The Sun.
London, England, 1824-04-07 00:00:00

SALT TAX.

WODEHOUSE 'roved far returns of the total number
of Excise Prosecutions, and the amount of penalties levied for
oir.:nces against the Salt Duty regulations within the last six
years, distinguisbing each year. He wished to ask the Right
lion. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of
the Salt Tax being retained, the restrictions and penalties
wriuld not be in a considerable degree removed.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it was
oat for him to anticipate Any decision of the House, but if the
dittfshould be continued, he flattered himself that he should be
able to find means of relaxing the penalties arising out of the
high duty. Further than that it was impossible for him to
pledge himself upon a subject that was yet to come before the

tir.CALCRAFT had obtained from making any observa-
tions upon the question, when the Hon. Member yesterday gave
his notice, in compliance with the etiquette of the House. But
he hailed this opportunity of proclaiming to the public, that
the House was about to be tempted to break through a solemn
compact with the people, and to me!ntain this odious and op-
pressive duty. lie could not but express his surprise also at
the coca manner in which the Chancellor of the Exchequer
spoke of this proposed breach of faith, the compact having
been made when he was a Member of that House and a Mint-
stor. What was the faith of the House good for if it were to
• be broken through because an Hon. Member, to serve the
wishes of Government, came forward with a motion to con-
tinue the tax, and to give to tic public something which he
considered better for their interests ? There was no tai which
could be repealed with so much advantage to the public and
nods the repeal of which would be received with so much satis-
faction- He was surprised that the Right lion. Gentleman,
after the principles he had put forward, should think of al ow-
hag the tarto,be continued :—and for what? To continue the
„patronage. He wss glad to' have this opportunity of calling.,

the attention of every Member of the Rouse, and of every mem-1
of the community, to the intentions of the Hon. Member.
Mr. WODETIOUSE should not have said a word, but for
the assertion of the Hon. Member, that he proposed this nom-
sore in accordance with the wishes of Government. He denied'
the charge. He said, when he gave the notice, that he did it
after having had an extensive communication with Members of
both sides of the: House. With regard to what the Hon. Mem-
ber had said about a " breach of faith," that must be a mere
bug-hear.; because it was impossible that the House should be
hound to maintain any of its acts which did not prove to be for
the benefit of the people..
Mr. CALCRAFT explained.
Mr. GORDON said that, in that part of Wiltshire which
he represented where a large quantity of salt was consumed,
the consumers did not wish for a removal of the duty. If the
amount were taken off some other tax that pressed upon the
agricultural interest, he should support the motion of the Hon.
M ember.
Mr. BRIGHT said that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had
told them what he meant to do with these Excise Regulations,
but he would take leave to ask him what he had already don
since the removal of the ten shillingsabushel. If the duty weree
not abolished altogether, they should have kept up a legion of
Excise Officers, and all those vexatious restrictions which are
so justly complained of.
Sir J. WROTTESLEY was convinced, that for the Agri-
cultural Interest, no tax could be so beneficially repealed.
.Mr. W. SMITH said he understood the remaining duty to
produce 36020001. if that were the case, and the officers could
be reduced, he thought no tax would produce the same amount
with so little inconvenience to the public.,
Mr. HUDSON Gu rot MY and Mr. JONES made some observa-
tions, which were inaudible.
Lord .M 4 LION maintained that this was the most injurious
tax that could exist, as well for the people at large as for the
interests of commerce and the operatians of science.
Sir M. W.RIDLE Y thought the proper course for the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer was at once to blot out the duty altoge-
ther_and lessen the number of taxes, so us to simplify the system
of taxation as much as possible.
Mr. HUM E said he would take this opportunity of asking a
question as to what was the intention of Government relative
to the amelioration of the Excise Laws. He understood that
a pledge had been given'for the introduction of a measure to
consolidate the whole of the laws, and to remove many of the
causes of grievance. lie was more convinced every day that
no one could form an idea of the oppressions and vexations
which were sanctioned by the Excise Laws but • those who ex-
perienced them.
Mr. BERRIES said it was not intended to propose a Ittw to
consolidate the whole. It was thought impossible by one to
effect the proposed change. But it was in con teniplation to
bring forward several Bills, the object of each would be to
consolidate the laws under some one particular head of Excise.
Such Bills were in preparation. The work was a very long one,
and if it could not be brought forward so soon as might be wish-
ed he hoped the House and the Hon. Gentleman would make
some allowance for the delay.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR thought a change was desirable, and
psuucnhisahmoennet wasitshhoouut havingltl
protect those
offended.wh
who were now exposed to
An lion. Member wished to know if any bill were intended
to be introduced to alter the law relating to the Customs. At
present the Smuggler was liable to enonnoas penalties, for which
he was often imprisoned, and must remain a pt.:3°l:er for life, if
mercy were not extended to him by the Crown. He thought
some alteration was necessary.

The CHANCELLOR o(the EXCHEQUER was not in-
sensible to the objections urged against the law as it now
stood. If the fines imposed on the smuggler were not paid,
he was certainly liable to imprisonment. It was the custom of
the Treasury, periodically, to take into consideration the cases
of persons so confined, but he did not any that it might
not be desirable that some other mode of punishment than
line should be had recourse to in order to check smuggling.
At the same time it was very important well to consider the
subject before they altered the law, as various considerations
might. render it inexpedient to punish that offence as a mis-
demeanor.

Colonel DAVIES thought the strong temptation held out to
smuggling•by the high duties would be more powerful than any
law, and penalties upon penalties might be multiplied to op-
pose the evil in vain.

Mr. CA LCILA FT offered a few words in reply, and the mo-
tion was agreed to.
The LORD ADVOCATE of Scotland presented a petition
from the Notaries of Berwick against the Attoinies' Bill.—Or-
dered to he printed.

SC fl 00[4 ASSISTANTS.
Mr. FIUME presented a petition from certain Schoolmasters'
Assistants in Great Britain, complaining that many persons
who had not the requisite qualifications, exercised their pro-
fession to their injury, and praying relief. The lion. Gentle-
man said though he had a great respect for
the pstitionerd, ha
was wholly at to .
the or their petition, but . d
thought it his duty to bring before the house.—'l he petition
was ordered to lie on the. table.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from the Shoemakers of
Dundee against the Combination Laws. The petition was re-
ferred to the Committee on the Laws relating to Artisans.