The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-23 00:00:00

AND RUM.

On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX-
CHEQUER, the House resolved itself into Committee to
consider the recommendations in her Majesty's Speech
with respect to temporarily suspending the penalties im-
posed on those using sugar and molasses in their
breweries and distilleries.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
rose to bring forward the propositions of the Govern-
ment. He said he proposed now to state the measure
which her Majesty's Government had resolved to submit
to a Committee of the whole House with reference
to sugar, molasses, and rum. The House last night
and the preceding night seemed to entertain some
misapprehension as to the exact recommendations
in the Queen's Speech. He certainly thought
that no misapprehension could have existed in the
minds of Hon. Members with respect to these recom-
mendations, especially those having reference to the
temporary suspension of the corn and navigation laws
as the rep..al of the duties on the corn-laws, after a limited
period, received the sanction of the House last session.
The navigation laws were those to which the greatest im-
portance attached, as, except under no ordinary circum-
stances, could a suspension of those laws take place with
safety. A similar remark might apply, with equal force
with respect to the measure which he was now about
to propose to the House ; but Hon. Gentlemen would
recollect what took place at the close of last session—
that the Government considered that further reductions
ought to be made.—(Hear, hear.) He, therefbre, rose
in pursuance of the intentions entertained by her
Majesty's Government at the close of the last
session, for the express purpose of proposing a
further reduction of those duties which they considered,
at diet period, ought to be modified.—(Cheers.) Mea-
sures of considerable importance were passed at the
close of last session, reducing much of the protection
which the West and East Indies had previously
enjoyed against foreign competition—a course, the
adoption of which, be thought, was calculated
to produce the greatest advantage to this country.
A reduction had been made in the duty on molasses,
rum, and sugar, of from Is. 6d. to Is. In making
these reductions consideration was had not only
to the public benefit, but also to the revenue. It
was with a view to this point that measures had
been proposed last session. No one was more
fully alive to the advantages of what were called
the doctrines of free trade, but it was impossible to
apply it fully to all the different circumstances
that might arise. The produce from the Customs was
a million and a half. It was impossible to raise a con-
siderable portion of this without indirect taxation. It
might be in the recollection of Hon. Gentlemen,
in the statement that had been made on the sugar
duties, that the prospects for the ensuing year were not
very favourable. It was calculated that there would
be a deficiency of between 300,0001. and 400,000 L
Now, up to the present time the increase in the reve-
nue exceeded the most sanguine expectations. The
balance sheet showed a considerable increase. With
regard to the Customs duties there was an increase in
every article, except in those the duties on which were
remitted last session. There was a considerable increase
on sugar and corn. He was of opinion the present state
of the country was not such that they could not expect
the revenue to be much improved. The great want of
food, the high price to which it advanced, and the con-
, sequent effects upon the population, should make all con-
siderations in regard to revenue to be put aside. It afforded
the Government, therefore, considerable satisfaction
to know that they had done all in their power to reduce
the price of corn, and to relieve this great pressure on
the people. In like manner the produce of the Excise
s
ble,l considerableaasntd.
which
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everye t eexpected
commodity was very high, and no other opinion
could be formed, but that this must have an
injurious effect upon the revenue of the country.
He did net anticipate that this commercial activity would
be likely to continue so long as to ensure the revenue
which had been already obtained. Under those circum-
stances no Government could possibly provide
against the deficiency which was likely to
occur, nor could the same results arise as his
Noble Friend had predicted. He did not think
he should be justified in calculating upon those results in
the measure: which had been submitted to the House,
or that in consideration of the revenue he should suffer
these duties to be abolished. He would now turn
to the measures which he intended to propose, and
the first subject was the request which had been
made by the brewers for sugar and molasses to
be used in breweries as well as in distilleries.
According to the present state of the law the use of
sugar and molasses was not prohibited, although there
was some difficulty in adopting it as a substitute for malt.
In the measures which he proposed to submit to the
House he was quite ready to allow the substitution
of sugar in breweries, for alit mattered little
thedered equivalent two sub stances was em-
uarter of malt was 21s. Bd.,
which
yitciethed revenue
quantityTke d awt
yhwas
he
a oo esif quarter
225. 6d.
Ile did not believe that sugar would displace
malt, because it would never be the interest of
considered to 1081bs
was .
of sugar, the ditty upon which
the brewer to dispense with the use of malt, and
unless the price of ncalt rose to an extravagant
height, it was impossible that its consumption could
od
fe caroegaasre,
eto o anykcto,n
wouldsi considerable bklee doesgedreei.a
breweries
large g:5; t
omi
quantity x
with the liquor produced from malt, and hence the opera-
tions of the brewer would be much facilitated, and
very likely extended. This must naturally lead to a
reduction in price, increased consumption, and thus tend
to prove to the interest and increase the trade of the
gro er of barley. Within the last few weeks the price
of barley had risen to a great extent, and the re-
sult was brewers suspended their malt opera-
, tions, hut shortly afterwards the price of beer
was raised one penny per pot, and this enabled