The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-30 00:00:00

country, that a great additional burden should be imposed for
the purpose of relieving from that incubus-that amount of
debt which was sure, if permitted to continue, to break down
the financial prosperity of this country.-( Hear, hear.) Feel-
ing, then, as we feel now, that the great cause of national
prosperity was the relief of the country from those particular
burdens which pressed more particularly upon the poorer
classes of the community-which affected the industry-which
checked employment-which prevented the extension of ma-
nufactures-impressed deeply with those sentiments, we com-
bined with the large imposition of taxes a very large reduction
of the existing burdens, by taking off from the customs all the
prohibitory duties, and to reduce all protective duties to a
more moderate range. And we relied then upon
what had actually occurred as to the stimulus which
those measures would give to the industry of the country in the
production of a happy future. Sir, in the year 1842, it was
proposed to reduce the duty upon 583 articles, with some few
exceptions i • in 1843, pursuing the same system of further reduc-
tion in the duties, upon 7 articles was proposed ; in 1844, upon
4 articles of customs ; in 1345, upon 21 articles of customs, the
duties were reduced upon 444 articles, and some duties were
repealed; in 1846, the duties in the customs were again re-
duced upon 112 articles-that is by the Bills which have now
gone to the other House of Parliament, and an entire repeal is
made upon 54 articles, making, with the proposed reduction of
duties up to the present time, a reduction of duties upon 727
articles, and a repeal of the duty upon 503 articles, upon which
taxes had to be previously paid. Those articles, being for the
most part those which concern the food, the clothing, and toe
comforts of the people, as well as those articles which are used
in the manufactures of this country, and which imposed a re-
striction upon the employment of the people, by imposing a
restriction upon the trade which that employment would give.
Now, Sir, let us then take a review of what has been the result
of those operations. We have, as I have shown, had four years
experience, upon which we have acted in the same course, gra-
dually, cautiously, but progressively, diminishing those particu-
lir duties which pressed severely upcn the industry or
the comforts of the people. And let us see what has been the
result ? How are we to test its effect upon the condition of the
country ? What shall we take as the index of the general pros-
perity of the country, deduced from the operation of the mea-
sures of relief upon the people for whom that relief was pro-
posed. It appears to me, Sir, that there are some tests which,
on this subject, may be very well applied. I think, in the first
place, we must know what is the financial prosperity of the
country-ascertaining what is the available sum that the
country has at its disposal at any particular period, dealing
with the country as with individuals-that individual is wealthy
who has balance at his banker's sufficient to meet the ordinary
demands upon him-that individual is poor who has not the
means to meet the demands. In the like manner, the first
test that I will apply is-what have been the balances of the
exchequer of this country? On the Ist of January, 1842, the
balance of the exchequer of this country was 3,650,000/.; on
the Ist of January, 1846, the balance of the exchequer
was 8,450,0001., and if you deduct from that bal-
ance what was in the exchequer on the Ist of
January, 1842, it shows an increase in the balance
of the Exchequer, of the available means that the Government
has at its disposal, of 4,798,000/, Sir, then, as regards that
particular test of national prosperity, I think the House will
admit it to be complete. The next point to which I shall ad-
vert is, what has been the state of the debt of the country,
during the period to which I have adverted. If we find the
country accumulating annually an amount of debt, however
small, we can hardly look upon that as an indication of national
prosperity. An increase of the debt of the country may be
overcome by other advantages, but it is plain, that if notwith-
standing that state of things the debt of the country is reduced
-I say that we must regard with the greatest favour, that sys-
tem of finance which has led to that conclusion. The debt
of this country consists of two great parts, the funded and
the unfunded-and they must necessarily be taken together,
because, by transferring one portion of those debts to the other,
a decrease is made in the one, whilst a corresponding increase
is made in the other. On the Ist of January, 1842, the capital
of the funded debt was 77,253,0001.-all these accounts are
on the paper before the House. The Exchequer-bills
outstanding were 19,673,000/. The total debt, therefore, of the
funded and unfunded debt amounted to 792,000,000/. What
was the state, on the lst of January, 1846, of the funded debt ?
In 1842 it was 772,000,000/., and on the Ist of January, 1846
it was 776,603,000/. The funded debt that was 19,678,000/.
on the Ist of January, 1842, was 18,400,0001., on the Ist
January, 1846, making a total of 785,115,0001 on the Ist
January, 1846, as contrasted with the 792,000,000/. on the Ist
January, 1842-( Hear, hear)-showing a reduction during
those last years in the funded debt of 7,000,000/.-(Cheers.)
This statement, therefore, shows clearly a reduction upon the
unfunded debt of 7,000,0001. ; but there is another item to
which I would wish to call attention, and it is an item under
the head of what is called deficiency, and it is an item which
renders it necessary for the Governmet to borrow a certain
sum to make up the Exchequer, and to meet the demands
upon it. In respect to this item, it would not be fair
to compare any one quarter of the year 1842 with any quarter
of the year 1846, because many circumstances have occurred
which would render it impossible that such a comparison
would present a fair contrast.-( Hear, hear.) I have, there-
fore, taken the average of the deficiencies for the whole of the
four quartens of the year 184/, and compared them with the
whole of the four quarters of 1846, and I find that in the year
1842 the SUM total of the deficiencies for the four quarters of
that year amounted to 6,163,000/.; while those of 1846
amounted to 2,029,000/. ; thus making a decrease in this item
for this year of 4,133,000/., as compared with the year 1842,
which I think is about equal to the decrease I have already
named of 7,000,000/. in the unfunded debt; and here I may
observe that this economy of the public funds is consistent
with an assertion made by :11r. Huskisson, in this
House, to the effect that economy was not to be effected
by reducing the capital of the debt, bet reducing the amount
of the general charge upon the country.-( Hear, hear.)
On the Ist of January, 1842, the interest on the funded debt
was 24,401,000 .; on terminable annuities, 4000,000/. ; the
management of the debt at that time involved an expense of
160,000/., and the interest on exchequer-bills was 696,000/.
The total charge on the debt, which was to be derived out of
the taxes on the country, which was in fact the very first
charge to be derived, was 29.598,0001. Now let us look at
the year 1846. On the Ist of January, 1846, the interest on
the funded debt was 23,600,000/. ; the interest on the termin-
able annuities was 3,967,0001. I insert this last item to
show that the reduction on the funded debt has not been in-
crested by any addition to the terminable annuities, because
we find, that in the year 1842, as in the year 1846, the ter-
minable annuities have remained at nearly the same amount.
In the year 1846 the management of the debt, which in 1842
had been 160,0901., was reduced to 93,000/. The interest on
exchequer-bills, which in 1842 had amounted to 896,0001.,
was in 1846 reduced to 426,000/. The total result, there-
fore, of all these charges on the debt was in 1842,
29,597,000/., while, on the Ist of January, 1846, it was
28,129,0001. , leaving a balance of relief to the public in the
sole article of charges on the debt to the amount of one million
and a half. We might have taken the advantage of a further
relief, but we have preferred postponing these advantages to
the year 1854, when relief to the extent of 625,000/. will be
given in addition. This will give an amount of a million and a
half in immediate relief, and a yearly saving of 625,01:0/, ; at
no very distant time, making a total relief of two millions and
more on the interest which is at present taken out of the pub-
lic taxes. What, then, is the result of the test we have ap-
plied? That we have now a balance in the exchequer of
5,000,0001.-that we have reduced the debt by 7,000,0001.-
that we have reduced the amount of exchequer-bills by
4,000,0001., and you have effected a saving in the manage.
ment of the public debt of a million and a half, and also a
saving annually in the interest of the debt of 625,0001. I ask
any man to show me how these advantages have been secured
to the country, if not by that system of commercial and
financial policy which it has been the good fortane of the Go-
vernment to adopt? With reference to the public debt, there
is one observation which I wish to make. It may
be said that you have reduced the public debt,
but during that time you have had a large re-
mittance from China of 3,500,0001., which has constituted
more than half the reduction of the national debt. The amount
altogether received from China was 3,360,0001. But how has
this sum been applied? In the first place, we have applied on
behalf of the expenses of the Chinese war in the year 1842,
400,f001. ; in the year 1843, 800,000/. ; in the year 1844,
820,000/. ; opium compensation, 1,270,000/. ; making a total
of 3,290,000/., leaving only a balance of 301. -( Laughter.)
Now, Sir, I am sure the House will concur with me that this
statement is satisfactory. How has this result been obtained ?
Has it been obtained by starving the services of the country,
and depriving us of the means of preserving peace at home and
our honour abroad? We have thought it right to keep the
services of the country on a more solid and firm footing. We
have been able to save money and to effect the object without
the imposition of any fresh taxes. I know it may be said you
may easily get a reduction of the debt by imposing taxes, and
in despotic governments the people are heavily taxed in order
to pay off the public debts. We have, however, not done so.
-(Hear.) When a reduction in any tax takes place, it is
expected that an augmentation in consumption will take place,
and you must therefore in considering the relief afforded to the
people, take the amount which is consumed under the reduced
duty compared with what it was before. Take for instance the
consumption of sugar under the former duty to be 13,000,000
of lbs., then the amount of relief afforded is that which is con-
sumed beyond that amount, because when we find there is
now consumed 50,000,000 tons a year, it gives every man
relief in proportion to the extra consumption compared to the
previous amount, besides the difference in the price of a pound
of sugar. When we consider the relative pressure of taxation
imposed and reduced, it will be shown that we must not take
the amount of revenue last, but the amount that would
have to have been imposed if these alterations in duties
had not come into operation. In 1842, the taxes
that were imposed were, 5,630,000/., principally
property-tax, with some additions in customs and the stamp
duty. In 1845, there were two small addi'ions made in cus-
toms and stamps, but these were inconsiderable. The total
amount of reduction from the Ist of January, 1845, up till
1846, is 624,008/. But when I come to consider the reduction
of the taxes during the same period, I find they are from 1842
as follows :-In 1842, the reduction made was 159,0001, ; in
1843, the reduction from customs was 171,000/. ; in the excise,
240,000/., making a total of 411,000/. In 1844, the reduction
in the customs was 384,000/. ; in the excise, 25,0001.; in the
stamps, &c., 192,0001., making a total of 414,000/. In 1845,
the total relief afforded was, in customs, 364,000/. ; in excise,
1,1351., making in all 4,749,900/. And the relief that would
be afforded by the measures now in course of progress through
Parliament, would effect a reduction in taxation to the amount
of 1,041,000/., making a total amount of 8,206,000/. If we
net against this large reduction the amount of duty unpaid,
which is 5,624,000/., it leaves a balance in favovr
of the people of no less a sum than 3,582,000/.
With all these large reductions, you have effected an important
object in the reduction of debt, annual charge, and other
circumstances, materially affecting our national prosperity in
finance. To what shall I attribute this circumstance ? Some
gentlemen will tell me that, for a series of years, we have had
a succession of good harvests, and to these harvests alone are
to be attributed the improvements which had taken place.
God forbid that I should do anything to depreciate the value of
the greatest blessing that God has sent us, or that I should
show any want of gratitude, or want of a due sense of the
blessings for which we should be grateful. I feel this as deeply
as any one, and I know the importance of the happiness of the
people, and the financial prosperity of the country;
and I feel deeply sensible of the importance of a good
harvest. We have had former periods in which
during several consecutive years we have had harvests equal
to the present one, but can we show that in
ofth
suc-
cessive years, say four years, or even more,
harvests, one year which has in its effect been
3s4eothese
abundantis3s
pros-
perous as the present. If we take the years "
which abundance existed,
1836. They were years inharvest ot
especially in the year 1834, for nortshinegithlei
that year was known for many years, Dither
d rkebetif'oere or since.
we shall find that
If we look at these particular p
nnual charge, or by its
the revenue duties were increased materially; but the effect
the debt or a .
of that revenue on
means corresponded with the effect
relief to the people, by r
which had been prodeeecroflate. In detailing these things to
the House I will glance at the years 1821, 1822, 18.'3, which
were years of unusual plenty. Can you show me in any one
of those periods similar results to those now produced, and which
lam now proceeding to detail to the House. In these later
years to which I have called your attention, we have adopted a
system of commercial and financial policy, which had mate-
rially aided the efforts of the country to relieve itself of the
difficulties, surgiended as it was by restrictive duties, and which
comacomenced by a cautious reduction of duties
years
protection. Through a long series of -
have adhered to this policy, and we can say, that we3ehayse at-
tained advantages, which under other circumstances, we should
not for years have attained. It was, however, conducted by a

have had the pleasure of stating to you this night. Ought we
not, then, to go on in the course which we have commenced?
In reducing the burdens on the people, and removing every-
thing which can affect their comfort;, and we will thus place on
the strengeit founda'bn, not merely the financial, or the com-
mercial, but the general interests of this mighty country.
Mr. BARING could not help observing that he considered
the course taken by her Majesty's Government was a departure
from the general course of proceeding in matters of this kind.

They had—at the present moment to consider this practical
question—What, after all that had been done, would be the
finances of the country ? They had at the moment to look
at their balance, and to consider whether the revenue would
be sufficient to meet the annual expense, and with that view
he proposed to submit the figures of the Right Hon. Gentle-

,
man, who had addressed the House with great clearness, to
some examination. He was glad, however, to find that the
Right Hon. Gentleman had been educated in opinions which
he formerly opposed—( Hear, hear) —but he was surprised to
find that, throughout his speech, but a small portion of his re-
marks, indeed, were devoted to what he considered the most
important point of all —namely, the surplus. It seemed to him
that he had the greatest pleasure in flying off from the financial
matters of this year, and the advantages which the country
would derive from a relaxed commercial policy.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had
addressed himself to the subject.
Mr. BARING then went on to say—The balance than ap-
peared to be 776.0001. in favour of the Exchequer in China
money, in least such was the fact, if the Right Hon. Gentle-
man had stated his account correctly. He should now be
compelled to trouble the House with a few details, in order to
show that the Hon. Gentleman had not stated his account
correctly. He would suppose a familiar case, that of a man
having a house for which he paid 4(101. a-year rent; if that
was paid quarterly, one of the quarters coming due
in January of the ensuing year of course credit
would be taken in the preceding year, for only
three-quavers having been paid. Now this was the
case in respect to the accounts of the Right Hon, Gentleman,
for he (Mr. Baring) found by the charge for the half-pay
military allowance of 434,00 that credit had been taken for
only three-quarters of this year, which would throw the four
quarters into the next year. He also found in the army esti-
mates that the expenditure had been understated by 208,000'.,
and the ordinance service by 290,0001., making half a million
upon those two items. Then the balance, including the China
money, had been estimated at 776,000!. ; but if that sum were
not taken into account, and if the sum of 860,0001.
which had not been estimated, should even be left
out, the actual balance would be but 70,0001.
He was not giving this as a blame to the Government. He had
no reason to suppose that, there would be an increase of those
estimates, but he would say, that if the Government were
anxious to perform their public duties in a proper manner, it
would be matter of impossibility to effect great reductions in
' the taxes, or in the collection of the revenue. If they looked
at the customs, for instance, they would find that the cost of
collecting the customs was much the same under the present
that it was under the old system, before they began these
changes. The cost of labour in the customs, and the salaries
to the officials there, were indeed the same, the reductiou.
having been altogether effected in the superannuation. Hoe
Gentlemen might recollect, that on a former time they were
told, that if there were too many changes their expenditure was
extravagant, but that the course pursued appeared necessary in
order to keep up a perfect establishment. He believed that
the present estimates were larger than any that had ever been
submitted to that House for similar services since 1822. It
might be unfair to charge Hon. Gentlemen opposite with re-
sults which have possibly arisen from the course of policy pur-
sued by his Noble Friend beside him, and with those who now
joined with him in office. He perfectly concurred in the
wisdom, in the expediency, and in the justice of relaxing, as
far as they could, the present restrictive duties; but if they
were to say that the commercial prosperity of the country
during the last few years was occasioned by the Right Hon.
Gentleman's tariff, then he (Mr. Baring) contended that
they were perfectly mistaken if they alleged any such thing.
He certainly did think that the Right Hon. Gentleman would
have spoken much more mildly than he did with respect to the
past year. He thought that the Right Hon. Gentleman
should have been a little more explicit in his explanations as to
the ilicome-tax.—( Hear, hear.) The Right Hon. Gentleman
tripped very dexterously into something about the policy which
the Government had pursued, and now and then he made a sly
hit at the individual who was then addressing the House.—
(Laughter.) He did not believe, although he was opposed to
the income-tax, that the Government would be in a situa'ion
to take it off at the er dof the three years.—( Hear, hear.)
He would not follow the Right Hon. Gentleman in the course
of arguments which he had brought before the House, but
there was one point on which he could wish to have an explana,
tion from the Right Hon. Gentleman. The Right Hon. Gen-
tleman had steed that he had increased his balance in the
Exchequer, and he should wish to show in what way that had
been done. The House was well aware that at the end of
every quarter the surplus revenue was handed over to the Com-
missioners of the National Debt for the purpose of reducing the
public debt. On looking at the accounts, he (Mr. Baring)
found that in the years 1844 and 1845, they had a sum o f
1,6q1,0001. to be so applied. But he found that. the Right
Hon. Gentleman had not handed over that sum for any such
purpose; he had, it would appear, appropriated it to the pur-
poses of increasing his Exchequer balance, so that, prac-
tically, the money that was formerly handed over
to the Commissioners appointed for the reduc-
tion of the National Debt was now handed

over to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.—(Hear, hear.

He would not say that it was not perfectly right 'for the
Hon. Gentleman to apply the surplus for such purposes, but Le
should have stated in his speech, that it was by those means that

he had increased the balance in Exchequer. -The policy of ihe
Government with regard to free trade had been introduced by
the Right Hon. Gentleman in the course of his speech, but he
(Mr. Baring) conceived that that had nothing to do with the
budget, which was the proper subject of discussion that evening.
—(Hear, hear.) He bel:eved, that if the statements had been

made correctly, it would be found, that instead of their being a
surplus in the revenue of the country during the past year, there
was really a deficiency of 700,0001. He was afra-d that the

IlightHun. Gentleman was tar too sanguine in his anticipations

as to the results of the commercial policy of the Government.
The CHANCELLOR otthe EXCHEQUER, in expLination,
said that with regard to the first question of the Hon. Mem-
ber, as to the mode in which the accounts of the army and navy
were made out, the present system had been found to be by far
the best. With regard to the other question, viz., that about
the handing over the surplus to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
instead of to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the Na-

tional Debt, it was certainly true that the surplus was applied
for the purpose of increasing the balances of the exchequer.
Hut the principle was not a new one. He believed it was the
system pursued by the present Government's predecessors
in office. The opinion of the Honourable Member
as to the expenditure of the present year w
no doubt true. (Hear, hear.) The reason why
tothalyes
surplus was handed over to the exchequer was 1 'ra
obvious. When the balances of the exchequer
m.i wereey
government was obliged very often to borrowh money
Bank. But by increasing their balance they
themselves from
them-
selves independent of the Bank, and relieved
attend the borrowing of
the many difficulties which woulpurposeg._( Hear.)
money from that establishment foro,publicsmallt.roixi
theth e
ernment had acted right in
Mr. HUME thought the
son in the taxation of the country,
With reference to
.the reduction
to it. He would be glad to see
endeavouring to make themselves independent of the bank.
and a direct tax upon
indirect taxation re
imposed in its place. He believed that the
income
property or
he attached great iminpoovrteadnc
Id tend to the benefit of this country.
man for changing his opinion altogether,e
when he changed
lamed no
With regard to the expenditure and the
from bad to good. .
a
perhaps that was
revenue he thought tney were cf highly gratifying nature
wlieeabsure in progress would
If he had any complaint to make, it would be that of keeping:
t;heir country. He
ua
necessarylare
in e,ot ai
dbl,i:ht
ompernetseirnv
et ithe
e peaceof pe aocfe
hbcwoyeoninans
liiddrueerbr
removal
eoe
odai
vni tachtlroaeo taf
the,
el;
tes:t
drvaiuenctntdyiuoeont
.nhs
eteeTntarh;afedot
trade
revenue
vwceaointnrouhdef
comforts
this;
je,t,;o:h,ri tat
shrlt):reiecpoegtuh‘iveaont increaseditelodlnd.
Now, s he understood, smuggling had not been diminished,
and he had to complain that the Government, after reduc-
ing the duties on 600 article 3, had not reduced their cus-
tom. house establishment. The country complained of the
cost which that establishment entailed. But the reason was,
as soon as the post of a Commissioner of Customs became
vacant, there was a general ruse to have it filled up, and
this was a course of which the country had a right to com-
plain. The duty on the stalks of tobacco, which were largely
used in this country for the purpose of making snuff, was
2,600 per cent. ; and he considered if they removed all these
duties, they might reasonably reduce the custom-house de-
partment.

Lord G. BEN TINCK said he could not object to the
estimate for the army or navy, for when they recollected the
expression of Mr. Calhoun, in the American Senate, he did
not think any reasonable objection could be made against them.
Bnt he considered the surplus of 773,0001. was rather a narrow
one, when they considered that it was made in the face of all

man of infinitely more ability than the humble in the great changes. He did not think the Chancellor had
dividual who now addresses you. We are not in I stated his case in a sufficiently ample manner. He had not
debted to finance only for the prosperity of the coun- told them what he expected woulu be the amount of duties
try. Financial prosperity is a most desirable thing in received under the propesecl Corn rl P. The lion, Oeette.
itself, and derives additional value when accompanied by man hag entered into a glowing statement of the result of the
an increase of the comforts of the people, by an improvement policy which his party have pursued when placed in compari-
in their moral habits, an extension cf instruction amongst son with that of the gentleman who sat on the opposition
them, and a greater attention to their moral and religious becnhes, but he did not consider that he had any great right to
duties. How can we measure the comforts of the people congratulate himself. When the Right Hon. Gentleman said
except by a well known test which I have often seen applied in that all this great prosperity was to be ascribed to their !inane
this House. What were the savings of the people, and what cial measures, he (Lord G. Bentinek) thought that he
amount of their small incomes could they afford to devote to assumed to himself a credit for an effect which in reality was
pecuniary investment. If you take the four years preceding produced by the gift of Providence. When it was also stated
the year 1842, and institute a comparison between them anti that the advantage caused by all reductions would go to the
the four succeeding years, with reference to the amount of consumer, he must venture at once utterly to deny the fact. Th
savings deposited in the savings'-banks, comparing the amount produce of the reduction was, it was well-known, swallowed
drawn with the deposits, that will give an assurance of up by the producer and other parties who went between the
the greater comforts on the part of the people. Take producer and consumers It was, however, only wasting the
the difference between the total deposited during the four years time of the House to go into the whole question, and he
before and after 1842. In the year 1842, they wouldfind that would refrain from troubling it any further, at the same time
before that period the amount was 357,0J0/., and during the entering his protest against its being supposed that he consented
four years which succeeded the total was 793,0001., or more to receive such a financial statement as had that night been
than double the amount put in in the antecedent years. That made.
was also when an additional restriction was imposed with regard Mr. C. WOOD considered that the financial arrangements
to the amount of money to be deposited, and when the rate of of this country had not been very ably carried out, but he did
interest was reduced below its usual standard. A large portion not think that the course taken by the Chancellor of the Ex-
of the whole amount returned was from the ordinary people chequer was at all likely to accomplish. what he (the Chan-
who invested their money for the first time at these banks. No cellor of the Exchequer) said he had in view, viz., the assimi-
less than a million of contributors have deposited their money lation of the army and navy estimates. Under the present
in these savings'-banks. There was another test of the comforts mode of management, that was an end which would never be
of the people. Let us look at the consumption of the attained. He did not think that the financial statement which
excise commodities. Let us take this in particular. There had been delivered was sufficiently explicit, and where it was
was not the slightest reduction of any exeiseable article ; on so it did not promise to provide for the wants of the country.
the contrary, malt, soap, sugar, beer, all on the increase, and He thought there ought to be an explanation of the points he
so are all the other articles from the top of the list to the had referred to. With regard to the income from customs, he
bottom. Taking the power of consumption by the people and admitted that the Chaneellor of the Exchequer was better able
the power of accumulation, they would there find a test than any of them to give an estimate of what the future re-
ef their increased comforts. With respect to the moral habits ceipts of the country might be ; still it was competent in
of the people, all classes in different parts of the country were them to express an opinion of the data on which he founded
much improved, and the returns laid upon the table of that his calculation. The Right Hon. Gentleman deducted two-
House showed a decrease in the state of crime to the amount of fifths of the actual reduction matte in the customs as the probable
7 per cent. I cannot refer to these statistical statements, but loss on this branch of the revenue next year, making the total
I can say that the advantage is largely on the side of improve- revenue from customs 19,300,000/. Now, he thought a san-
meet. At any rate, it appeats that a good opportunity is guine cab ulation had been made in this respect, and that in-
opened for investigation by contrasting the state of the schoals stead of taking six weeks back, which was not a fair period for
of these districts. From the return it appears that the num- a calculation, he ought to have gone back for a longer time.
ber of persons educated in this particular %lass of schools have He (Mr. C. 1Vood) admitted that some of the calculations of
been in the proportion of five to two. This, it appears, is the last year were correct, especially these relating to the post-
surest evidence that can be adduced on the subject, and shows office and the excise, but it was not so on the estimate of cus-
the benefits of the moral advance which has been made in this toms. If the experience of the last year was applied to the
country, and of the effects which are likely to result from it. next, he considered the income from customs should not be
There have been times in this country when there was a great estimated at more than 18,800,000/. The calculation of the
advantage calculated from the building of fifty churches ; and Right Hon. Gentleman was therefore overstated. The whole
this was adduced of the great benefits enjoyed by the lower or- expenditure of the year was set down at 51,650,000/. ; whereas
ders. But I am happy to say that the interests of religion are he considered it wou'd be at least 51,769,0001.; so that, including
not only advanced by the building of fifty churches in the course the China money, the expenditure would be more
of a series of years, but that it is promoted by the building of than the total income by 119,0605. ; and without
fifty churches in every consecutive year ; and lam fur- that money, 800,0001. He would go to another point, and
ther happy to say that this indication of the mo- that was to the policy of the Ministry for the present year. He
ral and the religious advance of the people is not considered the greatest benefits would result from the aitera-
a transient and evanescent advance, but a permanent and deci- tions that were now proposed in the tariff, and in the adoption
sive advance ; for there does not appear to be any instance of of free trade. They would facilitate trade and commerce, and
this progress being actuated by capricious motives, but that the operate beneficially in giving employment to the people. Tim-
persons who are chiefly affected by it, are those to whom just ber of all description, introduced into this country, had in-
such an advance is likely to be of the most service. And if I creased 500,0J0 loads, and this must have tended to increase
have satisfied you that these results are in the main part the employment of the poor, They had latterly bad good har-
attributable to the policy which has been pursued, not hastily or vests, and it was this, added to other circumstances which
rashly, but calmly and cautiously introduced, and working had occasioned so much prosperity. It would be found
therefore great immediate, yet nevertheless, permanent bles- that the increased consumption of the last few years
sings. If, I say, we can trace them to these causes, is it net applied principally to articles of food, and this increased
the strongest encouragement we could have, to pursue a course consumption could only in his opinion be attri-
fraught with such benefits ; and here I cannot refrain from say- buted to increased prosperity in manufactures, which gave
ing, that I review with satisfaction the part which it has been so much employment to large masses of the community.--
my lot to take in these several measures, the result of which I ( Hear, hear.) The Right Honourable Gentleman the

Chancellor of the ExchNit'i'er had said they had a strong
proof of the improved condition of the people in the
increase which had taken place in the excise duties•
This increase, too, could be traced to the prevailing
prosperity of manufactures which he for one attributed
to tho-e liberal commercial measures which the House
had recently adopted, and he was glad to find that the Right
I-lon. Gentleman had began to propose a reduction in the
deferential duties on sugar, and other articles of home con^

sumption. Last year he ventured to remonstrate against some
of these duties, and he was rejoiced to find they were new to
be reduced, becatu.e he considered it would improve the corn"
merce of the country, and at the same time place within the
reach of the industrial classes articles of eonsumption, which
had hitherto been beyond their means.—( Hear, hear. ) He

therefore, hailed the Right Hon. Gentlenian's declaration on
this point, as the first step towards an improvement in this
branch of the system, and he now looked forward with con-
fidence, and feeling of the liveliest satisfaction, to the day which
he hoped, indeed he felt sure, was not far distant, when these
duties would have to undergo a thorough revision at the hands
of the Legislature.—(C seers.)
Mr. CARDWELL said he felt great surprise at hearing the
Hon. Member opposite taking so gloomy a view of the future.
A great pressure had been removed from the springs of ill;
dusiry, and the result should be a great stimulus to trade and
commerce. He begged to remind the Hon. Member that the
Chancellor of the Exchequer had confined himself to the ex
penses incurred within the year, and therefore the Gover9-
ment were only following tip the course which they were war-
ranted in doing by all precedent ; and, if they had adopted B'l/
other course, it would only have the effect of creating e°l"
fusion. This was not a fair comparison. It was not fair t
say that the customs' eluties last year had only realis€l
200,0001. For 200,000/. he (Mr. Cardwell) would read
2,000,0001., and he would prove that this was correct. Tll,_ g e
Hon. Member then read returns to pi eve this assertion. In
Hon. and Learned Member had taken his returns from doe::
ments in which every allowance was made for a suppo
falling off in consequence of reduction, and therefore he washe`ur
far, mistaken. But it was said that they must look to other'
quarters
the for
H theiruse
showed rev n u
thate.
sßutine e the
tthe
returns laid
in be-
fore
th.
reductions
customs and excise consequent on the alterations of the tariffs
i
the revenue so far from decreasing, had been considerably n--
creased; and if they still more relaxed the,springs of comnaerce
he was of opinion that a continued system of prosperity would;
be induced, which would in time coming add to the happiness'
and and comfort of the people.
Mr. 'WILLIAMS had expected that the Right Hon. Gentle"
man the Chancellor of the Exchequer would have made
some considerable reductions in the expenditure of the!
several departments, hut he had not done so.
they looked at the charges of the naval, the
military, and ordnance services, they would find that al
compared with the Amerioan, the people were taxed at the
rate of sixteen to three millions, and so it was with everf
other department. He found, for instance, that in the Ore.
years following the elevation of the present Ministry to power:
that there were no less than 600 new places created
a coat of 225,0001. He found that a sum of 149,504:
was required for 113 of these new places. There Iva;
one point on which he was sure that her Majest,Y.
Government must make a material reduction in the exPer":i
ture, if they would follow the example which had been 1,;10,
down by France and all other countries in the world.
found, by a return made in 1842, that 6,760,000/. was,
the previous par, expended in the shape of salaries to tn
officers employed in the Customs, Excise, Stamps, 13°st.
office, &c. Now, if those sums were annually brought before_
the House, to be voted for in the same manner as were tra:
salaries of individuals employed in the army, navy, &C. the' a
must necessarily be a great reduction in their salaries; tie!,
tbeo
of all other times, this was the most appropriate to make se
reductions. At no time during the last thirty years was
price of the article of food so low as at present.
Mr. HUDSON said that at that late hour of the eveniel;
buthe had n
he must st desirehegleatvo esnttrnspss on
say
ythat tthhe attention of t
e liightHnn.
Gentleman
enHtioeunswie ;
Hon.
did Member,not thinkm ade
thata mostth the
stseriousat,:
nhmadi,ssiionnthine
ment that had been made was one of the most satisfactei
character, or that it should be regarded as a speech at whicti
his statement.
the country might feel grateful. He did expect that some"
thing more would have been done for relieving the people frog's
taxation—that a speculative Ministry sal as we had no!
would have reduced the duty on tea, which
an article of such large consumption. The surposs
revenue had been expended in the internal improvements of the
country. 'The Right Hon. Gentleman (the Chancellor of the
Exchequer) had spoken with much self congratulation on the
prosperity of the last four years, and attributed that prospertsJ,
to himself and his colleagues, forgetting that abundant harvest;
had much to do in the production of that prosperity. He ello
be called Mr. Prosperity Chancellor of the Exchequer. NV'Ve
he was a boy he was taught that 4‘ self-praise was no et?ro„
mendation." If the country had prospered during the last f.n tb
years, why did they seek to disturb that prosperity by tP
adoption of the system of free-trade ?
The House then resumed, and the report was ordered to Le
received on Friday.
The Highways and Coercion Bills were postponed until
Monday, the 18th of June.
The Poor-law Removal Bill was postponed to Friday ne/t,
The House then adjourned till Friday next.

WAYS
[ADTERTI SEMENT ] —THE FAME OF HOLLO
_4,,
PILLS in the curs of head aches, dimness of sight, deranged stotn"-0.,
and disordered livers, likewise in restoring strength and vigour 11.,7dics
of debilitated constitutions, is so great that even in the East es
the different castes of natives are taking but little other Tnet'„. ct
than these famous pills. One native agent in the PresidencL,,s,
Bombay sold, lately, retail fifty-three dozen boxes in fifteen
oot.l•gr
The extraordinary cures performed by these pills, when all
pol-
means fail, is truly wonderful. Females will find this a trnoilway'd
rable medicine.--,,,01d by all druggists, and at Professor Hollo
Establishment 244, - trand, London.
' k II"-
We are rejoiced to learn that Lord Frederic n
darence has greatly improved in health since his residence 1 e
~n 0...
His Lordship generally takes an airing before breakfast in the
eurs' 0..
Lord"
tiful gardens attached to the Pulteney Hotel. The party at the
Idislunent was awmentecl on Wednesday by
Erroll, and
aanrdrivthaleojc...n. cgt•
ship's sister, Laity Mary Fox, the
Hay.—Bath Herald.
TO THE SPORTING WORLD.—SaIe
of Bell's Lffe /11
London during the past four weeks in May :
25,096
May 3 ...... ......... : ..... 25,061
May 10 .
.., • • 27,997
• • •
May 17 •• • ...... • ::... ... •• • 28,528
May 24 .....• - •:
141ulleati011 of twenty-six thousand Or
eircs
1 1 b lie
is
Races,regu
Clements,sl aeerlßy
Making an average sale a
hundred and seventy.
ejPiuiu,is::
Life,
islthe:osd,
strand,
nti Irdiati
..,,1,17,:ce051:1,::
Be
railways. For the most correct report, ,
all the Saturday
particulars of the
May 31. A sixpence
copy to any part of the kingdom by return
insure, at all times, a
OF WAN a tIIA
ruE VICARAGE , TAGE.---it is expected
to
the living. of Wantage, Berkshire, just rendered vacant by the dfctt,
of the Hon. Dr. Hobart, will be conferred upon the Rev. Mr. KnY 'TO,
the Dean and Canons. No arrangement,
one of the minor canons of St. George's Chapel, Windsor•
gift of
-vicarage, which Is of the annual value of about 6001., is ill the
tl
fueirengFiyonssed-EPtos° .51111 r.
be decided upon until after the induction of the ' 1 ar''°lll
Dean. new Y-
however is exPe;" • to.

On the 26th of May, at BIRTHS lady.
House, Dublin, the isull°l
dcCaptainOrsiolnt ,h
eL
2.
4t h Smith,f M a
of adauglitAe.rl). Mrs. .1, .'•
at Stranraer-place, Maida-vale„
iy of t"
y,., Adjutant-General, of a son, still-born.
,feir,
On the 24th of May, at Lau harne Carmarthenshire, the la",
W. Mason, Esq., of a son. g ' of A'
On the 24th of May, at Codrington-place. Brighton, the latlY
Elphinston, Esq., of Bombay, of twins, both girls. • Jr ellW
011 the 25111 of May, at Stanstead, Sussex, the wife ofMeJe
01,
Stone, of Alva Stirtingshir, of dughr.
On the 26th got May, thee wifea ofa te
W. H. Maund, Esq., of 0
the
or
Laverstoek, Wilts, of a dauelitcr. _ grt,
On the 26th of May, at Upper Tooting, Mrs. J. If. tio°llll'
a son.
On the 27th of May, at Tonbridge, Kent, thewife of B. B. r
ciardi"e '
Esq., of a daughter. e of J• C.
On the 27th of May, at the Circus, Greenwich, the wif
_.....----------..
Temp:er, Esq., of a son.

MARRIED. r, Va!
On the 27th of May, at St. I'ancras New Church, J. 110°Pe janie°'
of Burten-crescent, to Mrs. James, widow of the late Captain
of Ilam-common. yeld'
On the 28th of May, at All Saints' Church, Poplar, a'onersatild3'
Esq., civil engineer, of Cambridge-terrace, Hyde-Park' !
eldest daughter of F. Garford, Esq., of the East India-roaul..
lsto
On the 29th of May, at St. Sepulchre's Church, London,
ton, of Luton, Bedfordshlre, to Emily, second daughter of "'"
Esq,, Kent-load, London.

DIED.
On the 17th of May, at St. Tudye, the Rev. C. Itodg,°"'
rector of that parish. 13Art.,
On the 23d of May, at Nettlecombe.court, Sir J. Trevely
aged 86. gged
oii the 24th of May, at Pentonville, J. Parry, Esq, V, of v,
On the 27th of May, at Bushey, Herts, Jane, the w
Phihbs, Esq., aged 71.
On the 27th of May, at Christchurch, W. Long, aged 83

heNo. „2,
London: Printed and Published by hiCTRDO YOUNG,
Strand, Printer, at The Sun ()Mee, N 0.112, Strand, in t
of the Say, in
v— the C6unty 91' Middlesex, Sates' 4'-
30, 1846.