The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-18 00:00:00

the head of theme
Government would realise the anticipations
which he had formed. He admitted, as had been often stated,
that the agricultural and manufacturing interests were blended
—and that when one was benefited and alleviated, the other
was also benefited and alleviated. Three years ago there was
great distress in the manufacturing districts, and if the Go-
vernment held out to them this language, " We know you
are in great distress, but that is not owing to the Govern-
ment, it is owing to disturbances in the affairs of America,
and accidental causes. We therefore cannot relieve you, but
we purpose to take the duty off malt, and though
we de not directly benefit you, you will be benefited
indirectly."—lf the Government held out such language
to the manufacturers he thought the manufacturers would be
justified in saying you do net use us well.—(Cheers.) The
agriculturists were now in the condition the manufacturers
were in then, and yet they were only relieved indirectly by re-
moving the taxes that pressed upon industry.—( Hear, hear. )
He did not agree with the Hon. Member for Northampton, or,
as some had said, the Right Hon. Gentlemen would give them
op. He believed that the Right Hon. Gentleman thought that
agricultural distress was owing to temporary causes, and that if he
thought it was owing to any serious evil, he would be ready to
apply a legislative remedy to relieve it.
Mr. COLLETT could not support the Right Hon. Gentle-
Man the Member for Bath. It was too much the case with
the Legislature heretofore, to make the poor man still poorer,
and the rich man richer, but the measure of the Right Hon.
Baronet went in an opposite direction. He highly approved of
the remission of the taxes made by the Right Hon. Baronet.
Mr. ROEBUCK replied. He said, that every person who
!poke on his side of the House condemned the property and
income-tax, with the exception of the Hon. Member for Ken-
dal, who condemned it however for three years, and wished it
to be permanent. But every person declared that the
tax would be permanent, and every person said he was opposed
to a permanent property-tax, thereby he condemned the whole
tax, and yet each and every one said he would vote for it.
Mr. C. BULLER rose amidst loud cries of " Divide,
divide." He said he would not occupy the House long. He
was aware of the odd position in which they were placed who
voted for the tax as pointed out by the Hon. Member for
Bath. It seemed the universal opinion on his side of the
House, with the exception of the -Hon. Member for Kendal,
who thought they would get rid of an injustice by making it
perpetual—( Hear, hear)—but, with that exception, it seemed
to him that every person was of opinion that the income-
tax would be unbearable if it was to be con-
tinued as a permanent tax. Nothing could induce him to
vote for the continuance of that tax, though he ad-
mitted it might be submitted to for a temporary purpose.
After the debate to-night it would be alt insult to tell any one
that this tax was to be regarded as anything but a permanent
tax. He had never heard the temporary nature of the tax put
forward in more faint terms than it had been by the Govern-
ment.—(Hear, hear.) He asked the House not to attend
to the assurances of the Right Honourable Baronet, but
k
to say that the Budget was such that it was impossible
to suppose that at the end of three years the lax would be
taken off. The Right Hon. Baronet had gone so headlong
into the subject this evening that it was to be supposed that
they would have a most glorious revenue if they had no taxa-
tion at all.—(Cheers and laughter.) What was it that had
caused the present favourable state of the country ? Why,
two good harvests and a continuance of the American
trade. He called upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to
stand up and insure two more good harvests and
a continuance of the American trade.—( Cheers. ) If such an
event was to take place, the country would still be prosperous.
If they were for a permanent tax, they must support the pre-
sent measure, for they might depend upon it it would be so,
and then it became them only to modify it, and make it as
bearable as they could. He trusted that they would not be called
upon to express their opinions by a division on the policy of an
income-tax that night. After the debate of that night, he should
nut consider himself concluded, but at perfect liberty to pursue
any course he thought proper. He should support the amend-
ment of the Hon. ,Ismber for Bath.

Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the Commit-
tee divided, when there appeared—
Fur the amendment 55
Against it
Majority...... --208
Mr. ROEBUCK said he would move that the provisions
of the income-tax be extended to Ireland.

Mr. SHELL said be congratulated the Hon, and Learned
Gentleman on his abruptness, and he was glad that the Hon.
and Learned Gentleman had an opportunity of burking a
speech in favour of conciliating Ireland.
Lord HOWICK could not think the Hon. and Learned
Gentleman was serious in this matter.

• Mr. ROEBUCK was quite serious.
Mr. CURTEIS said he thought the Chairman ought to re-
port 13iogress and ask leave to sit again.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER suggested
the piepriety of at once coming to a decision on the matter.
Mr. ROEBUCK did not think the House should be hurried
on so important a matter.
After a few words from Mr. WILLIAMS and Mr. SMYTHE,
Sir ROBERT PEEL expressed his decided opposition to
the imposition of an income-tax on Ireland—the stamp duty
had been increased on the faith that the income-tax should
not be imposed.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL quite agreed in the observations of
the Right Hon. Gentleman, and thought it was better to post-
pone the consideration of the matter to Wednesday next. He
wished to know when the question of the sugar duties would be
introduced.

Sir R. PEEL was understood to say on Friday next.
The House then resumed, and the Chairman reported pro-
gress and asked leave to sit again on Wednesday.
DARTMOUTH ELECTION.

The SPEAKER announced that the securities for prose-
cuting the petition against the return of Mr. Somes, for the
borough of Dartmouth, had been completed.
The House then adjourned at Twenty Minutes past One.