The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-15 00:00:00

ROUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.)
WINE DUTIES.
Mr. OLIVEIRA rose to move a resolution, that the
present rate of duty charged upon foreign and colonial
wines is excessive and impolitic, and that the same be
reduced to ls. per gallon. He showed that while the
consumption of various articles had enormously increased
since the reduction of duty thereon, that of wine had,
in the same period, retrograded ; and he argued thence,
and from the opinions of competent authorities, that
a reduction cf duty would lead to increased consump-
tion. The high duty upon foreign wines stimulated
the manufacture of British wines, which were some-
times, he said, foisted upon consumers as port, sherry,
and champagne, to the detriment of the revenue.
The reduction of duty on wines, moreover, would
check the passion for ardent spirits, and conse-
quently the vice of drunkenness, the source of many
of those miseries among the lower classes which were
unknown in countries where wines were atthe command of
those classes. He showed that the supply, in the event
of the duty being reduced, would amply meet the demand,
the capacity of growth in wine-producing countries
being almost illimitable. In conclusion, Mr. Oliveira
took the house rather by surprise by stating that, con-
sidering the position of the country, it would not be
prudent on his part to divide the house or raise a dis-
cussion that would tend t) embarrass the Government ;
and he therefore should not press his resolution, which
accordingiy he withdrew.
The SPEAKER observed that the hon. gentleman,
having made his speech, had left the house without any
question before it, and set a precedent which he hoped
would net be followed.
SUPPLY OF GUANO.
Colonel BLAIR then called the attention of the house
to the present state of the guano market in this country,
the demand of which, for that valuable article, almost in-
diepensable to Scottish farmers especially, could not be
adequately supplied, owing to the practical monopoly
exercised, in opposition to its own interest, by the Peru-
vian Government. The question, he considered, affected
to a considerable extent the food of the people, upwards
of 10,000,000 bushels of wheat being, it was said, added
to the produce of the country by means of this stimulant
to the soil, the importation of which was now stopped.
He'.concluded by moving for copies of correspondence
with the Peruvian Government upon this subject.
Mr. CARDWELL made no objection to the produc-
tion of the papers, and expressed a hope that the Peru-
vian Government would see the policy of free trade in
this article. Every argument in favour of this policy
had been addressed to Peru by the British Government.
Sir J. GRAHAM observed, that in no subject had
the country a deeper interest than in the supply of
guano ; but he was afraid that no argument the British
Government could address to that of Peru would prevail
so long as the latter were in possession of an exclusive
monopoly of the article. The only question was whethor
it was possible to enlarge the supply, and directions had
been given to the admiral in the Pacific, and in (ether
quarters, that every exertion should be made by her
Majesty's ships to discover, if possible, fresh sources of
supply.
After a few words from Mr. JOHN' NPGREGOR, the
motion was agreed to.
Sir J. SHELLEY called the attention of the Go-
vernment to the evidence given before the City Cor-
poration Commission by the chairman of the Markets
Improvement Committee, in reference to the intention
of the corporation of the city to establish a dead-meat
market on the site of the present Smithfield market, in-
stead of at the new market at Islington. He contended
that •it .was utterly- opposed to the spirit of the act of
Parliament passed fer the construction of a new market,
and a gross violation of good faith, and concluded by
moving for copies .ef correspondence.
Mr. FITZROY said, the evidence referred to was ex
parte, and could not be noticed by the house until it had
been reported by th e Commissioners. No meat market
could be establishedt in any part of London except with
the sanction of the Secretary of State, and no corres-
pondence had taken place on the subject.
The motion, after' some remarks by Mr. S. WORTLEY
and Mr. PACKE, was agreed to.
CHARGE .AGAINST IRISH MEMBERS.
Mr. I. BUTT renewed his motion to nominate the
Committee of Privileges agreed to on Tuesday last,
having reduced the number to 15.
Sir J. YOUNG thought it better, considering what
was the object of the inquiry, to nominate a smaller
number, and bind all the members to a continuous
attendance. He suggested 9 to 11, with a quorum of
not less than 9.
Mr. BUTT wars ready to adopt the latter proposal ;
but, in the end, the debate was again adjourned until
this day.