The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-23 00:00:00

THE DUTY ON PAPER.

In reply to Sir M. PETO,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
intended to proceed in the same way as last year, namely,
to allow Id. in the pound drawback.
DUTY ON SUGAR AND HOPS.
Mr. DODSON asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
what loss he estimated would ensue to the revenue of the
financial year 1861.2 if the duties on sugar were re-
newed, from the Ist of July next, at the rates at which
they stood in September, 1851, under the Act 17
and 18 Vic. c. 29, instead of at the rates at which
they now stand ; and whether he would state at what
amount he estimates the revenue to be derived from the
excise duty on the growing crop of hops and from the cus-
toms duty upon hops in the current financial year?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that

a good deal of inconvenience would result if there was
any alteration' in reference to the sugar duties this year.
He estimated the deficiency from the failure of hops at

about £1,400,000.
NEW WRIT.
On the motion of Mr. BRAND, a writ was ordered to
issue for the election of a member for Banffshire in the room
of Sir Langton Gordon Duff, who has resigned.

THE BUDGET.
On the motion for going into committee of ways and

means,

Mr. T. BARING rose and was received with load cheers,

The hon. gentleman, who was very imperfectly heard in the
gallery, said,—The night a budget is produced is not the

best time for discussing its merits or defects. Of course, the
committee must be taken in a great measure by. surprise.
Much of the information so given could be previously

known only to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The facts
must be assumed, many calculations require to be examined,
and it is not. therefore, surprising that a week ago the dis-
cussion which took place in this house was confined to sub-
stitutes for the remissions proposed by the right hon. gen-
tleman. But when the character of the scheme is considered,
it must be seen that there is some necessity for discussing
its general nature and principles. (Hear.) I wish to explain
why I now venture to address the house instead of waiting
till we get into committee. In committee it is usual to con-
fine our observations to the particular resolution before us,
but, as the right hon. gentleman says it is his intention to
comprise all his financial proposals in one sole and entire
measure, he seems to require us to deal with them as a
whole. (Hear.) I must apologise to the house for venturing
to occupy its time, but there is such general interest felt in
the state of our financial concerns that, humble as I am, I
may be permitted to express opinions which may be quite
erroneous, bat which I sincerely entertain. (Hear.) lam
happy that we live at a time when experience has shown
that a budget may be modified or rejected without any
change in the position of the Ministry. (Hear.) lam glad
that we have seen budgets withdrawn and fresh ones in-
troduced. We have seen taxes remitted, or taxes the renais-
son of which, when proposed, has been refused, without
having any effect upon the Cabinet. In fact, a change of
the budget does not involve a change of Ministry, and I re
joice that it is so, because I think it would be most unpar-
donable obstinacy on the part of public men to adhere to
the terms of a budget which was opposed to the wishes and
feelings of Parliament. It would be =fortunate for the' free
exercise of the judgment of this house if the rejection of
any portion of a budget were to be construed into a vote of
want of confidence. I bog sincerely to disclaim any inten-
tion to convey such a censure in the course I am now taking.
It is desirable that the house and the country should per-
fectly understand not only our present financial position, but
our financial prospects; and although:l am aware that' am
not competent to throw light on this important subject, yet
I think we may ascertain not only what are the views of
Government, but what are the views of hon. gentlemCn on
both sides. I assure the house I have not the presumption to
attempt to follow the right hon. gentleman through all the
statements and illustrations contained in his most able speech.
I am not about to weary the house with a reference to many
of the topics on which he touched, even although I may not
agree with them. Neither is it my wish to revert to past
legislation. My real object is to state my opinion as to our
present position and the wisdom of the right hon. gentle-
man's intended policy. I need not therefore advert to the
commercial treaty with France—that is an accomplished
fact, and I heartily join, as I th'nk we must all do, with the
right hon. gentleman in trusting that it may be successful
in promoting the mutual interests of the two countries, and
in removing any feeling's of jealousy or animosity which may
at present exist between them. (Hear, hear.) But when the
right hon. gentleman himself said the treaty was a one-
sided instrument he really acknowledged the objection which
was entertained to it on this side Of the house—(hear)—in
addition to the objection founded on the loss of revenue it
would entail. The right hon. gentleman described the in-
jury sustained by the Exchequer last year, as compared
with the year preceding, on account of the one. eing leap.
year and the other having two Sundays instead of one.
(Laughter.) In the firat place, we all know that, as regards
ono great source of revenue, an ordinary year yields as
much income as a leap-year; and again, it must not be
thought the consumption of articles contributing to our Cus-
toms or Excise lies dormant during the Sundays. (Hear.)
If it were otherwise, what a godsend the abolition of Sun-
op "vim J tc• t 49 gzchequert (Laughter.) Who right