The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-24 00:00:00

WEST INDIA MAIL ACCELERATION.

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This subject was referred from a special meeting at Bir-
mingham to the present meeting.
Mr. HICKS, of Plymouth, proposed the following resolu-
tion :—" That in order fully to develope the advantages of
the adoption of a western port for foreign mails service, it
is desirable that the West Indian and other mails, should
be embarked, as well as landed, at such port, and that
this association respectfully invites the attention of Her
Majesty's Government to the carrying out this system at
the earliest period."
Mr. WRIGHT, of Birmingham, seconded the motion.
After some discussion, an amendment, proposed by, Mr.
Price, of Gloucester, referring the GlOnsideration of th©
question to a committee of the House of Commons, was
seconded by Mr. Ea.stwick, M.P. for Falmouth, and
carried.

ABOLITION OF LIGHT DUES ON SHIPPING.
On the motion of Mr. ALHUSEN, of Newcastle,
seconded by Mr. Glover, of Hull, a resolution that the
Associated Chambers again urge upon the attention of the
Government the desirability and economical advantages
of charging light dues upon the public revenue, was car-
ried without discussion.
TRANSMISSION OF MONEY AND OTHER VALUABLES BY POST.

A resolution was proposed by Mr. Bretton, of Sheffield,
that in order to give the public positive security in the
transmission of money and other valuables through the
post, a system should be established by which upon pay-
ment of a fee proportionate to the declared value of
a letter or parcel the post office should guarantee its safe
delivery, and indemnify the sender in case of loss.
Mr. WHITWELL, of Bristol seconded the resolution,
which was carried.

THE INCOME TAX.

Mr. J. 0. L. SEATON, o f Hull, proposed the following
resolution :—" That the tax on trades and professidns being
impolitic in principle, incapable of realization even approx-
imately with equity, and being most vexatious and
offensive in its operation, is a tax which should only be
resorted to in cases of great urgency, and ought now to bo
repealed." The mover of the resolution contended that
the tax upon trades and professions was impolitic in
principle, and forcibly pointed out the operation
of the tax in support of his observations. Ho
maintained that property engaged in trade could not be
capitalised, and should be wholly unfettered. Above all
things there was a reticence on the part of
.persons engaged
in trade, which precluded them from giving an account
of their private affairs, for secresy was the very soul of
business which led to individual success. Large
firms were in the habit of telegraphing at this mo-
ment in cipher, and a clerk would be immediately
dismissed by his employers where he to divulge the secrets
of the firm. After denouncing the tax in strong language,
Mr. Seaton said the title assumed by a certain volunteer
regiment on its formation might be adopted as equally
applicable to this tax, that title was " The Devil's Own."
(Laughter.)
Mr. KING, of Plymouth, seconded the motion, which
was supported by Mr. ALLHUSEN, of Newcastle.
Mr. WHITWELL, of Bristol? said he sympathised with
the resolution, but had been instructed to put the follow-
ing r,:solution of his own Chamber as an amendment :
" That the income tax, as at present imposed, is unequi-
table in its operations, and. this Association desires to re-
new its protest against, the charge being the same on
fluctuating and terminable incomes as on income derived
from fixed or funded property."
Mr. J. S. WEIGHT, of Birmingham, seconded the
amendment.

The original resolution was carried by a majority of
'twenty to twelve. This, however, was not sufficient to
enable the Associated Chambers to take action in the
matter, a majority of two-thirds being required, but indi-
vidual chambers are not precluded from so doing.
INEQUALITIFB OF RAILWAY RATES.

WRIGHT, of Birmingham, moved " that the ine-
qualities in the railway rates for the carriage of goods are
such as to inflict great loss on many districts, and
that the absence of all competition, especially where
canals have been brought under the control of -Railway
Companies, renders necessary some supervision of the
rates allowed by law, and that no arrangement with other
companies ought to be permitted, except with the sanction
of the Board of Trade."

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Mr. D. Houma, of the Staffordshire Potteries,
seconded the motion, which was carried.

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