The Sun.
London, England, 1823-06-16 00:00:00

11A111 LTA DUTIE:S.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that
the House should resolve itself into a Committeeon this Bill.
31r-IIERNA.I. objected to the proposed alteration of the
duties.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that ho
thought the most convenient course would be to state in Com-
mittee the grounds of the measure.
The House then resolved itself into a Committee.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that he
did not intend to lay on a permanent duty on Fiorillo for the
purpose Of encouraging the manufacture of /Kelp. There were,
however, considerations in the present case worthy the often-
titer of the House. The reduction on the duties of Barilla
last year took place at the end of the Sessions, and when per-
sons interested had not an Opportunity of stating their objec-
tions. The representations that had been made from all
quarters with respect to the terrible distress that would fall on
the manufacturers of kelp, were such as he owned had.a strong
influence on his mind. There were 'eighty or one hundred
thousand persons concerned in the trade. He owned he pro-
posed the measure not on principle, but on the ground of com-
passion for those persons. The reduction of the 'Salt duties
was of advantage to the public at large, but to those persons
was of great injury; they had, therefore, a fair claim on the
justice and feeling of Parliament and-the country. The Right
Hon. Gentleman concluded by stating, that his proposal was,
that the duty on
.I.larilla should be raised from five to eight
guineas, to begin in January, 1024, and to continue for five
years, and moved a Resolution accordingly.
Mr. DENISON suggested the propriety of inserting a clause
giving time to Soap-makers to receive consignments of Hernia.
Mr. CAMPBELL condemned the uncertainty of the laws
respecting florins. The Hon. Gentleman pressed upon the
House the necessity of continuing in employment the popula-
tion engaged In the manufacture of Relp.
Mr. CAI.CRAF'r felt called Upon to support the proposed
alteration of duties, although he did not think the duties would
give to the manufacturers of kelp the advantage they sought
for; yet to soothe the feelings of the population engager in
that business, to relieve them if possible from the distress, from
the misery which they were likely to suffer' which he feared in
many instances they had suffered, he would support the pro-
posed measure.
Mr. K. DOUGLAS thought the measure was pressed on
too rapidly ; ho thought it would be bettet to defer the discus-
sion of it till the next Session; he did not think that the kelp
manufacturers would suffer any material injury in the mean
time.

Lord A. HAMILTON mid, that much of the injury that
had been done had been occasioned by the weak andevacillat-
ing policy which had been pursued with respect to those duties.
Ile could not agree with the Hon. Gentleman as to the pro.
priety of delay ; on the contrary, lie thought that the immure
could not be pressed too rapidly.
Mr. RICARDO controverted some argument§
which heti
been printed and circulated hy the opponents of the proposed
additional tat. At the end of five years, when this law would
e
expire, the same reasons would exist for its renewal. Ile was
opPosed to lempOrising expedients such ax the present. .
Mr. T. WILSON said a few words against -the. increase of
the duty. . •
Mr. J. P. GRANT supported the proposition.
Mr. H. GURNEY said it was A monstrous thing merely
for an imaginary benefit to kelp tnantiflicturers to Mipole a
duty on one of the most necessary articles
of life, namely heap.
,
Mr.-MARRY/I.IV strongly censured the variable and weak
policy out of which the, embarrassments of the present queethin
grew. .
Mr. lIITAIE said, that since the duty on barrilla had been
taken off the price of kelp had risen in • the market.'if in. a
Committee up stairs, the Chancellor of the Exchequer could,
make out his case, he certainly would support him: He clid
not stand there to. support any particular' interests, and he
could not therefore sanction the proposed increase of duty from
b to ii guineas.
Lord V. GOWER said that he felt himself bound to support
the proposition of the. Chancellor of the Exchequer. • -
• Lord DINNIG said he agreed with the Clutncellor of the
Excheitter, who put,the question on the ground of humanity—
there was interested in this question the population of a line of
coast not less than 704 miles--he would support this measure,
which was one ofjustitt, in opposition to the cold rules of po.
litical economy.
sGeneral HART supported the proposition, which he contd.,
xidered necessary for the support of a great part of the popula.
-don of the North of Ireland.
Mr. G. BENNET thought previous inquiry absolutety
necessary. • Much had been said on the score of humanity,
but there was a great deal of self.interest mixed up with that
appeal. The property in Kelp manufactured had doubled
since 179:1, whilst every other' of property had decreased.
lie bad a suspicion that this case, if investigated, would 'turn
out to resemble the casesof the Scilly Islands, which had been
brought under consideration some years ago, and had taken it
large sum out of the pockets of the people of this country.;
Mr. 141`DONNELesupported the motion.
House • .
The Hoe then divided. •
For
the
Motion,
l I°°:
n 4. tg SL C
e ii ee
t 1C; 20-llsjorityl 80.
TILE 0,4 eIIII a N E .
Mr. DENMAN said he had a Petition to present from the
Han: Basil Cochrane, complaining Of jilt conduct of 'the Vic.
rustling and
,notillieershloltnilltdlict-lefOeffir ces, but' as it would give occasion
the,
presenting'of it to Tuesday
next.