The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-01 00:00:00

EXCLSE ANI) STAMPS BILL

The house went into committee noon this bill.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
merely proposed to insert some verbal amendments, and to
have the bill reprinted.
Upon clause 2,
Mr. D. GRIFFITH called attention to a petition from
wholesale spirit dealers in favour of the government plan
enabling them to sell a bottle of spirits, and praying that
the privilege might be extended to the sale of a pint.
Ms CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER maid his
sympathy was with the hon. gentleman ; but having
agreed that a single quart bottle should be the smallest
quantity saleable by the wholesale dealers, be could not
agree that the clause should be altered to the word " pint."
He felt quite sum that the kindly and genial nature of the
hon. gentleman would assist him out of bis entanglement
with the supporters of a contract on the other tide of the
water. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CONINOH AM said the quart bottle referred to in
the claire would in fact be no more than a pint in
measure.

Mr. W. MARTIN prop s d the following clause :—" In
clause 2, line 19, to e following proviso: (To enable
spirit dealers to recover any amount for spirits supplied if
not consumed on the premises of the vendor.) Provided
further, that, notwithstanding anything contained in the
12th section of the act of the 24th year of George the
Second, chapter 40, any person dealing in or retailing
spirituous liquors shall be empowered to sue for and recover
from any person whomsoever the amount duo for any
spirituous liquors supplied by such person so dealing in or
retailing such spirituous liquors : provided that such spiritu-
oua liquors so supplied so aforesaid be not consumed on the
premises of the person so supplying the same." His object
was to prevent dishonesty, and to enable all persons to ob-
tain what they might require.
Mr. /dASSEY suggested that thin addition could not be
made to the clamor.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
subject was one deserving the consideration of the house,
but it was not germane to the bill before the house.
The proviso was then withdrawn.
Lord FERMOY then moved in clause 2, at the end, to
add these wools, " Proviiled further, that, notwithstand-
ing any provision hereinafter contained, all penalties to be
incurred or recoverable under this section, or in relation
thereto, may be sued for by any superintendert or inspector
of police, upon information and summons before the police
court or justice having jurisdiction iu the place where the
offence is committed, but the appropriation of the penalty
shall be the amens is hereinafter specified."
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER agreed to
the introduction of these words—(hear, hear) though he
would nut be responsible for the torn of the proviso, which
he believed was sound in principle. (Hear, bear.)
The clause, as amended, was agreed to.
On claws. 3,
Sir W. JOLLIFFE said that the licensing system through-
out the country, in reference to beer houses, was not in
a state the most satisfactory, and in that opinion the whole
country would support him ; but, at the same time, he
would suggest that the new houses should be placed under
the coutrol of the excise officers, and not under the police.
He objected that any shop or house, though not rated to
the poor, should he able to sell those wines, and he wished
the government bad placed them on the same footing as the
beer-shops in the country.
Time CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER mid house,
of this kind bad heretofore existed under orders from the
Treasury, and the purpose of these clauses was to legalise
practice which prevailed extensively in the country, and
which he believed conduced very much to the comfort of the
poorer classes.
The clause as amended was agreed to.
On clause 9,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER proposed
amendments, the object of which was to make " duffers,'
that is to say persons who are virtually hankers, but who
sell by sample, liable to the same obligations as to taking
out licenses a regular hewers.
The amendments were agreed to.
Ou clause 11, which relates to licenses on letting houses,
. . . .

Mr. A YRTI/N moved that it lie omittol. 'fa clause
seemed to be conceived in the worst spirit and form of pro.
tection, and to have originated in the officers of the in-
land revenue set in motion by the auctioneers.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
hon. gentleman exaggerated the effect of the clause. The
object of the clause was to substitute a reasonable amount
of duty for an unreasonable amount, and to insure that that
reasonable amount of duty should be paid. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CONINGHAM objected to the petty interference
with trade which was the effect of the clause.

Alderman SALOXIONS concurred in the objection to the
clause.

---
After some further discussion, The committee divided on
the Ilth clause, and the numbers were—
For the clause
Against it
The clause was consequently earned ; the remaining
clauses were agreed to, awl the bill passed through com-
mittee.

The Conanlidsterl Fund (10,000,0001.) Bill was read a
third time ea! pawed.
The Reformatory Schools (Scotism]) Bill was read a third
time and passed.
POOR ASSESSMENTS (SCOTLAND) BILL.

Mr. BAXTER moved the second reading of this bill.
Mr. HOPE protested against the second reading being
proceeded with at tint hour (twenty minutes past one).
Mr. HENNF.SSY moved the adjournment of the debate.
Mr. HOPE then proceeded to state his objections to the
bill. He said the object of the measure was to benefit •
few particular towns and parishes.
Sir J. FEItOII.VION hoped bis lion. friend would not
persevere in resisting the progress of this bill.
After some remarks from Mr. C. Bruce, the Lent Advocate,
and If r. Baxter, the motion for adjournment was with-
draws, and the bill was read • second time.