The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-01 00:00:00

mistake
sinned el

The next

Mr.
tepcal

life . resenntt.
perish, abase petition _ now preseni_a, was one o.
m the kingdom. and he was sure that they expromed the tt.
of the smote country, when they prayed the repeal of the direct
taxes in prefereeze to those upo.t articles of luxury.
..Mr. SOL M E SUMNER wi'hsd the whole duty to be taken off
windows up to a certain number.
The petition was thee laid upon the table, and ordered to be
printed.
CATHOLIC CLAIMS.

Sir J. NEWPORT rirerisited • petition from Kerry, praying
fR Catholic Emancipation.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL pt-eeenteil a petition from
Dfennport optima any further mermen to tbeCatholtca.—Ordered
`°c
mil,,

.ilAGWELl.presented a petition final Clonroell. signed
17 owl/ Noble Catholics. and veveril thousand respectable inha-
bitants, against *bat he would justly call the Bill of Pains and
Penalties which had passed that flout,. (Hear, hear, hear.)
The same Hon. Gentleman presented petitions from Clanwilliam
and Carrick-upon-Suir, in the county of Tipperary, in favour of
Catholic Emancipation. These petitions had been fmwarded,
wesompanied by letters, informing their grateful thanks for the
fairdllas their cause had receivril from their Protestant fellow-
anatryinen. (Hoar.) Th? Hon. ."Alernbez for Hertfordshire had
expressed himself upon a fo?rner evenir.g as *shamed of living in
the only crowds, of civilised Euircpc, where any class of men were
esclodei ars =own of their religious teelirgs from participating
in Abe privileges of their fellow-citizens. He could any that he was
ashamed as an Irishman to lire in habits 1.. f social intercourse with
Mai over whom the laws gave him a superinrity, merely bemuse
they were Drone religious feeling, and he of another. (Hear, hear.)
He Iran webemcd exile, undeserved prefetence. (Hear.)
Sir J. SEBRICI HT was obliged by the Hon. Gentleman's re-
fflinnbrimce. He was anxious to impress upon the House the
se?essity of uhnitting wiz millior.s of our fellow.countrymen to the
Amman of the same rights end privileges we ourselves possessed.
It bed bees objected to the Catholics that they were intolerant ;

mittee is of the greatest importance, as affecting the domestic
comforts of the rest body of the people; at the same time no
put of the revenue is greater in amount then that derived
from the Excise. Here again I have the 2aq-if-Action to state,
that the produce not only exceeds that or last year, but passes con-
siderably
beyond my estimate, in which I reckoned it at the same
sum as the year before. I assumed that the prixtuce would be
25,825,000/, whereas the actual produce has been 28,788,0001.,
being an increase of 1,143,0001. upon the estimate which I ventured
to make. This result must be a matter of sincere congratulation
to every one wbo cares for the interest and happiness of those
around him ; and it is peculiarly gratifying to me to know, that I
am addressing an assembly in which those feelings prevail which
ought to guide the course of legislation. When it can be shown
that almost every individual article that contributed to the revenue
of Excise has increased in consumption, we hare a fact which in-
dicates, beyond all possibility of doubt, the increased ease, corn-
fort, and happiness of the community. (Chee-s.) It will not,
perhaps, be entirely a waste of time to know the details of this
general increase. First I must state, that the whole produce of
the Excise, for the year 182-4, not only exceeds that of the year
before, but the average of the Lut three years. (llear, hear, hear.)
I will now proceed to the paniculu items. In auctions, the in.
crease on the quantity charged, the proper mode of estimating ;he
state of the revenue, is 12 per cent. over the average of the three
previous years. In strong beer, the increase is 18 per cent.; in
table beer, 29 per cent. ; in bricks, 40 per cent. ; in tallow candles,
91 per cent. ; in wax candles, 8 per cent. ; us mice, 3i pa cent. ;

.;~

\ \

tity t.
eider, ble, of 1, , in
erns. is II per cent.: in leather, 10 per cent. ; in skins, 13 per
cent. ; in linnets, 7 per cent. ; in paper, 12 per cret. ; in printed
goods, 24 per cent. ; in stained paper, 20 per cent. ; in salt there is
'diminution arising evidently from the expectation that the whole
duty would be suffered to expire, for I am, not so absurd as to sup-
pose that the reduction of the duty could have led to a diminished
consumption. In temp, the Increase is 73 per cent.: in soft-soap,
112# per tent. ; in starch there is a diminution of n per cent. ; in
British spirits en increase of 6} per cent. ; in foreign spirits, 25 per
cent ; in stone betides, IS per cent. ; in tea, It per cent. ; in to-
bacco, 3 per cent. ; in vinegar, 9 per cent. ; ice wine, 6 per cert.
and on wrought-iron, 13 per cent. The increase on all thzate articles
to the degree I have stated, most afford unquestionable gratification
to every individual. (Cheese.) The next branch of the revenue on
which I wish mazy a fed words is, the duty on stamps. The Com-
mittee will recollect that last year. after I had made my first state-
ment, the subject of 14w stamp was brought under the considers.
fton of the house, and I felt Myself bound in duty to propose the
repeal of theno.• •I anticipated that this would • cost the revenue
about 200.006/. The i• hole amount at which I hail enviously es-
timated this branch of the revenue was 6,80,0001. Presuming
that at least one fourth of the dlitier repealed would be lost, the
produce ofthe games for the TOT 11124 would be within my esti-
mate if it had yielded 6.7304001, but, in point of fact, it
Ins 7.241,000/. (Heat, hear.) We have thus gained the
geed and suffered no evil. We have abolished an objections
able impost, and not impaired the revenue. (Heat, heqr, hear.)
The Poet-office last year I net onted at 1,4110,0001., it has produced
1.4120,000/. This increase was naturally to be expected, when all
Ike great branches of our industry are in such • suite of activity.
I know that there were some who thought that I wan MO sanguine,
sod that I was exposing the revenue to some risk in the reductions
I proposed ; but I truntatow, that all will admit that I kept safely
within bounds, aid th:t I shall net be blamed if I now act on the,
same principles and assume the some improvement, in order to
jellify a perseverance in the saps pslicy then adopted by Perlin-
Seot. (Cheers.) Haying ealtaiae4l to the Committee the actual
site of the revenue lot year, as compared with the estimate
natured to submit, I have now to state the estimate I have formed
for the present year, and to explain the groped on which I assume
that that estimate will prove to be correct. In the first place I will
state the figures simply, and then the grounds an which the calcu-
lation is made.
The whole receipt of every kind in the year 1836, I estimate at
the sum of - . . . . ES6 44.1 370

66.001.8i2

-

• C ;
,


inair.tairell. The country applied it-
-4 it must see that this system was founded
~ble principle. It is necessary, therefore. I
A on its legs ; boa I do not propose to make
..tely, on account of the toss and inesr.venienet
,
to which .als would by that course be exposed. I propose
that the bounty should continue till July, 18%, and then cease.
At the same time I shall have no objection to fix the duty so that
it may never exceed twenty-seven shillings. It is contr try to every
r..tity,al principle to raise the duty on a commodity in proportion as
it grows dearer. I intend to give the parties "hose interests are
likely to be sheeted by this change, a full equivalent by the reduc-
tion of duty on an important article of their produce. The sur-
plus revenue for the four years will stand thus—.
. . For 11124 . . 1,437.744
3125 - 443,528
- - -
-
11126 - - . - C 64,675
1327 - . - - 1,244.676

Total Surplus -
- - 4,000,411
When I made my financial statement last year, it did nut appear
to me that the surplus would be so great. The question I then
asked was, what shall we do with it? I repeat that question now.
land I answer it in the same way. We can do a great deal of good
with it, and it is our duty to do it. (Cheers.) The course I shall
recommend Is calculated to do that good, end though particular ie.
wrests may not be pleased, yet, looking as we ought to look at all
interests, that course is the best calculated to promote the general
' welfare, and to extend the benefits of that prosperity on which we
congratulate ourselves to all parts of the work!, even those the most
remote from our connexion. (Cheers.) The relief then I propose
should be given will coosist in the reduction of taxes, which I wish
to apply to three objects; first, to extend our commerce and increase
the facilities of consumptioo ; secondly, to endeavour to carry fur.
they the attempts we have made to extinguish the monstrous nil of
smuggling; and, thirdly, not to orerlook that relief from the
pressure of direct taxation in which I am quite prepared to acqei-
, ace, if I atn not, by that acquieseecce, driven to abandon these
two other points, which I believe, on my conacienre, are
ten thousand times more importam than any relief that can
be given from direct taxation. (Loud cheers.) I am well
aware to what I expose myself by this declaration. 1 hear
in mind what I was told this evening—that if I wish to for-
wiedt-she popularity of Government, 1 should apply myself to
the reduction of direct taxation: but I do not wish to obtain
popularity for Governmera at the expense of the real and im-
portant interests of the country ; and I think we should not
deserve it if, for the sake of obtaining it, we were to abandon
' the principles the most conducive to the public prosperity (Cheers.)
Firm, then, as to those arrangements et mention affecting the
interests of foreign nations, and the consurieption of their pro-
ducts the desirableness of getting rid of the system of pro-
hibitions hibitfons is now generally admitted. Much has 'been done,
but much remains to do. (Hear.) I hope no great time wilt elapse
before my Right Hon. Friend t,3lr. Illnekisson) will introduces pro-
position which will go to put an end for ever to those narrow and
mistaken views which I am anxious, if possible, to strike for ever '
Iron our recollection. That, however, is more properly his provines
and he will state it with Iris peculiar clearness Ind precision.
The duty on foreign iron has been adverted to this Session. I
hope none of those who are concerned in the productime of iron
will consider it incompatible with their interests to give free
admission to foreign iron. Every one knows the price has risen,
and that it is impossible to supply the demand. Shiny
orders in hardware at Birmingham and Sheffield cannot be
executed at all, and they find their way into other countries.
I believe that the iron masters will not surfer a mistaken
jealousy to blind their sense of justice. By reducing the
duty from 61. or 71. a ton to 1/. 10s, the revenue rill not suffer.
On the contrary, u the duty removed is next to prohibitory, the
revenue will be improved. The free intercourse, of which we set
the example, we hope to see followed by other countries. We
desire a free and open admission for our manufactures, and we
must give the same to theirs. But we are not bound to give it
unless there is a perfect reciprocity. I ought to observe however
that it is our duty to follow up our principles steadily, and not to
profess them one year and abandon them the next. (Cheers.) I
will now proceeed to state the reduction I purpose in the '
various articles of foreign produce. The first item is hemp. I
No man can doubt we should do all in our power fairly
to serve the shipping interests, and maintain this wonderful
naval superiority which, after all, is the fideram of our
strength. The reduction I propose in this article is 150 per
cent. The duty is now Id. per lb. The Ines to Coe revenue. by
reducing it to id. vriU be about 100.0084 The next article is
coffee—the duty is now Is. per lb. It is important to give facilities
to the trade of the West Indies, and I propose, therefore, to re-
duce this duty 50 per cet.t. The loss 1 estimate at 150.000!. The
next article is wine. By some it is called a luxury, but that seems
carrying the definition much too tar. At any rate when its
medical qualities are considered, it cannot be always so regarded.
It was LICK certainly from any regard to the luxuries of the rich
that I propose the reduction upon wine, which it is my inuntion to
submit ; if they derive additional comfort from it, one would not
grudge it to them ; it is net, however, fur their sake. but because it
is calculated to operate as a practical benefit to the middling classes
of society, and as a general measure of utility to the other interests
of the country. The high price of wine was naturally attended with
a diminished consumption, and the high ditty upon it was further
attended with a diminution of the means of ciliponsing of our pea.
duce. Thus did it operate injuriously, not only as regarded the
consumption of wine, but had also the effect of not giving play to
several branches of our industry. Looking at the question of con-
sumption, and asiabliabiug a comparison between the consumption
of wine In the yams 1801, 1802, anti 1110$, when the duty was less,
and the ',resent consumption new that the duty is high, 1 find the
forester jar exceed the latter in quantity. Tne average annual con-
sumption in Great Britain alone (not including Ireland) was
274,559 gallons of certain rare wines, whiclw were net in general
use, and of that wine which-was imported front Portugal and Spain,
and which was in more demand, 7.306,105 gallons. Such was the
average consumpnon of those years at the lower duties; and at pre-
sent, when the duty leas high, notwithstanding the increase of
wealth, of population, and of the general prosperity enjoyed in a
time of pence, the consumption of the former class of wines did rot
exceed 214,268 gallons, and of the latter 4,847.1176. It might be
Aid that this diminished consumption was owing to the altered ha- i
ills of the people, that people don't drink wine now as much as
they were wont to do. This might certainly be true ; but it would ,
be admitted that the high duty also operated to prevent the con-
sumption, and that the reduction of it would naturally remote
one principal cause of the diminution. That the people had
altered in I,:teir habits, as to 11* quantity of wine they were
disposed to take, was a reason why no danger need be apprehended
front the reduction of the rates, on the ground of the reduction,
being accompanied by the immoral or drunken habits of the
people. By the reduction I contemplate. it is expected that the
consumption will be at least equal to what it had been in the years
1801, 11102. and 1803. For the purpose of showing the intended
change, it will be necessary to compare what the ditty had been at
these former periods and the present. The present duty on French
wine was 1 is.3ed., and on wine imported from Portugal and Spain
and other places 7*. 7d. per gallon. In the years 11102, 1803, and
1804, the duty. was lie. 9 '(1.00 the former,and en the latter it varied
from ss. to 6s. and 6s. hi. per gallon. The duty that I note pro.
pose to affix on these wines is (is. instead of Ils. 514. on French
wines, whigh is little more than half the present duty; and 4s. on
wine from Portugal, which is also little more than half that which
is at present laid on. The result of this reduction will be, that
French wine may be had at Is. 3d. a bottle, and Rhenish and Por.
tuguese wines a: Is. a bottle, less than at present. The following
1 presents a view of what the duty had been in 1802, what it now is,
I taking the year 1822, and what it is in future to he:—
m d.
In 1602—French wines - 8 91 per gallon.
Other wines . - 5 9.
Jo I/W.2—French wines . 'll tit
Other wines . - 7 7
PROPO3ED lIEFE•L.
French wine - 6 0
Portuguese . - 4 0
This was going below what the duty had been in the former year.
but not to an extravagant degree, nor to an extent that will not
be found injurious to the revenue from the increase of consumption.
With respect to Ireland. which it was intended to include in the
proposed regnlations, and to assimilate on this point with the duty
paid by this couture. I am satisfied it will be deemed but reasonable
even by the people of that country ; for it should be remembered.
that they pay no assessed taxes. (flew, hear, from the Opposi.'
tion.) 'ewes {opt intended, not was it his wish that the ancitot-
and generous hospitality which was the characteristic of that coml.
try sbould.beloterforati with, though the ewe:sof that hospitality ,
MAY be curtailed. The revived comounptiorref then t r 'ears
In England and Scotland, on a moderate caleit ton,
fairly eapeetcd at least to be on an i Wm; it
the years )609, 1808. end 1810& ..,Tak
.. '
.or
what the produce to the Exchinhemerauld be,
to he sestained by duties on wine proposed to he repealed would be
230,000 i The nest part of the subject to which Inm desirous of
calling the attention of the Committee is one of peculiar and pri-
mary importance; it is one vitally affecting the principles of coin-
fierce, and which prevents their tree anti fair operation in every
department—l mann smuggling. Without exception, we hare not
a greater domesfie evil to contend against than this ; it haunts us
everywhere we go. In vain it is that we have our coast guarded
and metered, still it finite its way to our shores, and even Into
cur very harbours. It is to be met with in thc very palaces
of our Nobility, and in the cottages of our peasantry. It
seduces alike the peer and the peasant: every where there is
a disposition to encourage it ; all are di to yield to its
temptations. (Hear. hear, hear.) Every srroog measure has been
resorted to, to suppress it, but without =mesa. But whilst strong
measures had been resorted to, the law had not been altered • the
only course that was then left was to alter the law. (Hear, hear.)
We have an example in Scotland and in Ireland, of the success
which attended the alteration of the law by the merle which was
taken to ',appetite illicit dmillatinn ; the duty on spirits was lowered,
and instead of the people becoming addicted to drunks:nom in con-
sequence of the change. it remedied the evil—it restored pewee, and
prevented that confliction between interest and duty, which often
operated on the magistracy of the county to abstain from carrying
faithfully into efEct a law which was in many instances incon-
venient to themselves We are bound to go still further, and the
principles of ditty unite with the principles of humanity and
the inte-ests of the community, to alter the law so as to sup.
press this great evil. But in doing so, we must proceed gra-
dually. I sin desirous of going far, hut am unwilling to pro.
crest with indiscretion or haste—" one should not ride a willing
horse to death." The lowering of the duty on spirits had been
productive of great benefit in Ireland end Scotland, but at the
same time that these parts of the kinedoni were materially

r-- " ' d -''
Frac*e ee well as their profession to o good—or perhaps more folly of injudicious legislation. But it is always in progress
than all from the absence of a certain class of persggs who are
irre
distinguished by their lawn sleeves in this country,—they nose mrchirrepressible tendency is to make its way through the world
more free from prejudice aeon the subject of tfid Catiqolie claims, tarry with it increased benefits to every shore it visits. (Ct
and he believed almost uniformly friendly to the concestions they I Our prosperity, therefore, is not to be attributed to any rots
fnr.
lifftg Petition was ordered to lie upon the ' rand to 14 primed. circumstance+. It rests on a basis not to be shaken. The
ASSESSED TAX be no rational doubt of its solidity, especially when we taki
Mr. J. B. :HONER presented a petitio# . Reading, for the consideration dust new power of production, now at work
repeal of the House and Window Duty. ..4 11* ersoutable Gentle-
such wonderful activity-1 mean the steam isem.4r
man described these taxes as highly op. t lower classes. -
There had been circumflex:lms I s=oe, I Lope, a
lad as depriving them of both light • e, so
eifilaty.five appeals Rom Reading at the ''.. envenom and he im- maintain that the ' vement of our ion is nafthe ret
p.ored the House to consider, that the
..A. of thele*l'Peah any chente or accident, but the gateletary consegnence of i
wee grater eTtO than the tax itself. r',. , lie upon the
tble . permanent in tiller nature, and consequently increasing in p
Mr. DENISON, ia presenting a ti.. . . • It ale be checiAgnirtir taspeovident legislation. (Hear, I
/Wei/elan feral+, repeal el the Alien .......... ' - regt..A.4.../. may annum safely, then. I think, to affirm that the prods
inismite which had gone abroad ,wispecting the petition he had pre- f
this particular branch of the revenue may be assumed as the
*suited on • former evening from Croydon. That petition
like the present, for • repeal of the whole of these taxer. he on which we may calculate the produce foe three years to ,
wish., whose petition he had nos presented, was one of the largest I The next branch to which I beg to call the attention of the
in the kingdom, and he was slag that they expressed the feelings mittee is of the greatest importance, as affecting the dot

THE 413RITNH PRESS.
f
tionoa, it per ears.; is glue, 20 per cent.; in gtase bottles arrangement was awe to be
ere is a dinitontille of 2) per cent., but as the whole suss. Self 10111C.St questions, and i
.oany n
too roundput
thisor intelligibler
y made is until, tliongh the rate of the diminution is con-
kW:4e, the gross amount of it is trilling ; in cider the in- the change immediately. on
was is lit pet cent. ; in leather, 10 per cent. : in skins, 15 per to which individuals would