiree Wet Hat etl the Exchequer miscellaneous was 262,000/. ; and the receipts smiler that
het two moillismse which he hod %Ohre derived from direct head were 287,0001. Thu old stores were estimated at
taxation. (Dissent.) I notice the murmuring negative of 450,0001. ; but they realised 39.5,0001. only. I have given
hon. members opposite ' • I waited for it with great interest already the total estimate of the income of the right hon.
es a fresh instance of the important result I wish to impress gentleman ; and I have to state that it untimately turned
ea the house. Hon. members may say that the Chancellor out 52,468,3171. (Chem.) The estimated expenditure of
of the Exchequer dill not loss the two millions, because he the right hon. gentleman for the year which has just ended
substituted the house tax ; but if I were to fix on any mea. wry 60,247,0001.; and the actual expenditure has been
SUM that would more alarm me than another—if lam to 50,291,0001. It is unnecessary fur me to Ito into the items
believe that direct taxation is to be a source to which a of the right hon. gentleman. I have stated, I hope. meth-
, minister of finance is to look for revenue—it would be that cient to place tl:c last year of his official career fairly before
very substitute the recollection of which made an the house—(loud cheers from the opposition)—and, sir, I
hon. member muralist his negative to my previous had, on his behalf, the satisfaction of placing a balance-
statement. The revenue of the country could not bear sheet on the table at the end of the year wherein
that rude assault—that entire loss of two millions sterling &wetted, of course, in pccordanee with the figures 1 have
caused by the repeal of the window tax, and it was !Kees. already given the house, a surplus of 2,176,9881. (Con-
, sary therefore to mid some substitute by which the revenue tinuous cheers front the opposition.) I have now to go
might be sustained. What did you do? You could not go through the estimate of another expenditure and another
to the customs duties in the teeth of that cidulogue of ex- income, in which I can unaffectedly say I sun still more in-
plena I have indicated. You could nut have recourse again termed than in those figures which I have previously
to the excise duty, when you yourselves were continually brought under the consideration of the house. For the
bringing forward motions for the repeal or reduction of the estimated expenditure of this year, indeed, bee Majesty's
excise duties. lass were obliged to have recourse to direct government arc scarcely responsible. (hear, hear.) They
taxation, even while you reduced one source of direct taxa- have, of course, a portion of' responsibility which they do
tion to so enormous an amount. What did you do ? You not wish to escape from. But it is known to the house that
raised direct taxes he a form thanwhich I have always consi• these estimates were prepared by our predecessors ;
dereel itwuimpostibleferdirect taxationto take a morejuat and indeed our responsibility on that head has
or less oppressive-1 mean a house duty. (Hear, hear.) been shared by the house in passing the great
What was the next step? That invaluable weapon in your portion of the late government's propositions. I
financial armoury was taken down carelessly, and used for must, of course, recall the fact, to the recollection of the
an inglorious result. You raised a very small revenue by house. The estimate for the expenditure of this year, the
direct taxation. Out of three millions and a half of houses, year ending 1853, is 51,163,9791., and it is thus formed
following the vicious principle of aleyour direct taxation, fhe funded debt is 27,548,0001. It was lastyear 27,576,980/4
you only touched about 400,000—(ministerial cheers)—thus and there has been that reduction by the action of the Sink-
practically announcing to the people of this country that ing Fund. The interest on Exchequer bins is 402,0001.
direct taxation wax intolerable, unless based on a large Last year it was 401,4451. The total debt therefere is
system of exemption. (hear.) I think I have now shown 27,950,0001. It was last year 27,978,52.11. The other
to the committee some reason, by recalling certain facts to charges on the Consolidated Fund are this year 2,600,0001.
their remembrance, for thus pausing and calmly surveying They were last year 2,614,4611. The total charge on the
their past career. I think I have induced the committee Consolidated Fund therefore is 30,550,0001. Last year it
to be at least of this opinion, that the objectionable modes was 30,592,911 e The army, including the commissariat, is
of raising revenue in this country are not confined to mu. 6,491,8931. The navy is 6,493,0001. But this includes
toms duties, as their early cheep wouldi seem to intimate, 870,1581. for the packet service ; and therefore the expendi.
nor to excess, as my friends near me are of opinion, but ture for the navy is really only 5,622,8421. With the
that if you attempt in this country direct taxation, on any packet service included the estimate is 6,493,0001. The
principle calculated to produce a permanent effect, you are ordnance is 2,493,0001. The miscellaneous, or, as, they are
stopped by the prejudices of this house and of the people, now called, the civil service, are 4,182,0861. I must make
or by their intolerable sense of the incidence of that form a remark on these figures, because the estimate was in
of taxation. The moral 1 would draw from this, and which some degree prepared by the present government. These
I should wish most earnestly to impress upon the house is are the two results: The miscellaneous estimates the; year
that the subject should be moat carefully considered, Ise. are 4,182,086!. Last year they were 4,114,2651. This in-
cause they may rest assured that the time is not far distant crease in the miscellaneous estimates has been occasioned
when they must arrive at a definite conclusion as to the by two circumstances. The first circumstance is the
principles upon which our finances are to be managed. A transference front the Woods and Forest of charges
Chancellor of the Exchequer who has to make • financial to the amount, I think, if I recollect rightly, of something
statement, and is supposed to be in possession of that happy like 65,0001. a year; and, therefore, there is to be calcu.
or embarrassing incident,—a Surplus, is looked upon by lilted a proportionate, or an approach to a proportionate,
both sides of the house as en individual merely put :here increase in the Woods and Forests in the year. The second
for prey or plunder. (Laughter.) In the general scramble circumstance to which I have alluded is the great increase
every one wishes to obtain his own purpose, and no one in connexion with the convict service. The next item
looks to tbe future. (Hear hear.) No one looks to the which I have to mention, among the estimates, is a very
inevitable danger that must be irnpeuding over the finances sorrowful one. It is the item fur the Kaffir war. (Hear,
of a country where all demand relief, while at the same hear.) The house nil. recollect that I moved a vote, very
time they lay down a principle which prevents you raising early after after we acceded to office, of 460,0001., to carry
taxes in any form whatever, whether by excise or customs, on the Kaffir war. When that vote was moved, I confess
on articles of home manufacture, or foreign import, or I was not without hope that it was the last vote of the
even by direct taxation. At this moment we have come kind which would have to be taken into consideration by
as a consequence, the acts of the last ten years have the committee. But the information which subsequently
brought us, to this result that the House of Common die- arrived, and of which hon. members are in possession,
approves of all three methods. (Hear, hear.) Sir, having was pervaded by a character very different from that which
made these observations, which I fear I shall have pain- we had indulged a belief it would assume. It is impossible,
fully to apply in the course of my subsequent remarks, I therefore, with a due sense of what I think becomes a per-
will now call the attention of the committee to the income son responsible for the finances of the country, that I can
and expenditure of the year that has just terminated. It allow that first vote alone to be pressed for on the commit.
was in February, 1851, that the income for the year ending tee. Unquestionably it would be very easy—especially after
last April was estimated by the right han. baronet the having obtained a vote, and the scene of war being where
member for Halifax. Ile estimated on that occasion that there is not that power f ascertaining the state of affairs
we should hate for the year that has just terminated an so correctly as is possessed in regard to European conflicts,
income of 62,140,0001. The actual income which has or to war near at hand—for me to leave something to chance,
accrued has been 52,468,3171. (Loud cheers.) The right and to permit those who have the conduct of the war, if
bon. gentleman, whose actual income so far exceeded they wanted further supply, to draw on the general min.
his estimate, is well intitled to that cheer. But I tory chest. But I hope the committee will agree with me
am bound to say that the estimates I have made do nut in holding the opinion that that would be a very erroneous
sufficient justice to the merits of the right hon. gentleman, and very exceptional principle to act upon—(cheers)—and
because it is not merely the fact that the actual income has that it would be much better to form some, I will not say
exceeded the estimate by more than 310,000!., but 1 may extravagant, but some temperate estimate of what is abso-
sad that in the interval vast remissions of taxation took lately necessary, and to meet the wants of the service by a
place, and notwithstanding these vast remissions, the in- specific vote. (Cheep) Well, then, I have acted on these
come of the year just ended exceeded the estimate for 1831. considerations. I know that there is a very great prejudice
(Hear, hear.) lu that year the right hon. gentleman re- with regard to the conduct of wars in distant dependencies,
pealed the window tax, by which a loss of 640,0001. on the where what occurs is not the subject of criticism and infer.
year was experienced by him, after allowiog, of course, for milieu, as in countries nearer at been. But lam bound to
the substitute of the house tax, and within that period the say this—that the commissariat of our army at the Cape is
right hon. gentleman reduced the duty upon coffee and under the immediate control of the Treasury, that the
timber, having also to encounter one of the moat Treasury is responsible for the officers it has sent out to
considerable reductions that has occurred on the sugar conduct operations there; that all the despatches, and even
ditties. Yet notwithstanding that great remission of direct the private journals of these officers saw forwarded to the
taxation, notwithstanding that reduction on three of the Treasury ; that it has been my duty to be acquainted with
most important articles of import, the income of their communications, and I can say most pointedly that I
I the right hon. gentleman exceeded his estimate, which was have fulfilled that duty by reading every line that has
made without reference to theee reductions, by. a sum of arrived, including the private journals of the officers em-
more than 310,0001. (Cheers.) On that occasion the right played, and lam most deceived if these are not men who
hon. gentleman estimated the Customs at 20,400,0e01., and are animated by an eager and anxious desire to do their
be then anticipated, from the reduction oe the duty on duty by this country. (Hear, hear.) I believe that they
sugar, on coffee, and on timber, a loss of 600,0001., which, have accomplished considerable reductions in the conduct of
however, trusting to increased powers of consumption in these operations; nor do I think that lam using the lan
the community, he placed in his budget as only 400,0001. guago of exaggeration when I say that the commis-
Therefore the Customs were really estimated by the right eared was never carried on with more efficiency or with
hon. gentlemen at only_2o millions, while we have obtained greater regard to genuine economy. (Hear, hear.) Raking,
from them 20,673,0001. (Loud cheers.) Sir, 1 think then, all these circumstances into consideration—and I
it due to the right honourable gentleman, and could prove the strict correctness of my last observation by
with all courtesy to him, I think it of still more referring to the surplus left this year from the vote of
importance to him, and it is interesting to the HOMO of last year, a vote of 300,0001. taken by the right hon. gentle-
Commons and the country, that we should, with the lights man opposite--and calculating, as I do, the assistance of
which our experience furnishes, trace the action on the cue. that surplus which by the good management of these gentle-
toms revenue of the remissions of the right hon. gentleman. men we have got from the 3000001.—L do not think that that
(Hear, hear.) The duty on coffee was reduced last year vote, which I myself have taken, of 460,0001., can be safely.
from 6d. on foreign and 4d. on colonial, to uniform duty relied upon for carrying us on further than the end
of 3d. per pound, as the committee well remember, of May or the beginning of June. (Hear, hear.) Under
and these arc the effects which that reduction has bad upon these circumstances I kayo made up my mind, with
consumption. I shall first take the foreign coffee. For the sanction of my colleagues, and on behalf of the
the year ending 1851 there was an increase in the eon government, to propose an additional vote of 200,000/.
sumption of foreign coffee of 2,076,37511 u. In the year ending (Cries of " Oh, oh," and cheers.) If, therefore, the com-
April, 1852, the increase in the consumption of foreign mince should sanction that additional vote, the Kaffir war
coffee rose to 5,524,0001 th, being an increase on 1841 of must figure in the estimate at 660,0001. There is yet an•
3,448,00011 n. (Loud cheers.) Nor was this increase obtained other item, for which we are responsible in the estimated
at the expense of the growers of colonial coffee. (Hear, expenditure of this year, and that is for the militia. (Loud
hear.) In 1851, we imported 28,216,0001b1. of colonial cries of " Oh, oh.") lion. gentlemen need not be alarmed
coffee, and in 1852, after the reduction of the duty, and —it really is not much more than the majority which air-
during the great increase in the consumption of foreign ' proved of our bill. (Great cheers and laughter.) M
coffee, instead of 28,216,00011 n., we imported 29,140,0001 th. estimate is exactly 350,0001. (Cheers and renewed laughter;
of colonial coffee. (Loud cheers.) In 1850, we imported The total estimated expenditure for the year ending April
32,611,0101b5. of foreign and colonial coffee, and in 1852 it 1853, will therefore, be 51,163,9791. Now, sir, I come to
had risen to 34,650,0001 be The right hon. gentleman cal. consider the sources of supply. (Cries of " Rear, hear.)
culated that the loss of eduty would be 176,000 e, and the The house will by this time, I trust, perceive that ;he few
amount really was 112,0001. (Cheers.) The committee observations I have
.presumed, at the outset, to make upon
also recollects that the right hon. gentleman reduced the general financial position of the country, and upon the
the duty on foreign timber from 15s. to 7s. f-l. a load temper of the committee on the subject have nut been in.
on hewn or sawn timber, for which he estimated appropriate. The question before us is how no are to meet
a loss of 176,0001. ; whereas the actual lose was 126,0001. this expenditure; and I now coma to estimate the income.
(Hear, hear.) The house will, I hope, tolerate these do- (Hear, hew.) The customs realised last year, as will be
tails, as I think they should understand our present pod. fresh in the recollection of the committee, was 20,673,954/.
which may lead to the most important conclusions, I But that Wall a remarkable year; and the circumstances
particularly to show what have been the effects of the which acted, as I have detailed, on the revenue derivable
redaction on foreign timber. In 1851 we imported of from the Poet-office, so much to the astonishment of geu-
foreign timber 275,000 loads, in 18.52, 440,000; and if you tlemen opposite, operated very much alas on our
tome to colonial timber, you will find in 1851, 619,000 customs revenue. There was a very great impulse
loads; in 1862, 671,000 loads. (Hear, hese) In 1851 we given to consumption, no doubt, by the very great gather-
imported 3.52,000 loads of foreign sawn timber; and in mg of last year—not merely by the visits to this country
18i2, 514,000 loads. In 1851 of colonial sawn timber of foreigners, though this had some effect, but by the
we imported 444,000 loads ; said in 1862, notwithstanding very great increase of travelling that took place, and by
the increase in the import of foreign timber, we increased in the general spirit of enterprise that pervaded the whole
colonial to 626,000 loads. Thus of hewn and sawn timber island. (Cheers.) Now, site calculating these exceptional
we imported in 1861 only 628,000 loads, and in 1852 the '
circumstances, I do not feel justified in counting upon any
impoitation had risen to 951,000 loads. I think I ought very considerable increase of customs revenue. Indeed,
also to mention the great increase that took place in the quite the reverse. I have losses to encounter, which the
import of colonial timber. In 1851 it was 1,071,000 loads, committee must not forget. 1 have to encounter this year a
in 1852 1,200,000 loads. (hear, bear) But great as were further reduction of the sugar duties—(hear, hear) ; and
these results of the reduction on coffee and timber, much though the calculated amount of that reduction would be
as their consumption was increases), the ineren.c in the not so considerable as was experienced by the right hon.
consumption of sugar is so much more remarkable that I gentlemen, still lam not sanguine that the result would be
think it my duty to call the attention of the house to the so completely and triumphantly successful this yeur as it was
Agent. (Loud opposition cheers.) We imported in 18.51 last year. I think wo meet calculate upon some
of British colonial and foreign sugar 7,200,000 cwt., and in sou from the reduction of tlaesugar duties; end the esti-
1g52 7,613,000, being an inercose of 413,000 cwts. (Loud op- mated loss will be 144,000/. But that may be extreme ; for
position cheers.) In short, since the alteration in the duties, after the marvellous cults—(cheers from the opposition)—
our annual increase has been no less than 1,900,000 cwt. I have communicated to the house this evening one is nate-
(Protracted cheering.) With regard to British unrefined telly sanguine. (Cheers.) Still, however, last year, as
sugar, our
imports in 18.51 were 5,093,000 cwt., and in 1862 regards consumption, was it n exceptional year;
and we
6,207,000 cwt., being an increase of 114,000 cwt. During should be blind to the truth if we treated that as an averse
the last six years the consumption of sugar in this country year. lam calculating, therefore, that there wilThe'some
has increased 9.1,000 tuns, being really an increase of 33 per loss to the revenue (ruin Pug sr; and under these cif-
OW. on tbe consumption of the year of 1316. (Tremendous cumstances, taking into consideration that there was an in-
cheering from the opposition.) And now, sir, as regards crease last year from extraordinary consumption, and
the revenge, which is the main subji et I have taking into consideration, also, the further and inevitable
le
_lisle before you. The revenue on sugar in reduction of the sugar duties, I have thought it
186 a was 4,163,5341., being, although we calculated on mest prudent, after examining all the items, and
• loos of upward. of 330,0001. or 310,000/ea real low% of only having given to the subject the utmost deliberation I
3001. upon the year. (Loud cheers.) I must now proceed could, to take the customs at the same amount as that
with the estimated ince ne in detail for 1841 and 1852, as which they reached the year before the Exhibition, vie., in
estimated by the right hon. gentleman. I have shown you 1840-51. (Hear, hear.) Therefore, I take the:customs at
thee, instead of the 20 millions wo anticipated, we received 20,572,0001., which is rather more than 100,000 e less than
20.673,000/., and that in the excise, which was estimated at was received in the course of the year which is just con-
-14,000,0001., we received at the end of the year 14,e13,000/. eluded. I now, sir, come to the excise. In the excise it
The right hon. gentleman estimated the stamps at will be necessary to alculate some reductions also, front the
6,310,0001., and he received for stamps—at teasels° received stage carrioge and railway duties, the incrciuto lest year
fee him—(laughter)-6,316,0001., being a slight increase, having arisen from the same causes which I have adverted
He- estimated, for taxes, 4,338,000/. But, in consequence to in connexion with the customs—causes which the hon.
of the reduction of the window duty, and the only partial gentleman opposite (Mr. Hume, we uoderstood)—who ha.
substitution of the house tax, instead of that estimated not given so much attention to this subject as he may next

NAPIER said he hell trot far v& Wig opi- f ImpeonisellEeloiguathar of mount would]
a the subject yet. Whig thy bad ltd Ele Win entlehtvries ettremely dil:ult. Bat, h
evidesce, cad the vieweetEm aameMai !Wel '
loins on the eehieetteelee -eepeeted Mthe hem.. he the dlficalties at an individual fa my i
l endeavour to jggrodaggir,kmonauage samag)g gai. liadild by than two brandies of revenue
a the end* ofje4lee.' t. 7 . jest Meshed. We ham a greet deal in
s
•and often from hon. gentlemen opposite,
MB BUDGET. mode of raising revenue by whet they cal
1 house haviog metrimd itmedfistemmemmittee of ways (" Hear, boar," from Mr. Hume.)
WADS. that cheer as evidence of the attem
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