The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-17 00:00:00

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No.
188 Present

THE TEA DUTY.—Meeting this Day.)

The adjourned meeting of the merchants 2nd traders
connected with the tea trade was held this afternoon at
the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, to receive the
report of the committee, appointed at the meeting yes-
terday ; Mr. Moffatt, M.P., in the chair. Amongst
those present were Alderman Sir J. Duke, M.P., Mr.
Gregson, M.P., and Alderman Sidney.
The CHAIRMAN informed the meeting that immedi-
ately after the adjournment of the meeting yesterday,
the committee met, and after a full discussion of the
question, they came to the conclusion that prompt and
efficient action was necessary, and of seeing the Chancel-
lor'of the Exchequer, and of impressing on him that it would
be a breach of faith to the trade if the Government de-
parted from the Act of 1853, and if they saw an oppor-
tunity to agitate that point or any other that might be
for the benefit of the trade, without materially affecting
the fiscal condition of the country. It was considered
desirable to have an immediate interview with the Chan-

cellor of the Exchequer and enforce on him the views of
the trade, and they accordingly waited on him yesterday
without notice. The right hon. gentleman received them

very courteously, and they informed him of the fee►ing of
the trade on his proposed mode of dealing with the
duty. It was also suggested to him that it would be
very desirable to avoid the continual gradation in the
duty for the next three years, but that a fixed and
immediate duty for the three years should be substi-
tuted, and then fur it to come down to ls. (Hear.) From
the calculation the committee had made, they considered
the duty should be fixed at ls. 4d. per lb. for the next
three years—(hear, bear)—which would give a loss of
130,0001. only. The Chancellor of the Exchequer in.

formed the committee that, as regarded the departure
from the act of 1853, he was ♦ery sorry for it, but that
he could Rot help it, and that as regarded the second
proposition he received it with favour. He said that he
saw difficulties in his own scale of averages in the rate
of duty. He thought the proposed fixed duty too low,
but he rather liked the plan of a fixed duty for the next
threeyears. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, he thought,
had said as muoh as could be expected from a person in
his position.
Mr. GREGSON, M.P., moved, and Mr. MATTHESON
seconded, the following rosolution :—" That this meet-
ing views with deep regret and disappointment any de-
parture from the provisions of the act of Parliament by
which the duty on tea was fixed at ls. 3d. for the ensa-

lug year. That an alteration to any higher rate of duty
involves a serious inconvenience in the arrangements
made for importations of tea from China, and deplorable
disturbances of existing contracts which have been ex-
tensively made thronghout the 'United Kingdom
upon the faith of that act ; but that, owing to
the alleged exigencies of the State, it reluctantly
acquiesces in the recommendation of its committee for
the adoption of a fixed rate of Is. 4d. per lb. for the
three years next ensuilg, as, although that alteration
involves loss on existing contracts, it prevents any fur-
ther fiscal disturbance )f the regular position of the
trade until the final reduction of duty to ls. per pound,
as proposed by her Majesty's Government.
The resolution was supported by Alderman Sir J.
DB
artM.P., and Alderman SIDNEY, and agreed
to unanimously.

On the motion of Mr. K7RIKUAN HODGSON, seconded
petition to the House of
foregoing resolution, was
adopted. ensotNhe,
a
Commons,bby
Mr.
SMITH
embodying

Thanks were then voted to the chairman, and the
meeting terminated.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

DECLARATION OF 111/ POLL—(THIS DAY).
FOR THE AMENDMENI or MR. NORRIS.
No. of Proprietors. Capita, Votes. Total Votes.
256 present. £719,733 3,893
2,094 proxy. 3,448,183 21,72 S
. _

2,350 £4,167,913
•• AGAINST THE AUENDMENT.
CaPtal. Votes.
335 629 2,311
6poo 28

25,626