The Sun.
London, England, 1852-05-25 00:00:00

the ends of justice had been defeated by the court hav-
ing pushed the technicalities of the law to a most absurd
extent.
1,-.:IICRANWORTH. co :culled in the extreme icaL
porculiee of the inetusure.
The ropert wr 3 then r(ci?iverl, find the Bill was or-
dcired to be read a third time on Thursday next.
T.TtTWEIITVFAX-CONTINUANCE-131LL.

The Earl of DERBY, in moving tee second reading of
the absve Bill, epoke as follows:--lily Lords, although it
has been suggested by a Noble Friend of mine that it would
be desirable to read the Property Tax Continuance Bill
merely pro forma, with a view of postponing the discussion
upon it in going into Committee, I think under the peculiar
circumstances in which we are placed as regards public busi-
ness such a course would be attended with inconvenience to
Noble Lords on the oppoeite side of the House, as well as to
some on the Ministerial side. It is important that this Bill
should receive the Royal assent-with as little delay, as possi-
ble. I therefore submit to your Lordships the proposition
that you will now,read a second time the Bill for the contin-
uance of the property and income-tax for one year longer.
In bringing this subject before yonr Lordships it will not
of course be expected that I should go into any details as
to the state of the revenue and expenditure of the country,
or as to the particular reasons which have induced the
Government to propose the reeewal of this tax. Your Lord-
ships must be well aware that at the commencement of the
present session, upon the change of .the Government, there
was a general understanding on the part of this as well as
the other House of Parliament that with the exception of
such measures as were not likely to lead to serious differences
of opinion, no business was to _be brought forwsrd by her
Majesty's Ministers. Her Majesty's Government have even
declared that in the present session of Parliament it was
not their intention to introduce any measure that would be
likely to involve any serious conflict of opinions, and more
especially in regard to que,tions affecting the finances of the
country.—(hear, hear.) There was, my Lords, more than
this understanding—there was a distinct declaration that no
measure materially affecting the commercial or fiscal, condi-
tion of the country would be_ introduced into Parliament
this session. The question, then, for the consideration of her
Majesty's Government, was not whether any alteration
could be made in the fiscal. or commercial policy of
the country, or whether
,they could make such alter-
tions in the revenue and expenditure of the country as
might enable them to dispense with a tax of this
character, the objections to which he should be the last
man to undervalue.—(Hear, hear.) But, my Lords, the
question was, whether any alteration of the tax itself,
whether by any new arrangement of the system under
which it was levied, it would. be possible for us to dispense
with either the whole or any portion of it. Now, I think a
single word will satisfy your Lordships that, even if it, had
been desired wholly to dispense with this tax, which was
levied originally for a temporary purpose, and which I
still hope may be looked upon as temporary, but :is
merely continued from year to year to meet the pressing
necessity of the case—l think your Lordships will agree with
me, that unless ewe feel ourselves in a position for making
some general or final arrangement in respect to the
whole system of taxation, it would be inexpedient
to continue the whole or -any portion •of the tax, at
least for the present.—( Hear, hear.) But practically speak-
ing we had no alternative -placed before us; for though
-there is a surplus of income over the expenditure of last year
—yet as an important alteration in the taxation of the
country had taken place, the- effect of which did not come
into full operation until the present year—it was diffieult.to
say what the result of such alteration would be upon the
revenue of the country. If, the income tax had been alto-
gether taken off in the course of this year, we may reason-
ably calculate that at the close of the financial year, instead
of this surplus, there would be a deficiency of income to
the amount of 2,500,0001. And by the loss of the remaining
half of the income tax that-would fall upon the following
year, the result of our not renewing it wouldbe this—that in
the year of 1833 we would find ourselves in a deficiency to
the amount of about 5,000,0001.—(Hear.) The statement
which my -Right Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer submitted to the House of Commons a few evenings ago
went to show that the result of obtaining the whole tax,
supposing that no alteration had been made in the receipts,
would be, on the best calculations, to give a:surplus of
450,0001. upon the revenue of this year. This is a surplus
which I think is 'not more than is absolutely necessary to
meet the probable exigencies of the State, and the call that
may be made on us -for increased expenditure. Nor is it
more than is necessary for us to keep as a balance in hand
for the maintenance of public business.—(Hear, hear.)
Under these eireunistances, feeling ourselves bound by the
stipulation which we have entered 'into—not to introduce, in
the present session, any material alteration into our financial
or fiscal regulations—and I will also fairly admit, not having
the opportunity of considering or of proposing to Parliament
any matured plan for the arrangement of our fiscal affairs,
though we should even consider such to be ultimately expe-
dient—her Majesty's Government feel that they have no al-
ternative, while desirous to retain .a surplus revenue, and
having a due regard to the maintenance of public faith and
public securitya-they, I say, feel that the have no
alternative than to make that proposition which I now sub-
mit to your Lordships, namely, to continue without alteration
or amendment the existing property tax-' for another year,
in order to afford us in the 'interval the fullest
'prac-
ticable to make any alteration in the neencoheirial,lankse,hyyobstuep
opportunity of considering whether it will be
thisn
ce-
eo
iu vni
tnt
argyx,y.
—ao nu(drueto
rao
radshihseipapersu
_)s_e
.Aws
hti to
uthhitedh es
nawom4heo
time
el
rad re thtoi
acting
ngdt heoa-ef
I
I
frank or honest part if I were to hold but any -very sanguine
expectations,that this would be the last occasion upon which
I should deem it necessary to submit to this 1101183 a propo-
sition for the renewal of the tax. While '1 say this, my
Lords, I cannot but admit the strength of the arguments
that are urged for the removal or modification of the tax,
because I think, not only that it is one which• oughtnot to be
resorted to except for the purposes of war, and should, ilot be
looked upon as part of the ordinary resources of the country,
bat also because, from the best considerations that I have
been able to give it, and from the considerations given to it
by successive Committees of the other House of Parliament,
I believe the difficulties are almost insuperable which stand
in the way of diminishing its injustice and inequality_
(Rear.) With that impression, I should be glad if the present
state of the revenue, or looking forward for a year or two, I
should, I say, be happy if the revenue were in such a state as
would enable me to hold out expectations of the reduction or '
the abolition of this tax. But I think the course-which the •
Government is taking, of proposing to continue it for the pre-
sent year, is that which affords to Parliament the fairest and
best opportunity of considering the practicability in a future '
session of Parliament of its entire abolition or reduction;
and I, for one, am willing to rest the proposition for the con-
tinuance of the tax for another year simply upon the tines- ,
tion of necessity, for the purpose of maintaining the public
credit.—(Hear, hear.) If it can be shown in any future
session that the credit of the country can be maintained, and 1
that our finances can be upheld with due•consideration for '
the expenditure of the country, I shall be the first to rejoice
at
Government
the abolition
of o fthe
htiacxh. Andama
if it
membershou should
o submitfall to h
teol
Par-ot of
the
liameut a proposition for the repeal, or even for the reduc-
tion of a tax which in its operation I believe to be not only .1
unpopular, but justly so, no one -.will be more
rejoiced at having such a duty •to discharge: • Under the
circumstances then on which we stand—with the under-
standing that we have a prospect at no distant
,period
that the policy of this tax will be duly considered,
as well as our t ommercial and financial policy generally, I '
trust that your Lordships will not only -gireyeur consent -tp
the second reading, but in the position in 'which we are
now placed, you will be also of opinion that the continunnce
of this tax for a single year is the -only conese it is possible
for her Majesty's Government under the circumstances to
take. I have, therefore, to 'move your -Lordships-that the
Property Tax Continuance Bill be read a second time.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE was exreeneJY
re they
cmaomree
atnoxai
ufisn
taol ddeoc iss
ne-•befo
Briery to tres-
pass upon their Lordships for a short ti
oppose the second reading; -en the contrary, heirould give
desirable, in the present state of • the country, that there
ioonbeucriaounse
the measure his cordial assent. Nevertheless, he felt it '
iellhiteevfntaiosnthtee
the
was u e toi
to n
h.
should be a discossiou upon the- financial affairs of the
country. He would remind their' Lordships of the circum-
stances under which this •tax originated, apdtviscentinned
by successive Governments. The Noble Earl would-forgive
him for referring to a statement. -which be made last year '
in respect to this ;subject. , The Noble Earl'e statement-on
the present occasion as to -this 'tax being originally pro-
posed
not the whole truth. The 'tile Was ori
as a temp(erary measure, wag' the truth; but 'it was
only for the purpose of miie-thag a temporary 1 deficiency,
but also of enabling the Government to dealewitirthe other
revenues of the State in such-a-manner eels's-meld enable-them
,
ginaHr peoposed, met
to dispense wish, it as a permanent tax-. • In-1810, the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer of that day, being ire a deficiency,
recommended, as an experiment, that 10 'per cent. should be
added to the direct taxes of the country, and 5 per cent. to
the indirect taxes.' What witi-the-re,sult The 10 per cent.
brought in the vehble anfount of, the tax tentemplated; lent
the 5 per cent2retarned somethieg per cent. 1MM:1
the calculations or the Chancellor of the Eteheqiter. The
fact was thus proVed that the" takes' upun hrticles of coil-
sumption hada-tad-led their nitnat linitsle-It was therefore I
necessary, with a seiew to thole reduction, that in'the mean-
while an incqpne-tax should be reim-persed. That 1018 • ttie
policy of the late Sir Rcshertereee in•le.432e- On the 19th. bf
May, the Noble Eirl, in reply to.' the icroble'lefarquis the
then President of he Council, said be• Was prepared' to vote'
for the abolition ef the prcipeety•eaX, as such a 'system- of
taxation was calcated to bring rani on ,the-rountrt. He,
(the Noble Duke contendefl" .thatall2tHe eiriderice: they
could obtain went -to 'show-float - this'-system of "teAtiou
had conduced considerably to the preselArity -of, the Coun-
try. As one of the strongest- proofs of such prosperity;, 'he
need only refer to the late speech of the Chancellor of 'the
Exchequer. Within the last ten years' there had been 'a
remission of taxation amounting to ,about' 12;000,0004, not-
withstanding which the revenue of the 'country was in' as
prosperous a state as ever it was before such•sreruission, and
the comforts and happiness of the people had' been consi-
derably increased. Of coffee; in 1841 there were
28,500,0001b5. consumed, while in the last year. the quan-
tity was 32,500,0001b5. Tea, in' 'lB4l was 36,500,0001b5.,
whereas.in 1851 it rose to 54,000,0011b5. The consump-
tion of, seigar in 1841 was 4,000,000 eWts.; in 1851 it, was
6, ;00,090. Coco., in 1811 e was 2,000,000 cwt.;
_whereas. in
1851 it rose'to nearly 3,000,000 cwt. Our exports increased
within the time more than .50 per cent., and our imports
more than 70 per cent._ What, however, was the case with
America? Why, the last speech of the President of the
United States contained a paragraph lamenting the, large
exports of specie which were gradually leaving the coffers of
the country; while, on the contrary, the specie in the coffers
of this country liad increased tremendously within the last
few yeare. It might be said that the discovery of the gold
mines in California-had led to such a result. Why, this was
a fact that told altogethei' against the' Noble Lord's "argu-
meuese and rendered a return to protection absolutely impos-
aible. He had listened to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's
admissions as to the result of their legislation in reference
increase
apsitiaiprepinetg. T
to sugar with the greatest pleasure, because it was a
triumphant proof of the success of such legislation. The
adevreautages gained from the repeal of the navigation-laws
w -equallyherease in m
eenotonalycobrereens
buthere' there'h has been corresponding
aonldairngge
increase in the numberu of seamen employed. Besides that
the transit trade
d of
up to a position of the greatest
importance. Some
soon of the oriel' ports of the country, such as
Hull, would
Europe -Ind
America;
entrepoti of intercourse between
" G F. -ioung," the effeecnt`st iii spite of the declamations of
laws had been favourable
be repeal of the navigation-
are now built cheaper and better' td the shipping interest. Vessels
Lords who were fond of yachting
they had been, as Noble
Ano-
ther and a most important point''g were well aware. '
agricultural interest had was the way in •
agricubeen affected b _
,which •the
corn-laws. Putting aside the effects upony the repeal of the
farmers, what had ban the effect upon te the landlords and
t
population, of the country.? Let their r
Lordshipsgreat bulk of the
merely into the markets of market towns on market days,
not
and converse with those who bought and sold there, but go
among the people; let -them follow the members of the other
House ,in those domiciliary visits which they would soon
have to pay.—(A. laugh and heewas persuaded they
would son 'find the altered position of the inhabitants.
He did not merely speak of the great hives of our popula-
tion,Glasgow and Birmingham~ Liverpool and Manchester,
but of couuty tom 91 8 00i) Or 10 000 as
; ;