The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-03-13 00:00:00

injury of small farms, which must be a consequence
of this tax, would materially afieft the sustenance
of the people ; for it was in the power of the large
farmers to withhold their produce from coming to
market, which must consequently raise the price of
provisions of every kind : he was therefore against
the Motion.
Mr. HUSICISSON spoke shortly in favour of the
Bill—and Mr. FELLOWES against it.
Mr. BAKER thought that though the tax did not
fall either on the consumers, or the small farmers.
yet it certainly was exceptionable.
The question being called for, the House divided,
when there appeared for the motion, 73—Against
it, 76—Majority against the Minister, 3.
The order of the day for the third reading of the
Salt Duty Bill being moved ;
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, it was his intention to propose an alter ation in
this tax with respea to Scotland, as he had been
assured the quality of the salt used there was much
inferior, and consequently a greater quantity of it
was necessary for the purpose of curing than of that
used in England ; but if, on inquiry, it should be
found otherwise, he hoped he should not be barred
from laying on the tax.
Mr. KINNAIRD was happy he was prevented
from bringing forward his motion for an amer.d-
ment, with respeift to Scotland, by the Right lion.
Gentleman's stating his intention of making an al-
teration..
Sir WILLIAM YOUNG said, it w is a tax prin-
cipally bearing on the lower orders of people ; and
then entered into a statement of the different quan-
tities of salt necessary for curing hogs of different
weights, urging strongly, that the bacon-hog salted
by the poor man, took much more salt than that
which would be cured for a gentleman's table.
Sit ROBERT BUXTON said, the same reason
which made him vote against the.last tax, namely,
that it was not on general consumption, made him
vote for this, as be thought it was an equitable tax.
Mr. C. W, WYNNE said, the same reason which
made him vote against the last tax, made him also
vote against this, as it was a tax on the poor, who
used much more salt than the rich.
Mr. EGERTON wished to know, whether it were
the intention of the Minister, at that time. to alter the
tax with respea to Scotland, and what that alteration

would be ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, what he meant was, that the Salt Duties
should be augmeated, with respeet to Scotland, in
the same proportion as they now bore to the halt
Duties in England.
Mr. ROSE thought the consamption amongst
the poor was ifot so great as amongst the rich, and
entered into a proof of the advantages derived from
drawbacks.
Mr. JOHNSTONE said, the poor must neces-
sarily use more salt, on account of their living prin-
cipally on vegetable food. He thought the Hon.
Gentleman who spoke before him had mistaken
drawbacks for bounties, and concluded by saying it
was not on account of the quality of the salt used
in Scotland, but because the people were not able
to pay so 'nigh a duty, that the Minister had pro-
posed to lighten the tax.
Mr. ROSY. rose to explain, and also to entreat
the liberty of the House to turn aside charges of
mistakes and mis-statements which bad been im-
puted to him (a cry of order from the opposite aide):
he was allowed to proceeds and argued more fully
in favour of the advantages of drawbacks.
Mr. JOHNSTON t explained.
The SECRr.TARY at WAR entered into a cal-
culation of the different duties on salt paid by Scot-
land and England since the commencement of the

tax.
Mr. DJ N DAS understood, that since the Union,
down to 1748, the taxes on salt, in England and
Scotland, bore a proportion to each other : in that
year, he said, an additioa of five shillings was laid
on the kingdom at large ; but that it was found to
he so unfair a duty, that in the year after it was
lowered with respell to Scotland.
The House then divided—
For the 3d reading, 92—Against it, 54—Maj. 38.
When strangers were again admitted to the gal-
lery, an amendment was agreed to, and added AS
a rider to the Bill, allowing a draw-back of two
shillings, upon alt coaise salt exported from Scot-
land.
The Bill was then passed.
The Committee on the Royal Marine Mutiny Bill
WAS appointed for Friday next.
The Committee on the Expiring Laws Bill was
ordered for to.anorrow. as also the Committee on
the Sugar Drawback Bill.
PROPERTY TAX.
Upon the SPEAKER putting the question for the
third reading of the Property Tax Bill ;
Mr. FOX rose to oppose this Bill, and observed,
that it ought to be limited to a certain period, and
it also should be ascertained at what time that tax
should be levied ; hut if any extraordinary circum-
stances should occur, and Ministers were allowed to
encrease this tax at pleasure ; they might go on, and
so by degrees, push the tax to such All extent, as to
cause an entire change of property. He did not
mean to take the sense of the House upon this
Question, he only considered it as a war tax, to which
there should he some limitation.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
in answer, protested strongly against the observa-
tions of the Hon. Gentleman : at a time like the
present, and at the commencement of a
war, he
contended, that His Majesty's Ministers should not
be tied up, so as to limit their resources in any way
whatever.
Earl TEMPLE then proposed a Clause for the
exemption of Subaltern Officers in the Army from
the payment of this tax.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
differed from the Noble Earl upon the principle of
any Clause which went to exempt particular persons
from the payment of this duty, as it tended to de-
stroy th. effed of the Bill ; but, above all, he con-
sidered this the very worst method of making AO
allowance to persons of that description.
Earl TEMPLE, in explanation, declared, that
if there were any hopes of an increase of allowance
to such Gentlemen, he should, with pleasure, put
the clause into his pocket, and say no more upon the
sul,jeet.
The motion for bringing up the clause being put
and negatived, the Bill was then read a third time
and passed.—Adjourned.