The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-02-21 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COIIIRONS, Fit Der, Frs. 20.

Mr. Bowman( took the oaths and his seat, as Member for
Sandwich.
THEATRE, CHELTENHAM.
Sir WM. GUISE prmented a petition for leave to bring in a
Bill *IT erecting a new Thane at Cheltenham—Leave stantal.

DUTY OI LEATHER.
Sir J. NEWPORT presented a petition from the inhabitants of
Dmghtds, praying Inc a reduction of the duties on leather.—Laid
on the whir.
COAL DITTIES.
Sir E. HARVEY presented a petition from the inhabitants of
Heybrilge, praying fur a repeal of the duties on coal carried
coastwise.
A similar petition was presented from Oreenwith by Sir E.
KNATCHDULI.; and another by Mr. N. CALVERT, from
Hertford—Laid on the table.
Sir H. EAST presented • petition from the innkeepers of the
town of Wincbestcr, praying for a reduction of the Licence Duties.
—Laid on the table.
On the motion of Mr. ASHURST, a new MTh was moved foe
fur the County of Oxford, in the room ofJ. Pause, Esq., decayed.

DUTIES ON WOOL.
Mr. T. WILSON presented a petition (*e could not learn from
whence), praying for a reduction of the tax on wool. He stated
that the utmost advantage would be derived from such a measure,
both as it would give employment to a great number of persons,
and better enable this country to send its woollen manufacture to •
foreign market.
Mr. ROBERTSON observed, that a reduction rf the duties en
wool would be productive of the greatest good. He was convinced
it would materially serve the landed proprietors, who were still in a
*tare of danger; Irseanse to them the slightest assistance in dia.
posing of their produce was of the utmost consequence. Previous
so the war, the landed interest was in a far more fortunate situation
than they were 1101 V, because they had then the power of sending
the* overplus to a foreign land. He would endeavour to state the
reasons why the situation of the landed proprietors was diflivent
now to what it was two year ago, when they had no means of
getting rid of their produce. but as they followed the commercial
interests of the country. The agricultural interests had been since
gradually improving, but this was altogether the consequence of
Shevoininerend increase. They stood, however, still in a perilous
situation. And he (Mr. Robertson) would say, that if attention
were not paid to the commercial, the agricultural interests must
fall. In tonnes times, if the landed proprietors grew a surplus,
they could eerily find sale for it elsewhere; they could not do so
now, and would be unable so to do, until they could send it to
sinerket at art equal price with the produce of other lands. If the,
landed proprietors knew their best objects, they would never be,
‘ltstistied to let the Act lie dormant. In tiilesia and other countries
the for labour was nine shillings, and in Yorkshire and other
*plates -shillings. This was obstacle enough in the way of ex-
portation. Our cloths, in consequence of their high prices, have
been almost prohibited in various parts of the world • and therefore
lunch trade has been lost. In the United States of America, when
She country was declared free, there were two millions of inhabi-
tants ; there were at the present time ten millions; and in Spanish
America there were now seventeen millions of inhabitants. Much
cloth would be sold in these places if they could purchase coarse
det; they are unable to give the price demanded for fine, The
Housesraald, therefore, give considerable incitement to commerce
if the Act in questinn were repealed. In Asia. also our cloths
Irwidd find considerable sale, and raw goods be returned instead.
Why then should we shut the door against so much commercial ad-
vantage ? If it were to he contended that such a tax could be use.
ful to the agricultural interests, he (Mr. Robertson) would ask,'why
not lay comparative duties on other articles for example, tallow,
which would at once equally benefit the landed proprietors, and not
injure the commercial interests of the country.
Alderman THOMPSON hoped that the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer would take the subject into his consideration, and afford
some relief from the taxation on wool.
Mr. Alderman WOOD believed that the (Thancellor of the Ex-
chequer was not well. informed as to the operation of this tax,
which he was convinced was highly injurious to one of the most
'important interests in the country.
Sir J. WROTTESLEV begged to call the attention of his Ma-
iesty's Government to the time when this tax was imposed. It was
in 1819 that this tax was imposed, by way of compensation for the
continuance of the duty on malt ; and he was willing, if the l'hati.
cellos of the Exchequer would take off the remaining rid. on the
malt, the agriculturists would agree to the removal of the duty on

The Petition was then brought up, and ordered to be printed.
COAL DITTIES. _ _

. „._
Mr. Alderman WOOD presented a Petition from the ward of
Billy Mole, against the coal duties.--Ordered to be printed.
Mr. Raitie presented a Petition from Newport, in the county of
Cornwall, against the coal duties ; Holme Sumner presented ■
similar Petition from Bermondsey I Mr. W. Courtenay another
from Exeter; Mr. W. Smith another from Norwich 4 Llr. Lush-
lngton anotber from Caluelforcl ; Mr. W. Williams another front
the ward of Cornhill ; and Sir Thomas Arland five or six others,
from several places in Devonshire—The Petitions were ordered to
lie on the table, and to be printed.