The Express.
London, England, 1861-04-06 00:00:00

THE METROPOLITAN COAL DUTIES.

Last night a public meeting was held at the
Loudon Tavern, for the purpose of opposing the bill now
before parliament for the continuance of the duties at pre.
sent levied on coal coming into the metropolis. The meet.
ins was numerously attended.
Mr. NICIIOLAT, who presided, said the meeting had been
called for the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion
naked the continuance of an inspirit, unfair, and impolitic
tax. Theta: was levied on one of the uecesseries of life, and
that too in a most unfair nod partial manner. Any tax that
increased the price of coals was a great injustice to the
inhabitant' of the metropolis, and our effect of it was to
drive away from London all the greet manufactories. The
object of the bill before parliament was to provide funds
for the embankment of the Thames, but as there
was a proposal by a private company for the execution of
this great work, the Houseof Commons ought to pause before
they cemented to the continuance of this unnecessary tax.
Asa member of the Board of Works he denied that there
was any desire on the part of that body for the continuance
of atax,wbich was oppressive to the manufacturer, the rate-
. payer, and the householder. (Hear, heir.)
Mr. LAWRANCII mid they were met on that occasion to
resist an unfair and an unjust tax. The embankment of
the Thames might he a very desirable object ; but was it
fair or just that the poor of this ine:ripolis, who were
driven to the verge of starvation by a few weeks' frost last
winter, should he the perilous to pay for it (Oh, oh.) lie
should like to know who hissed. Was it some henger on
of that irresponsible body the Metropolitan Board of Works?
He should not be willing to entrust thin tax to the Metro-
politan Board. (Hear, hear.) The resolution which he ha,l
to propose was, that it was inexpedient and inconsistent
with the policy of the day to levy onerous duties on •
necessary article of consumption ; and, considering the
distress which prevailed last winter and the price of fuel,
that • tax on coal entering Loudon was a grievous burden,
and ought not to be entertained. He could not believe,
after the expression of public opinion by the inhabitant' of
the metropiilia, that this measure would be persevered in.
' Mr. RICHARD seconded the resolution. Without wishing
to say anything disparaging to the corporation of l
the origin of the tax was unjust and illegal,
was to be traced to bad times. The present
measure was for a continuance of the coal
and there seemed to be a great anxiety to press it forward
with speed. It wissaid by some peregga that if this coal
duty of Is. ld. was taken off it wofflil not make coals
cheaper. (Hes. ,r hear.) That might lie the opinion of
some persons, but he believed it would make eosin cheaper.
' (Hear, hear.) He believed that the poor man paid very
notch more for has orals than the rich man, because he got
light weight and bad coals. (Hear, bear.) It was against
the policy of the present day to put an rietroi duty on an
article of such universal consumption as coals. (Hear. hear.)
He was as desirous to see the embankment of the Thames
as any man could be, but he did not think it should be
done by raising the price of the sack of code to the poor
man. (Hear, hear.) Remembering the suffenng of the
poor only last winter, be considered it most unfair and
unwise to continue the tax.

Mr. Cutvittx said that the Bd. coal tax produced from
MI to 11153 no lem than 2,Z11.829/.; the 4d. tax, 1,115,9191.
and the Id. tax, 2704,971r1., making a total of 3,626,000 f. A
large portion of this money was to be applied to the making
of approaches to Loudon, but he found that London.bridge
cost 2,665,494/. boxides. (Hear, bear.) He believed it
would be more equitable if a general Id. rate were levied
on coals, which would produce 300,0001. With this view he
had a resolution to propose.
The CHAIIMAN observed that the resolution before the
meeting had not been carried.
Mr. COLVILLZ maid he should wait till it was.
Mr. Et:ORTON supported the resolution.
Mr. G. BROOK said he had an amendment to propmeto
the following effect, that the meeting wax desirous of in-
ducing the government not to continue the tar upon coat.
but that if the bill for that purpose wax ear, ied, a portion
of the monies so collected should be applied for the pur.
pose of doing away with the bridge and road tolls in sod