The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-13 00:00:00

mediately resolve itself into a Committee to consider
the desirability of reducing the duty on foreign wines.
Mr. EWART seconded the motion. He thought his
.1 1,1,1 Uai. a ea.,t, ill :uvour of a modifi-
cation of these duties. If they were informed of the
quantity of wine consumed in other countries, they would
be perfectly astonished at the small quantity con-
sumed here. In Denmark, for instance, the popu-
lation did not exceed that of London, yet the
consumption of wine was far greater than the
quantity consumed in this country. The consumption
of wine in Holland was about a gallon for each of the
population, but by a calculation made by the free-
trade of association of Cologne, it appeared that not
more than a quarter of a gallon was consumed
by each individual in this country. He did not see why
the same consumption should not take place in this
country as in Denmark. But there was a time when
there was a great consumption of wine in this country;
and no doubt his lion. Friend the Member for the Uni-
versity of Oxford (Sir R. H. Inglis) could recollect the
time when port wine was not the orthodox beverage of
Oxford —(A laugh.) At the beginning of this session
claret was the common beverage thera ; but the Uni-
versity, headed by the Dean, petitioned the House
against the high duties imposed on the importation of-
wine; and subsequently some alteration was made, and
port wine became the favourite beverage. Wine was a
great and beceficial stimulant, and if the duties were
modified, instead of having the adulterated wines of
Portugal, they would have the more wholsome and nu-
tritious wines of France. No doubt, like the question
of the tea, tobacco, and other duties, which still re-
mained upon the statute book, the repeal of the wine
duties would be loudly demanded by the people.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHCEQUER said,
that when a reduction had been made on wine the
consumption had greatly diminished. He feared,
then, that he could not calculate on an in-
creased revenue by a reduction upon that article.
It was quite clear that this country had reduced its duty
on wine, irrespective of any concession by any foreign
power. He would not, however, be inclined to make a
large experiment, and under these circumstances he
must object to the Hon. and Learned Member's motion.
Mr. I". BENNETT was surprised at the Hon. Member
for Bolton proposing to repeal the duty on wine, when
so many other articles might be better considered. If
any duty was to be removed, why not that on tea, coff,e,
or that most oppressive tax, the malt-tax.
Mr. HUME could not see any objection to the reduc-
tion of the duty, when it was quite certain that
the revenue would not suffer. The reduced duty
would occasion an increased consumption in the ar-
ticle, and the aggregate duty would be quite as
much, if not more.—(Hear, hear.) He called the at-
tention of the House to a recent dispatch re-
ceived from Mr. Pakenham, in which it was shown
that in America, with a reduced tariff, in one
ypar the revenue had increased one million of dollars.
Were the duty on wines reduced one half, the revenue,
he was persuaded, would not suffer. It would also be the
carrying out the free-trade principle, to which the
House was pledged.
Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN denied that the mere
reduction of free trade would constitute free trade, which
meant the total abolition of duties. He thought that if
any aleration of duty was made to benefit the labouring
classes it should be in the malt-tax.

Dr. I3OWRING replied, and said, after the expres-
sion of opinion elicited he would withdraw the motion.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

ELECTION MOVEMENTS.

WAKEFIELD.—Mr. Loch, son of Mr. Loch, Member
for Kirkwall, and a young man of considerable talent, is
a candidate for Wakefield.

MIDDLESEX.—A large and influential portion of the
electors of Middlesex are taking steps to secure the
return of a second Liberal candidate. Sir Edward Bux-
ton will, in all probability be the party returned, and
there is little doubt entertained of his success, if he
comes forward. Middlesex would then be represented
by two good men and true, in Lord Robert Grosvenor
and Sir Edward Buxton.

DUTCH AND GERMAN PAPERS.
THE HAGUE, MAY 9.—The improvement in his Ma-
jesty's health continues, so that no further bulletins will
be issued.

P.l. G. EVERARD, M.D.
BECKERS, M.D.
THE HAGUE, MAY 10.—We are happy to announce
that in consequence of the recovery of the King's health,
not only no more bulletins will be issued, but that his
Majesty walked out to-day.
The Second Chamber of the States General is to dis-
cuss, to-morrow, the project of Law on the formalities to
be observed in case of the loss of bonds payable by the
State. Setting out with the principle that the State should
not seek to derive advantage from accidents of this.
nature, it was necessary to think of finding means of
remedying them without exposing the State on the other
hand to losses.