The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-25 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON., WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 25, 1842.

kplain the circumstances of the case. At the close of
the Session in 1838, when almost all the Members of
Parliament had left town, the Annual Customs Bill was
proposed, and into it a clause had been introduced re-
ducing the duty on apples from 4s. the bushel to five per
cent. ad valorem. This clause had been introduced
without notice. The parties interested had waited on
their friends in the other House of Parliament, and
threats had been held out by those who had the power of
carrying theM into execution, that the Bill should not be
allowed to pass unless an assurance were given that some
measure giving adequate protection to the apple-grower
should be introduced. It had been generally understood
that Lord Melbourne had acquiesced in that arrange-
ment. He was aware that the Noble Lord did not ad-
mit the correctness of that understanding ; but he knew
that from 'the volumes to which they generally appealed
for a report of their debates, and also from the recollec-
tion of those who were present during the discussion, it
s
appuenadrehdethwaatssuor
aeiussuschtuuunndd understand understanding
how had
the been
misunder-
standing u
n standing on the subject could have arisen. He thought
comeder
_
to,
the parties interested had just ground of complaint ; and
although the duty of 6d. a bushel might be an increase
upon the duty of 5 per cent., it was a decrease upon the
duty of 45. a bushel, the protection to which, upon the
faith of that understanding, the apple-grower was en-
titled.
Mr. AGLIONBY wished to know, whether; it was ad-
mitted that 6d. a bushel was an increase upon 5 per cent.,
and whether this increase was proposed because some
misunderstanding had taken place some six years
since? He thought that was no ground fir departing
from the general principles of the tariff, and increasing
the duty upon the fruit consumed by the poor, from 5 per
cent. to 25 per cent. which would be the effect of the
proposed alterations, while it would leave the duty on
the finer sort of apples, which were consumed by the rich,
at nearly the present rate.
Mr. F, T. BARING had avoided discussing the ques-
tion as a personal one. A Committee of that House
had sat in 1839, to consider the subject, and it appeared
from this investigation, that so far from the alteration
having diminished the price, the price of apples had
actually risen after the increased importations had taken
place.
Mr. GLADSTO.NE said, be agreed with the Right
Hon. Gentleman that • the sole question they had to con-
sider was; whether 5 per cent. duty was a fair; and proper
duty. He admitted that 6d. a bushel would' be a high
ditty, with regard to apples of an inferior quality.
There were some apples as low as 2s. 6d. a bushel. But
the apples of the inferior quality were not those which
came from France, but the medium quality.-; The duty
on the lower kind would be about 10 or 12; per cent.
but on the best quality it would amount to almost no-
thing. The growers of apples in this country had some
claim upon the Government for a measure of this sort, for
when the late duty was before Parliament, Lord Mel-
bourne said that, if there were any objections to it, there
should be subsequently a Bill brought in to meet those
objects then before the House.
Mr. WAKLEY said that since that law had been in
operation, years had elapsed; and they had bad a Com-
mittee to inquire into the subject. .---("for no,") They
heard no complaints from the counties of Devon end
Hereford where 'apples were grown; the complaints were
all from Kent; and if the Right Hon. Baronet, the Mem-
ber for Kent, had not been a member of the Adminis-
tration, the Government would not have made this pro-
position. Here was the duty on the fruit of the working.
people of this country, the fruit they consumed, if they
had the good fortune to get fruit at all, raised from a
penny to sixpence a bushel ; from 5 per cent. to 20 per
cent., and even more, The Right Hon. Gentleman said
that the duty would turfy apply to apples of an inferior
quality, but this was a mistake, because theeEtpples con-
sumed by the working classes were the inferior
qualities, therefore this duty would operate oil
them to the amount of 35 or 40 per: cent.
If apples could be brought from America at a remune-
rative price to the Ametican; the Kent farmers must in-
deed he tt hluggish set If they could riot bring them to
the London market so as to be remunerated.;
Sir R. PEEL had deeply considered this subject ; he
believed that apples constituted the principal luxury of
the poor—(Hear, hear, hear)—but when he looked at
the circumstances attendant on this item, he must
say that he thought he was fulfilling an engagement
of the slate Government in proposing this measure.—
(Hear.) In the year 1838, Lord Melbourne was re-
'corded to have said that which he (Sir It. Peel) •thought
was as muck as to gay that the Government would, in
some manner or other; bring forward a motion to in-
erettee thti ditty tin apples. Ho had btoursitt forward
this motion principally because Lord Melbourne had
pledged himself to a measure of the kind, and he did
think that the engagements of one Government should
be fulfilled by the other Government, if they possibly
could, in accordance with their political sentiments.
Mr. HUTT thought that this measure would apply to
all classes of apples, and not to the best kind, as stated
by the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite. He hoped that
the question would be reconsidered by the government.
Mr. PLUMPTRE supported the proposition of the
Government. •
Lord J. RUSSELL said that the pledge which Lord
Melbourne had given was merely respecting perishable
fruit, and the whole extent of his pledge was, that the whole
subject of the duties should be reconsidered in a Com-
mittee. -What was the statement of the Vice-President of
the Board of Trade ? Ile said that the price of apples-con-
tinually varied, and that the proposed duty would there-
fore vary from two per cent. ad .Valorem, to twenty-five
per cent. ad valorem. The whole question resolved
itself into this, was the sixpenny duty then
proposed better than 5 per cent. ad valorem ? He
could not but think that the latter was best.
Mr. ESCOTT agreed with gentlemen who had pre-
ceded him that this was a very important question ; and
that the article of apples formed one of the principal
luxuries of the poorer classes ; he perfectly agreed, too,
with the Noble Lord, that they ought not to act on the
precedent of Lord Melbourne's Government.
Mr. HUME said if one Government were bound to
carry out the measures of another Government, why did
not the present Government carry out Lord Melbourne's
proposition, relative to the fixed duty on corn ?—(Hear.)
He hoped, looking at the merits of the case, that the
Right Hon. Baronet would add the words ad valorem in
this instance. He did think that a duty of 20 per cent.
was too much.
Sir IL PEEL had given the subject every consider-
ation, and having heard evidence upon it, he could not
undertake to reduce the duty, but must steadfastly ad-
here to the amount he had proposed.
Mr. WAKLEY proposed as an amendment, that the
duty on apples be 5 per cent. ad valorem, instead of 6d. a
bushel.
After some further conversational discussion, the Com-
mittee divided ; the numbers were—
For Mr. Wakley's amendment 5l
Against it llO
Majority against the amendment -5o
The resolution was then agreed to.
The other items relating to fruit were agreed to, and,
On the motion of Dr. BOWRING,
The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and obtained
leave to sit again. •
The House then resumed.
On the motion of Sir JAMES GRAHAM, the In-
cumbents Leasing Bill (No. 2), was read a third time
and passed.
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of,
and the House adjourned at Half-past One.

To be. published -with the Magazines, on the 31st instant,
complete in one Pocket Volume,embellished with Engravings,
price 65.,
ALL IN T.HE WRONG;
OR BIRTHS, DEATHS, AND MARRIAGES.
By' THEODORE HOOK, Esq.
Author of " Jack Brag," " The Widow and the Marquis," &c.
FORMING THE NEW VOLUME OF "THE
STANDARD NOVELS AND ROMANCES."
Which also comprise the following Works by the same Author :
The Parson's Daughter. Jack Brag.
I Maxwell. Gilbert Gurney.
The Widow and the Marquis.
Richard Bentley, New- Burlington-street.

TO GROCERS, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
WANTED by a STEADY YOUNG MAN, a
SITUATION in the above line of business. Has
bad the Superintendence of a very extensive and respectable
Establishment in the Country. Five Years' unexceptionable
reference as to character, &c., and security (if required) can
be given by parties either in Town or Country.
Address to J. F., 18, Lambeth-terrace, Lambeth.

THEATRE-ROYAL, ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE.
THIS EVENING, MAY 25,
The Perf ,rmances will commence with the Farce of THE BEE
HlVE.—Mingle Mr. Harley; Cicely, Mrs. Humby.
After which, PICTURESQUE AND BEAUTIFUL.—Lorimer,
Mr. Balker.
To be followed by the favourite Farce, called A DAY WELL
SPENT.—BoIt, Mr. Walter Lacy ; Mizzle, Mr. Oxberry
Succeeded by the hairy Ballet of LA SYLPHIDE.—DonaId, Mr.
Gilbert; The Sylph, Miss Bailin.
fo conclude with GIOVANNI IN LONDON.—Don Giovanni,
Mrs. H. P. Grattan; Loporella, Mr. Harley.
Boxes, 4s.—Pit, 2s.—Gallery, Is Doors open at Half-past Six ;
commence at Scven ; Half-price a Quarter before Nine.
Private Boxes to be had of Mr. Grogan, at the Private Box-ottica ;
and of Messrs. Andrews, Mitchell, Sams, and Bally, at their Libraries

ItOYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Great overflows—The most splendid Novelties ever wit essed, with
an immense outlay, and numbers beyond conception.
THIS EVENING. MAY 25,
Will tr presented a New Military and Equ-strian Spectacle, cnti.
tle-I MURAT—THE PEASANT, tiENERAL, PRINCE, AND
KING, with Battles, Grand Reviews ef Horse and Foot, and gor.
genus Tableaux
After whicla, in a more extensive and splendid Arena than ever
before witnessed. NEW SCENES IN THE CIRCLE, introducing
. B &TTY'S unrivalled Collection of Animals, consisting of nu.
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alented Vaulters, Riders, Gymnastics, and Contortionists in the
kingdom. PONY RAC IS, eclipsing all former efforts, and areal
Monkey, the only one trained as Racing Jockey.
To conclude with the Cirand-Burlesque of NORMA.

ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
The Nobility, Gentry, Subscribers, and the Public, are respectfully
Informed that
ON MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, AND THUFVD
GRAND FESTIVALS will be celebrated, in which will be embo.
died all those popular Entertainments that have given to this favou-
rite place of recreation its peculiar celebrity, with additions and in.
troductions, which it is confidently anticipated will render them even
more generally attractive.
The MENAGERIE has been enriched by many valuable and lilt.
portant acquisitions in the classes of both Quadrupeds and Birds.
The Colossal VIEW OF BOME has been repainted, and in some
instances remodelled. The BAND will include some of the most
emme.it Performers, conducted by Mr. Godfrey. The Programme
of the PROMENADES M USICALES will be selected from the
noblest works of the great Masters. The ILLUMINATION of ST-
PETER'S, the GIRA NOOLA, the FLADI.NG MESSEN-
GER, the METEOR of ST. PETER'S, and a Grand HYDRO
PYRRHIC TABLEAU!
The Gardens are open Daily from Ten till Dusk. The Evening
Fetes, with the Promenades Mus,cales, Illumination of it. Peter's,
Girandola of St. Angelo, &c., will be given on Mondays, Tuesdays,
and Thursdays. Admission One Shilling.

All Advertisements of a Disgusting Character,
or Immoral TendencY, are excluded from
the Columns of The Sun."

loss of intellect which is said to be the precursor of
annihilation.

Their leader's language and conduct predicate
like Mr. KNIGHT'S avowals, a thorough demoraliza-
tion. He has lately exerted himself to pass a law to
limit and curtail the supply of bread. His Corn-law
is a totally new law, and its essence is to keep food
away, from the people. The night before last, how
ever, he expatiated on the necessity of looking out
fora wider area for a supply "of food." He had a
deep conviction that population was increasing more
rapidly, he said, than the supply "of cattle." He
told his agricultural friends, that justice to the con-
sumers, required increased facilities for the admission
of food. And having laid down these important
truths, he acts in direct opposition to them. He
prevents corn from coming freely in which we can
get from the " wide area" of the world, but he gra-
ciously permits cattle to be imported at a high duty,
which, he consoles his agricultural friends by assuring
them, can only be obtained from very limited spaces,
and at such an expense of importation as to preclude
them from coming in in any great quantities. The

true protection of the horned cattle interest, he as-
serted over and over again, is to be found in the
expense of importing cattle. To meet the exigency
of a deficient supply, which he acknowledges, he
permits, the importation of cattle, which he says can-
not be brought in, and he passes a law to keep out
corn, which can. He strives, therefore, to keep out
the supply of corn, which the course of nature shows
can be obtained, and he mocks us by permitting the
importation of a supply of cattle, which he knows
cannot in the nature of things come in. Justly and
properly did Mr. VILLIERS stigmatise this attempt
to cheat the people by vague words.
It is customary for the Radical or Liberal party to
compliment Sir ROBERT PEEL on his good intentions.
We heard Mr. HUME, the night before last, say he
believed that the Right Hon. Baronet was convinced
in his heart of the necessity of giving the people free
trade, but he could not carry out his views, because
he was obstructed by Hon. Gentlemen behind him.
If Sir ROBERT PEEL have an honest and sincere con-
viction of the necessity of establishing free trade, he
could give effect to his conviction to-morrow. He
is the master of his party. He has no such conviction.
He is a mere expediency politician, with no honest
convictions whatever, but with a strong determination
to keep in office. If he have such convic-
tions, it is a disgrace to him not to act
on them ; and of the two characters—the
not having any such convictions, while he uses
certain slang phrases which represent them, and the
haviag them and not acting on them—the latter is the
more mean, discreditable, and dastardly. By taking,
as we think, a more accurate measure of Sir ROBERT
PEEL, we exonerate him from the charge implied in
the praise of the. Liberals, that he knows what is
right, but for the sake of office consents, against his
better judgment, to injure the country for behoof of
the country gentlemen.
When we trace such continual contradictions
as we have pointed out, yesterday and to-day,
between the opinions of our statesmen, and be-
tween their language and their • acts ; when we
are made sensible, by Mr. KNIGHT'S avowal,

that the whole Conservative party are daily acting,
as it were, a great and living lie, we have traced quite
enough to alarm the country. In all the common
affairs of life, truthfulness, faithfulness, and the
honest use of words in their common and
accepted signification, are essential to success.
Chicanery, delusion, and humbug, are univer-
sally scouted as not only unworthy, but in-

jurious. In common life honesty is not only the
best, it is the only policy. Can public affairs be
carried on successfully on the opposite principle ?
Must a Minister have a double tongue ? May he
use words only to deceive ? Is he, of all men alive,
exonerated from forming clear and definite convic-

tions, and honestly expressing them ? We answer,
No ; and when we find the affairs of the nation, the
great and solemn business of legislation, conducted as
at present, on principles directly opposed to the prin-
ciples that all men acknowledge in private life, we
may at once conclude that danger and disgrace are
not far off.

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