The Press.
London, England, 1857-01-31 00:00:00

102

whole world. Mr. Bass, M.P., addressed the meet-
ing, advocating direct taxation as far as practicable.
He did not wish it to be thought that he was pre-
pared to go to Parliament to vote absolutely against
the tax without considering the exigencies of the
country. lie believed they did not wish him to give
such a pledge, and reminded the meeting that,
though Lord Paninure had promised a reduction of
20,000,0001., they had burrowed 20,000,0001. last
year, which would have to be repaid. The resolu-
tions were carried, and the members for the borough
were requested to support them in Parliament.
A public meeting was held at KNARESBOROUGH on
Tuesday last, called in accordance with a requisition
from inhabitants of all shades of politics, to petition
Parliament for the " reduction or abolition of the
tax." The Rev. Thomas Collins was called to the
chair. Both the members for the borough, Mr.
Basil Woodd, and Mr. John Dent, addressed the
meeting. Mr. Woodd thought the war portion of the
tax should be got rid or next April. Mr. Dent
doubted whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer
could dispense with it so soon. A resolution for the
immediate reduction and eventual abolition of the
tax was carried. A second resolution was also passed
(under protest from the chair as being beyond the
scope of the requisition calling the meeting) against
the inquisitorial and unequal mode of assessment.
The chairman, dissenting from this resolution, de-
clined to sign the petition on behalf of the meeting,
and it was determined that separate signatures
should be obtained.

A county meeting was held on Saturday in the
Town hall, at HAVERFORDWEST, for the purpose of
protesting against the income and property tax.
The chair was tilled by Mr. L. Mathias, sheriff; and
the following resolution was passed :
That for the property and income tax to be imposed
upon the country fur the support of the war more than one
year after the restoration of pence would be inconsistent
with the Act of Parliament, and a breach of faith with the
public ; and that a petition to this effect be drawn up, and
that the member for the county (Viscount Emlyn) be
requested to present it to the House of Commons.

At ARUNDEL a meeting was held on Friday, relative
to the income tax, when a letter was read from Lord
G. G. A. Howard, M.P., in which the following pas-
sage occurs :

Any o.ie would express my sentiments by saying that,
while I should regard taxation as a subject not to be dealt
with by excitement or haste, yet that I wish much to see
the abolition,if possible, or at least a very great diminution
of the income tax. That if we are to have further wars, an
income tax is necessary ; but I trust not to have further
war, and I do sincerely hope that we are not going hastily
to spend British blood and treasure on Persian soil, which
I would fain hope is the only present reason whereby the
income tax should be continued at anything like its pre•
s nt rate.

Resolutions condemning the continuance of the war
Ud., and a petition praying for a revision of the tax,
were agreed to.

At TORQUAY, Mr. Palk, M.P., speaking at a meet-
ing of the inhabitants, held last week, to memo-
rialise the Queen for a modification of the income
tax, said :

believe that had there been a due economy—nay, I
will not even say that—but that had there not been an
undue waste of public money, the income tax, which you
have so nobly and cheerfully submitted to up to the pre-
sent moment, would have been sufficient to have paid for
the expenses of the war, and that you might have reverted
this session to the state you were in before the commence•
ment of the war, hearing in mind the pledge of the than•
cellor of the Exchequer, that in 1460 the income tax was
finally to be dispensed with. However, I believe that it is
well known to you all, that there was no such economy
practised by the Government ; and I very much doubt
whether you will hear anything from the Crown to lend you
to believe that this income tax will be done without. 1
do not believe that Government will take advantage of the
quibble which would enable them to maintain the nine•
pence in the pound fir 'mother year; but 1 do believe that
the Clumcellor of the Exchequer will have to appeal to the
patriotism of the c tnntry, and ask them to renew that
ninepence for another year.

At But a large meeting was held on Thursday
night against the income tax. Mr. Frederick Peel,
M.P., Wag present, and said he thought the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer would fully indorse the
opinion expressed by the meeting, that it was expe-
dient to r.•duce the tax to sevenpence iu the pound
from the 5111 of April next.

At EVESIIAM a meeting against the income tax was
held on Wednesday. Resolutions were carried de•
daring the present tax excessive, and the principle of
taxing professional income and that derived from
capital alike unjust. Sir H. Willoughby, one of the
members of the borough, was present, and, in the
course of his speech, observed that the war portion
of the tax ought to be removed after the sth of April
next, and the whole as soon as possible. As to the
capitalisation of incomes, which had been talked
about by the Liverpool financial reformers, he would
'hose gentlemen lest they fell i" out of the
into the flre."

THE PRESS.

At TOTNES a public meeting was held on Tuesday,
at which resolutions and a petition to Parliament,
praying for the reduction of the war 01, and the
general revision of the tax, were adopted.
In EDINBURGH, at a meeting of the town council
on Tuesday, Councillor Mackinlay introduced a
motion to the effect that the property and income
tax was excessive, and ought to be immediately re-
duced to the original amount of 7d. in the pound ;
and that the tax ought to be abolished on all incomes
of 1501. and under, as being oppressive and highly
impolitic. Bailie Clark proposed an amendment to
the eff..ct that the income tax was excessive, and
ought to be immediately reduced to the lowest pos-
sible rate which the requirements of' the country will
bear. After some discussion, in which several
members objected to petitioning for the exemption
of small incomes. Councillor Mackinlay altered his
motion to the effect of petitioning Parliament to
reduce the tax to the sum fixed by the act of 1853.
The vote was then taken, when Bailie Clark's amend-
ment was lost by 24 to 5 ; and the motion of Coun-
cillor Mackinlay, as amended, was carried by 17
to 10.

At RHYL also a public meeting was held, to petition
Parliament for a considerable modification, if not a
total abolition. of the income tax. Resolutions were
passed, to the effect that the mode of levying the
tax is so inquisitorial and fallacious, that injustice
and dishonesty are the inevitable result, and that if
direct taxation be advisable, means more in accord-
ance with the principles of justice ought to be de-
vised. A petition was numerously signed, to be pre-
sented to the House of Commons by Sir John
lianmer, Bart., MA'.

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