The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-09 00:00:00

REPEAL OP THE HOP DUTY.

Yesterday afternoon a tatnneronsly attended and
influential public meeting of landowners sad hop phaters
of Heat and Soma took place at the Assembly-room of the
George Hotel, Battle, to take into consideration the neces-
sity of promoting the objects of the newly-formed ASSOCRI-
tiIIs for obtaining the total abolition of the excise duty
von hops ; the chair was occupied by Lord HARRY Vita;
M.P., sad =surst those present were Mr. I'. Papillon,
HP., Mr. J. G. Dodson, /LP. Lord Pevensey, M.P., and
the following extsesive platen :—, Messrs. Papillon
1 Croveharst), C. Freya (Coghunt Hall" Harvey B. Combs
Oaklands), L Reeves (Pessruarsh), J. Branford Hope
Iledir-park), J. Smith (Rye), M. Bed (Northam),
lay (Tonbir), J. Nash (P L Rev. J. B.
Waylay (Rector of Brightliag), he.
Mr. Famx (late M.P. for Fast Suess) proposed the
Ant resolution, to the oiled that petitions praying for •
repeal of the excise duty on hops be printed and forwarded
for signatures throughout the whole of the hop &Ovine.
Mr. JERI:IIIAR Satre, an extensive hoFtiwplantie of Rye,
in assmading the motion, °boon ed that w ' as • bodyotez
were split up into sections they sold not expect to •n
bat from the unity which now prevailed be did not fear the
result. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had granted them
until the let of March to pay the duty, but when that time
arrived, how would many of them be able to meet it f,'
(Hese, bear.) He thought the Chancellor would then And
that they were altogether unable to pay it.
Mr. Doneox, M.P., saidtheywerenow united on onehread
principle, they had truth and justice on their side. The
public and the press were beginning to recognise the fact
that the planters were unfairly treated ; and if the assicia-
Ran persevered, and acted upon the House of Commons and
the government, scorn was certain.
The resolution was then unanimously adopted.
Mr. Lawaxacs It ELVIN moved the second resolution, for
the adoption of • memorial to the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, praying for a repeal of the excise duty on hope,
mach memorial to be presented by • deputation.
Mr. Pertuow, M.P. for Colchester, in seconding, ob-
served that he bad on former occasions supported Mr. Dod-
os
in the House of Commons upon this question,,and
believed that during the next session they would gain •
considerable acesisicia of strength.
Lord PIVIOIIIII. M.P. for East Sussex, heartily concurred
in the previous resolutions and in the general objects of the
means. He would advise them not to stop short with a
simple memorial or deputation to the Chancellor at the
Exchequer, which had bees tried with little success ea so
Grey previous occasions. New they were united and well
organised they should take care to present • bold frost to
the Hopes of Common, during the next SMIII/06, and claim
the repeal of the excise duty upon every principle of justice
sad equity. The struggle would really begin ea the 14 of
March, when the planters would be expected to pay the
last year's duty. How the growers were to do it he could
not tell ; and sow they were united together, they would,
be was sure, be able to make out a case which would melt
eves the callous heart of • Chancellor of the Exchequer.
He hoped they would keep up the agitation until they
broke down the Exchequer bigotry which prevailed on this
anNeet.
Mr. Moen; BODY, of Northiam, moved the third reso.
lotion se follows :—" That the members of the Hop Fames
Duty Repeal Associable view with great eatisfaetine the
recast wide extension of its . 'pies as evidenced in the
formation of kindred eoeietr, in the disunion on the
hop duties in the House ot Commons, and in the general
recognition of the sub4in the 'columns of the leading
public journals ; and desire to ewer their eating
readiness to co-operate with their fellow workers in every
practical way by which the important object in view may be
pestoted." The speaker briady alluded to the original
formation of a hop duty repc-J association at Robertabridge
tins yeses does, sad expressed satisfactioa at the present
aspect al the movement.
11r. D. BAIICLAT, in seconding, described the excise duty
as • poll tax upon the planter, which he was compelled to
pay, even inns hops were of no value.
Mr. J. Ilmageroso Hoes, of Bedgbury-park, Goadhuret,
is • lengthened address, detailed the principles and objects
of the Central Repeal Association, recently formed.
Mr. P. ?mums proposed • vote of thanks to the mem-
bers preset, and those members of the House of Commons
who bad supported the cause of the hop plantar,. He
ht the theatre of the meeting were especially due to
Mr. Dodson, M.P., who had persevered to the utmost on
their basil
The Rev. J. B. Hansa (rector of Brightling), in second-
ing the motion, alluded to the hop question as especially a
poor man's gaieties. In his pariah the labourers depended
for exidasee upon the cultivation of hops, and when the
planters were reduced to the distress they had recently ex-
perienced it must of secessity fare ill with the labourer.
An tanential committee was then appointed. and after
• vote of thanks to the eheirman the meeting separated.

Tamar or rim REDUCED MINE Dtrry.—A peti-
Sillfrell the African wine farmers hag been sent to England for
presentntion to the Queen ha.ng of the new tariff. The
I.llllldiell of !Ambit wines ing enabled the European
sad Celeellel Who teeepas), of 131, rails all, to reduce the
Me Shalt linneu• Royal Victoria
ducedShen," to 270. per dozen
aged ems leelellech, hoe pro such an extraordinary
At that vibe es In greatly decrease the consumption of
Cepe se Moth Meier wines, end hence the lean of the Othe
ftromo—CAdorussmot)