The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-16 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1853.

Still procrastination and uncertainty—nothing
but procrastination and uncertainty. These are
the guiding principles of the Joint-Stock Admin-
istration—the only matters on which the Mem-
bers of the Government can agree the one with
the other, or cordially co-operate together. Sir
CHairrxs WOOD will become practically the most
efficient and useful of the body, as he is more
versed in the art of disappointing the' community,
and shelving for an indeterminate period, any
question on which the popular enthusiasm was
strongly excited. Lord Jomc RUSSELL, although
not quite so practised a hand in this respect, is
proving himself to be a worthy pupil of his
faineant colleague. The Noble Lord appears
desirous of enveloping himself in a cloud of mys-
tery—of refusing the slightest information even
on the most important and urgent matters. He
not only declines to say what will be done, but
whether anything of any kind is to be at-
tempted ; and, in answer to the interpella-
tions addressed to him, only renders statements
already sufficiently doubtful, still more vague
and unintelligible, merely declaring that "it is
not the intention of the Government to furnish
any information whatsoever."
This may be a very independent, but we cannot
consider it a very judicious or politic course, more
especially in reference to a Member so generally
respected as the veteran JOSKPII HUME, on a sub-
ject of such vital importance as the renewal of the
Property and Income Tax. It may be very con-
venient for the Ministerial Leader and his coad-
jutors to delude the country with the idea that
something is to be done with respect to the im-
post, so as to render it more equitable and more
tolerable, and then, at the eleventh hour, to come '
down, declaring that they have been unable to
overcome the difficulties and impediments to a
satisfactory' solution of the problem. An appeal
.—to prevent the serious injury to public credit
and the best interests of the community, by per-
mitting so productive a branch of revenue to
possibly be successful. The ordeal
would thus be avoided for another year. But
will the people be duped by a piece of jugglery
so
easy of detection_an attempt at humbug so very
transparent ? will they be thereby induced to
postpone the necessary agitation—the salutary
pressure from without, that is so very valuable
when a squeezable material is to be worked on ?
We hope not. Fiscal Reformers would be untrue
to themselves and to their country if they could
be so easily diverted from their purpose--the great
end and object of their labours.

Let there be no mistake about the matter.
The Act under which the Tax is levied, 15 Vic.,
c. 20, will expire on the sth of April next.
This we assent positively, notwithstanding the
rumour to a different effect, most industriously
circulated, and which appears not to have been
made without an object. It was declared that
" the duties on profits, arising from property, pro-
fessions, trades, and offices," would be continued
for twelve months, from the time of the passing
of the Act—the 28th May, 1852—the natural
inference being, that there was no necessity for
speedy legislation on a matter which need not
be disposed of until the end of May. Now, no-
thing can be more erroneous than this statement.
The words of the Ist section are as follows, viz.:-
4, The several rates and duties by the said first-recited
act granted shall be and the same are hereby continued,
and shall be charged, raised, levied, collected, and,
paid
unto and for the use of her Majesty, her heirs and suc-
cessors, from and after the fifth day o f April, one thou-