The National Register.
London, England, 1817-05-05 00:00:00

TVESDAY, •PRII. 29.

Mr. LPIIIIINGTON inoved the second reading of the Salt
Duty Bill.
Sir C. Poi.v. paid, that from
been able to give the subject, he was still farther convinced
that this Bill ought lint to pass in its present state. He moved
that the Bill he read a second rims- this day six months.
Mr. Will INGTON said, this Bill was nut intended to op.
press the fishers, but to give them the benefit of tryiug the
experiment of Bock Salt in the cure of fish, which is much
cheaper than relived Salt, and load been found by the Isle of
Man fishers to be snitch better for the cure of fish.
Mr. 'I REM SIN contended, that the fish cured by home
made salt would not keep like that which was preserved by
foreign salt.
Mr. D. DIL/IrRT proposed, that the Bill should he referred
to a Cummittee iip stairs, where the subject would be scien-
tifically considered. He expressed his determination to take
tie sense of the House on the propriety of referring this Bill
to a Committee tip stairs, where he would he able to prove
that the fisheries could not at present be carried on without
foreign salt.
Sir T. Aeha.smin thought that a Committee op stairs was
the only proper place for discussing a measure like this.
Mr. FINDLAY thought nothing could be fairer than to allow
the fishers to make the experiment with rock salt.; but at the
same time he must look with great jealousy at any attempt
being made to lay father restrictions on salt at present.
Mi. VANSITTAKT hoped the Bill would be allowed to go
through the second reading; and then.it could be submitted
to a Committee up.stairs.
The A.iieuthuent was then withdrawn by Sir C. Pole.
Mr. DAVENPORT expressed his determination to oppose
thi, Bill.
Mr. CA LcoATT said, it was not his iutention to agitate this
salt question any more this Session.
The Bill was thee read a second time, and ordered to be
committed on Monday senniglit.
Mr. VANSIITART gave notice that he would to-morrow
move fur a Committee on the use of Kook Salt in the fisheries
THIRD SECRET %Kir OF STATE, •
Mr. TIERNEY rose to resume a motion he had made last
year, for a Committee to inquire-unto the propriety of abo-
lishing the office of Third Secretary of State. This office wits
considered by Mr. Burke as an excrescence growing not of
the necessities of the case. In trio 2, the business of the-Co-
lonies was traitsthrred from the Home Secretary to she War;
and then it got the name of the War and Colonial Office. His
proposal was to throw back the business of the Colonies to
the Hume Secretary's Office. Let Gentlemen consider those
dirties, sod then say if the present Secretory could have
so niece business as to pievesit him from eating,-driliking
and ',fretting. Let them examine Lord Chichester; and if
he said the Colonic* were taken
request, because he hail too mock to de, then he Mr. Tiers
pry) would shut his month, and never speak bait in tavoneof
a Third Secretary. Lord sidinontli could not now emnplaiu
of Irish coreespm.denee, or the dljlitla, ur Aliens; and, in-
deed the Office GI the Home Secretary was nothing new but
a General Ponca. Ofitee. The abolition oiling Office would be
a saving of 12,VJUi. to the country; hot the Finance Commit-
tee had paid no ottraitiou to it. Resides, ley aniaishing this
Other, th.e cuuutry would also save 2,01.)1. a year, which
la& tie ei ante., to the sseerelars in two years more. Thus
Lima,„ is..alal citail) he saved might be a !wiled to many other
uses. Hl lilt IMP Mr. Or the FIO&OCIr Cf./MIMI fee.
and elided their Itepert au old %sniped up Kisport ; and that
while tbuy teeontiiienaled to atnniela vile office, they recoin.
netril ti. estsolish a new one. These w.s no more necessity
for '!,haul Seel etart , than there leas a !herd ili,lanishup.
tlieii loose:I, that .5 Committee hie aup.iirsted hO iiiepaire,
how fat the inisines, rat she Thud Si caviar) of state could Ile
trim-I:erre d to the Office of the Haaie Secretary.
• -

Air. Gnt,LeuurN said, die Hoot. Gentlelliaii opposite never
applied for a Committee of Bimini) he had preiltier-
t 1111 l that the °Mee to be immured olio should bt
He therefore did sot h tiul Imaseti oolind to sliest' that We.
Committee would lie unnecessary, as these was a Committee
ti.•w enquirine into what Olives ought or ought out to be
abolished. •He (void out imagine hue/ any one could :issert, .
that the eolimiai business was less now than at any fusilier
time—the increase lit our Colonies and their pr.nperits must
increase the business of Mem. He (lid not hr lie ye that the
House wouli consent to a Measure winch would pro:lace a
saving of 12,000/. a year, but which would sanction the inn;
overnment of the Colonies. To those who viewed the Co•
lonics as our strength in war, mid our itlessing in peace, this
prope..ition would nut be very agreeable. He opposed the
motion.
Mr. MARRS:Cr Supported the motion.
31r. 4. BROWN gave his deeided negative to the motion.
Mr. Hannan was convinced that there was no real (ME-
tally in effecting this alteration, if it should be LA mid, by ihe
evidence brought before the Como that such an alters-
tiOn is necessary. He should, therefore, give the motion Isis
most cordial support.
Sir Mr. RIDLEy supported the motion.
Lord MILTON said, he had no doubt that this reduction
might be made without any injury to the Government of the
Colonies; and•withont giving them any dissatisfaction. As
the Committee of Finance had nut at all adverted to this
Office, it became the duty of the House to appoint another
Committee to enquire into this Office.
Mr. PossoulY said, if the House did not agree to this mo-
tion, lie was afraid it would suffer in the estimation of the
people.
Mr. BATBURST could not agree that a saving of 12,000/. a
year ought to be made at the sacrifice of the busimess 4.1 the
Colonies. 'the Hight Hon. Gentleman entered at length into
a reply to the argument of Mr. Ponsonby t namely, that no
person had yet said, the other Secretaries of State had so
muck to do that they could not divide the labours of this
amongst them. He contended that the Foreign Secretary
and the Home Secretary had already as many duties, and as
much important business to attend to, as they could fairly
perform. Our foreign relation• were so extensive at present,
and embraced so many important objects, amongst which the
Slave-trade alone was almost sufficient to occupy the atten-
tion of one Secretary exclusively; therefore the Foreign Se-
cretary ball certainly already quite sufficient duties to dls-
charge.—With respect to the Home Secretary, in the present
state of the country, no one. lie presumed, would be found
who would contend that he had not duties of the first magni-
tude, *ldly sufficient to demand his entire attention, without
Imposing any new labours upon him. Under these circum-
stances, be was fully persuaded that the present minims was
iU timed, to say the least of it ; and Ise should oppose it.
The Gallery was tiseu cleared fur a division, and the rmm-
. hers were—For the Moho° S7—Against it 190—Majority
against the Motion 103.