The Express.
London, England, 1856-04-04 00:00:00

(Stamped ld. Additional.) [TWOPENCE.

WINE DUTIES ABDUCTION.

DEPUTATION TO LORD Pl

A numerous and influential deputation waited c
Lord Palmerston yesterday, at his reddens, es this &loot.
The following were the gentlemen eosposieg the depute.
Moo: —llr. B. Oliveira, M.P.; Mr. Jobe bf *Gregor, 11. P.;
Mr. A. J. Otway, M P. ; Mr. W. Scholefield, M.P.; 1111 r.
W. H. G. Lengths, M.P.; Sir George Goodman, 11-Pt
Mr. Aston, M.P. ; Mr. Milligan, M.P. ; Mr. Pithinecn,
Mr. Dencombe, M.P.; Mr. Z. A. haul; Mr.
Montage Chambers, 11. P. ; Mr. Thomson Hankey, 11. P.;
Colonel Ruehoat, M.P. ; Mr. Moffatt, M.P. ; Mr. Oudeer,
M.P.; Mr. Meets'; Mr. George Mayor of Leeds; Mr.
BetteriU ; Mr. Lambert; Molars. W. White, Henry Bea-
ton, C. Rookery, and B. Bamford, from the Anglo-French
' Free Trade Association of the Staffordshire Potteries; Dr.
Bird, Mr. H. Birchen, Mr. Mantis Thacker sy, Mr. Thomas
Ashton, Mr. C. Potter, Mr. 11. Ashworth, V P. Chamber of
Commerce, Manchester; Mr. Oreavee, 16. P.; Mr. Smith,
Motorises, Beadlbrd ; Mr. Bailey,ll.P.; Mr. Hervey Learief;
Mr. T. Salt, President of the Chamber et Cenneeree, Bred-
lord ; Mr. J. Appleyard, Mayor of Halifax i-IdastmnaGe-i
Gnaw; Mr. Ripley, Hanle:; Mr. Gordon Oyll ; Mr.
Brett, X.R.C.S.; Mr. Oliveira, jun. ; Alderman
Corluid ; Mr. Smith Chili, M.P.; Dr. Hessen ;
Dr. Mclean; Mr. Chatham, M.P.; Mr. Richard-
s., M.P.; Colossi Starr; Mr. A. Follett, M.P.;
Hes. Mr. Clow. r, M.P.; Mr. Jas. Heywood, M.P.; Mr.
Adderley, M.P.; Dr. Enos; Mr. Len, 111. P.; Mr. W.
3esere,ll.P.; Mr. Laing, 11. P.; llir.Wickhere, 11. P.; Mr.
ilmobre/L Chambord Commerce, Menchester; Mr. Gnus',
M.P.; Rev. Geo. Jepson, M.A.; Mr. Donald Nicoll; Mr.
Cobden, 11. P.; Mr. Hadfield, M.P.; Mr. Swart, M.P.;
Hon. A. Hinnaled, M.P. ; Mr. Damao, M.P. ; Mr. Francis
Wedgwood, Potteries; Dr. Brady, M.P.; 0. Forster, M.P.
Mr. Orevaine., M.P., who introduced the deputathie,
placed before his lordship sons of the fasts committed with
the importeat subject of the vie* dative.
Lord PALMIIISTOW, In reply, said that it was not neces-
sary to urge upon him the merits of the g I question—
that of fru trade and unrestricted intercouue between
mistime. He was thoroughly convinced of its advantage.
Every man who had latterly paid any attention to this sub-
jut, end be among the number, was convinced that duties
were not to be imposed with Tamen to protection of any par-
ticular in bet solely for the sake of revenue, and in such
a meaner as to cripple trade as little es possible. But his
experience led him to the conclusion that commercial trea-
ties were to be avoided as far as they ineloded a binding of
arch government to particular tar fft. Rich government
had • right ty ralee its revenue in the way villa
appeared heat to itself. W. can only, then, say to
France, we outsider our duties os some of ;our goods are
high, and we will lower them if you wiz lower your duties
on ureic' articles of ours. But there were !real prejudices
and other reasons which bad elvers hitherto prevented
such critique being curled out, although they had been
tried with Fresco and other countries. Tree only point,
thee, to be considered, wee the interests of the revenue sad
the cossomer. The but way to get a reduction of the
duties of foreign countries, was to show them, by example,
bow we prosper under tea principle of free trade. Mr.
Oliveira bed alluded to adulteration which, however, wee
not • recent evil. I remember (aid his lordship) my grand-
father, Lord Pembroke, when he placed wine beton his
guests, said—" There, gentlemen, is my champagne, my
dint, Ac. I em no great judge, and I give you
this oa the authority of my wine merebeat; b. t I can
larger for my port, for I made it myself." I still have hie
leteeipt, which I look on as a curiosity ; but I confess I have
never 'ventured t• try it. The only question then 1., if the
mho( taxation is bad or the rate to) high t There ere so
May difficulties la the way of an ad valorem duty as to
reader it impracticable, so the mode mutt tenths as it is.
The present duty is about Is. pi r bottle, and the price to the
Consumer fries 6r. to 6e. This is under 26 per cent , and
eannot weigh heavily. I ban never been able to see why
cheep wines sboald cot be imported. A wine which witboat
duty would sell at Ir. 6i. per buds would only now nest the
eonatuner lit. Id.; sad I think there would be • donated Log
such winos. If the duty were reduced to one-half, say St.
per bottle, this would only make a differentia to the son.
semen of 6d. in the 6s. or 6e. in high priced wines. and 61.
in the 2a. 6d. in low priced wines. This would not be suf.
Beirut to inerene the oessumption very much, and would
materially affect the revenue. Besides, any aureate In the
use of wine would diminish the use of other articles which
now pay duty, such as ale end spirits. lem glad however
that this deputation have laid their views before me, and
they may net assured that when we see any means of im-
proving our commercial relatioos with France without
encleageriog our re ttttt it shell not be overlooked.
The deputation thee aok their leave.