The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-10 00:00:00

BRIDGWATER ELECTION PETITION.

In reply to Mr. LowTHER,
Mr. BRUCE said no memorial from Mr. Fennelly had
been received, or was under the consideration of the
Home Office.

GUN LICENSES' BILL.

In reply to Mr. C. READ,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he would not
take the Gun Licenses' Bill after one o'clock. (Laughter).

CUSTOMS AND INLAND REVENUE BILL.

On the motion for going into Committee on Customs
and Inland Revenue Bill,
Mr. CRAWFORD moved an amendment that provision
should be made in the bill for the drawback of the amount
of the duty reduced on such duty-paid sugar as remained
in any bonded warehouse on the close of Tuesday, the
12th of April, 1870 ; on the stocks of manufactured
sugar, other than refined sugar, or sugar equal in quality
thereto (entitled to the drawback of 12s. the cwt.), being in
quantity not le'is than 100 cwt, and in packages unbroken, in
the hands of refiners and dealers, on the close of Tuesday,
the 12th April, 1870, in places where there are Customs
authorities ; and on stocks of sugar under process of ma-
nufacture on the premises of refiners on the close of Tues-
day, the 12th April, 1870, which can be identified to the
satisfaction of the officers of her Majesty's Cus-
toms. The honourable gentleman said that the
course which he asked the House to take was
strictly in accordance with precedent, and he referred
to cases in point, going no further back than 1845. At
the time the Chancellor of the Exchequer unfolded his
Budget he ventured to point out the great injustice that
would be done to dealers in sugar and the refiners, if they
were left to bear the burden of the loss which would
be sustained by their sugar being brought into competition
with sugar on which had been paid a lower duty.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer had met to a certain
extent the case by agreeing to allow the holders of other
sugar than refined sugar, a drawback equal to the amount
of difference of the amount of duty less the sum
claimed by Government as equivalent to the ex-
penses holders of that sugar would have in-
curred if they had sent it abroad. The hon. gentleman
however, condemned this plan, and called it a subterfuge.
He drew attention to the case of a sugar refiner at the
East end of London, who had in the Queen's warehouse,
on the 11th of April, 631 hogsheads of molasses, upon
which b had paid duty to the extent of 3s. 6d. per cwt.,
and on tua following day the duty was reduced to is. 9d.
The refiner claimed to be entitled to receive a drawback,
but he was told that he was not entitled to any drawback
whatever. What was wanted was time to have enabled
the holders of stocks of sugar to get through them by the
ordinary process of consumption. The circumstances under
which the sugar trade in this country was carried on
were not always alike. In London, for instance, the
refiners held not only their own stock, but the stocks of
dealers. In Bristol the case was exactly the reverse, and
therefore it would be difficult to apply a general law.
Mr. RATHBDNE seconded the motion. He expressed
his opinion that the information which the officers of the
Customs had given the Chancellor of the Exchequer was
very imperfect, and they had shown themselves deficient
in resource and judgment.
Mr. GRAHAM also urged that the drawback should be
allowed. He did not see there was the slightest difficulty
in ascertaining the amount of the stock of sugar in the
hands of dealers upon which they asked for the drawback.
The, word of persons with respect to Income-tax was
taken, and be could not see why it should not be to the
same extent with respect to the stocks of sugar.

Mr. ANDERSON was in favour of the motion of the hon.
member for the city of London.
Mr. Luex said the result of the proceedings between re-
finers and dealers was that the public had been prevented
getting the benefit of the ss. reduction. He thought that
as there had been a speculation trade carried on the
Chancellor of the Exchequer would maintain the position
he had taken with respect to the proposal now made.
Mr. MoRLEY said he was quite sure that the price of
sugar fell to the exact amount of the duty remitted in the
wholesale trade, but he could not go to the length of say-
ing that the same movement took place in the retail trade.
He thought it a matter of justice as well as‘policy that the
drawback asked for should be given.
Mr. Magniac, Mr. Grieve, and M. Graves were in
favour of the motion.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he did not
wish to inflict any damage upon trade, nor did he think he
was open to the charge of having misled persons engaged in
the sugar trade. On the contrary, he bad stated that he
was about to make great reductions in reference to sugar.
He argued that there was a precedent against making
any concession to dealers. If the motion of the hon. gen-
tleman were adopted be saw no reason why retail dealers
as well as wholesale makers, should not be included in the
category. The motion, if carried, would create a most
alrming and dangerous precedent. The real dif-
ference between him and his hon. friend was as to
the dealers, because, as to the refiners, he had already
made concessions. It would entail enormous expense and
confusion, and no Customs department could exercise that
check over the stocks in the hands of the dealers which
would be absolutely necessary in justice to the public.
Mr. BARING thought that a Minister should, before any
great and sudden change were made, secure the confidence
of the dealers of the country, that their interests might
ilatbr WQ ttigi Wit 9 )10015P47.

Mr. Cave, Mr. Macfie, Mr. Crosse, Viscount Bury,
Mr. Peek, and Mr. Orr Ewing having addressed the
House,
Mr. GLADSTONE remarked that the principles involved
in the question were of such great gravity, and the doc-
trines propounded by some members were so entirely
subversive of the financial system of the country,
its regularity and equity, that he hoped the
House would patiently listen to him, in order that if they
were to divide they might know the position in which they
.tood. The right hon. gentleman reviewed the speeches
made in favour of the motion, and remarked that the
Government was willing to concede all that appeared to it
just and in any manner supported by precedent, but be-
yond that limit he did not think the house would force it
to go. The resistance of the Government was confined to
the requirement of the hon. gentleman, that it should
treat dealers as if they were manufacturers. If he would
consent to let Government deal with them separately it
was quite willing to do so. The principle which recog-
nised the right of dealers to drawback, as if they were
manufacturers, the two classes being distinct in their
essential condition, as a general rule was one which the
Government certainly could not agree to. He appealed
to the hon. member for the City of London not to press
his motion to. a division.

Mr. BOUVERIE th ought the Government had made con-
cessions, and he hoped the hon. member, having done his
duty to his constituents, would withdraw his motion.
After some remarks from Mr. CARDWELL, the amend-
ment was withdrawn, and the House went into Committee
on the Bill.
The attendance of members was rather smalL A series
of amendments were proposed, and occasioned consider-
able discussion. The Government resisted the proposal
for the amendment of the Bill, and in a division which
took place, they were in a majority.

Mr. S. BOOTH and Viscount BURY commented on the
withdrawal of the clauses of the measure relating to the
duty on railway receipts. The latter strongly protested
against the Chancellor of the Exchequer withdrawing
such important clauses without scarcely a word.
The CHANCELLOR of theExcHEQuEß,in axswer to the obser-
vations which had been made said that apparently the larger
number of the railways would be considerable gainers by
his proposition ; but it was represented to him by gen-
tlemen connected with the lines which appeared to him
likely to be so much benefited, were not benefited at
all, and for this simple reason. The Legislature fixed the
maximum for fares, and also charged 5 per cent. duty
upon passengers, except those carried in certain trains.
But two years after the passing of the Act by the Legis-
lature, by which a maximum fare was fixed, and a duty
of 5 per cent. charged on the passengers, the railway
company obtained by private acts permission to charge
this 5 per cent. on the passengers over and above the
maximum fixed by the Act of Parliament. The
consequence was that the policy of the Legislature was
defeated by the private acts. It was under these cir-
cumstances that the clauses were proposed to be omitted.
The clauses in question were then formally omitted.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER proposed to leave
out clauses 21 and 22, and bring them up on report.
Several members expressed a hope that the right hon.
gentleman would not bring them up again.
After a short discussion, clause 23, requiring. persons
returning lists of others in their employ to state the
amount of salary, &c., was withdrawn.

Mr. G. GREGORY moved the insertion of a new clause
with reference to horses kept for husbandry. The clause
provided that, after the passing of the act, no person
should be required to take out a license for any mule or
horse kept solely for the purpose of husbandry, on account
of such horse or mule being occasionally used or employed
in drawing materials for the repair of roads and highways,
and whether for hire or otherwise.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER refused to accept
the clause, which was supported by Mr. Disraeli and the
Speaker. The Chancellor of the Exchequer considered
that if a farmer received pay for his services he ought not
to be exempted from the license.
The committee divided on the question as to whether
the clause should be read a second time, and the result
was--ayes, 49 ; noes, 45. The declaration of the voting
was received with great cheering from the Conservatives.
Mr. GLADSTONE said that it was simply an extension of
an existing exemption. In a thin committee the principle
was affirmed by a majority, but Government would feel
it their duty to consider the matter. Mr. Gladstone spoke
under some excitement.

Several other propositions having been considered the
bill passed through committee.
MILITARY STAFF APPOINTMENTS.
On the motion for going into committee of supply on
the army estimates,
Mr. ANDERSON moved that the Secretary of State for
War be instructed to give six months notice to all officers
holding highly paid staff appointments under rote 16 that
in future their regimental pay and half pay must be with-
drawn during such time as they hold such appointments.
Colonel Noma and Colonel KNox having opposed the
motion,
Mr. CARDWELL said it was not desirable that the House
should agree to the motion. He spoke of the effect which
the withdrawal of the regimental pay would have upon
the most distinguished officers.
The motion was withdrawn.
ROYAL HORSE ARTILELRY IN INDIA.

Mr. WALSH called attention to the proposed reliefs for
the Royal Horse Artillery in India, and moved that, in
the opinion of the House, strict impartiality should be
observed between that portion of the Royal Artillery
which was formerly in the East India Company's Beryls*
and that which was originally Royal Artillery.

Captain VIVIAN denied that there was any system of
favouritism as the motion implied, and as the mover had
stated. It there were they would have heard of remon-
strances by the aggrieved persons. He regretted the in-
troduction of the motion, and con -I uded by saying that
the present arrangements were fair every respect.
The motion was withdrawn.
QUARTERMASTERS OF MILITIA.
Viscount ENFIELD called attention to the hardship that
will be inflicted upon Quartermasters of Militia by their
compulsory retirement during the next financial year.
He suggested that the present quartermasters should be
allowed to serve until they had attained the maximum
service by which they would be entitled to 4s. per day.
He assured the House that the men had looked upon their
position as safe for life, and many of them would be
ruined.
Mr. CARDWELL said that economy could be very well
exercised in the permanent staff of the reserve force,
without impairing their efficiency. He said that the
quartermasters would receive two-thirds of what they at
present received, which was a very good allowance.
The motion was withdrawn, and the House went into
committee of supply on
ARMY AND NAVY ESTIMATES.
A sum of £45,300 was granted to defray the expenses of
martial law; £247,500 was granted to defray the expenses
of the medical establishments of the service ; and £720,000
was granted to defray the expenses of the militia.
Sir HENRY HOARE moved the omission of the vote of
£81,900 in respect of the yeomanry cavalry. He asked if
they were to pay upwards of £Bl,OOO for 15,000 awkwardly
drilled cavalry men, He had been told that the yeomanry
in Buckinghamshire would not be drilled this year, because
they were afraid of the small-pox, which was prevalent
in that county.
The motion was seconded, and after a somewhat
lengthy discussion the hon. baronet divided the commit-
tee. The motion was lost by 124 to 20 votes.
At five minutes past one o'clock progress was reported,
and the House resumed.
PROTECTION OF INVENTIONS.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL obtained leave to bring in a
bill for the protection of inventions exhibited at inter-
national exhibitions in the United Kingdom.

The House adjourned at a quarter past one.

THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE HORSE

snow.

This morning a coroner's inquest was held upon the
body of the late Mr. Barker, who met his death in con-
sequence of being thrown from his horse whilst engaged in
showing its qualities to the visitors on Monday last, at
the Horse Show, at the Agricultural Hall. Witnesses
proved that the horse suddenly became restive, and even-
tually it fell with the deceased on its back. On being
raised from the ground it was found that Mr. Barker was
so seriously injured that medical aid was of no avail, and
he died on Wednesday last from the effects of the internal
injuries he had received. A verdict of accidental death
was returned.

The marriage of the Earl of Derby with the
Marchioness of Salisbury is fixed to take place on Tues-
day, the sth of next month. _ _ _

_there is not a word of truth in the reprts which
have appeared lately in the newspapers with reference to
the purchase of Toßemora Park, County Down, by the
Prince of Wales.

CRYSTAL PALACE. -- To-day is the sixteenth
anniversary of the opening of the Palace. During the
sixteen years it has been open it has been visited by
24,655,712 persons. The successful Whitsuntide holiday
amusements will be played this day for the last time but
one. The last great flower show (with display of table de-
corations) takes place to-morrow. The show will be an
unusually fine one. The band of the Coldstream Guards
will attend, and co-operate with the orchestral band of the
company.

870.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
FRANCE.

The report that the Government contemplated dis.
solving the Corps Legislatif has been this morning con.
tradicted by the Constitutionnel, a semi-official journal.

THE SPANISH CROWN,

Telegrams from Madrid report that Queen Isabella has
intimated to the Emperor of the French that she has ab-
(Heated. It is thought that the question of electing a king
will be discussed by the Cortes on Saturday, but that no
election will take place.

The following news appeared iu our First. Edition pub-
ished at Eight o'clock this morning:—]
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

MILITARY VOTE IN FRANCE.
The subject of the Militiry vote on the Plebiscite
came on for discussion in the Corps Legislatif yes-
terday. M. Jules Ferry doubtek the sincerity of the
soldiers, but M. Olivier said it was not allowable to
call it in question. M. Jules Ferry however, per-
sisted in censuring the course pursued by the Govern-
ment in requiring the soldiers to vote in their bar-
racks, and especially condemned the conduct of the
colonel of the 61st, who reprimanded his men for
voting No. The War Minister refused to censure
the colonel, and M. Gatubetta proposed a resolution
declaring the War Minister's explanation insufficient.
The Chamber, however passed the simple order of
the day.