The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-09 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1855.

The Newspaper, Postage, _and_ Stamp Duties
Bill has been again postponed. The Chancellor
of the Exchequer promises that, on this day week,
or sooner, if possible, he will be prepared to state
the course he intends to pursue with reference to
the measure, and to fix a day for its discussion.
Be it so. It cannot be expected that the Right
Honourable Gentleman should, like a new foot-
man, at once assume the cast-off garments of his
predecessor, and, without suitable alterations,
wear liveries shaped out for a person of very
different proportions. He would, indeed, be a
bold man who should, without due consideration,
undertake the
,responsibility of all Mr. GLAD
sroxis measures, and determine to force on the
House, per fan aut nefas, the opinions of that
crotchetty financier. It is true that some degree
of inconvenience may be experienced from the
prevailing uncertainty on the subject. But its
removal would be dearly purchased by hasty and
improvident legislation on such a topic, where
there could be " vestigia nulls retrorsum"—no
possibility of retracing the path which had been
too recklessly entered on.

We confess that we cannot accept the measure
as an unmitigated boon either to the press or to
the community. On the contrary, we believe
that a larger amount will be realised by the Ex-
chequer than under the existing regulations, an
that the chief effect will be to substitute infericu
local publications not merely for metropolitan but
for well-conducted and respectable provincial
journals. We gladly recognise the value of the
labours of our provincial brethren, and the well-
established reputations which, without distinction
of party, they have, generally speaking, acquired,
and which we are proud and happy to say has
rendered the British newspaper press second to
none in the world. Now, without ascribing the
elevated position achieved by the Fourth Estate
to the operation of the existing law, or for a
moment supposing that its efficiency has been
promoted by taxation, we may yet demur to any
sweeping change that might materially impair its
power or deteriorate its quality. If the
Stamp Duty is to be unconditionally struck
off we shall thankfully accept the boon,
and unhesitatingly meet the increased com-
petition. But we are called on, in return, to sur-
render a privilege long sanctioned by the Legis-
lature and the country, which, as asserted in the
resolutions of the newspaper proprietors, "is a
fair equivalent for the stamp, and tends to
equalise the diffusion of information through the
whole conaraunity.,,
Is net the price too high for
the alleged concelai,i,
131 We believe that, on in-
vestigation, it will be considered by every disin-
terested and unprejudiced
Person in the same light
that it has already been regarded by
the newspaper
proprietors—that it would, teed in reality not
to cheapen, but to enhance the coat of valuable
publications."
We do not say that there may not be very
con-
siderable improvements on the existing ay,tera~
not be introdumi
that decided ameliorations may
but, in a question of such vital importance, each
point should be strictly scrutinised, and all its
probable consequences accurately weighed. We
must not too hastily jump at any conclusions that
may be suggested, or say that because a direct
impost is removed we should therefore unhesita-
tingly accept an indirect charge, more onerous in
its nature and practically more expensive to con-
sumers than the old burden, to which we had
become in some degree accustomed.
We are, therefore, disposed to give the new

Financial Minister full time for mature considera-

tion, that he should be enabled to ponder on all
its mtpo 34 and to examine it in all its varied
Phases. He cannot do so while his mind is still
:13t1241.71-#.ll the ways and means, While he is be.
•
kp-V,4211;
L.&

1,11:11"4 4,
L 0. • ;