The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-23 00:00:00

WINE RETURNS.

Mr. lICME moved toiaitetun; of the number of gallons of
wine in bond In the United Kingdom, distinguishing the quantity
in England, Ireland, and Scotland ; also distinguishing the nom.
ba of gallons that were French wines. and the number foreign not
French, and distinguishing tl,e quantity of Cape wine. The Ile-
turns were to include the quantity in bond on the 29th of February
1823. He begged to call the attention of the ilouse to the state to
which the wine-grower at the Cape of Hood Ho war reduced by
the recent alteration itt the wire duties. In 1811 the Government
sent out a proclantation to that country encouraging the cultivation
of vino, and holding oat great expectations and promising prntec.
Lion to theirwiae trade. Accordingly, 10July 1813 the duty on Cape
wine was Axed only at hill that on Port. and although the precis-
mad.= was silent oa this head, the planters supposed it promised a
permanent protection to their trade:. If the Government did net
,hiend pitch a proectiow, surety it aboold have been stated ; If they
intendyd the exemption from this high duty to last but 7 or 111
years, that should have been set forth by them. No such stipule.

Moo was made, and the consequence was, that no less a number
then three millions of vines were planted, and an expense incurred
of one million of rix dollars. Hitherto there had been scarcely
any return from that investment of capital. Now only it was that
any return was made, and that was to be put a stop to by the pro-
posed redaction in the duties on foreign wines. The lion. Gentle-
man went into a statement, to show that there was a progressive
increase in the export of wines from the Cape within the short
period since the trade was established. At present there was a great
extent of country at the Cape under cultivation, large capital had
been employed, and yet the planters got no warning of that measure
which was to annihilate them and their interest. According to the
former regulation the duty on port wine was 131. a gallon, and that
on Cape 2s. 6d. Port now only paid 40., while the duty
on Cape continued the same, whereas the proportion required
that it should be fixed at Is. 4d. The Honourable Gentleman
went on to say, that if these alterations were to be carried into effect,
still there should be time afforded to the present proprietors to dis-
pose of their stock. Such a course, in the opinions of all ;tureen-
tile men, would be but fair and equitable. In fairness and can-
dour such a course ought to have been pursued. That wretched
colony was already reduced to the lowest extremity by the system of
misgovernment, and wanted only this last measure as a finishing
stroke to it. So glaring was that misgovernment, that many per-
sons would not endure to live under it, but for the prospect of de-
riving profit from the wine trade. That he knew to be a fact.
(Cries of " Ilear, hear.") He bail heard it said, as a reason for
not lowering the duty on Cape wine, it was mixed with other
better wines, and therefore that it ought to be discouraged. Surely
it was well known that almost every wine merchant occasion.
ally mixed inferior wine with better (a laugh), so that that could
furnish an excuse, as it would be a good reason fur not admitting
more than one sort of wine into the country.
The CII,INCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER did not rise to
object to the returns, but thought the matter might be better dis-
cussed when the House should go into a Committee on the %I
Duties. lie would not, however, let the opportunity pass without
making tree or two observations. The lion. Gent. had brought the
charge like a thunder clap before the House, yet if the particulars of
his statement were examined into, they would not be found quite so
accurate as they at first appeared. In the first place, there were no
promises held out to planters at the Cape, of any permanent ar-
rangement for their protection. He had some years ago a conversa-
tion with certain individuals connected with that trade, and he
could most distinctly state that no such expectations were held
out, roe did they at the time count on it. He merely thought that
it was expedient to give a little life and activity to en infant trade.
and that was originally the motive for lowering the duty. It was
not intended to make it permanent ; quite the reverse; and he had
heard so from two or three parties interested, all of whom knew that
there was no idea o:'perpe:uating the exec...ire inequality in the
duties. It was fair to give the article all reasonable protection ;
but it surely could be no reason to call for extraordinary pro-
tection for an article merely bemuse it was not good. (Hear, hear.)
He did not mean to pronounce that opinion on it ; he had no wish
that it be part of his text, It was the declared opinion of its advo-
cates when they saw it, that it could not compete with European
wines. As to the mixture of Cape with other wines, he thought
the lion. Gentleman passed that subject over rather too lightly.
If a Bordeaux merchant were to mix two wines' Hermitage, for
instance, and Burgundy, and sold the compound as an unmixed
wine, it W., no fraud on the revenue, it was merely a fraud on the
palate. (A laugh.) The case was quite different where Cape
and Sherry were mixed, and the mixture sold for Sherry; then there
was committed not only a fraud on the palate but likewise on the re-
venue. The Right Hon. Gent. proceeded to say, that it was not his
intention all at once to remove the protecting duties ; he would
afford time to try if any improvement could be made in the quality
of the wine. It was therefore his intention to reduce the present
duty to two shillings a gallon. That it should continue at that rate,
say for five years; and then be raised to two shillings and sixpence.
After some further remarks, the Right lion. Gentleman asked, why
did the planters at the Cape call for any protection if they did not
manufacture a drinkable wine ? If they were not able to do so,
why encourage them? He would give them five years to try if
they could give the public good wine; and further he thought they
had no right to ask.
Mr. TRA NT spoke in favour of the measures adopted by Go-
vernment with regard to the Colony at the Cape. The Hon.
Gentleman made some observations respecting the returns of the
trade of that colony, but in so low a tone of voice that lie was quite
inaudible in the gallery.
Hr. HU HE rose to reply. He said that the returns were not
yet known ; but lie had no doubt it would appear by them that the
Honourable Gentleman who had just addressed the House was very
ill-informed on the subject. With regard to the objection urged
by the Right Honourable Gentleman (the Chancellor ut the Exche-
quer), that there was a fraud practised both upon our palates and
our pockets in the admixture of Cape with Sherry, he would merely
observe, that there were other wines besides Cape which might fall
tinder the same objection. (Hear, hear.) All that he contended
for was, that if it should be thought proper to alter the duty upon
the wine which was the produce of the colony, time ought to be
given to those who were so deeply interested in the question. He
wished to set the Right lion. Gentleman right with regard to one
observation which he had made. That Right Hon. Gentleman had
said, that the panics interested in keeping the duty on the wines
low, had put their case into his (Mr. Homes) hands. He de-
clared that such a statement was altogether erroneous ; he had not
even seen a single merchant connected with that colony or with the
wine trade on the subject, until after it had been brought forward,
and he had prepared himself to speak upon it. He could assure
the Right Honourable Gentleman, that having himself been to the
Cape, and having seen how much importance was attached by the
colonists to this part of their trade, which, in fact, constituted al.
most the whole of it, were the only reasons which induced him to
interest himself upon the subject.

The return wai then ordered.
3lr. HUME again rose and observed, that the other return he
intended to more for was merely the number of gallons of French
wine, of foreign wine not French, and of Cape wine, in stock in the
hands of dealers in England, Scotland, and Ireland, to the 28th of
February last.—Ordered.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then moved
the Order of the Day for receiving the Report of the Committee
of Supply.
The Reports were then brought up by Mr. BaoonEw, the
Chairman of the Committee. and read.
On the motion that 19,9381. be granted to defray the expenses of
the Linen Board of Ireland—
Sir HENRY PARNELL rose for the purpose of calling the
attention of the House to the Laws relating to the Linen Trade of
Ireland. He had spoken with many of the principal manufacturers
in Ireland on the subject, whose opinions were, that these bounties
were not at all beneficial to the trade, but rather injurious than
otherwise; he therefore hoped that the Right Hon. Gentleman
would take the subject itito consideration, and agree to alter the
present system. He had taken the liberty to suggest to the manu-
facturers whom he had seen to present a memorial to the Treasury,
and one was accordingly presented, in which it was submitted that
the Laws relating to the linen trade of Ireland ought to be made
similar to t lose i.f Scotland; which was in fact totally to repeal
them. This memorial was signed by upwards of twenty of the
nitwit leading merchants and manufacturers of Ireland, and he did
therefore trust the Right lion. Gentleman would take some other
view of the subject than what he had hitherto taken.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that the
memorial which the lion. Baronet had spoken of had been re-
ferred to the Board of Trade, as it related to a subject which
came more directly under their cognisance. But if he was not
mistaken the Hon. Baronet had already given notice of a motion on
the subject, and he considered it would be better perhaps to let that
motion conic on rather than for the Ministers to make any altera-
tion. He had, however, no difficulty in sat ing, that he thought
these laws ought now to be done away. (Hear, hear.) This could
not have been done sidle time the buunl was high ; biic as it had
been from time to time reduced, he should he very glad that many
of the restrictions which now remained might.be remered, and the
bounty altogether taken away. But lie was satisfied that the best
course t ) be taken on the subject would be for the lion. Baronet
to make his motion, and then the subject might be explained in
_ _

Sir H. PARNELL said his motion would relate to the laws of
the trade of Ireland generally, and would not be confined to the
linen trade, which was therefore the reaoon why he had called on
the Right Honourable ticntlemau to take the subject under his
consideration.

The motion for the grant was then agreed to.
Variott. other MOW& were then granted, and the remainder of the
Report ordaed to be rercirel nn Friday.
COLONIAL TRADE.

On the motion of Mr. HUSKISSON, leave was given to bring
in a Bill, pursuant to the Resolutions agreed to last night, on the
subject of our Colonial Trade.
POLICE MAGISTRATES.
_ _ _ _

The Resolutions upon the subject of the Police Laws, and the
allowance of UM. a•ycar to the Magistrates, were brought up, re.
porwd, anti a Bill brought in accordingly.

SCOTLAND CREDITORS BILL

On the motiim of Lord A. HA AIILTON. the third raiding of
this Bill was after some discussion postponed to Friday next.

WINE DrylEs BILL

On the Committee upon the Wine Omit.% Bill.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCH EQUER said, the only
Rea°lotion he meant to propose was. that the duty on Cape Wines
he reduced fur rive years; 2s. a gallon for the lint two years, and
2s. fid. for three years afterwards.
Mr. 11U3IE suggested that a duty of Is. W. for two years, and
2s. for three year' would better nicet the wants and wishes of those
connected with the trade.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that
when parties applied to him upon such subjects, they were generally
induced to atiopt extreme cases, and be had always found that
in meeting them, as it was called, half way, he left them entirely
satisfied.

Alderman NV001) begged to know on what quantity in hand
it was rr.eaLt to allow the reduction of duties generally.
CilA NC LLI.OR of the EXCHEQUER replied, on half
a tud, that is sbnut 12ti gallons.
Alderman WOOL intimated that this would fall very heavy
on the small dealers.

The t!iIANCEI.LOR of the EXCHEQUER uid, that even
the quanti'y mentioned was CAURiderably beyond whet they were
strictly bound to allow, if they took into their consideration that
upon which it had been usual to charge an increase of duty. Then
it bad never been leas than a whole tun. Certainly the experience
for many years had been more on the side of increasing than
diminishing burthena. but he thought that their first effort in the
way of reductLm might, as they did not charge so much by one
halt; sake those coseessed petty well content.

",,,

Mr. T. WILSON intimated his intention of pressing the gab.
' jest again upon the attention of the Howse.
Mr, R. BERNAL inquired at what period* was Intended this
reduction should take place ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, the 7th
of March. . .
shiCeotilno4nelh
himself
f3liEn Rsomateatned,
eahsiusrereltuoetbaenrieinntacgeir
d from
f tt hh ee
than others, and perhaps enabled to give come snlisrmatton,. he
upon a subject wherein he was personally giving an
ts:endb.uowipittenhuito:nt.
wished to make a few observations upon the reduction of the duties.
It appeared to him, unless means were taken to prevent the mono.
to call on Portugal for the performance
of her engagement, in the treaty of 1810. which would effectually
protect the trade front the monopoly of the Oporto Wine Coon.
01111173LS:TIlonfremt.heenAttn:swdtoeh,ottihhlae Piptouwnbtliyitcradwoe,utldhedreenriviede but
yuwt asl little
tbh:enrhfiart
party, and at once throw it open for the benefit of both rations. As
to trench wine., and Tspecially claret, the same monopoly existed,
but from a different cause; that trade being governed for the must
• ' of benefit to themselves. This was
mer-
chants tbsyina fLocernmthmer.cl:,ahnotsonat
ttorgespuartx,
cownlisoidisetriedppltihede
raedfuecetionin erof-
the duty as an injury instead
stated to him by an individual of the trade, before the reduce
tion took place, who observed that it would be injurious to his
(the Hon. Member's) interest, as a claret grower, by opening dee
market to the cheaper wines of France ; but however that might
be. it would at least be a benefit to the public, and especially these
who, from having visited France since the peace, preferred the
wines of that country, to be enabled to purchase them at a price
they could afford ; whilst on the other hand, looking to the prim -
ciples of free trade adopted by Oovernment he was surprised that
having made up their mind to a reduction of half the duty, they
should still leave France the only exception to the rule, and thus
denrive both nations of the benefit of their measure; for the
difference of duty still shut the dam of the English market
to the general entry of French Wines: and as to Claret, admitting
the price to fall the whole amount of the duty lowered, was it to
be supposed that the saving of ISL out of 1,1111. to 120/. would in-
duce the purchaser to inerease his consumption? This brought him
to the information which he considered a duty to offer to the public
and also to the trade. He had no hesitation in saying, that the
price of Claret in this country was at least di•ulide what it ought to
be and actually was before the late war well France, when the
consumers in England and Ireland were in the habit of purchasing
the best at 251. the hogshead. What then hnd been the causes of
the increase of price and decrease of mosetnption ? First, the aug-
mentation of duties during the war, which, independent of the
necessary increase of expense, raised it higher by the additional
capital required, and other expenses of the trade, which brought
it into the few hands in which it had since remained ; added to
which the consumer had the profits of two intermediate parties
to pay betwixt the grower and himself; first, the Bordeaux mer-
chant who purchased of the grower, tied who skimmed the cream
of the bargain for his own benefit ; and then the London merchant,
who, what with the price at Bordeaux, the heavy addition of
the duty, long credit and bad debts, was obliged to charge an
exorbitant sum to pay hirrself. But this was hard upon the
consumer, willing to pay a just price for the article: and the
beet remedy for the evil would be for the London merchant to
buy of the grower to enable him to supply his custotners at a
cheaper rate, and prevent their saving hrin future trouble by
importing their own wine. But to effect this, certain pre.
judica which had hitherto favoured the monopoly were neees-
vary to be removed. For instance, it was asserted and generally
believed, that the beat Claret was only grown upon the estates
called Chateau Margaux and fAfitte; whertas that made upon
others was equally good; and not a huedredth part of the
claret, sold by the merchants under these names, came from the
estate of either. In proof of this, he declared as a proprietor, that
the vines upon his own property (to say the least of it) were in all
respects whatever equally good as those of Chateau-Margaux ; and
that the claret of the well-known vintage of 1815, made upon his
estate, and larded in Englard from his cellar at Margaux, was
equally well flavoured and full-bodied as the best of the same vint-
age from the merchants' cellars at Bordeaux. The first assertion,
as matter of fact, he was ready to prove, if not to the satisfaction, at
lca't in the teeth of any' Bordeaux or London merchant who
might have asserted or believed to the contrary ; and the other as
matter of opinion, he would refer to those who had tasted both
wines at the beat cellar and table in the kingdom. It was also
said that the pure claret had not body enough for the English
market ; this was true with respect to ordinary years, but the
claret of superior vintages had sufficient body for this climate,
and was preferred generally by the best judges in its natural.'
state; whilst all that was or could be added, without destroying
the quality, was a certain portion of Hermitage, which involved no
secret nor difficuly whatever in miring. Ile had thus stated the
causes of the high price of claret; but if the Right Honourable
Gentleman, who in bringing forward his Budget had observed
how much the increased duty on Wine had checked the hospitality
which formerly was the character of the gentry throughout the
country, who from the ease and independence of their eircum.
stances were enabled to keep up that social intercourse and friend.
ship which formed one of the greatest enjoyments of life, and the
hest criterion of the general happiness of the people--if the Right
Hon. Oentleinan wished to promote that object on the one hand,
and to make up the revenue for reduction of duty by increased con-
sumption on the other, he would avail-himself of the opportunity
which the expiration of the treaty with Portugal now affordesl of
equalising the duties upon foreign wines, and by opening the En.
glish market to those of France. contribute to the mutual interest
and good understanding of both nations.
Mr. R. BERNAL said, the Right Honourable Cent. the Chan.
cello: of the Exchequer was probably aware that there were certain
wines which could not be imported into this country in wood,
which in fact would spoil if they were not brought in bottles.
Now as there was a large duty payable on glass, he wished to re-
present to she Right Hon. Gentleman, whether it would not be
expedient to repeal that duty—he meant both duties, for there
were two duties, one on the hundred weight and the other on the
bottle.

I

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it was per-
fectly true that there was a duty on bottles, full or empty, of about
M. a bottle Customs duty, and Bs. 2d. per hundred weight of Ex.
case duty. Any thing which would diminish the duty of the two
offices on this ►object deserved consideration ; and he thought that
a duty amounting to 94d. or 10d. • bottle was certainly heavy.
Whatever regulations might be introduced must, however, be in
accordance with the Excise duty at present existing upon Wales
manufactured and used at home.

The Report was then ordered to be received tomorrow.
On the Report of the Caledonian Canal Bill,
Mr. HU3IE expressed a hope that the Chancellor of the Each..
quer would. in this age of Joint Stock Companies, prevail upon
some capitalists to take this canal off the hands of Parliament. He
thought it would be a great benefit to the country. (A ii.gh.)
The CHANCELLOR or the EXCHEQUER would very
happy to take the Hon. ()endeman's advice, if he would allow him
to nominate him (Mr. Hume) as one of the principal directors.
(Laughter.)
Alderman WOOD said that such a plan would some years ago
hare been a considerable saving to the pub:ie.
Mr. BROGDEN presented a petition from Launceston against
any concessions to the Catholics; and another from the persons
employed about the Wcst India Docks in favour of the Equitable
Loan 11.

The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at a Quarter to Tcn.

TIOUSE O 1 LOMMONS THIS DAV.

NOTICE OF MOTION.
Mr. Portman—Bill to amend the several .lets relating to the
mokmg and sale of Bead In place,' where no Assize Is get.
ORDERS OF TILE DAY.
Supply—Committee.
Ways and llleans—Committee.

PRICES OF ImITISH
3 per tent. Cons. 934
Ditto Acct. 93i
New 4 per Cent. IM 1031
Indio for Acct. 2731 i 280 7791

STOCKS YESTERD %Y.
Ex. 81115,14,1.1.000/. S 2 bS pat
Ditto, SOO/. 12 be pea
Ditto. :Swan 6214 pm
Lottery Tickets, 114.195.

X

•••

PRICES OF SHARES YESTERDAY.
MINES. 1
Share. Patti. Premtuns Per insairs..
Angl6.9lexlean lOU 15 9.5 90 074
Anglo-Chilian 1110 5 51 b 54
Brazilian 100 5 131 4 114 12
Clain 100 6 13 Ili 13 114
Colombian 100 6 33 34 29 33
Chilian and Peruvian Company 6 24 6 3
English 25 21_ j di*
General Mining Association 100 6 101 10 96
Paseo Peruvian 100 3 20 154 1716186 It
Royal Irish 1 9-16 i / i 1 dis
Real del Monte , 400 120 930
Rio de la Plata. 100 b 23 25
TLalrtizahna 400 90 205
United Mexican 441 20 i
-
Iti:.o New 4O 5 20 30 1
.... * ' • '

Welch Iron and t'oal 2i

24 4

. .
ASSURANCE COMPANIES.
Alliance Brit. and For C ItIQ 10
Ditto Marine 100 5 3
0 ilardian 160 10 121
Protector Fire 2O 2 4 diS
0 ‘S LIGHT AND COKE COMPANIES.
Continental 180 8 i
a tact:Liawrors.
Atlantic and Pacific 100 10 1 par 1
Australian 160 1 26
British Iron Company 100 6 34 j2i3 34
rim B:1 ship Canal 1 pie i
Canada Company It'o 10 30 28 30
Canal Gas Engine Ze 1 1 i
Colombian d‘grieul. Company 100 3 1.1
Equitable Loan hank 5O 1 1:
Gold Coast Association 100 li 2
Hibernian Juint Stock (7onipauy 2i
London Brick Company 3O 1 1 4
Mexican Company 100 10 35i 5
Metropolitan Alderney Dairy 23 4 1
Medway Lime and Coke Comp — 1 I A
MetroNlitan Fit.h Company 23 1 /4 1 I
Pearl Fibber), (Yellow)
Protincial Bank of Ireland inn 5 7 031 1i i
Patent Bricks 69 2 21
Patent Steam Carriage 3 11 li
Paul and Coral Fishery 4O 4 II 19111 9% 910 14
Royal Swarm, 3 t 1 do