The Sun.
London, England, 1842-03-19 00:00:00

1 sion, with respect to the sugar duties, he laid on the table
of the House a document which showed-the consumption
of sugar, with relation to the population of the country.
When that article was at a moderate price, the quantity of
sugar in molasses which had altogether been received in
this country was 4,233,000 cwt. If the average cal-
culation of the average consumption per head
was taken for eleven years as a basis for ascertaining
the quantity of sugar consumed, it would be
found that it would amount to 4,445,000 cwt. in addition
to what had been already received, which amounted to
758,000 cwt. Upon that subject, he (Mr. Baring)
was anxious to refer to the opinions of a public officer,
who, though he disagreed with him on general topics,
he (Mr. Baring) was desirous to express in
that House the high estimate he had always
entertained of that gentleman—he alluded to the late
Mr. Deacon Hume.— (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hume told
himself (Mr. Baring) that though he was
not very friendly to the proposition of the
Government, it was his (Mr, Hume's) opinion that
it was calculated to increase the revenue con-
siderably; and with regard to timber, he
thought he could also satisfy the House.
There were, he believed, many Hon. Gentlemen, who
voted against his proposed scale of timber duties, who
never doubted that it would lead to an increase in the
revenue, as he had anticipated. The Right Hon. Ba-
ronet had made some observations against his scheme;
but he would remind the House and the Right
Honourable Baronet of something which had hap-
pened before with regard to the timber duties.— (Hear.)
He should say that a remarkable forgetfulness had been
shown of the occurrence to which he was about to
allude.—(Hear, hear, hear.) In the year 1821
there was a .Committee upon foreign trade. That
Committee had published a very full and detailed
report ; he believed that Lord Wallace was
chairman on the occasion, and the present
Lord Ripon was at the time Vice-President of the Board
of Trade. He did not mention that for the pur-
pose of criminating either of those parties—he was
aware that in matters of finance men must change their
minds when they received additional information. It
would be absurd to attempt to fasten an imputation on a
party, because after ten or twelve years he had altered
his opinions on subjects of so intricate a nature, and he
had not therefore the slightest wish to throw imputation
upon any one by the observation he was about to make.
But what were the recommendations of that Committee?
They gave it as their opinion that, for the purpose of re-
lieving, and in order to carry into operation the wisest
principle's, it was advisable that the differential duty be-
tween Canada timber and Baltic timber should be
materially diminished. They stated that there
were three courses open to the Legislature.
They might increase the duty upon Canada timber, a
course the Committee did not recommend ; secondly,
they might reduce the Baltic timber only, a course which
they did not recommend either ; and thirdly, they might
increase the duty upon Canada timber from a nominal
duty to 10s., and reduce the Baltic timber from the
amount at which it then stood. That last course was the
one which the Committee recommended, and theprinciple
it involved was that Which he (Mr. Baring) had adopted.
It was said, indeed, that his plan was an imperfect one,
but he did not believe there was any party that could be
considered as an authority who was not satisfied that it
was a step at least in the right road. On that occasion
he, had proposed to carry into effect that principle which
he thought was the proper basis upon which the com-
mercial legislature of the country ought to rest.—(Hear.)
Now he would show them what was the result of that.
measure—what was the amount of revenue received from
it. In 1520, the amount received for the duty in
timber was 927,000/. He would not take the
years 1821 or 1822, but he would next take 1823,
and the result of the timlser ditties in that year
was 1,552,0001. being au. increase of 625,0001. on the
then increased consumption oftitnber. The consumer made
no complaint at that time, and he should think from that
time the consumption of timber of all sorts had increased.
If he had gone into those details connected with the ar-
rangement which he had the honour once to propose to
the House, he could assure them that he had not been
induced to take that step by any personal consideration,
with a view to defend himself, or with any obstinacy, to
show that he was not wrong ie the proposals he had
formerly made.—(Hear, hear.) His
,object was one of
much greater importance ; it was one of deep import-
since, when they came to consider what they had to do
with respect to the finances of the country. His object
was to show that they had not exhausted either of the
sources to which reference had been made. His object
was to tell them that, when they came to look at the
whole course which they had to pursue, when it was
their choice—and he admitted that it was an un-
fortunate choice—to add, in some shape or other,
to .the burdens of the country, that there was none
of that impossibility on which alone could be jus-
tified their recourse to the course they had adopted.
The Right Hon. Baronet, in the statement which he
made to the House, in a speech which, hisiWever, had
differed from the results to which that Right Hon.
Baronet came, he could not but admire, had
said, that the actual deficiency he had to make up
amounted to 2,569,00C1. ; and including the expenses
which lie might be put to on account of China, and the
late intelligence from Affghanistan, he thought the
sum to be raised should amount to 3,000,000/.,
and leaving 500,0001. for other purposes, which the exi-
gencies of the country required, he proposed to raise
an amount of 4,300,000/. Of this sum, leaving out
3,000,0001. required for the public service, there
remained the sum of 1,300,0001., which lie pro-
posed to dispose of in reducing the tariff,
and other deductions of duty which lie explained to the
House. The House would therefore see that the Right
Hon. Gentleman's proposition included not only the
raising an amount of money, equal to the acknowledged
wants of the country, but likewise a further amount of
1,300,00 a for the purpose ofdealing with reductions in the
tariff, and for the general commercial benefit of the country.
They ought to look a little into the principles of the
plan which the Right Hon. Baronet proposed. It was
absolutely necessary for gentlemen feeling less strongly
than he did in reference to the proposition of the Right
Hon. Baronet, when they were told that 'they
would receive a new commercial tariff and
reduction on certain articles, it was but fair
and necessary, he asserted, for them at least to consider
upon what principles this new, commercial code was pro-
posed, and what were the changes held out as tempta-
tions to the public, and the commercial community in
particular, to submit to the income tax. They had looked
at what those proposals were, and what the principles
on which they were founded. The Right Hon. Baronet
had stated that there were certain alterations and
changes to be made, in consequence of typographical
errors—he hoped they were no more than typographi-
cal—and, which errors he proposed to rectify.
But there was one principle which run through the
whole plan—a principle of which the Right Hon. Baro-
net said nothing- in his opening speech ; but which,
in his (Mr. Baring's) opinion, was fraught with
danger and alarm to the commercial interests
of th vs- country. What had, been the extent to
which, before this, they carried their protective and dif-
ferential duties ? They had protected some of the great
and leading interests of the Colonies, but never before
this had they gone into all small and trifling details:
But they had not laid down that principle
throughout, that in every trifling case it was an im-
portant principle to have differential duties to protect
the Colonies.—(Hear, hear.) That was the principle
which ran throughout the whole project of the Right
Hon. Baronet.—(Loud cheers from the Opposition.)
There is not a single article that was not made a
subject of differential duty, whether it is produced in
the Colonies or not. Take the first article.--(Cheers
and laughter.) Now, the Right Hon. Gentlenian him-
self said that there were 1,200 .artieles in the
tariff, and that he had prepared his project
after the Cabinet had given to each article
the fullest consideration. Having, therefore, delibe-
rately considered the average price of every colonial
article—(Laughter)—the Right Hon. Baronet gave a
protection of 100 per cent. to colonial asses.—(Great
laughter.) Now, that reminded him of the expression
used by the Right Hon. Gentleman himself, that " this
was ridieulouslegislation"—(Cheers from the Opposition)
—to see a Cabinet sitting deliberately in council on the
protection due to colonial asses.—(lncreased laughter.)
Why in one place they gave a protection of 100 per cent.
to eau-de.;cologne, the produce of the colony.e—(Loud
laughter.) He knew perfectly well how that had been
done. A principle was laid down—there was AO con-
sideration of the absolute necessity for these pro-
tections—there was no consideration of the fa-
vour or protection due to the negro population—there
was no fear of the supply of asses failing—(Loud
laugh ter)—there was no fear of the supply of eau-de-
cologne not being equal to the demand if the Rhine
should be shut up ; but there was laid down one prin-
ciple which was, that in all possible cases, and under
all possible circumstances, they would create differential
duttes.— (Loud Opposition cheers.) That was the
principle on which they had acted. (Continued
cheering.) But even that principle had not been carried
out justly. There was a class of persons entirely em-
ployed in cork-cutting. He had been told that by the
reductions they were making in the tariff these persons,
who were the creatures of the protective system which
had been fostered in this kingdom, would have their in-
terest most materially affected. He did not tell them that
for the purposes of carrying out the general pirnciples
of free trade, they would have to remove that protection;
they had no right to do so, but he would tell them that
these persons had a right, not unfairly, to complain if
they found that the protection was taken away from
them ; but protection upon many articles of colonial pro-
duce had been increased, and in many instance articles had
been protected which hail never before received pro-
tection.—(Cheers.) In the schedule there were no less
than 246 new protections introduced ; many of them
were said to be of so small an amount, that they were
really not worth consideration. But he thought that
man was not a wise man who would venture
to foretell what might be the ultimate
result of any protection, however small. He
firmly believed that a considerable portion of that
inconvenience froo which trade was at present suffering,
arose from the injudicious attempts which had been
made to give protection to particular trades, at n time
when it was wrongly thought they required the
hear, hear.)
fosteringi 'fake another
of
article
State.—(Hear,
proposed to deal with—this was tobacco,
the Government
proposed
which chiefly
came from the United 'States. The duty was 45. At
one time Mr. Huskieson thought he could grow to-
bacco in our American colonies, and he did therefore
introduce a, reduction of 3d. in favour of tobacco
coming from the West Indies and North America
against that of the United. States: But this had not
extended to India. But now he would ask of them to
consider what they were about to do. It was one
thing to take away protection, and another thing
to create it for people who had it not ; the
of that differential ditty which now
' •- I.sit- hooks would, he believ•Al, nvt. tllc

The question under our consideration was one of th e deepest
importance to the country. ,The question was, what was
the financial course which they should now pursue ? and
he, in common with the Right Hon. Baronet, would
have to speak of past transactions ; but he could
assure the Right Honourable Baronet and the House,
that he would endeavour as much as possible to look
upon them in an impartial point of view, and not to in-
troduce those topics of recrimination which might
enliven their debates, but which could be attended with no
beneficial result. On the occasion to which he re-
ferred he had recourse to an increase of 5 per
cent. upon the Customs and Excise, and also
an income of 10 per cent. upon the assessed taxes
There was no doubt that those taxes which were placed on
articles of consumption were liable to increase and diini-
minish with the condition of the country and the great
body of the consumers; and if we calculated on an increase
of revenue derivable from consumable articles, we
always depended on an uncertainty—(Hear)—and no
human being could depend on that, even for 5 per
cent. The main point in all these questions was, first,
this question in the Treasury department, "What is
the harvest ?" If the harvest were gead, the revenue
seldeth fails to be made up.—(llear, hear.) But if
there be a succession of bac! harvests, and the community
Were in i state of distress, it was not the 5 per
cent, which produced a diminution in the customs, but
a much • greater evil—the pressure arising from
the calamitous - position of the greater part of the
consumers. The Right Hon. Gentleman stated that he
wished to show that we could not look for Ward to
increased taxation for articles of subsistence, and con-
sidering the different modes of raising the taxes, he came
to that of the 5 per cent. Now when they were going
on a calculation which had been the foundati"n of the
conclusions of the Right Hon. Baronet—that it was not
expedient, but hardly possible to increase the taxation of
the country by laying a tax on consumable
commodities, he (Mr. B.) did say that if that was
the foundation of the Righi Honourable Baronet's
proposition, he had made a most egregious
mistake in the amount of those commodities.
The Right Hon. Baronet hid said, that the 5 per cent.
tax which he imposed, produced only. 206,0001. but
when the circumstances were inquired into, that
statement would not be found to be correct. The
Right Honourable Baronet had forgotten corn
which entered largely into the calculation.—(Hear,
hoar.) The 5 per cent. tax was never placed on corn,
and therefore it was not at all touched by the tax of
5 per cent. The Right Hon. Baronet therefore
in making the failure of the 5 per cent. tax the founda-
tion of the plan which he now proposed, should have
recollected that the Vouse had not exhausted all the
means of supplying the revenue.—(Hear, hear.)
He (Mr. B.) was not now contending whether it was not
more advisable to have a more direct tax ; but if the
Right Hon. Gentleman had based his plan on the failure of
the s.per cent tax, he reckoned without his host. He
had not alkthe official papers before him, but the net pro-
duce of the customs and excise amounted in the year 1839
to 35,990,000/., not including corn ; but if he took off
the amount raised from corn, which was 198,0001.,
the amount would be only 33,995,000/. • In the
year 1841 the net produce of the Customs and Ex-
cise amounted to 35,537,0001., but the tax on corn
produced 575,000/, which, being deducted, the amount
of the Customs and Excise duties was 35,200,000/, leaving,
instead of 206,000/, as was ascertained by the Right
lion. Baronet, 1,700,0001 for his tax.—(Cheers, and
"hear, hear," from Sir Robert Peel.) He should like to
hear an answer to that. In the year 1841, when he
proposed the tax of 5 per ceut. the Right Hon. Baronet
did not urge very strong objections, but he said that
he would prefer an increase of 2d. on the postage,
and the Right Honourable Gentleman, then
Chancellor of the Exchequer, adopted the same view, but
it was remarkable that when they came into office
they saw objections to that plans—(Hear, hear, bean)
As far as he could make out the result of the increase of
5 per cent. on duties was a produce of 1,706,000/ The his
and circumstances of the year 1841, were, he believed,
too recent in the memory of Hon. Gentlemen, to render
it necessary for him, in any shape, to call their atten-
tion to it. He wished, however, and he thought it not
unfair, to state that he proposed duties to be imposed by
which certain duties could be raised frera sugar, and
timber, and corn. He had not the slightest wish to
go into those party altercations bandied about
on both sides of the House on that occa-
sion ; but Tie wished to know as far as he
could what would have been the result of his proposal.-7-
(Hear, hear.) He wished to know whether his plan
Was really so wild and visionary, and such a contemp-
tible bubble as he remembered he was told it was.
The Right Honouruble Baronet had never allluded
to that part of the subject. He did nor, know whether he
intended it or not, but when, in his statement, he was
exhausting the different modes of raising money, he
said, " shall I recur to the plan of decreasing duties, and.
shall I by that means obtain a larger revenue ?" if that
was supposed by the Right Hon. Baronet, or any other
Hon. Gentleman, to be the plan which he (Mr. Baring)
submitted to the House, lie was sure he could not have
the slightest conception of the nature of the proposal. He
did reduce the duty on corn, but he thought he could show,
without the slightest difficulty, that they would have had
not only the increase which they had actually received, but
also the increase which, he was considered so sanguine
h estimating at the -time when ha brought his
proposition forward, fot I-there had been imported
2,358,072 quarters of foreign wheat and flour— (Oppo-
sition cheers)—which Would have been subjected to the
duty of Bs. per quarter— (Hear, 'hear) ---222,000 quarters
of barley, at 4s. Gd. a quarter, besideS rye, beans, and peas;
so that if they had adopted the measure of his Nobie
Friend last year, instead of the addition' of 575,000/. of
revenue, they would have received upwards of 900,0001.
which was what he was taunted with being too sanguine
in anticipating.—(Opposition.cheers.) But instead even
of the 900,000/., ',lie revenue on the corn actually im-
ported would have been 1,105,000/.
Several _MEMBERS on the Opposition—On corn alone;
Mr. BARING—On corn alone. He thought he
heard a whisper on the other side, "Oh
yes, but
it would never come in." Now it would not only come
in, but the corn would not have been one 6d. dearer.
He would not go any ftiither into that part of the
question. Now with regard to sugar, he per-
fectly admitted that the Right Honourable Baronet
had received an addition of revenue of 560,000/.,
by the operation of the 5 per cent. But that
was not quite so much as he (Mr. Baring)
would have received. That was looked upon as a
great triumph on the other side, because
they had obtained it without any change
of the law, whereas they said that his proposition would
have endangered property in the West Indies, an effect
which he entirely denied. He took 700;0001 as
the probable increase by the plan proposed
last year. But he told the House at the
time that he had greatly underestimated his revenue, and
that he had got a much larger amount. Every return
laid upon the table, and every information which he re-
ceived, convinced him that without an ounce of foreign
sugar being imported he would have received
considerably more, and he thought that he
would not only have had the 575,0001, but
700,000/. in addition to that which the Right
Hon. Baronet had admitted come in so luckily.
He had understood the amount last year, and
he did not intend this year to go to ex-
cess, but ho felt satisfied that what he had
stated was correct He had , been assured bit
year by the Honourable Gentleman opposite that the
supply of sugar from the East and West Indies
would be amply sufficient to meet the consumption of the
country. The Right Hon. Gentleman had assured him that
there could "be no fear but what such would be the case.
He (Mr. F. T. Baring) had met that by another state-
ment, which was that he would not fix the consumption of
the country. but the country ought to have as large a
supply of sugar as they pleased.—(lmmense cheering.)
That was the state in which he had left the ques-
tion. And now he would call the attention of
the House to the facts which wad show that
he was right. If they referred to the returns before
the House they would find that the supply had
been taken out, from day to day, by the
consumer, and he contended that if there had
been a larger supply there would have been a
larger demand,—(Loud Opposition cheers.) He should be
able to show that if sugar could be procured under a
certain giyen price, the consumption would go on to au
extent almost unlimited, but the moment it rose beyond a
certain price, consumption was checked—the
,poorer
class of consumers ceased to buy, and they were
obliged to depend upon a smaller class of con-
sumers. He thought he could show that during the
last year the demand had not been met by the supply.
Ile did not pretend to say that he could
show that sugar had been consumed which had
never been brought to market, but as far as he could
judge from the returns laid on the table, he thought he
could show that a further supply would have been mot
by a further demand. in 1840 it was agreed
on all hands that stocks were very low. In 1840, the
total amount imported was 4,105,000 cwts., including
foreign sugar warehoused; the total amount of British
Colonial sugar was 2,230,000 c-vt.; and the total
amount taken out for home consumption was
3,606,000 cwts. sheaving a deficiency of colonial
supply for the year 1840, of 376,000 cwt. that
being the amount by which the demand for
home consumption exceeded the supply in 1840.
The quantity of sugar imported in 1841 was 4,883,000
cwt., deducting the foreign, amounting to 806,000 cwt,
The whole of the colonial supply which reached
the market, was 4,077,000 cwt., of which consumed
4,065,000 cwt., leaving a surplus of only 11,000 cwt.
upon a stock which had been long . imported, and was
diminishing. Now, was he wrong in contending that
according to their own figures, and their own statements,
that if there had been a greater supply—if the trade
had been opened in the manner he desired—the demand
would have been increased, and also the revenue would
have been increased ?—(Cheers.) But this was not
all ; the Right Honourable Gentleman had offered
the House a statement of the stock of sugar, and
which might be advantageously compared with another
statement of stock also issued by the West Indian body,
when the discussion took place .on sugar in 1840.
—(Hear.) The latter statement was merely in
anticipation of the quantity of sugar that would
come in, but it was so near the actual results, that his
authority might be relied upon. The stock, as stated
by them, for the Ist of January, 1841, was
700,000 cwt. Now the return by the Right Hon.
Baronet, said that the stock on the Bth of March,
1842 was only 539,000 cwt. The result, therefore. be-
tween the two statements was, that from the Ist January,
1841, until the preient time, the deficiency in the supply
had been 112,000 cwt. less than the demand of the former
year.—(Cheers.) Ngw, therefore, he (Mr. Baring)
thought he had good grounds for stating, that if sugar
ah
ba
Ide
pbreiceen, 7thoore
coexnstetinrosp oively supplied, at a reason-
revenue, would have rcn, t
yt!n
fi
tu;e n the
it.
be recollected ti

:11

tactl, it would not have becn at' Lut 3(35.
When he had addressed the House upon a former mew..

1-7,-:r to consuL-:
would benefit India, but the differential 3d. would be

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY MORNING. MARCH 19, 1842.

taken out of the Indian revenue, and would place it in
the pockets df the East Indian speculator. Next, there
was Assam tea—he really hoped the Right Hon. Baronet
would not compel him to drink it—(Laughter)—
but he would pause to ask the Right Honourable
Baronet what would be the effect of these new
principles now introduced into the tariff, when he
came to negotiate with other countries ? The
policy of wiser men, in later times, had been to
liberalise tariffs, and to reduce destructive and differen-
tial duties. But the Right Hon. Baronet was so de-
voted to the opposite principle, that he would not allow
even millinery to escape him. Then, when we asked
foreign countries to relax their differential prin-
ciples in favour of us, they would refuse, and
add, that we carried our differential principles to
"such an extent as to make ourselves ridiculous.
And was there nothing to be considered as regarded the
future ?—(Hear, hear.) All those several interests
might be considered trifling or small in themselves. The
Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir R. Peel) may ask " Whether
you want to add to that difficulty—to that opposition
which every man must find in attempting to
advance one single step— (Laughter) —in intro-
ducing those great and important changes ?"—(Cheers
from the Opposition)—but it was for the House to say—
when they looked back at those topics, and began to
deal with those principles propounded by the Right Hon.
Baronet, and tie consider whether they were not worthy of
their most serious consideration—the reel question was,
whether people werex prepared to undergo the pres-
sure for the' tariffs founded upon
of
incometax
the principles of the measure proposed by the Right
Honourable Baronet.—(Cheers from the Opposition.)
He (Mr. Baring) did not now, for the first time, adopt
the opinions which be had then expressed ; but he had
entertained and expressed them year after year. When
he had the honour of holding the office of Chancellor
under the bite Government he expressed those opinions.
He would then apply himself to that which was the most
important consideration for the House, he should say that
he could not allow the proposition of the Right Ho-
nourable Baronet to go forth without expressing the
opinions entertained by him (Mr. Baring) in reference to
that part of it which would press most heavily upon the
country. He thought that the proposition of an income,
tax was deserving of the serious and sober consideration
of the country. They should consider whether that im-
post, which they were now to tie subjected to,.' should
be carried on—whether there was any other possible
and less objectionable mode, by which the rnoacy pro-
posed to be raised could be obtained.—(Hear, hear.)
"V hen I e came down to the House , he had not the
slightest notion that the Right Hon. Baronetintended
to propose such a measure. He knew it would probably
be necessary for him (Mr. Baring) and his friends to
take a discussion upon the measure proposed
by the Right Honourable Baronet ; and that it
would be their duty to vindicate the principles
of the measure which was proposed by thelate Govern-
ment—to show that it would be better to raise the sum
of money proposed to be raised by the Right Hon. Baronet
upon those principles than upon the principles and accord-
ing to the mode represented by the present Government.
On hearing the statement made by the Right Hon. Ba—
ronet, he believed it was not the intention of gentlemen
on this side of the House to have opposed any tax that
might have been proposed from the opposite side of the
House, or to enter into any party step or proceed-
ings, so as to raise difficulties that would prevent the
collection of the sums necessary for the public service.
On this question— upon this tax only did they feel it ne-
cessary to give all that opposition to the proposal—the
unfortunate proposal of her Majesty's Government,
which they thought it merited.—(Hear, hear, _ hear.)
.Was this a just tax ? Was this an equal tax ?—(Hear,
hear.) These were questions of deep importance
for the country to consider. Was it fair, that those who
were in the permanent occupation of property—that
those whose property descended from father to sun, who
may dispose of it as they choose, should be taxed no more
than those whose annual income depended not on their
life or any particular age, but some casual accident, some
unfortunate deprivation of sight, or some other of the
many accidents to which humanity was liable,
which might for ever deprive them of all
chance of making any provision for their family.
He believed the Right Hon. Gentleman was already
aware of what that large and influential body, the Bank
of England, thought of the proposal which taxed equally
the annual produce of permanent funded property
and terminable annuities. He could conceive nothing
more unequal, unfair, and unjust, than that mode of tax-
ation. He had heard parties state that this was
the fairest and most equitable mode of collecting
a revenue, but he firmly believed that there was
no tax which would work more unfairly, more unequally,
or cause more dissatisfaction than this. He remembered
when he was on that side of the House he had
asked a question of the Bight Honourable Baronet
—he was certainly rather unfortunate in asking ques-
tions of him—(A laugh)—as to what the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman would propose himself. He opposed his plans, and
he asked him what he would do. He believed he
would not have . that quesiion put to him to-night.
He would not then shrink from the statement which he
made when he had the honour of, occupying a seat on the
benches opposite. On a former occasion, when the rneae
sures of the late Ministry were opposed by the Opposi-
tion of that day, he used the following language:—" I do
not ask from Hon. Gentlemen opposite that kind of infor-
mation which was wrung from me last year to the inconve-
nience of the public revenue—not their particular taxes, but
the general course which they are prepared to adopt.
I do not call ueon them to specify- the actual
taxes they may propose, hut the general course
of their policy."—(Hear, hear.). Now he was not pre-
pared to give a budget to the Eight Hon. Gentleman.
Nothing, he thought, could be more indecorous and im-
proper than such a course. He should not certainly
feel that he was justified in opposing even the present
course of the Right Honourable Baronet, to which
he objected, unless he thoUght that the other
sources of the revenue offered a means of
avoiding the calamity which he believed
would follow the proposal of the Right Hon. Baronet.—
(Hear, hear.) He had himself suggested last year a
scheme for increasing the revenue of the country, but he
would not go over the discussion of that scheme
He had already explained the reasons which induced
him to believe at the time, and which induced him
still to think that money might be raised to meet
to a great, if not to the entire extent, the exigencies
of the State. He had proposed a plan by which he
thought that a large portion, at least, of the public
deficiency might be supplied ; and that pro-
posal was rejected. Could any man tell him
that with the enormous amount of taxation which had
been repealed since the war, it was necessary to have
recourse to so obnoxious a proposal as that of the Right
Hon. Gentleman ? In the Custom taxes there had been
a reduction since the war of 7,500,000/. ; in the Excise
there had been a reduction of 12,000,0001. ; and in the
Stamps there had been a reduction of 866,0001. The Right
Hon. Gentleman now proposed to levy a certain amount
of taxation, not by direct taxes, but by another mode
of taxation. 'fhe Right Hon. Gentleman stated that he
did not mean that the income should extend to Ireland,
but he proposed to give Ireland an equivalent for that tax,
and he proposes taxes himself to the amount of 600,0001.,
that was to say 400,000/. in Ireland and 200,000/. at
home. Part of this was direct taxation. Did they mean to
tell him that if they could produce 400,0001. from Ireland
with this means of taxation, that they could not find
means of restoring public credit without appealing to
that tax—(Hear)—which had hitherto been considered as
the last resource of the Treasury, and to be applied to
only in cases of the greatest difficulty ?—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Vansittart, in the year 1819, came clown to the
House and asked for 3,000,00C1. which he considered ab-
solutely necessary for the preservation of public credit, but
he found taxes without applying to this last resort ; and
certainly this raise of 3,000,0000/. did not bring
down the public welfare, for in the years 1822,
1823, and 1824, a larger amount of taxes was repealed.
from additional consumption and improvement in the
trade of the country.—(Hear, hear.) He thought he
ought not to delay the House, but there was one point
on which the Right Hon. Gentleman had not given any
explanation--as to the machinery which he might
employ. He could not help, therefore, calling the
attention of the House to one important operation
—he meant, the petition of the merchants of
London, when the -previous tax.- was in existence
. This petition was agreed to at a meeting stated to con-
tain all the wealth and respectability of the City
of, London ; and it had been stated in the House, that
there had been an attempt to get up a-counter petition,
but this only received 23 signatures ; this petition came
to the House expressing the experience and feeling of
the whole mercantile classes in London ; and they would
remember that that petition was moved in that meeting
by the very gentleman who had been the author of the tax.
Hear what was their experience and opinion as to the
working of a measure similar to the one now before the
House. The petitioners stated that a property or income
tax was at variance with sound principles, and could
only be submitted to in cases of the most urgent
necessity, and that its operation upon trade and
commerce would be most disastrous from its inqui-
sitorial character.—(Hear, hear.) They stated that
during the late trying circumstances in which the
h patience
vexatious, • under the
teoo u nthtrey t ievxa,s
though
et)literyeinsubmittedy wit
conviction that on the return of peace the
uut a
oxd
iefiveouutlido boef
tdhneaal
o with.. They stated that no
n
in their opinion, the tax WAS obnoxious, in .principle,
and would be an alarming precedent, if, its time
edetivlasy would be effectual,. because,
of peace, they had recourse to those resources,
which would 'only be adopted when. the honour
and independence of . the country was involved ;
and I concluded by stating that the tax would be in-
jurious, not only in diminishing the domestic
comforts and prosperity of the country, but to
its prosperity and honour.—(Hear.) Such was the
. petition of the merchants of London, presented to that
House on the 18th of March, 1816, the anniversary of
the day on which the Right Hon. Baronet came
down to explain a similar measure to the Hca7e.
• —(Cheers.) That petition was received with
a shout of unanimous applause by persons of all parties.
He hoped that in the course he had pursued he had, as
far as was possible, avoided anything like recriminatory
language, but he certainly entertained the deepest and
'most sincere feelings with regard to the proposition now
before the House—(Hear' hear)—and if they were to
stand alone, he should be happy to have recorded his
dissent from What, he' believed to be an unnecessary tax.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
was perfectly natural that the Right Honourable
Gentleman opposite should have taken the earliest
opportunity of statingg his opinions of the
financial measure of her Dlajesty's Government, and he
(the Chancellor cf the Exchequer) had no complaint to
make of the tone in which he (Mr. Baring) delivered
nimself. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would ab-
, stain from all recriminatory topics also and would confine
hiniself to the arguments of the t Tion.Bar a How-
yeer,h,:: (the i-:hanctliur u trio E:tehequer)nitz• .
his surprise that while the Right Honourable Ci ~.
tlemen expressed his surprise of the measure proposed, he

avoided stating what plan he would himself pursue. 1 What would have been the prise he left it to those to tell who
He made r speech, but offered nothing for the House to• I had said that by imposing any duty upon the imp ertat.on of
decide upon, so that what course the Right Hon. Gentle- i wheat - they would be starving the people and aggravating
man would pursue, was as yet unknown to the House. i the existing distress, and producing all those consequences I
The Noble Lord opposite said, that the Right Hon. whicil had been made the subjdectofofsom Houseu dc 1 a.:, noar i 01511
for
Gentleman would vote against the resolution in byd the GfinecriLtoli:msioenn.onßtiniet
hoitshaerr side of
thel reuce the Right
Committee. He (the Chancellor of the -Exche-
quer) therefore thought that it would be more Ho3n.mGentieman to this alternagtive itherlhat he would have -
failed to obtain his revenue, from a diMinished consumption ;
consistent with ordinary usage if he had re- or with an additional duty he aggravated the evils which a dearth
served himself for the time when they could of corn in the present year hau produced ; and he would thus
have tested the conflicting opinions of the House. have caused a further reduction in the consumption of those ar-
As the Right Hon. Gentleman had travelled over a long tides which, notwithstanding the unfavourable character of the
period and a great length of transactions, lie (the Chan- season, they had been enabled to purchase. The
cellor of tilt Exchequer) would follow him along several Right Honourable Gentleman next adverted to the duty
topics. The Right Honourable Gentleman com- °pun sugar ; and upon that subject the Right Honourable
menced by referring to the period when Gentflermaanhoubdsaertved,hitlhait as he haddbeesnelacceunsedheofahing in
hvaeninehoes,
the deficiency in the revenue of the country ahad att all te
vents receivedlsterla
he was happy eto'ine edeettltaPattehe
now calling for' a supply first began, for it was additional light since he had been removed to a more favourable
for the accumulation of deficiencies, which corn- situation. He quite agreed with the Right Hon. Gentleman
menced in 1838-39 we had now to ' pro- in thinking that the other side of the House appeared to be
vide, and according to the Right Honourable more favourable for that operation of fishing than the
Gentleman's own confession it was the deficiency Treasury benches; for the Right Hon. Geniteman would re-
ef that year that led to those necessities which member, that when he was in great anxiety to raise a duty
now obliged the Government to lay on fresh taxa- of about 700,C001. upou sugar, it was announced to him dis-
tion for the use of the State. The Right lion. tinctly from the Opposition side of the House, that if he would
Gentleman said he was justified in having permitted the omnil,Thlte ththe r a
isugar
without
n ttaktL itsal
tecroautrtsuen,
wth,hei rumh
eolfla7dooe,:eoat.
large deficiency that occurred in 1838 to remain at the end voured to effect. He stated it not with any vii:w to praise
of the year, for there were no extraordinary occurrences those who had made the statement ; but it appeared obviously
which called for a new tax on the public; and then he from the facts before them, that is reality the sugar duty had
eulogised that system of borrowing and temporary realised within a few pounds of the sum which the Right Hon.
arrangement which had brought the present Gentleman had required. That result, too, had been obtained
misfortunes on the country—(Loud cheers)— without affecting the interests of the colonists by introducing a
and which load entailed on the present Government, foreign commodity, and without giving an additionsi stimulus
as it must have entailed upon any Govern-
to the slave trade by discouraging the cultivation of free labour
meat the necessity of new taxing the public
sugar. Batsthe Right lion. Gentleman, after that meditation
to repair the errors of tits ir predecessors. The Right
ewinhcireth
had found
beeastotuh.aeluwlhtonhhim sinceuhnieserettiraement from
hise
panpnoosed d
charge, h t7olole,oowoals.
Hon. Gentleman referred to 1838-39, as if it was a time
as the duty he expected that
that promised permanent tranquillity end immediate labouring under some delusicn, and that he intended to have
ease, and required no provisions for the exigencies of stated, or at least that he ought to have stated, mat instead of
the State. Had the Right Honourable. Gentleman 700,0001. he aneatipa'ed a treceipt of 1,000,000/. But it was
forgotten that in these two years, circumstances certainly rather late at the present moment for the Right
were threatening enough to tell the Government that the. ' Honourable Gentleman to correct his error after seven
finances of the country must not be allowed to or eight months had elapsed since the discussion of the subject.
fall into delapidation and rein ? Had he for- Fle must confess that if he did not know the sincerity of the
gotten: that in that year we had the mss- Right Hon. Gentleman in every statement that he made, he
fortune to witness a serious revolution in Canada, should rather have conceived, if that statements were
.to the causes of which lie (the Chancellor of madebaydaincothdteor,, that asoubsequent knowledge of subsequent
the Exchequer) need not now particularly refer. But the Right Hon" Gentlemandgsmaier toof forgetretvhiaotu s ertrer.wn
These occurrences threatened to involve the country in and their discussing the sugar duties—that what theyue4 aid
me increased expenditure for that year, and they was not only. to consider the revenue, though on that he
had, in fact, entailed a great expenditure, which helped thought that the calculations could not have been substantiated
to increase the deficiency. Was there not enough then if there were any validity in the statement then submitted by
to warn a prudent Ministry that they ought not to go on, the members of that Governtnent. They (her Majesty',.
or if they did go on they ought to continue at a future present Ministers) then obtectedthat if they were absent from
time to avert the consevences. Not only was there a r inadequate supply of sugar raised by free labour
in oar own colonies, they would encourage the sugar
a want of energy shown in not providing for the exigen-
az efreartso that it was
cies of the country ; but it appeared still more I
Stated
by
tshleaveNAirtoetuc,rtif
t. Iln-
tpeople,n
from circumstances which he would detail. I ihaateeslaver-labour sugar (we'uldeonelaymbe produced aetfattt
Unalarmed as the Government were—expecting the trans there wee an absolute necessity for its production to supply
quillit :to come, and unwilling to face the difficulty of new the exigencies of the c iuntryne and the Noble Lord fixed on
taxes— they reduced the balance of the country below the 61s. Bd. as the price at. which h&ekpected foreign sugar would
amount at which for a long time it had been maintained. be introduced. if the Noble Lord was right when he thought
(near from the Ministerial side.) At the period to which; it could only be introduced at 61s. Bd., then if the Right Hon.
referred, that is, the sth of January, 1837. the balance Gentsemau would-look at the price of sugar in the market
was 6,490,0001.. On the sth of January last year during the whole sear, he would find that the period now had
it was reduced to 3,500 0001.—(Cries of "Hear, arrived when 61s. Bd. was the price at which the sugar of
,
hear.") And let not the house suppose that this foreign colonies could have come into the consumption of this
bruein preparedh%re
st to ;.rdtgai t thatr.ed e thee, measure
81.
wasre
was an inconsiderahle evil, or one which they might put country nt
calculatedi l, ; h u
emeistht etrhteoe
out of consideration in dealing with matters of not calculated to produce that revenue which produce,
no's'? found—
finance. The balance was intended to,,provide for the in opposition to his former estimate—that it might by poisi-
payment of the debt due in January ; and, so far as it bitity have produced. But the Right Hon. Gentleman went
was reduced, the Government was obliged to re- into ealeulatioas to show that we were under considerable ap-
ter to the Bank of England by the
.issue of prehensions now as to the probable insullic ency of the supply
Exchequer Bills in order to meet the demand, thus of sugar during the er.suing year ; and in order to show this,
they made the country dependent on that great establish- ire had referred to statements showing the quantity of :agar in
went, and deranged the currency by compelling the bond this time last year, the quantity since rebeived, and the
probability of what was yet to conic. Consider ng the opinion
bank to limit its issuing for its own protection.
that this House expressed as to the expediency of not giving
The effect of the abstinence of the late Government
from pressing on the people by the imposition of !;.nacooura,goseimtieonnt
to that
ths4gar the
tprroduee of slave-tlabour, ,
free-labour,t.er t
he'l e theut_
1 new taxes, was to leave an aggregated defi- quantityli of that sugar grown
te
syufficieritciency for five consecutive years.—(hear, bear.) eumpeon of the country, he thought the Right lion.
This was an evil which it was impossible for the Gentleman had nos been successful as far as his calcala-
present Government to put aside in dealing lions relatve to the probable deficiency was concerned. The
with the finances of the country.—(Hear, hear.) Rignt Honourable Gentleman adverted to the quantity
The next point to which the Right Honourable Gentle- of sugar in bond, and if be (the Chancellor of the
man had adverted was with a view of showing Exchequer)` understood him, his statement was, that as
his opposition to the statement of his Right the quantity in bond at present had diminished, it was
Honourable Friend, that taxes on consumption therefore evident that the consumption of the year had exceeded
had not been unproductive to the degree his Right the
Rightim importation. lie
ethnttiluegmhatnit
t 0
00uklndo be tisfactory to the
inra
his G
Hon Friend asserted. Here he must say, that (the Chancellor csrvf thatthe thibxecrhewquas ono
the Right •, Honourable Gentleman must have fouudatione
opinion for that statement. The Right Honourearbl!
been misunderstood altogether, for he had extremely Gentleman founded his statement upon the representa-
misrepresented the argument used on that occasion. He tions of the \Vest India bode when the subject was under dia•
had supposed that his Right Hon. Friend stated that cession last year ; that the quantity of sugar in bond amounted
the additional 5 per cent. of duties not having raised to 35,000 tout, but he ascertained the quantity in bond in Lon-
the full amount of revenue expected, the 5 per cent. den, Liverpool, Bristol, and Glasgow, did not at present.
itself was the cause of the revenue not having in• exceed 29,000 tons, and looking to the accounts which
creased, But . that was not the argument. came to his knowledge from the West Indies on
'His Right Honourable Friend wished to the one hand, and the East Indies on the other, he had no
reason to doubt that the total quantity of sugar for the ensue
show that the consumption of the country was so-
y would amount to between 260 and 280 tons • and,
effected by external circumstances at thepresent moment, cognsitelerine that the largest quantity ever consumed in' any
that if he proposed to • make the smallest possible, year was (Curing the last year, end that the amount was 203,000
addition to taxation of this kind, the effort would neces- ' tons, the House would perceive that there was an ample mar-
sexily-be unavailing. His Hon. Friend took the total ket for that consumption which they all so much desired to
amount of the customs for 1840 and 1841, to see.( Hear, hear..) With respect to timber, the Right
and showed, by taking the amounts of the' len Hon. Gentleman calculated an income of 600,000/ ; but there
venue from this source, he showed a failure in the was one consideration with respect to this subject, to which
plan of the Right Honourable Gentleman. . He the Right Hon. Gentleman never gave a definite answer. It
told the Right Honourable Gentleman that he
was expected by the people of Canada, and it was agreed to
had included in his account the amount of the by the Government of. this country, that when a measure so
deeply affecting the interests of the people of Canada, as a di-
corn duty, which ought to ' 'have been ex-
chided from the calculation.—(Hear.) Now, he 'was latn,tylettimtimote' tthoe
withdrawtimdutfirco•smwaas
trade which
jihehyadshboeuelnd be
afraid that the Right Hon. Gentleman would not much altered. The Government also at that time
derive much advantage as to the main point- at were in possession tf the opinion of Lord Syden-
issue between them, from the observations he had ham, who said that an alteration should not take place,
made upon the statement of his Right Hon. Friend. within the year, but at some distant period, so as to make the.
The question the House load to decide was this, could timber which they had, in their possession come under the
they, with any prospect of raising a revenue, impose on old scale of duties ;.a.nd when the Right Hon. Gentleman pro-
articles of consumption, taxes to-the amount of three posed an alteration in the duties of. Canada timber, they ought
ythe revenue they. required, ' .once
millions'; or if the could do so with :mi to have heard from him whether he meant that the altered duties
prospect of raising.ss
J should come at into operation, or whether he intended to
.d
eed '
eferenceto he position of the ode of Canada -and
would it be without' ' laying such additional tPla;eyexepressed opiniont of the Governor-t:m people of Canada,- and
would it be without - laying - such - additioruri the expressed opinion of the Governor-General that he ought to
burdens on the trading, manufacturing, and commercial wait until a subsequent period. But the Right Horn. Gentle-
interests of the country as would be preductive Of greater man referred to the Report of the Committee of 1821, justify-
revilS . than another s; stem of taXifioti which was ing his measures with respect to timber. The Report stated that
open to them. He (the Chancellor of the Ex- when the duty on Canadian timber was 10s., that on Baltic
chequer) had had a , paper drawn Up, stating timber should be 555., and having referred to this, the Right
the produce derived from certain articles of re- Hon. Gentleman asked the House to be guided by his
But what was the principle of the
revenue in the year .1840, and he had added to these principles. Right Hon. Gentleman?h It was to. impose a new duty on
several articles what would have been the produce
of the per tentage which the Right Hon. Gen- that timber, ia
n ,.t and re
l sue hbi ey. rvierehtle dima.insirshenthaemecuoentsufmreptiotnhaotf,
tleman had proposed to add to the several duties paid upon 'deltic timber which wgould not be sufficiens tomcause
He then compared the total results in one case and an additional consumption of that timber in thie country to
the other, shewing, and without the possibility reduce the comparative difference between the two to 305., it
of error, what was the proposed increase from the having been, on the recommendation of the Committee, 455.
additional 5 per cent., and what was the actual result. Yet the Right lion. Gentleman argued that he had acted on
It was useless to go into details on these subjects. He the principle of the Report of the Committee of 1821, and
would, however, allude to one or two articles. On the artie leaving the House in a state of uncertainty as to detail., as-
sured them that from hisie plan he would have raised 600,000/.
de of coffee, the article produced according to the Right
to the revenue. l (the Chancellor of the Ex.
Hon. Gentleman's estimates of the imposition of the addi-
hequer) did not mean now to go into the details of
tional duty of 5 per cent. ought to have been 890,0001.—the
that
topic, not being furnished with sufficient know-
taking actually produced was only 870,000/. That was ledge of the mode the Right Honourable Gentleman would-
taking the period in which the duty had beenreceived for pursue ; but he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would ob-
the whole year. On sugar, the amount that ought to have serve, that doubling the duty on Canadian timber would have
been received was 5,117,000/.; the amount actually received diminished its consumption in this country, while taking off
was only 4,310,000/. On wino the amount ought to 1-11th of the duty on Baltic timber would have little advanced
have been 1,998,0001.; the amount actually received was its consumptioa, and that therefore its operation would have been
1,806,000/. only. On timber the amount actually received to inflict great injury on the produce of Canada, and greater
had approached nearer to the estimate of the Right Hon. injury on the feelings and affections of its inhabitants, while it
though in no way that he could see, have pro.
Gentleman, the amount that ought to have been receivedamount that the Ri ht Hon Gen]
ight tileemnanGeexlteleted.
. teu mightee d possibly',
h e
e te
was 1,590/.. the duty actually received was 1,540/.
Havine- now refereed to the topics the R*
'There was a loss of revenue upon a list of 75 articles, none introduced in connexion with his budget of lasi year, hem(ntlaine
of which had produced the amount which they ought Chancellor of the Exchequer) would now come to a question
to have produced, if the additional duty of that was far more important for the consideration of the House
five per cent. had answered the expectations —that-was the mode in which the House was prepared to make
of the Right Hon. Gentleman: the loss thus occasioned up the great exis ing deficiency, which during hve years had
amounted, in round numbers, to a million. The same been permitted to,accumulate, and in what manner they could
thing had taken place with regard to the Excise Duties, impose burdens on the people the least oppressive, the least
on bricks on malt, and on several other articles. .restrictive on the progress of commerce, trade, and manufac-
But, said the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite, tures, and the me_shteefifteict;llvtelfior the purposes of the revenue.—
ot-!. Gentleman said his own view
the First Lord of the Treasury has stated the question (Hear, hear. T
on ar ides of consumption ;
unfairly, and the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Baring) of duties Government
but the answer.
was, that we )should still lay
was,. that if those. duties could be
went on to show . that instead of a deficiency made productive, yet in present circumstances it would be better,
of 200,000/., he ought to have stated that an fairer, and more conducive to the general interest,
increase of 1,700,000 had taken place. The Rightellon• to take those funds which the State required from the
Gentleman had taken corn, and said that the duty paid extensive capital of the country through the medium
in 1840 was 1,000,0001., but the duty paid in 1841 was only of its income, than from litytr.v, on fresh burdens on all articles
500,000/. If the Right Hon. Gentleman would deduct the of consumption—a course ,which, indeed; would affect the
one amount from the other, he would-find the balance higher orders in common with the lower, but would fall most
added to the amounts already stated by his Right Hon. heavily-on the middle and lower classes of society. This was
Friend would amoun) instead of a million to 700,0001. the principle on which the Government, and the Right Hon:'
Mr. F. T. BARING made an observation across the" Gentleman (111 r. Baring) were at issue.-(No, no.) He
affirmed
table, which was inaudible. ' he held . 'in his hand a list of the taxes repealed since the Con-
The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER; in re- , elusion of the war, subsequent to the Customs' duty, and these
ply to the Right Hon. Gentleman, said that hist Right amounted to 7,500,0001., and he pointed to them as a source
Hon. Friend, at the head of the Government, had from which they might turn to make up the deficierule ' But
throughout dealt with the groSs account of the Ex- how could they increase the Customs duties without interfering
chequer, and that was the only fair way, for unless they -e ith the consumption of the people, and •• obstructing
dealt with it in that way they could not know the effect ommerce and manufactures ?—(Hear, hear. hear ) In
the Excise the taxes repealed amounted to 12,000,0001.
which any tax would produce on the consumption ofthe Would the t Right 11011. Gentleman have them re•inipose the
country. A great establishment might be necessary for the
duty on salt ?—(Bear.) He (Mr. Raring) said that the in=
collection of certain duties. A large amount might be col- come tax was, inquisitorial, and yet he recommended those ex-
lected ; although great deductions might be made from it rise imposts which, if not so inquisitorial as to the mode of
in its progress to the Exchequer—and if they collection, were most vexatious and injurious to the manufac-
dealt merely with the net revenue, they would turer. In consequence of the reduction of the duty, salt had
not know the effect produced on the country; become largely used in manufactures ; and there could be no
the Government, therefore, had throughout, dealt doubt that the tax would be productive, and it would no doubt
with the gross and not with the net revenue. relieve those who had large money capital from which, under
the income tax, they would have to pay.—( Hear, hear.) 'The
The Right Honourable Gentleman said when an
evil which it wou'd entail on the manufaeturers would be far
increased duty of 4d. per gallon had been proposed greaterff than any that could be produced by the income tax.—
upon spirits in Ireland, that an opposite result ( ear, hear.) Would he return to the tax upon tallier can-
would occur from that which was anticipated. He dles?—(Hear)—which would fall upon a class of consumers
(the Chancellor of the Exchequer) could give an who were certainly not the rich and wealthy, who would have
answer to that charge. True-it was he did propose to to pay the income tax.—(Hear, hear.) It would
increase the duty on spirits in Ireland, because he found fall upon the poorest class of • the people, after
that what he had apprehended in the measure proposed suffering great misery, and always great inconvenience,
last year by the Right Honourable Gentleman He might go through the whole of the Excise duties, for they
opposite did not exist now. He found that spirits in were all more or less liable to the same objections. There
Ireland had been increasing, notwithstanding the addi- was the soap duty—(Hear)—a duty on an article indispeesably
tional duty imposed upon it ; and he (the Chancellor of necessary to many of their manufactures, and daily coming into
more extended use, and while thus essential to manufactures,
the Exchequer) was quite, sure that the duty on spirits
equally necessary to the comfort of the lower orders, with the
in Ireland could be increased without affecting either theexpress view to whose relief it was taken off.
spirit trade, or the morals of the people.—( Hear. ) The Right Then there was
tbeer tax—( Hear, hear)—and that formed about one-fourth
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Baring) then entered into a defence of of the amount of those Exeise duties held up by the Right
'the measure proposed last Session by the late Government. He Hon. Gentleman as a model for their imitation. It had been
the Chancellor. of the Exchequer i thought that that measure his (the Chancellor of the Exchequer's) good fortune, about
had been so repeatedly agitated, and the opinions of the House ten years since, to repeal that duly—( Hear hear)--anti the
had been already so well known and „generally expressed, both principle on which the Government repealed it was the wsh to
in that House and out of it, that it would- not be necessary restore to the lower orders ofthe power of
now for the Right Hoo. Gentleman(Mr. Baring) to advert to making greater use of a better society
and more whole•
it. But as the Right Hon. Gentleman had advert dto that some beverage, and one the most beneficialto their
measure, and as it was made applicable by him to many of his health and strength. lie believed that the House would sye' -
arguments, he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) felt it nieces- pathise with him in his unwillin mess to
sary to follow the Right Hon. Gentleman in the detail he had (Cheers.) There were other unties he re- nnhptose that tut --
brought forward. The first proposition of the Right Hon. he should not go through the whole otr'fitille longeeartatleo,y,,bnue.t
Gentleman lea% that if the fixed duty upon corn proposed by There were the duties brought forward by theßight Hon.
the late Government was adopted, it would have considerably 1 Gentleman in opposition to the views of the Government, and.
increased the revenues. The Right Hon. Gentleman said the Ihe argued in favour of these duties, which, if levied with
duty on corn then produced 590,000/. ; but if his prpposition Of vigour and activity, would perhaps produce from the lower
a fixed duty of eight shill.ngs a quarter upon foreign corn was and poorer classes the resources they required, while he (the
adopted, instead of that 500,0001. there would now he in Chancellor of the Exchequer) maintained, on,. behalf of
.the
the possession of the Government the sum of 900,000/. on Government, that the period had arrived when, instead of un-
new burdens,
relexation to
account of the Exchequer. As the Right Hon. Gentleman poring
held the office of Chancellor of. the Excheqver, he must have comma,l.
cme
e encouragementaonudghttoenieavour t o give
to industry, and
known that in riiitters of finance two and two do not make , that could onl be effected b taxing the wealth and pros-
four. It mustsfellow then that if corn was admitted into this
the
.1406. Gentleman thinks
purity of the Ycountev (Heayr,weheamr, andt cheers.) But
country as it. was now at a duty of 3s. sd. a 'quarter, that it 1
ht have recourse
would have been consumed to a greater extent, and that the ito the assessed taxes. Now, what were the objections to the
power of purchasing it would be greater than if the duty' bad 't, window tax and the house tax, in reference to their effect en
been raised by the Right Hon. Gentlemaa to Bs. a nuarter, the classes the were an itrai.to, relieve?. Were the objections
to their effect tYin the weas'.l,-. or
That must be' the effect of the measure of the Right Hon.
Gentlemon it, operating upon the present year if the duty e. s 3 •"• complaint fm,,, ail tee reieen, order; of society, from alt eo.
increa;ed to as. a quarter. (An Hon. Member on the Oppe- , gaged,
is ti teof industry and trade, whose dwellings
i le otesupa sons
were they rot the Subjectsto
sitiou benches here asked, .. What would have been the price ?") 1