The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-20 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN TAXATION. DEPUTATION TO
EARL Daluiv.—A deputation, representative of nearly the
whole of the metropolitan vestries and district boards,
waited upon Lord Derby yesterday at his official residence
in Downing-street, in reference to the bill introduced into
parliament by Mr. Ayrton and Mr. Tile for the purpose
of levying a rate of 41 in the pound over the whole me-
tropolis for the carrying out of metropolitan improve-
ments. The deputation was introduced by Mr. Harvey
Lewis, M.P. and Mr. Thomas Chambers, M.P. Mr.
Salter Jonathan : said the apology of the deputation for
waiting upon his lordship was the importan'e of the sub-
ject. Taxation had become so oppressive that it had become
difficult to collect the rates from the poorer class. Indeed,
it was heartrending to see the number of poor persona
that had recently been summoned for rates m the pariah
o? St. Pancras. He then proceeded to read the memo-
rial of the deputation, which, after urging • variety of
objections to the bill, quoted some extracts from letters
written by Sir John Thwaitcs, the chairman of the Me-
tropolitan Board of Works, in which he stated ea his opi-
nion that no further taxation ought, without pressing ne-
cessity, to be cast upon the ratepayers. The memorialists
concluded by urging that the proposed rate ought
not to be laid, but that the sums required for
metropolitan improvements ought to be provided from
the hackney (arrow duties and the coal and wine dues.
After some discussion, Lord Derby admitted that the
power of the Metropolitan Board of Works was not
limited, but the alteration made by the bill was that
whereas its previous powers were exercised upon the occu-
piers of property, they would now be exercised upon the
owners, and although the latter might in some cases
recoup themselves, be rather suspected that in the majority
of cases they would not be able to do so. His lordship
then quoted extract", showing that there was a limitation
as to the mode of imposition. What, however, be wished
particularly to draw their attention to was that the
question was not a new one, but that it was
taken into consideration by the late government.
He held • memorandum in his hand which showed
that the government consented to continue the coal and
wine dues for five years on condition that an improvement
rate should be also made. As soon as the existing govern-
ment cone into power they were Much pressed to intro-
duce the bill, but they thought it would be much better
for the Metropolitan Board to do that, and then, follow-
ing the example of their predecessors, they promised to
support it. He was afraid lie could not hold out any hope
that the government would recede from their decision. He
did not see how in good faith or honesty they could refuse
to carry out the promise they had given. Several members
of the deputation then addressed his lordship, urging that
the ratepayers were wholly unable to bear the proposed
taxation, and representing that the question of metro-
politan improvement was a national, and not • local quite-
non. The deputation, having thanked his lordship, then
withdrew.

Tile FACTORY ACT EXTENSION BILL.--A meeting
of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce took place yes-
terday, for the purpose of considering the bills now before
parliament for extending the Factory Act, and for regu-
lating the hours of labour. After a long discussion, the
following resolution was adopted :—" That it is desirable
that all lace and hosiery warehouses should be under the
saine law, and it is the opinion of the chamber that
the provisions of the Hours of Labour Regulation
Bill,' with some modifications, will satisfactorily
hprotect all persons employed in the lace and
osiery trades, and the chamber therefore desires that
lace and hosiery warehouse* be exempted from the Factory
Act Extension Bill, and that the Hours of Labour Regula-
tion Rill be passed with such modifications as are necessary
is the interest both of employers and employed in the
lace and hosiery trade." In case, however, of the non-
acceptance by the government of the principle of the
above resolution, the chamber unanimously passed the
following: "That in the ' permanent modifications' in
the Factory Act Extension Bill the words 'seven in the
evening,' be altered to ' eight in the evening.'" A depu-
tation was appointed to wait upon the Mums Secretary
for the furtherance of the above object.
CRYSTAL PALACE. 0111 811ILLING DAT.—
rcEsDAT, MARCH 19.—A•treheione on payment. 245; ditto.
by season tickets., 41G. Total viaitort„ tkiL