The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-16 00:00:00

would ask the President of the Board of Trade whether
he would be prepared to submit to the House some mea-
sure with reference to the liability of railway companies
in cases of accident.
IRISH REGISTRATION.

attached to this tax as appeared to be now;
but, taking everything into consideration, he could
not at present come to any certain decision on
the subject. He hoped the House would not expect him
to do so, for as of late he had been prevented by his

Mr. STAFFORD asked Lord J. Russell when he health from seeing any one, he had not had the opportu-
would be prepared to go on with the Irish Registra- nity of communicating with persons best acquainted with
tion Bill? these subjects; but he would do so, and at present he
Lord J. RUSSELL hoped to do so on Monday. would not state anything definite to the House
DUTY ON BRICKS. on the subject. They had also a proposition
Mr. CARDWELL presented a petition from the to reduce the malt-tax, amounting to 5,225,0001.,
Archasological Society in favour of a removal of the but it must be obvious that unless the House
duty on bricks. were prepared to vote some substitute for the deficien-
SAVINGS' BANKS. cies which would occur to some considerable amount,
The Chancellor of the Exchequer entered the House there was no chance that any Chancellor of the Ex.
shortly before five o'clock, and took his seat on the chequer could come down to the House prepared to make
Treasury bench amidst loud cheers from all parts of the such a large reduction. The next proposal was one made
House. The Right Honourable Gentleman appeared to by an Hon. Gentleman, whom he regretted not to see in
have entirely recovered from his recent indisposition. his place to-night (Mr. Disraeli), to transfer so many
Mr. REYNOLDS immediately afterwards rose to ask items of local taxation to the general fund. It was almost
the Right Hon. Gentleman whether he intended to bring impossible to calculate the amount of that transfer, but it
in a Bill on the subject of savings' banks. was probable that it would be two millions and a half.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said a He was quite sure that the object of the policy which
Bill had been prepared on the subject, and he should had been adopted was to give the greatest advantage to
take the earliest opportunity after Easter of bringing it the whole community, and the policy which had pro-
forward. veiled for the last ten years had been instrumental in
Mr. REYNOLDS said, the answer of the Right Hon. the reduction of from 1,600,0001. to 2,000,000/. of annual
Gentleman was highly satisfactory. taxation.—(flear, hear.) At least 1,000,000/ of the
Mr. HERBERT wished to ask the Right Hon. Gen- taxation of the country had been permanently re-
tleman a question in connexion with this subject. Was moved in consequence of the charges which her
it the intention of Government to introducelany measure, Majesty's present Government had removed.—(Hear.)
or take any steps to reimburse the depositors who had They had indeed only followed out the plan which had
lost their money by the failure of the Rochdale, Dublin, i been adopted by Hon. Gentlemen on the other side of the
and other savings' banks during the last two years. House, who were now in the Opposition.—(Hear, hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, said a He was the more anxious to name this, because he saw
Committee had been appointed to inquire into the mat- in the opposition which had been offered there was an
ter, and he should be wanting in respeot to that Com- evident attempt to delay, if not altogether to
mittee if he answered the question. frustrate, the policy which had been pursued during
LORD-LIEUTENANCY OF IRELAND. the lastawenty years. In 1825 Mr. Huskisson had first.
Mr. REYNOLDS wished to ask the Noble Lord at propounded the principles upon which Government had
the head of the Government whether it was the inten- i during late years acted. The object of that policy was
tion of Ministers to introduce a Bill this session for the I to remove from the working classes those burdens which
abolition of the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland? they had heretofore borne, and to place them on those
Lord. JOHN RUSSELL said a Bill was preparing on whose attained property would enable them well to bear
the subject, and he should give due notice to the House them.—(Loud and continued cheering.) This was the
before introducing it.—(A laugh.) reason why they had continually proposed the removal
HUNGARIAN REFUGEES. of the restrictions on commerce, and the reduction of the
Mr. B. OSBORNE said, as the Noble Lord the Secre- duties upon the necessaries of life and the articles which
tary for Foreign Affairs was not in his place to answer are requisite for the comfort and well-being of the poor.
a question he had given the Noble Lord notice of, ho ' Since the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (Sir R. Peel)
should take an early opportunity of calling the attention took office, in 1840, duties on coffee, sugar, and other
of the House to the conduct of the Turkish Government articles, had been repealed to the extent of 7,600,000/.
towards the Hungarian refugees. On sugar alone the duties repealed could not
THE BUDGET. have been far short of a million. 8,650,0001.
The House then went into Committee of Ways and might
be clearly taken as the amount of reduction of
duties on articles of consumption, Taking the reduction
Means, when on foreign sugar from 635. to 235., the average amaunt
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER imme- for three years alone would be 1,600,000/. Many other
diately rose to bring forward the financial statement of indirect taxes bad been repealed, and the result was
c
the Government. He commenced by thanking the House considerable benefit to large masses of the people,
for the kindness it had evinced towards him during his including every order and every class.—(Hear.) All
these reductions had been approved of by a large ma-
illness, and then went on to ask the indulgence of the jority of the House. Now let him ask, did they believe
House while he entered upon his budget, not only on . the state of things pointed out by Huskisson had come
account of his own indisposition, but for any inaccu- to pass? Capital had accumulated, and every large
racies that might creep into his statement.—(Hear, hear.) town in the kingdom had increased in size
Some of his Hon. Friends who sat behind him, he said, and population, especially this large metropo-
lis. Since Huskisson lost his life on the first
were always anxious for an early budget, but at this railway that was ever opened, 220,000,0004 had been
early period of the session it was impossible to disclose invested in railways. Within the last five years as much
it with that degree of accuracy which it was desir- as 140,000,0004 had been expended on these undertakings.
able should always characterise a statement of this nature. He thought he need not refer to more conclusive proof
It was the duty of a person in his capacity to state than that of the accumulated wealth and capital of the
what he fairly believed would be the probable income superior classes of this great country, but could he con-
and expenditure of the year now ensuing. With regard gratulate them on a similar improvement in the condi-
to the expenditure, Honourable Gentlemen were aware tion of the working classes?—(Hear, hear.) Certainly
that it was necessary that the vote for the ensuing it was creditable to the age that much more attention
year should contemplate certain excesses which was paid now than formerly to the condition of the
might have taken place in the navy, army, and working man.—(Cheers.) But let the House look at the
ordnance expenditure. The accounts of the navy, report of the Factory Commission, the Mines Com-
army, and ordnance expenditure were not made up till
mission, the Sanitary Commission, and, above all, the
the end of April, therefore it was impossible to form a
correct last report of the Commission appointed to inquire into
estimate of what those excesses might be. That
the operations of the law of settlement, and he was
which was valuable for the House to have was such
afraid the House would have to confess that the condi-
an estimate as the person who made it might be tion of the poorer classes was still miserable in
honestly and conscientiously able to say was really a the extreme.—(Cheers.) And yet, in the face
true state of the case. Last year it was impossible to
nuke anything like an accurate estimate, considering of all this, two hundred and fifty gentlemen
in that House had recently been found voting for a pro-
the time of the year when it was made. The circnm- position which would have had the effect of relieving
stances of this year were more favourable to such a cor- property from taxation by imposing it on articles of
rent estimate. Ho had now to lay before the House consumption and the raw materials of labour.—(Cheers.)
two estimates of the income and expenditure ; one He believed, however, that bad those Hon. Gentlemen
for the year ending sth April next, and another fully considered and weighed these facts, which he had
for the year ending sth April, 1851. After referring in just brought before them, they never could have voted
touching terms to the death of a public servant this for any each proposal.—(Cries of "Hear, hear.")
morning, by whom ho had been assisted in the business He thought the past policy of the House had been both
of his office, fthe Right Hon. Gentleman proceeded to sound and just, and although they had been troubled
say, when he laid before the House his estimate with a famine in Ireland, and a commercial crisis which
of the income for the last year he estimated for a time had paralysed the trade of the
the probable income at 52,262,0001. Up to January last country, he believed they were now approaching
the receipts amounted to 52,874,000/.; the income up to that period when the whole country would reap
the sth April next he could not
.estimate at so arge a the full benefit of that policy.—(Hear, hear.) Ho con-
sum;
but he believed, therefore, that the probable in- ceded to the Honourable Gentlemen who had voted for
come of the financial year, ending the sth April that proposal that great pressure had been felt in the
next would amount to 52,785,5001.; while the expendi- agricultural districts from the change, but from in-
ture he calculated at 50,533,3511., which would give a formation which he had recently received, he was very
surplus of income over expenditure of about two millions much mistaken indeed if this pressure had not now
and a quarter. The House would be gratified to hear almost entirely passed away.—(Cries of " Oh, oh.")
that the actual expenditure in the last 3 ear had been He confessed he thought that the complaints which were
less than the estimates by about 1,625,0001., which in- made throughout the country were a little premature.
eluded about 400,0001. put to the account of naval He must admit, however, that the price of corn had
excess, and he hoped that this would be taken as been lower than he anticipated it would be.--(" Hear,
a proof that in every possible way consistent hear," from the Protectionists.) But at the same time
with the public service attention had been paid to he thought it pretty clear that the present prices could
economy. With regard to the estimates of this year, he hardly be permanent, or attributed to the operation
was afraid that there was not much encouragement for of free trade. He saw only yesterday a report which
quite so favourable a picture. In the first place, he had been presented to the President of the French Re-
thought they must look for a considerable filling public from the Council of Agriculture, Commerce, and
off in the Customs, which might be ascribed to Manufactures in France, in which they spoke of the dis-
several causes, among others to the reduction upon tressed state of agriculture in that country, and
the duty in sugar which had taken place in June last. where, too, agriculture was protected, in language
Now, the decrease in the receipts upon foreign sugar he stronger than any that had been used in the
found from the returns which were made up to sth of most depressed districts in England. It was obvious
March this year, and up to the 12th of March last year, that the low prices of corn in that country could not be
was not less than 6.26,0001.—(Hear, hear.) He men- attributed to any importation from foreign countries.—
tioned this in order to show that the expectations of (Hear, hear.) He believed that the solution was simply
those who anticipated very large reductions in the that there had been an unusually abundant harvest.
Customs duties could not be realised.— The exportation we had received to any
(Hear, hear.) Whatever increase had occurred very great extent was hardly beyond what he
had been found to arise from the import of colonial pro- had anticipated from those countries which were
duce.—(Hear, hear.) All the increase had been from not usually exporting countries. Ho found, for instance,
our own colonies. In Dutch Guiana they were COOl- in France, the average price of wheat for eight years
plaining that they could find no market for their pro- ending 1845, was 48s. Id.; in Belgium, daring the seven
duce in consequence of the competition of the British col°• years ending 1845, it was 495. odd; and in Amsterdam,
vies, and there, accordingly, the greatest distress prevailed. during the six years ending 1845, it was 48s. 10d. lie
Ile was desirous of stating this in order to add, further, had shown that in those three neighbouring countries,
f
the fact that erroneous impressions prevailed in the from which we derived so large a supply, the average
public mind respecting the sources of our prosperity.— Price .of grain was under 84s. per quarter.
(Cries of "Hear, hear.") But on other topics he could He was fully convinced that the result of the late com-
speak with more confidence. In 1848-9 the imports- mercial alteration had had the effect of inciting those
engaged in agriculture to further exertions, and he felt
tion of brandy had been i 77,0001., giving an accession
to the revenue of 43,3001. This was partly owing fall reliance in the energy and spirit of the British
to the state of the commerce of the country, farmer that he would surmount all his dtffi-
and partly to the alarm which prevailed respecting culties, although he was aware that many in
cholera.—(llear, hear.) The other increase was upon that endeavour might fail. Such was an inevit-
gin, rum, and the various products of the British cols- able consequence of all great improvements,
vies. During the last year the increase had been in the —to take a familiar instance, were not all who lived at
duty reports 118,000 gallons, showing an increase of a distance from London aware of the great numbers that
duty of 139,0001., and in 1849 the quantity was 559,786 had been deprived of their employment by the introduc-
gallons, showing an increase of 381,000 gallons, tion of railways, and been obliged to turn their endea-
It was not likely the same quantity of grain would be yours to some other means of getting a livelihood. But still
imported next year. He estimated the probable receipts no one thought of stopping the railroads on that account.
of the Customs for the ensuing year at 20 millions. On Great improvements went on, and though some persons
all the other items, he was happy to say, there were the might be injured, no one thought of stopping the im-
strongest reasons for expecting an increase. The Excise provements. He had touched upon all the proposals
produced last year 13,980,0001., and there were which had been made for the disposal of his surplus.
circumstances to warrant his taking the receipts Now he came to the views of her Majesty's
of the Excise for the ensuing year at 14,450,0001.; Government on that point—he had thought it ,right
another item, the Property-tax, he calculated
to touch upon these proposals first, because it was probe-
would amount to
6,860,0001.;
the assessed taxes to ble that they might be made in the House, and he thought
4,320,000/.; the income tax, 5,010,000/.; the Post-eflice, it was as well that the House should be aware of the
820,000/. ; Crown lands, 160,000/. ; miscellaneous,
views of her Majesty's Government on all of them pre-
-260,0004; old stores, 410,000/4 making altogether viously. The surplus amounted, as he had already
a probable income of 52,285,000/. On the other stated, to 1,500,000/. Looking back at what
side of the account there were these items had taken place during late years, the chief desire
—lnterest on funded debt, 27,700,000/4 interest on of her Majesty's Government, was to effect some reduc-
Exchequer-bills, 405,000/., making the charge for debt tion in the debt—and the manner in which that was to
28,105,000/. The other charges on the Consolidated be done would require great and careful consideration.
Fund of 2,500,0004, 5,849,4234, and 764,2364, would If Hon. Gentlemen would only refer to the money which
make a total of these latter items of 1,613,1551. had been borrowed of late years, they.would immedi-
Tee army estimates at present on the table amounted to ately perceive the stringency of the motive by which he
6,109,347/., the militia estimates were 110,0001., and was actuated.—(Hear, hear.) In 1833-34 the sum of
the commissariat department 500,0001, making a total 3,000,0001. had been borrowed ; in 1841 the
in the army estimates of 6,629,347/. The ordnance sum of 5,000,000/. had been borrowed; and in
estimates were 2,434,4171., and the army and navy esti- 1847, when the House refused to accede to
mates together were 15,677,4521, and these items his motion for the permanent increase of the
added to the other he had mentioned made income-tax, he bad been compelled to go out of doors
an expenditure of 50,612,1821. In accordance, however, and borrow the sum of 8,000,000/. Since then the sum
with the general wish of the House, expressed last year, of 2,000,000/. had been borrowed. so that during the
he proposed to increase the vote for the New Houses of years that had ensued since the reduction of the war
Parliament, while, if the Bill of his Right taxation, no less a sum than 38,000,000/. had been added
Honourable Friend the President of the Board
to our national debt. Against this, however, there was an
offset of 11,000,000/, which had been paid, thus showing
of Trade passed, it would impose an additional
charge of 30,0004 on the
that the permanent increase of the debt was 27,000,0001.
There would also be a further charge this year for the
since the attempt had been concluded for the reduction
Consolidated Fund.—(Hear.)
of the impositions occasioned by the war.--(Hear, hear.)
Arctic expedition, and he proposed, therefore, to take
a margin of 150,000/,, making the probable expenditure To remedy this evil the only plan that could be adopted
50,763,5821. leaving a surplus of 1,521,4101., but taking was the reduction of the debt, and to pay off a portion
off a further margin, the total surplus of receipts over of the obligations which had been incurred during the last
expenditure might be written down at 1,500,0004 ten years. The House had met his proposal for a con-
Now that balance-sheet of January was made known to tinuance of the income-tax during the ensuing ten years
the public just after the meeting of Parliament, both in with a decided negative.—(Hear, bear.) He had made
and out of the House; and there were persons who had that proposition in the hope of clearing the debt.—
been very anxious to save him the slightest trouble in (Hear, hear.) If they could not prepare for this in
disposing of that surplus.—(Laughter.) Hardly was the a time of profound peace, when could they
balance-sheet out when his Noble Friend (Lord John do it? What would they think of any
Russell) received a large dequtation interested in the re- private person who was obliged to get into debt in a
duction of tea. They stated a great advantage would disastrous period, and yet refused to provide for the
result to the consumers of tea in this country from the obligations which he had incurred when more
reduction of the duty in the increase of our trade with prosperous times came round.—(Hear, and cheers.)
China. He was not disposed to say that there was not In the course of the present year a most
some force in those representations, and perhaps the best come before the House,
important question would
policy,tas a general rule, was to reduce duties to such an i
viz., the removal of thenctame-tax, and
without entering into the opinions of . parties on the
amount:as not to interfere with the consumption of the
articles on which they were imposed.—(Hear.) But in subject he would simply say that it was obvious
order to attain that end it was indispensably that this tax must be continual if any fur.
necessary that the House would not think it ther reductions were made in our faze-
right to dispose of the small surplus of last year tion. The Honourable Member for I3uckinghamshire
in the reduction of the duty on tea. The had spoken of the advantages which would be derived
amount received from the duty on tea last year was by maintaining a high state of credit by the public
5,471,000/. The duty on tea was now 2s. 2id. per lb. keeping an abundant available security. H
prod e (the Chan-
The duty on the same import at Is. would only uce cellor of the Exchequer) thought the income-tax was
, 2 500,000/., leaving, therefore, a first loss of a necessary element in maintaining that credit. A Mem-
no less than 3,000,0001. To recover the rev,- her for a large county in Ireland had stated that the cre-
nue up to 3,000,0001. enabled gentlemen
would require: an increase dit produced by the income-tax had
of consumption to the extent of 10,000,0001b5. in Ireland to relieve their estates from encumbrances.
Taking it in its most favourable light, there would be lt was desirable, nevertheless, that some relief
a loss of 2,500,000/. The next proposition he received I should be given to the landed interest, and
was a deputation asking fur a reduction of the duty on II the first measure he should propose was one
windows, bricks, and soap. The duty on these articles i which he hoped would be of some benefit to
last year amounted in the aggregate to 3,275,000 e I the occupier and small holders of land. None but a large
They had also a proposition to repeal the duty on paper reduction of rents could benefit the occupier. The altered
to the amount of 745,0001., the advertisement duty of state of the law, however, required that there should be
157,000/., and the certificate duty, which amounted to somo reduction, and when ho remembered the cheapness
170,000/. He was quite aware that very strong argu- that the present policy was producing he thought
ments might he adduced in, favour of the repeal of that reduction ought to be readily made.
these duties ; but he must say that, looking at the Comparing the last year with the present, he believed
interests of the great body of the working classes employment in the agricultural districts was
o fthe country, these were not duties which had the first ' now greater than it was in the corresponding
claim. A proposition had been made also for the reduc- period of last year; and he believed by an increased
tion of the duties on timber used in ship building. He improvement in the cultivation of the soil the condition
certainly had not been prepared to find so much Value of the labourer:would
,be still further inaprovekand