Star.
London, England, 1808-04-28 00:00:00

IRIS!! MINT DRAWBACKS.

The House resolved itself into a Committee on the
Bill for perpetuathlg the Irish Spirit Drawback Bill.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT wished to know when
the error in the Union Act, which gave rise to the
original Bill now proposed to be continued, was to
be adjusted.
Mr. FOSTER answered, that it was intended to
be brought forward before the end of this Session
he hoped in about six weeks.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT consented to a delay of
six weeks, but protested against a further delay.
Mr. FOSTER rejoined, that the only reason why
he mentioned the latter end of the Session was, the
connection of this measure with another, namely, the
ion of the distilling of sugar instcai of cc rn, .n
itish distilleries; and he couli not say wl.en the
don of that measure would c:ast.

Sir J. NEWPORT said, that these DieasUres were
distinct.; atvd it.wo.ald not follow, that because the
distillery of sugar was deemed necessary in England,
it must also be adopted in Ireland, which was not
bound by the Act of Union to any such measure of
assimilation ; but the people of that country had strong
cause of complaint on the head of distilleries, espe-
cially for a gross infringementsof the principles of the'
Act of Union. The fact stood thus : by an error in
the wording of a clause in the Act of Union, respec-
ting the liberty of reciprocally importing from one
country into the other the produce of their respective
distilleries, on paying duties equivalent to the inter-
nal rate on either, the words ,g Great Britain," which
included Scotland, was inserted instead of the word
England. This was productive of inconvenience by
no means intended ; and while it was injurious to the
distillery of Ireland, it was equally so to the reve-
nue of England. It became necessary, therefOre, to
expbrin this matter by-an Act which passed at the
latter end of the last Session, without any opportu-
nity of discussion., •Wltt:eby the drawbacks to the Irish
distiller, upon sending his goods into this country,
were suspended ; and the only boon whi.:h Ireland de-
rived from the Union, in return tOr the m any and im-
portant sacrifices she had made, and Which was really
considered a boon of importance to the Irish distille-

ries, was done away. He :e ;s sorry to be driven to
observe, that not only in this, but a.most every other
instance, when the interests of Ireland can into com-
petition in that House, those of Ireland must always
give way, and those of Enema preponderate. If
this practice continued, it must teach the people of
that country to consider the measure of Union rather
as a curse than an advantage, as had been too gene-
rally the case already.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, he could not suffer the assertions just made to
pass unnoticed—assertions which were calculated to
produce mischief between the two countries. After
such general and unqualified assertions, he hoped at
least to hear the Hononrab:e Baronet state some of
those numerous instances he alleged, in support of
his assertions ; and to bring fairly betbre the House
a full and fair investigation how far so unjust a prin-
ciple had bean acted upon : but on that point he had
thought proper to he sileut. For his own part, how-
ever, he could declare it to be his own principle, and
that which he had ever understood to be the uniform
principle and practice of that House, that on all ques-
tions involving any competition between the interests
of Great Britain and Ireland, the scale should deci-

dedly turn in favour of Ireland. As to the measure
now bei4e the House, it originated with the Right
lion. Baronet himself; and was introduced at a time
when he had a seat in 11:S Majesty's Government, and
did not oppose it.
A discussion of some length ensued, in whit.% Sir
JOHN NEWPORT still adhered to his assertion, and
rested upon the case of the distilleries as one strong in-
stance in support of his assertion. The measure of
which he complainel, as a viaation of the Unian, was
adopted at the instance of the great body of British
distillers, who represcw ed that they coul•I not stand
against the advantages allowed to the Irish distillers;
and hmce the only advantage ,11 the Uhioht to Ireland
w,:s immediately suspended.
__.. . . .

Mr. M'NAUC HTUN Li...lared, that the assertions
of the Right Honourable B.!ronet were calculated to
produce in Ireland the most mischievous effects, and
he ped the Right Honourable Baronet would either
revoke his assertion, or specify some of those innume-
rable instances of the practice he alleged ; but the
very reverse of which, he had uniformly observed to
be the principle and practice of that House, in every
measure respecting Irelant,l ever since the Union.
Mr. WIL•BERFORCE spoke at some length, to
the same purpose. He said he could answer for his
own principles and wishes ; and so far as he could
judge of those of the House, they were guided by
justice .and favour in all cases towards Ireland ;
and he thought it would be impossible for that House
to act injuriously or partially to the injury of Ireland,
without injuring the whole empire, inasmuch as an
union of common interests and affections was the last
hope for our common security. Such assertions there-.
fore as he had heard coming this night from a person
of the Right Honourable Baronet's character and
consideration must go forth, if uncontradicted, with
the most mischievous tendency. He hoped, there-
fore, the Right Honourable Baronet would explain
away assertions made in the warmth of debate, and
which, upon cooler reflection, his own good sense
must tell him were not f•anded in fact.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT Nrsisted in h's assertion,
avowed every defenrice to the opinion of the Hon.
Gentleman, but said he could not be deterred by any
imputation's upon motives, from making his corn-
I plaints in that House, where they might be ans-
wered or redressed; rather than out of doors, where
they could only excite murmurs and discontents.
Mr. FOSTER defied the Right Hon. Baronet to
state any single act in support of his assertion. He
knew that he could state none.

Sir JOHN NEWPORT read an extract from the
Spirit Drawback Bill -now in existence : and he com-
plained that thereby the Irish distiller was obliged to
refund upon the spirits lie exhausted, the bounty allowed
him by the Irish Revenue Board by law, in considera-
tion of distilling in stills of not less than five hundred
gallons.
Mr. FOSTER skewed that this, so far from being
a just ground of complaint, was absolutely necessary
to place the English and Irish distillers in their respec-
tive markets reciprocally, upon the precise footing sti-
pulated by the Act of Union.
Mr. PARNELL contended, that his Right Hon.
Friend (Sir John Newport) was right in the supposi-
tion, that the Act would tend to injure the Irish dis-
tillers. If the Act of Union gave an advantage in
one point to one of the countries, he supposed it gave
an equivalent to the other : that was matter of consi-
deration at the time of its enactment, and certainly it
would be highly unjust now to alter any of the pro-
visions which were advantageous to Ireland. He
thought the imputation cast on this Act was perfectly
justihed by the circumstances : as to the surprize
which the Chancellor of the Exchequer intimated, at
the supposition that this bill went to injure Ireland,
he did not see any particular gzounds for it : the re-
port of the Committee now sitting on the subject of
distillation he thought might tend, together with the
operation of this Act, materially to prevent the sale of
Irish manufacture.. _ .

Mr. DENNIS BROWNE also expressed his. dis-

appei3bation of the language used by the Honourable
BarOnet, and of declamations against the Union. 's
After some further conversation on tilis,subject be-
tween Mr Rose, Mr. Parnell, Mr. Leslie Foster, Mr.
W. Taylor, Mr. Marriot, and the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, the regulations' were agreed to, and or-
dered to be reported to-morrow.
COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY.
Mr. FOSTER moved that there be granted to his
Majesty a sum not less than 10,0001. Irish currency,
to defray the eipence of publishing proclamations and
advertisements in the Gazette, and other Papers, for
the year 1808.
Mr. PARNELL rose for the purpose of moving,
that the words 46 and other Papers," be left out. He
stated that these proclamations were extended by Go-
vernment to other Papers merely for the purpose of
undue influence. There was no necessity for this ;
it entailed an exorbitant expence
.on the country,
which was increased as much as possible by the Edi-
tors of Newspapers, for their own emolument. He
instanced three cases out of many in which old pro-
clamations were actually inserted for no other pur-
pose ; one of theni was of so old a date as 1805,
warning all his Majesty's good and loving subjects in
1808, of a fever which raged in Gibraltar at. the first
issuing of the proclamation.---CA laugh.)—A second
was also inserted in 1808, giving notice of a limita-
tation to the exportation of goods from Ireland, which
limitation expired in. 1807. A third was lately in-
sertect also, giving notice of a supply of seamen
wanted in 1805. Such was the service for the support
of which Parliament was now solicited, if he did not
miscal that a service which was in itself unnecessary,
or made necessary only for the purposes of corruption.
Sir ARTHUR WELLESLEY contended, that
there. was no additional expence incurred by the re-
publication of those old proclamations which were
alluded to, as the Editor; were genes :ally paid en matte,
and not for each particular publication. As to any
attempt at influence, he disclaimed it as far as con-
cerned himself altogether ; nor did he think the pub-
lication of those proclamations any proof of such an
intention. It was notorious, that amid a variety of
Irish papers there were many. particularly aclofrie to
the Government of the 'day, which contained these
proclamations.
Mr. NVINDH A M saw plainly that the Honourable
Secretary could not deny the fact, and yet did not
attempt to state any justification of it. He did not
see any reason why the publication of Proclamations
in Ireland should be different from that mode adopt-
ed in this country, where it was not extended beyond
the Gazette. The Irish Editors, however, seemed
to have a strange propensity to Proclamations, since
it appeared they even dished up the old ones a second
time.—(A laugh.)—Surely it was a natural affection
they cherished for them, for indeed they could not
convey a very lively interest to their readers. He
thought the fondness in this instance might be very
leconomical to the nation ; and, indeed, it would be
very foolish to pay them for reprinting old Procla-
mations, when, ten to one, but their friendship for
them would tempt them to print them once, at all
events, for nothing, and that would answer every ne-
cessary purpose.(4 laugh.)—He hoped a stop
-,vould be put to such an unnecessary expenditure.
Sir A. WELLESLEY said, he could not see how
the grant of that money was in any degree abused ;
and it certainly was not his fault if the Editors.made
a bad selection of Proclamations; he had not the su-
perintendance of the Editors of Ireland, ankhe hoped
he would not be made responsible for their Ilsults.
Mr. PARNELL said, there appeared to him to be
a regulhr traffic carried on between the Press and the
Government in Ireland ; it 'seemed as if the first step
of each succeeding Ministry ought to be to see what
each Editor would sell for ! '1 here was a peculiar
loss attending the insertion of these proclamations; in.
asmuch as- they paid no stamp duty, and so prevented
the insertion of advertisements which did. As to the
'arguments made use of to shew the disinterestedness of
Government by extending the proclamations to Oppo-
sition papers, he thought they made against those
who produced them, as they shewed not only an in-
clination to increase the expence to the country, but
also to try to the utmost what temptation could do.
Mr. CROKER said, that being intimate with an
Editor of an Irish newspaper, he had remarked to him
particularly the circumstance now alluded to, that of
re-printing old proclamations. The answer the Edi-
tor gave was--A, Faith, to tell you the truth, we often
arc so barren of news, and so pinched for want of pa-
ragraphs, that we consider ourselves very well off
when we can make shift with a convenient proclama-
tion ; it is not very interesting to be sure, but then it
serves to fill up the paper" (a laugh ;) he said inferior
newspapers only republished them.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said the expence was not so very unnecessary as had
been stated, since there were also advertisements pub-
lished, which, if paid for separately, would cost per-
haps more than they did at present;—the expence
might be greater too, as in that case it could not well
come under the notice of the House. If they wished
for the diffusion of • the proclamations, and withheld
their publication from other papers, the consequence
would be, that they would be obliged to send the Ga-
zette gratuitously about, and so incur a monstrous
expence. It ought to be observed, however, that the
Amendment did not go by any means to a diminu-
tion of the expence, but only to the mode of incur-
ring that expcnce, by limiting the emolument to the
Gazette.

After a few remarks from Sir John Newport, the
question being put " that the original words do
stand," it was carried in the affirmative without a

division.
Mr. FOSTER then moved as follows :
25,0001. for defraying the expences of criminal prosecutions in
Ireland.
9971. for defraying the expeneei of the Gold-mines In the
County of Wicklow.
20001. for defraying the expences of the Cork Institution.
18241. for finishing the Repairs, and defraying the expellees of
Madame Stevens's Hospital.
40881. for erecting Additional Buildings to Sir Patrick Dunn's
Clinical Hospital.
5121. Bs. for repaying to Edward lent so much Money paid
into the Treasury in his own wrong.
44341. for the Salaries of Lottery officers In Ireland.
Mr. FOSTER Intimated, that he should then proceed to the
Mynooth College ; on which •
Mr. ELLIOTT observed, that in so thin a House, he hoped the
Right Hon. Gentleman would not bring forward a matter of so
muck importance.
Mr. FOSTER answered, that If the Hon. Gentleman thought
it would occasion any debate, ►e would not then press it; acd after
a few words from Mr. Elliott, this part of the business was post-
poned to Friday.—Rreport was ordered to be received to-morrow.

COMMITTSII olf MATS AND NIIIIANt •
The House having resolved itself into a C.caunite
of Ways and Means,
Mr. HUSKISSON rose to move for leave toad
the surplus of the taxes for the last year to the service
of the present year. He said there was actually;
deficiency last year of 109,0001.: but the Committee
would recollect; that his Right Hon. Friend hadpio..
posed to fund the sum of 4,000,0031. which had beet
done; and in order to excite competition, all holders.
of Exchequer Bills outstanding, should be allowe4
to fund. The consequence of this wasp there vras
thereby created a surplus amounting to 2,883,00 t
which were chargeable on the war taxes of 1807, and'
which released the aids from that sum ; so that the
'deficiency of 109,0031. having been substracted from,
2,363,G001. left 'a balance of the sum now proposed
to be voted towards the service of the present year.
He moved therefore, and it was resolved, •
That the sum of 2,253,000). a surplus of the last yar, be enual
to hls Majest) flr the service of the present year.

lie also moved that the clothing of the Militia for 1808 Awl
he defrayed out of the money arising by the Land-tn.—On:eta
Also tha the allowance to Officers of the Militia, and the pry
of (liJhauded Serkants from the 'Militia, duttng pact, aloal,tbe
paid out of the Land-tax.—Ordared.

Also that the pa; ;.rd ch,thing of the of Inland shoal&
Ua paid tut a Consolidated Fund.-01slaed. •

'l'hz lionsa was rAtnnetl, and the report or.kred to be rs.
ceived v.-morrow.

Mr. FOSTER raw notice that ha would on ;,,
Committee of Way; :tnd hf.r.g forward the rooltitiacs
which he had tl.i4 t!'ght pos!pc:r.:l.
Mr. LUSIIINOTON moved for an account cf the gustultv at
Oats, Bariti, and Rye imp:-.rted into Lng!and s:nce 1795; 'fro
the sums paid for the same.—Ordered.—Adjol:tucd.

TI K EV EN NG STAR.

LONDON.

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