The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-26 00:00:00

REPEAL OF THE PAPER DUTY.

On Thursday afternoon a meeting of the Society for pro-
moting the Repeal of Taxes on Knowledge was held at
Fendell's Hotel, Palace-yard, Westminster, in aid of the
movement for the repeal of the paper duty. Mr. Milner
Gibson, M.P., presided, supported by Mr. Herbert Ingram,
M.P., Mr. Crook, M.P., Mr, Francis, Mr. Lucas, &c.
The Hon. CHAIRMAN commenced the proceedings by
calling on the secretary to state the object of the meeting.
Mr. COLLETT said the meeting was called in order to
strike the blow while the iron was hot, and remind their
friends that they were not asleep over their success of Mon-
day last, and that no good would result from that unless
it was worked out. There was no pledge that the tax
should be repealed, but the Government expressed its opi-
nion that it was not politic the tax should continue. He
felt that they should now go on with the movement more
strenuously than ever. They ought to follow up Monday's
success, get their petitions ready by the beginning instead
of the middle of the session ; they ought to have public
meetings, which they had not of late; and they ought
again to fay their case before the Chancellor of the Eache
quer. They required that their members should constantly
be keeping the subject before the house; but at the same
time they required the sinews of war to carry on the agita-
tion, and he hoped the members of the association would
do their best, and also induce their friends to do the same.
He concluded by observing that the society had received a
very inadequate amount of support, and trusted that re-
newed exertions would be made to enable them to effect
their olject, which was most desirable.
The CHAIRMAN raid the amount of money they required
was not large. He never knew an agitation which had
been conducted with less expense; still he should like to
see moderate funds come in to keep it up till next session,
as he believed the Government would not have agreed to se
much of his motion on Monday night if they had not
wished to have been pressed into the matter. He thought
that if they allowed the natter to sleep over it would be
again postponed.
Mr. MOORE then went at some length into the necessity
for supporting the movement, and proposed the following
resolution :—" That a subscription be entered into for the
support of the agitation for the repeal of the paper duty,
with a view to obtain that measure in the ensuing session. '
Mr. H. INGRAM, M.P., thought that if the movement
was supported there would be no difficulty in obtaining the
repeal next session. He knew several parties who would
support it, but he suggested that the envelope makers
should be applied to, as they had been great oiners by the
association.
Mr. COLLETT said they had been applied to, and although
there were many saving from 501. to 8001. a year, yet the
munificent sum of ss. was all that was ever got.
The CHAIRMAN—An appeal should be made to the cheap
newspapers—if each cheap newspaper wore to give a small
sum we would get all that is wanted.
Mr. LUCAS thought every newspaper should subscribe.
Mr, FRANCIS then seconded the motion, feeling sure
that if an appeal was made they would get sufficient to
carry out the work.
Mr. BUCKNALL thought something more was wanted
than the money. They should have such meetings as this
held in Bristol, Liverpool,•Manchester, and other large
towns ; and the pressure on the house from these local
efforts would be of great value to the cause.
Mr. FRANCIS suggested that the co-operation of the
high-priced newspapers should be secured.
Mr. INGRAM, M.P., thought that most of the full-priced
papers were against the movement.
Mr. COLLETT replied that, in his opinion, the majority
of them were in favour of the repeal of the tax.
Mr. FRANCIS said that when the movement was com-
menced most of the papers gave the association favourable
articles in their columns.
The CHAIRMAN thought that if, on the authority of the
resolution proposed, they were to send round an appeal, it
would answer.
Mr. ELT suggested that, as the London Journal, Family
Herald, and other such cheap works, had large circula-
tions, they would benefit by the repeal, and that, there-
fore, the appeal should not be limited to the newspapers,
but that such works as he had mentioned should be in-
cluded in the application.
Mr. LUCAS said he should think, after the victory of
their chairman in the house, there would be little difficulty
in obtaining the advocacy of the press generally. He sug-
gested that meetings like this should be held to organise
a canvass for subscriptions in different parts of the country.
The motion was then put and carried nevi. dit.
Mr. CROOK, M.P., then moved that the committee be
instructed to take measures for obtaining a conference
with the representatives of the London press in order to
secure their co-operation.

The motion having been seconded by Mr. PitA.NON, was,
after some slight conversation, also carried.
Mr. LUCAS then proposed the cordial thanks of the
meeting to Mr. Milner Gibson, M.P., for presiding on the
occasion, and also for his eminent services to the COW()
during a number of years. He never yet know an agita-
tion which had made so much progress, and that had
worked so quietly, free from public noise, as the one in
which they were then engaged, and he must say he felt
that it was mainly owing to the admirable manner in
which it had been conducted by their chairman in Parlia-
ment. (Cheers.)
The motion having been carried with acclamation,
The CHAIRMAN (who was evidently suffering from in-
disposition) said ho was much obliged to them for the
compliment they had paid him, but he muit say that he
thought the success of the measure was duo to its inherent
truthfulness. He felt that it was so good a cause that it
must succeed in a very short time, and ho could only pio-
mice them that his time and attention should be at their
disposal until that success was thoroughly accomplished.
(Applause.)
'.l:he meeting then separated.