The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-23 00:00:00

THE HOP DUTY.

Mr. HOMES then rose to move for leave to bring in a
bill to reduce the excise duty on hops. As this subject had
be.n so lately before the house he would not at that hour
of the night trcspeas on their attention at any length. What
he proposed was, that the duty should be reduced from 2d.
to Id. a lb. after a certain date to be named in the act, and
that the present amount of duty due to the government should
be paid. The system of credit which the excise practised
before they collected the tax, although it might have been
an alleviation to the hop grower when it was first adopted,
was an aggravation of the evil of the tax itself.
""%e commissioners

The of excise had reported against the con-
tinuano. of escise credits, and the object he had in view
was to carry out their recommendation. His hill consi,ted
of one snacting clause, naming the duty from 2d. to
Id. on the pound from and after the list of December next;
and he ht keyed that his proposition, it carried, would be
beneficial hoth to the comumer and the hop planter.
Mr. 13. HOPE seconded the motion.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER resisted the
proposition. He believed that if the system of credits
were abolished all parties would be benefited. The credit
system, however, and the reduction of the duty were dis-
tinct questions, and he was willing to put an
end to the 11 credits, if the hop planters were
unanimous in asking for it. Ile found, on reference to the
returns, that at the time when 48,000,0001b5. of home-
grin n hops paid duty, only 2.i0,0001b5. of foreign hops were
imported. The reduction of duty, therefore, which had
taken place was nut such as practically to admit foreign
hops into the country ; on the contrary, the home grower
had a conplete protection against the foreigner. If the
present proposal were to place the home produce and the fo-
reigner ou the same footing, there might be something of
fairness about it. The fact wss that the duty upon hops
was paid by the consumer one yoar with another. (" No,
no.") There were, to be sure, exceptional circumstances,
in which the producer paid the duty; that was, when a
larger quantity of land was brought into cultiva-
tion of hops than there was any necessity for. (Hear.)
There was a system of agitation prevalent in the hop grow-
lag counties against the pay-meat of the hop duty that was
anything bat creditable. Ile held in his hand the copy of
a letter which appeared in a Sussex newspaper, and which
bore the signature of a person who acted as land agent to
many gentlemen in that locality, the object of which was to
Indere the tenantry not to pay the hop duty. The letter
bore the aiguature " Thomas Naive,' and went on to say
"those who pay hop duty this year will be expected to pay
their rents; but such as cannot pay both rent soil Imp duty,
it is to be hoped they will pay their rents first." (" Hear,"
and Laughter.) He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer)
doubted not the writer of that letter was known to some
Lou. gentlemen present.
Mr. L. HOLKIES—I know him; he is my steward.
(" Her hear," and laughter.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought
the house should mark its sense of such proceedings b
not encouraging further agitation ou the subject. (Hear.)
Mr. B. HOPE said the Chancellor of the Exchequer
might be assured that all things should come to an end.
The hop growers might have been able heretofore to pay,
the duty, but the smash would only be the greater when at
came.

Mr. BASS said he was anxious to state then, as on a
former .-casion, that neither the hop duty nor the importa-
tion of foreign hope led to a iliminunun of cultivation as the
main ground of distress amongst the hopgruwers. It was
the extraordinary ductuation of the plant that led to that
distress. In 1837 there were 58,000 acres under hops • in
1813 there were 43,000 acres ; in 1847, upwards of 52,000
acres ; and in 18.50, the number fell to 43,000 acres.
Thera was no duty of which the producer paid so large •
proportion as the hop duty ; and fur that, as well as the
fluctuating nature of the crop, ho would support the propo-
sition of the hon. member for Kent.
_ _

Sir E. FILMEIL, u member for West Kent, would feel
*shamed if he did not support the motion before the house.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer might laugh at their re-
presentations, but he defied the right hon. gentleman to
Ind a tenant in all Kent who had not for the last two years
paid his rent out of his capital. ((tear, hear.)
Mr. EULLEII supported the motion.
Colo el SIBTHORI' opposed the motion, stating as his
reason for taking this course that he could not consent to
take a partial and sectional ♦iew of the question of agricul-
tural distress.

lirTE.IiiVEN considered that the cue of the growers
of hops was peculiarly entitled to attention, sad should
therefore support the motion.

Mi. COBBBN maid not understeed the tactics of the
Meads awl Mebane of the of baps. They appeand
to idea to Mete lame for everything
which was that hey pat their ewe in a
way which Mdsethose to vote for them who
would be willing smash to vote for the removal of en
excise tai. Properly pat, their case woe an excellent one.
In order to collect the sum of 300,000 L we had to disperse a
little army of tax pliNgolll over a few mastics.
more preposterous sad barbarous could be conceited,
each a spawn wM ti .sun eat of Turkey. But the biz
growers could net ewes in sekinig the sheikhs of
nuisance. These wee sone meths belied whisk seamed
provost their offeeskr. la the domed. Those VIM woo
great hoppowan- la ItY Lea who dill use want the hely
off. The woe esedwr parry who oft wiewoil Iwif the
duty otr. They with ethers. tine were Maids hers about
a free trade is hos.
Afti r • few wards from Mr. PIA
Mr. 110110118 replied. With respect to the letter from
Neon., Le had heard nothing of it until he had seen it in
• newspaper.
The house then divided—

27
Against it
KENSINGTON GARDENS.

Mr. Ilt-ME;;;;TWWallii-.ic;;01,;;i the order in
council, or letter from the Treasury, sanctioning the altera-
tions lately made in Kensington-gardens by the First Com-
missioner of the Woods and Forests. And, also, copy or
extract of any memorial or application made to the Lonts of
the Treasury or to the Commissioners of the Woods and
Forests for permission for horsemen to ride in Kensington-
gardens.
Lord SEYMOUR having offered a brief explanation of
the facts,
Mr. HOME observed that the commissioners had it seemed
aided illegally in opening the gardens to equestrians with-
out obtaining a proper order from the Privy Council.
(Laughter.)
Mr. COW/EN thought that if it had been known at the
time the permission hail been given for equestrians to ride
in Kensington-gardens how little the Exhibition would
have interfered with them, such permission would never
have been conceded to them. lie hoped, however, it would
be only a temporary concession. (Hear.) The Exhibition
had now realised the expectations of everyone—(cheers)—
and he thought everybody would feel bound to give up some
small portion of his personal convenienn topromote so great
as object. (Hear, hear.) Ile hoped after this year the ride
is the gardens would be discontinued. (Cheers.)

Colonel SIBTHORP declared with ea unergy that ex-
cited musk aniimmisat that tho Exhibition bed not realised
the eapeginligo gfiligepone. la them Wen, new times,
itanslbi ts siltsrlawns ss liesilman hit in making
spot the intlibertiesofthe sub-
Jost. Andily the ilrf tCl44:mi, lame& ! The Lord
&Him ems i/0111 such Meads. (Loud lensltter.) Formerly
It=rtesaht c.ifinpumend 'pug, might enj ey
y the parks ad wises ; but that
itioriZeighadi bees invaded, and he mlitt I For the sake
if a Hale dirty popularity. (I. titer.) He never
et the building without dot it was a disgrace
tolls gauntry. (Cheers.) It was • to them to en-
camp *reigns's to the disadvantage of the tax-paying
POO* ef this emetry—(cheere)--sed they talked of the
of three whoa thepest
crowds that weft te IWt it t ! The peapis that did so were
I demilted as
(Laughter Mira Mil a milk gild mats straw.
.) Wily he Mil sees Mlle 'NUM
to gage at a dead est 686. e new. (laraghter.) in a square
After a few suede M. Lard C. limalles, Mr. Lobos-
there, sad Mr. Mahlon, the communion dropped.
KAFFIR WAR.
Mr. HUME moved for a copy or extract of the despatch
for the Cape of Good Hope, stating the expenses already
incurred in the Kafilr War, up to the latest date, and the
estimate for the future, for which the vote for 300,0001. is
to be proposed.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
he estimated the expense at three or four hundred thousand
pounds, hut that was a pmt.'s
Mr. HUME thought it more likely it would cost the
country a million.
Motion withdrawn.

WHITE HERRING FISHERY.
On the motion of the Lona ADVUCATI, leave was
given to bring in a bill to amend the acts relating to the
British white herring fishery.
INCOME TAX.
Mr. HUME proceeded, in terms of notice, to nominate
the select committee on the income tan, when
Several members urged delay in the emanation of so im-
portant a committee.
Mr. Ht:ME then, by consent, postponed the subject till
this day (Friday).
SALE OF ARSENIC REGULATION BILL.

This bill as asseaded was amassed, sad the amend-
ments were agreed to.
APPRENTICES TO AEA SERVICE (IRELAND

NO. 2) BILL.
This bill, as amended, was conaiderad, and ra-corn.
misted.

LODGING-HOUSES BILL.
On the order of the day being read for the
of thieAmended

Mr. HENLEY moved that it be re-committed.

Loral ASHLEY considered that the better course to
adopt with this measure would be to re-commit it, with the
view of referring it to a select committee.
The bill was accordingly re-committed.
STAMP DUTIES (IRELAND) CONTINUANCE BILL.
This bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed this day (Friday).
ADVERTISING 'VANS AND BARREL ORGANS.
Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice that, on Tuesday next,
he would move for leave to bring in a bill relating to the
travelling vans and barrel-organ nuisances. (Laughter.)
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and
the house adjourned at a quarter-punt one o'clock.

'ARY COMMITTEES.

SMITHFIELD MARKET REMOVAL BILL. Yester-
day the committee on the Smithfield Market Removal Bill,
brought in by Sir George Grey and Mr. Cornewall Lewis,
for appointing commissioners, and providing a Metropolitan
market and conveniences, in lieu of Smithfield, met for the
first time in committee room, No. 1, Mr. E. Cardwell
Liverpool) in the chair. Present : Sir Gibson Craig
Edinburgh), Sir J. Duke (London), Mr. Milnes Gaskell
Wenlock), Mr. W. Miles (East Somerset), Mr. Burroughs
Norfolk), Mr. Stafford (Northampton), Mr. Ifeneage (De-
vises), and Mr. Clifford (Hereford). The bill is brought in
as a " public " or a government bill, but to give the oppos-
ing parties an opportunity of being present, it has been
thought expedient to subject it to the ordinary course of pro.
reeding adopted in connexion with private bills. Mr. Serjt.
Wrangham,Q.C.; Mr. F. F.Ellis and Mr.A. Pulling appeared
sem:masa and Messrs. Lyon, Barnes, and Ellis as agents for
the bill. There was a crowd of counsel fur the various City
interests against the bill. Mr. Talbot, Q.C., Mr. Hope,
Q.C., Mr. Merewether, and Mr. Holy, appearing for the
Lord Mayor, aldermen, and corporation of the City, for the
Butchers Company, and salesmen of the metropolitan
district. Mr. Burke and Mr. Magenic for the ratepayers
and churchwardens of St. Sepulchre; Mr. Serjeant Wilkins
and Mr. R. Kettle, oa behalf of the owners and occupiers of
! land in Smithfield, with counsel for other interests. Alto
I gether there were 10 petitioners by mama against the
bill, and a large number of petitiess teem the agricultural
' districts and elsewhere were upon the table. Although
having no locus slondi before the omunittee, there were
parties present] representing the Libigton Cattle Market
and Metropolitan Cattle Market Campmates.