The Sun.
London, England, 1824-03-27 00:00:00

CUSTOMS ACTS.

The House went into a Committee on the Customs Acts.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said his ob-
ject was to make a new proposition with respect to the repeal
of the duties on imported wool. All wool imported was sub-
ject to a duty of 6d. in the pound. It was intended some time
ago to repeal the whole of that duty on the sth of July;' he
should, however, adopt another proposition which had been
submitted to the House, namely, that for reducing the duty
gradually. It was therefore proposed, that on the 10th of Sep-
tember the duty should be reduced three-pence, and on the
10th of December two-pence, leaving only a duty of one penny
upon foreign wool. The exported long wool of British growth
would be charged with a duty of two-pence per pound, and be
further subject to an ad valorem duty on the raw material of
16 per cent. The Right Hon. Gentleman accordingly moved
a resolution embracing his proposition.
Mr. CALCRAFT said -he understood the resolution which
the Right Hon. Gentleman had moved, would be the founda-
tion of a Bill, and he therefore reserved what he had to say
until the proper time for discussion.
Mr. BRIGHT considered any debate on the subject at that
late hour improper. Many Members who took interest in the
wool question had left the House. If, however, any debate
was to ensue, his hope was, that the question might be consi-
dered on the broad principle which had been recognized with
respect to the silk trade.
3lr. WESTERN thought some measure of restriction ought
to be imposed on the importation of foreign wool.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was desirous
to recommend the course stated, because he did not wish to
fetter the trade with restrictions. If it should be found that the
duty of 2d. on long
wool for exportation amounted to a
prohi-
bition, it would certainly be necessary to apply to the House to
take it off. He originally proposed one penny, but he expressed
a hope that the Committee would see there was no ground for
complaint of his change of opinion.
Mr. 3. WO.RTLEIr protested against any temporary mea-
sure. All the Petitions laid on their table called for protection,
and if that were afforded, their constituents would be ready to
compete with the world. 'He wished a longer time had been
allowed before the duties were taken off.
After some further conversation between Mr. Ctipps, Mr.
Resolution was agreed to.
_,
W. Smith, Mr. Calcraft, .111 r. Western, and Mr. Wortley, the
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then moved
to correct an error in the Act of last year respecting the amount
of duty on bar-iron imported to Ireland. Instead of one penny
per ton, it should have been 1/. The correction was accordingly
made. Other resolutions altering the Customs' Acts were then
moved and agreed to.
Sir N. W. RIDLEY took the opportunity of asking what
measure was to be adopted with respect to the Coal Duties.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, the
question stood undecided. A resolution respecting Coals had
been agreed to, which would be introduced in the Bill for altera-
tion of Customs' Duties. He was not prepared to say more on
the subject on that occasion.
The House then resumed, and the report was ordered to be
received on Monday.
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at Oxz o'CLocic to Monday.