The Sun.
London, England, 1834-07-03 00:00:00

articles, however, which apparently were of no sort of con-
sequence, were of essential importance. _ Some of them

were very bulky, and it would not be worth while to import
them unless the duty was low. The first article he would
take would be boracic acid, which was now greatly used in

the manufactures of the country.

He had reduced the duty

on this article and borax in 1832. In 1831 the amount

:--
Imported was 300,0001b5., butin 1832 the duty was reduced
from 4d. per lb. to 4s. a cwt., or 11-12ths of the amount.

There was a comparatively trifling sacrifice of revenue,while
the consumption increased to 775,0001b5..in the following

year. The next article he took would be zaffre, also in
great use in our manufactures. The duty was formerly one
penny per pound, but he had made it one shilling per cwt.
The consumption had risen almost at once 329,0001b5. In
the article of quicksilver, an article of great importance,
from the various beneficial uses to which it was applied in
this country, he had made a reduction in the duty from 6d.
to a penny, and the consequence of that reduction was that
the consumption of the'article hadlincreased from 100,0001bs.
to 260,0001b5. In bitter almonds, in which a considerable

reduction had been made in the duty, there was an increase

of consumption from 2,000 cwt. to 8,000 cwt., and this rise
took place almost at once. On cocoa-nut oil the duty was
reduced from 6d. per lb. to 2d. per lb., and the consump-
tion rose from 500,0001b5. to 1,268,0001b5. in one year,
without any loss to the revenue. On the whole, the sum of
all the duties reduced was about five-sixths on the average,
while the loss to the revenue was not one half.
Hon. gentleman might turn up their noses at these trifling
reductions, but they should recollect that, small as they
were, they had a great effect in giving an impulse to the
trade of the country, and in encouraging new channels for
industry that were never thought of before, to the great be-
nefit of the general interests of the country. He had thus
stated the principal reductions which he proposed in the
duties on the several articles he intended to introduce into
his resolutions, but there was one other article on which he
intended to do away with the duty altogether ; he meant
the article of coals. (Hear, hear.) The hon. member for
Bridport (Mr. Warburton) shook his head, he supposed be-
cause he had on a former occasion propliesien that there
would not be any coal left in the country in 1,500 years.
(A laugh.) But he (Mr. P. Thomson) did not anticipate
any such want, although the trade should be thrown open.
Ho considered that taking 4 the duty on coals would be a

great advantage to the shipping interests of this country,
because British vessels would have the alinost exclusive
benefit of the export trade, for it was not his intention to
remove the discriminating duties on this article as regarded
British ships. He was the more disposed to dispense with
the duty on this article, because the reduced duty of 2s.
that had been put upon small coal had entirely-failed to
produce the benefits that were expected from it, for, in
1830, under the larger duties, the export was 240,000 tons,
and now the export was only 23.5,000 tons. The same was
the case with round coal, although the duty had been re-
duced one-half. There was another object which the reso-
lutions embraced to which he had not as yet alluded. He
meant the reduction of duty on the importation of foreign
books. The duty as it at present stood was 5/. per cwt.,
and this he proposed reducing to 21. 10s. per cwt. In the
bill which he intended to found upon the resolutions which
he should propose to the committee he meant to introduce
a clause of regulation and rectification as referring to the
bill of last year. In making these statements he hoped he
should not be accused of taking the house by surprise, and
more particularly as respected the power which he meant to
propose should be given to the Lords of the Treasury, of
permitting the establishment of warehouses for bonding in
inland towns. This measure he anticipated would have a
great effect in preventing the practice of smuggling.
(Hear, hear.) He should not now go more fully into the
subject, but should propose his resolution to the committee.
The CHAIRMAN having read the resolution expres-
sive of the opinion of the committee that it was expedient
to make the reductions proposed in the duties on the various
articles named,
Mr. ROBINSON said that he concurred generally in
the propriety of the reductions proposed by the right hon.
gentleman, and particularly in the duty on currants, a re-
duction which he himself had long since suggested. He
felt quite certain that the revenue would not suffer by those
reductions, but would rather derive benefit from them. He
did not, however, approve of giving any advantage to the
productions of the Sicilies. He rather thought that encou-
ragement should be given to the growth of our own Colo-
nies. He could still point out to the right hon. gentleman
fifty trifling articles the duties on which did not produce to
the revenue more than 40,000/., yet the increased consump-
tion of which, if these duties were taken off, would be of
great service to various branches of our home manufactures.
He hoped the fight hon. gentleman would . look to these,
and carry out still farther the principle of reduction which
he was so creditably pursuing.
Mr. WARBURTO N expressed his satisfaction at the
reduction of duties which the right hon. gentleman had
proposed, except that upon coals. The country to which
the coal might be exported would alone have all the advan-
tage of the reduction. The quantity of coals consumed in
our manufactures was great, and if the duty were taken off,
the manufactures of other countries would have the advan-
tage of getting coals on the same terms that we had them,
except the mere cost of carriage. It was well known that
the price of coals had greatly increased in this country
within the last forty years, and he did not think that there
could at any time be a supply greater than the demand at
home. He disapproved of this part of the right hon. gen-
tleman's plan of reduction, but he fully concurred in all the
rest.

Lord ALTHORP said that the object of the reduction
of the duty on coal was to relieve as much as possible the
producers of the article, who were known to be in a state
of great distress.
Alderman THOMPSON wished to know if foreign
ships were to have the same advantage as the carriers of
coals with British ships ?
Mr. P. THOMSON said certainly not. There was to
be a much heavier tonnage duty on foreign ships than on
British vessels.
Lord MORPETH was glad to find that there was a
reduction to be made in the duty on olive oil, as it was an
article so much used in the woollen and soap manufactures
of the country. He hoped there would also be a reduction
made in the duty on Russian tallow.
Mr. GROTE regretted that no reduction was made in
the duty on barilla. It was an article of the utmost im-
portance, and if the duties were continued at their present
height it would cease to be imported at all. There was
not this year one-half the quantity imported that there was
in the last year.
Mr. G. F. YOUNG approved of the reductions pro-
posed, and thought that the shipping interest would derive
peculiar benefit from taking off the duty on coals. He
feared, however, that Holland would not reciprocate this
advantage with us, and in that case a duty would be laid
on our exported coal in that country, and the Dutch
Exchequer would have all the advantage. He did not ap-
prove of bringing forward the subject of bonding in inland
towns at this late period of the session.
Lord SANDON approved of the proposed reductions,
and hoped that the right hon. gentleman would pursue his
plan so as to facilitate the introduction of coals from this
country into France.
Mr. BROTHERTON was favourable to the reduc-
tions suggested, and he particularly approved of the bond-
ing system for inland towns.

Colonel TORRENS fully agreed that the exportation
of coals would be exceedingly injurious to the manufac-
turers of this country.

Sir M. W. RIDLEY was fully prepared to expect op-
position to any plan which would encourage the exportation
of coals from the friends of the manufacturers. Coals,
however, could be had from Russia, Prussia, Holland, and
France, and therefore if it was wished to supply the fo-
reign markets from this country the duty must be reduced.
Major HANDLEY and Mr. A. CHAPMAN expressed their
approbation of the resolutions which the right hon. gentle-
man had proposed.
Mr. HILL thought that so important a subject as that
of allowing the bonding system in the seaport towns should
not be brought forward at that late period of the session.
Mr. PEASE disapproved of the reduction of the duty
on coals. It would only be taking the money out of the
pocket of the coalowner to put it into that of the shipowner.
Mr. HUME hoped that the right hon. gentleman would
lay before the house a schedule of the reductions and
alterations he proposed making in these duties. He thought
the reduction of the duty proposed to be made on coals ex-

ported would be advantageous.
After a few words from Mr. RUTHVEN,

The several resolutions were agreed to, and the house
having resumed, the report was ordered to be received on
Friday.
MERCHANT SEAMEN'S REGISTRATION BILL.
Mr. LYALL moved that the house should resolve
itself into Committee on the Merchant Seamen's Regis-
tration Bill.

Mr. ROBINSON proposed as an instruction to the
committee that the sum of 20,0001. of the revenues to be
collected under this bill should be applied in aid of the fund
for supporting the Merchant Seamen's Hospital in the
River Thames.

Mr. HUME seconded and supported the motion.
Mr. HODGSON hoped his hon. friend the member for
London would not agree to any such proposition.
Mr. E WART said that he should oppose the instruc-
tion.

Mr. ROBINSON was willing to adopt any course the
house wished respecting the motion he had submitted.
(Cries of " Withdraw, withdraw.")
After a few words from Sir M. W. RIDLEY, Mr. ROBIN-
SON withdrew his motion.

The house then resolved itself into committee on the bill.
The several clauses were agreed to as verbally amended.
The house then resumed, and the report was ordered to
be received on Monday.

UNIVERSITIES ADMISSION BILL.
Mr. G. W. WOOD moved the Order of the Day for
going into committee on the Universities Admission Bill.
He desired only that the bill should pass through the emu-

mittee pro forma, in order that it and the amendments
which had been made in it might be printed.
Sir G. MURRAY said, that before the house agreed to
the hon. gentleman's motion, he wished to make a few ob-

servations with respect to this highly important measure.
He was as desirous as any one could be to see the grievances
which pressed upon any portion of his Majesty's subjects
on account of their religious feelings removed, and in proof
of this he had only to say that he had supported the repeal
of the Test and Corporation Acts, and lent his humble

assistance conscientiously and zealously to relieve the Ro-
man Catholics from the disabilities under which they
laboured. (Hear.) Religious toleration was the principle
on which he always wished to act, and to show that these

had always been his sentiments, he had only to refer
to the efforts he had made while holding_ the office
of Colonial Secretary, to throw open a College that was
founded at York, .in _ Upper Canada, on exclusive prin-

ciples, and to establish One at Montreal to which persons
of all religious denominations should be admissible. The
difficulty he felt with respect to the present bill did not rest
upon the admission of this principle, but was founded rather
upon the impracticability of its application in the case of the
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and what he thought
the hon. gentleman failed in chiefly was in showing how it
could be practicably applied in reference to these institu-

tions. As far as he had been able to consider this measure

he thought it indefinite and contradictory, and what he de-
sired was that the Government should take the subject into
their own hands, and adopt as the bases of any measure
they might think fit to bring forward the principles laid
down in the petitions which had been presented from certain
members of the University of Cambridge by the Premier
and the present Secretary for the Colonies in the month of
March last. He entirely concurred in the views enter-
tained by these petitioners, but still he did not see how it
would be possible to conduct the universities upon the prin-
ciple of this bill, unless all religious instruction were ex-
cluded. The universities in Scotland were very differently
circumstanced, as residence was not required ; but surely
when the students were obliged to reside within a university

religious instruction should form an indispensable, ingredient
in the course .of education. (Hear, hear.) Another (it
culty which he felt regarded the granting of degrees. It,
a Dissenter himself, being a member of the Church of Sew
land he should be glad that the honour or reward to which st''
perior knowledge and industry entitled persons was granted ti/t
all without any religious distinction ; but then he did 11°
see how this could be done, unless they at the same time
gave to dissenters a power in the universities to which be
thought they had no manner of right, and from which
were, in his opinion, justly excluded. (Hear, hear.) lilc
a
power he argued should only be enjoyed by. members of the
established religion ; and, therefore, however glad herak b
be to see degrees granted to dissenters, he should not 104
them to possess any control over the universities.'
though the right hon. gentleman the Secretary for the
lonies supported this bill, he did not seem to assent to thj/
principle. But whether that was so or not, he (Sir
Murray) wished to see the matter taken up as a GoveT
ment measure, and dealt with on'the same principles as te
Roman Catholic Relief Bill. If that course were purssheue
the matter would be deliberated upon and sifted by t
Cabinet ; and until this was done he did not believe, b°ie
ever they might modify it, that it would be acceptable ,0
the country. (Hear.)
The LORD ADVOCATE said that he heard with aiP
tress and mortification the sentiments which had been ebrt
pressed by the right hon. and gallant baronet. The rifig
hon. and gallant baronet said he would support a 'to
founded upon the principles put forward in the petitions I,
which he referred; but he (the Lord Advocate) would ssh;
where was the difference between those principles and t
principles upon which this bill was founded ? (Hear, itenrii
It was their duty as Scotchmen, as. dissenters—for sue
they were—to support this measure.
Sir G. MURRAY desired that so important a sior
should be taken up by the government and not left to sti
individual member of that house.
Mr. RUTH VEN expressed surprise that such a disc°
sien should have taken place at such an hour, and reel
mended that they should move that the candles be put 011
in order that they might proceed by daylight by way of
riety with the public business. (Laughter.)
The house then resolved itself into committee.
Mr. G. WARD proposed that certain verbal amend'
ments be made in the clauses.
The SPEAKER said that before the amendments Prf;
posed by the hon. gentleman behind him were put to the
house, and as be would have no other opportunity of ert
pressing the sentiments which he entertained with resPec
to this measure, he hoped they would, late as the hour was'
favour him for a very short time with their attention.
(Hear, hear.) The observations he had to make had n°
reference whatever to the amendments which the hon. gemtleman had proposed ; with respect to those amendinefil,:
therefore, he would give the committee no trouble. -P,:e
objection, he must fairly confess, was to the principle of t's
bill, and he knew not how that principle could be carrie
into effect without leaving his objection unaltered and inr
alterable. (Cheers.) The principle if adopted 'would be'
he was satisfied, destructive to both the universities as tbeY
now stood, and useless, as far as any good purpose was CO
cerned, to the Dissenters themselves. (Cheers.) Ire to
not believe that any alterations which might be made in t"..,
bill by the committee could render it effective, and be IrLwr
quite sure that if such a. measure were adopted, no matt;
how its provisions were modified, it would complete.
destroy the present system upon which the two universine,
were conducted, and introduce into them an utter religiti,
indifference, together with constant and acrimonious relig;
ous differences. (Cheers.) With these feelings the boo
would not be surprised that he entertained the most um
conquerable objections to the bill ; and that being the case'
he would not be discharging the duty he owed to the learned
body he had the honour to represent, he would not be do;
charging the duty he owed to himself as a member of that
house, if he did not avail himself of the only opporl
he was likely to have, as some persons might perhaps thi f
of committing an act of imprudence, but as he thought
stating manfully the feelings with which he could not he'p.
regarding this measure. (Loud cheers.) Had he not oat,
this declaration he should not have performed the
which he owed either to the University of Cambridge at;
himself ; and if he did not believe 'that it would be inlet
sible to adopt the principle of this measure, he would 11°
have trespassed at that late hour by stating what his con'
scientious judgment on this subject was. The right
gentleman thanked the house for the attention which the'
had paid him, and sat down amidst loud eheers. ,
After a few words' from Colonel WILLIAMS, 14'
clauses with the amendments were agreed to, and the house
having resumed, the report was ordered to be received to'
morrow (this day).
Mr. POULTER moved the order of the day for bring'
ing up the report of the Lord's Day (No. 2) Bill. ,„
Mr. WARBURTON objected to the motion, on the
ground that the bill should be re-printed and re-committed
After some conversation, in which several hon. gentlemen
took part, the house divided. The numbers were—

• For bringing up the report
Against it
Majority —23
The report was then brought up, and ordered to be take
into consideration on Monday.
1301
The second reading of the Imprisonment for Debt -
was postponed until this day.
The SPEAKER was proceeding with the orders of the
day, when—
Mr. F. O'CONNOR moved that the house be counted'
The gallery was cleared, and there not being forty met'
bers present, the house adjourned at half-past four o'eloc