The Express.
London, England, 1860-02-22 00:00:00

TEE BUDGET KEATING&

• TEE Will AND SPIRIT TRADE.
Yeelsetikty a public =retie, of the wholesale wine
and gbh lassie was held at the London Tavern, to cousider
the government scheme of assessing the wine duties by the
skoUlie test, and the importance of obtaining an under-
stewing from the government ea to the drawback to be
allowed in April, 1861. The meeting was so nunearouely
attended that it had to adjourn to the large room in the Lon-
doe Tavern from a smaller one.
Mr. H. Taowna, who woe called to the chair, said that
they had not met for political discussion, to stand in the way
of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's carrying his budget, or
tomasider whether it was wise or not to propene any reduo-
Man of the wine duties at all, but simply Mt ormoider the
ti forth in the advertheethot amulet* lb. meeting.
othor of the Exobegner having expressed a wish
that they should embody their views in writing. the com•
mitts) drew up a statement, which they forwarded to the
right hon. gentleman, and if he acquiesced In the plan
therein proposed he (the chairman) had no doubt
it would be satisfactory to the wine trade and to
the public generally. With regard to the questions of the
alcoholic test and drawback, the numerous letters which he
had received hem the dealers throughout the country showed
that the trade in geaeral coincided in the view they took, and
he hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he was a man
of reason, would reommilder the subject. The alcoholic test
wee impolitic and unjust, and would entail upon the country
a great expense. It was unjust because it gave a preference
to the light whit's of France over these of other couatriee,
especially over those of Spain and Portugal, with whom they
bad conventions which gave them the right of the most fa-
voured nation principle. It wee impolitic became there
would be a constant feeling in the mind of the consumer that
he was charged a high duty, end that the seller pocketed the
difference between the high and the low rate of charge.
It was unfair, on scientific grounds, because the
operation of testing was so nice and delloite, and required
such emirate and cleanly Instruments, that It wee out of the
question to expect thetheonditionaintitegustace-houseolkers.
The Chairmen here read extracts hum a work of Mr. Muldee,
professor of chemistry at Utrecht, who devoted much care
and attention to this subject, sad also from letters of persons
connected with the trade, eettlog forth the difficulties of test-
ing the proportions of alcohol in wine. The proposed plan
would open the door to fraud and bribery, for when wine was
a few degrees' above 26 degrees, thorn persons who IMO more
keen than hone*t would make it " all right" with the officer.
Thi. scheme would make it necessary to add to the number
of officer,. And without wishing to cast any imputation on
the Custom-hours office's, would they be all so high-minded
that no bribe or fee would find its way into their pockets
(Hear.) It was their duty to put a stop to thia temptation to
fraud. The Chancellor of the Excluquer told the country
that be expected to save 50,0001. in the Customs de-
partment by his measure, but If the mode in
which he proposed to levy the wine duties was to be
taken as a epitomes of his method, that expectation of his
would turn out to be a complete fallacy. (Hear.) It re-
quired from 20 to 25 minutes to test a cask of wine. Now,
considering the greet Increase in the wins trade which would
probably follow from this measure, and supposing that each
officer could have four stills under his eye at the same time,
how would it be possible to carry on the trade of the country
unless the staff of Customs officers was increased? But it wee
said the Customs officers were not going to try the strength
of every emir, and that they could test them by their palate.
He hoped they were not going to submit quietly either to the
testing of one case by the instrument or to the teeing of
the °there by the Custesothonse palate. (" Hear, hear,' sad
laughter.) He hoped they would all unite together to upset
this theoretical scheme. With regard to the drawback, It
was quite clear to Mars from an order dated the 10th of
February, 1861, that the government did not intend to give
them any drawback on the stock of wines in Lad
in 1861—that wmtbs jeey, on the wines In Mock
from 1869 to 1867—The Treasury there stated
that they cancelled from that date the minute of July, 1843,
which regulated the duty to be allowed, and declared " that
no such allowance of duty should be made for any wine take*
into stock after the date of the present minute." If they
were act treated by the government, It was, he did no: hesi-
tate toes y, a direct breach of contract and of faith with the
trade. (Beer, bear.) There was no inanities of each a
thing before. Whenever there was an increased duty im-
I pored—in 1796. 1296, 1603, 1804, 1813, and 1831—the midi-
tionai rate was charged upon the dealer's stock. The only
instance in which the increase of duty was not charged upon
the stook of the dealer was when the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer imposed the 6 per cent. additional duty; but he
maintained that even in tbat instance the trade
paid it, for he should like to know what dealer
had ever been able to increase the price of wine to his cue-
tomer* in consequence of that 5 per cent. inCTISSIIP (Hear.)
He denied altogether that trumpery boon, if boon it was.
The amount of this drawback, though a small awn to a
wealthy osmmunity, was a matter of Importance to them as
traders. He trusted the meeting would go along with the
committee in asking the government to forego the scheme of
levying the duty on wine by the alcoholic test, and also to
allow them that drawback which they were entitled to.
- - - . . _

Mr. O. 0. SANDEMAW said that he had been for 60 pan
swaged in the shipping of this country trom all parts,
acid now for dieting time be heard of an alooholic test mooted.
The quslity of the wine did not depend on the streegth at
all, and under this scheme Leer° and Chateau Marpux
would come le at a lower rate than much inferior wines. He
supposed the object of the Chancellor of the Excheqoor wee
ern to protect the revenue spinet the lower duty,
and to give a preference to the French wines under the new
lusty. (Hear.) Tbese might be legitimate remota in the
Wed of the Chanoelbr of the Excheqser • but looking at it
in • practical point of view, the alcoholic test would not last
many months. The Chancellor of the Exchequer dealt In
large view., and was of comes obliged to depend upon the
Infonuation of others in matters of detail. (Hear) The
right hon. gentlemen had bees milted, end when better In-
formed, he hoped that, is a man of integrity and honour, he
would yield to what was just (Hear.) He now begged to
move the folk:Meg resolution That the alcoholic, test, as
at present proposed, is objectionable In principle, imoirectkr-
ble in its details, cumbrous in its working, and will be un-
equal to its application ; that it will ens, constant disputes
between buyer and seller. and will givea great uncertainty to
all trameactioes in wives."
Mr. newton seconded the motion.
Mr. Gaselor said the alcoholic test would turn out an
satire failure, end would have to be altered in six maths.
He believed the object wee to glee a preference to the French
wines but as an importer of Spanish wines he protested
agaiatit any seek preference.

Mr. Buserin., of Liverpool, .aid he should like to know
whether wine wee to be tested on landing only, or whether
alter being In bond for two or three year, it was to be tested
also for the purpose of ascertaining its strength, and if so, on
which strength—the strewth at the time of lenelieg or the
strength when taken out of hood—the duty was to be levied.
(Hear, bear.) It appeared to him that there was muck in-
oon.iattn y in nal& tales trade In principle on the one hand,
and on the other bindles her in shorties and making bar a
slave by impracticable rein:abalone in detail. (Beer.) A large
Increase of trade and of the bonding system would follow the
proposed measure. of the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and
on principles of economy would not any preened mind say,
in order to meet this Increase you must simplify your a.-
rbinery, and by simplifying it economise your expenditure ?
Bat the reverse course was the one taken. Were it not for
the intervening annoyance to which it would give rise they
might permit the alcoholic test to fall to pieces by its
own inherent difficulties. The testing of wine might
be possible and simple as an experiment, but to carry that
oat in the gigantic operation. of commerce would not either
be beneficial or practioabk. The Chancellor of the Exchequer
was a very able man, but he wee not • practical men and
thmefore whilst with ens hand he gave them freer trade,
the other be immeshed them M red taps fetters. (Beer.)
Mr. OILIT said he did not approve of the alcoholic test,
tut he could not say that it was impracticable. lie believed
it could be carried out with as" and that It would not be
necesseryA to try were dm Gee me is thourad.
Mr. mpex odd belied had 67 yore' meadow* in the wins
trade, end unless every saw is the Custom-hones bed the
knowledge sod Industry of a Faraday he was sure the
alcoholic test could never be carried out.

The motion was theseaatioarrattnatimously.
Mr. Mount moved out resolution, to the sabot that
• uniform rate is all whim without the proposed Meehollo
teat would be a more simple and therefore a more mosongeal
mode of levying the daty, aad at the sane Mae ot more
to the roman* as well es mere to the
comusser.
Mr. 0. Tao watt seconded the resolution, whioh was
carried,

Mr. Cxrunrewoore propene the next reeseeltee, which
we to the Whet that the Tr./mg aMe 10th inst.,
emselled their sifts et WA the ill wise wen
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sod listehre ispeethets iseisiti so ese
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the sailers's.. Me Ihet the resdelee s=
he Uric mai was singisM le who* M sot kith. tug
se seememiltifts hen him