The Sun.
London, England, 1816-05-25 00:00:00

SOAP BILL.

On the question of the third reading of this hill,
Sir M. W. RIPLRY said, It was in nt,iny respects
objectionable ; hut he objected entirely to its
principle. Ile had thought, at first that it was only
a regulation bill, !intim finingl since that it was a
bill for revenue. It would have an injurious ten-
dency as to the use of kelp for hard snip, whereas
the importation of potash from Russia and Ame-
rica was for the manufacture of soft soap.
Mr. Matron Ass asked whether this professed
regulation was intended as a financial measure to
get 2 or 300,0001./a-year ?
The CHANCILLE,Iig of the EXCITECLUBR observed,,
that considerations respecting the Whale Fishery
bad operated in the origination of the Bill ; hut
-,14 had certainly calculated, on smite augmenta-,
lion of revenue. It would probably raise abont
-1.50,0001. a year. The first objections that were
made .arose from the contending interests of the
'hard and soft soap.manufacturers ; and a draw.
back was proposed fur the snit soup. But it Was,
stated, that great inconvenience would be ex a-,
rienced by the hard soap-mauufaeturers. 7ritc
effects of the tax, which had been sp much feared,
would not fall on the whole population at the rate
of more than threepence a bead. The price "of
soap, be calculated, would rise about 8s: otc9s.
p9r cwt. and the whole duty Would be aboat-30s.
per cwt.
Mr. Pastime objected to the regulation.
Mr. VIJIWIIN believed the calculation would fall
short of, the amount, and that the tax would be
each on a million of families. lie would not
object to any fair plan of taxation ; but, he was
convinced this tax would fall most Imavilf on the
lower classes.

mr..un.o"votiAst observed, that by the altera-
tions, the regulation part of this Bill was drop-
ped, and the tax part continued. Like other
13108 professing regulations, this WAS iu fact a re-
venue bill, and was imperceptibly slipped through
the House to a certain stage, before people knew
the nature of it and so they were prevented
from considering their interests properly. The
manufacturers, however, could easily combine,
and one set get their exemptions, and another their
drawbacks and the CUMMITICI'S still had the tax to
pay, after the manufacturers were relied from what
partienlarly pressed on them. It seemed dm
practice of the Treasury never to bring in a Hill
of regulation without turning a penny by it. It
was said that this tax would amount only to three-
pence it head on an average, as it would be about
four-Pence on the higher, and three-halfpence on
the lower classes. But thus MCAStlres striVallreti
by degrees; Straw was laid Ott strew; till the last
straw broke the mares back: Additional tow-
tion on soap, t ven at the lowest rare, tuna in-
crease the price Of labour. HMI tbt Wes op salt

, •
been begin). at a bushel, thicz 'could not Lave
been borne; but the practice was to begin low,
and then to advance, add say it was only 3,1. or
4d. in the increase. lie hoped the House ‘vimid.
pause before they passed a tax 'Bill on an article
of necessity, for which the only defence was, that
the amount of the Increaie was small.

Mr. Ittise nothing was more betietcial to
the p'Oblic-) in nu of taxation, than to avoid
taxes atlieles of consumption : but: what was
to becothe cit the revenite, it, all such taxes were
.resisted, after the Property-tax bad ceased ? If
the revenh Coidd not be supplied ip amore de-
sirithle way, we iciust be driven to the nedestity of
laying on such !axes as the present.
The liOn. Mr:Lidu:Tim observed, that it
appeared that Gentlemen opposite, finding they
could brit, through the assessed takes, or any
other assessments, find an equivalent for the Inst
Property-tax, were determined to -propose such
taxes as 'would make some piciple regret theabo-
litiott of the Property-tax. He believed, how-
ever, that it would be found that any Property.
tsx Would fall ultimately most severely on the
poorer classes.
The Bill Was read a third time, and passed.

BOARD OF ADMIRALTY.
Sir M. W. Runes, wished to ,tsk a question of
the Noble Lord. The Member for Monmouth ,
(ilse Marquis of Worcester) had vacated his seat,
on being appointed a Lord of the Admiraltv. He
meant no disrespect to the Noble 111,arquis but
be,undernOod from tb Army List that be held a
Commission as Lieutenant in the ith Dragoons,
which regiment was now serving in France. It ,
was it that he could discharge the duties
of both situations. He also thought that the ap-
pointment to the Admiralty Board was improper
aud useless. Was he to retain both situations ?
Lord. C,ssTLatss,tox was not able to give pre-
cise information, as he could not say whet her. the
Noble Marquis had or bad not resigned his Com-
tll6!iioO.

Me. host gave. notice of a. motion on Monday
for papers respecting the Trinity7honse.

BOARD OF CONTI:or..

Lott] Acrnottrq.asked tttpiestio;respecting the
vaetkney in the oftici: of President of the iiH,t(l,ol
Controidurtn(three months, hod wisbett to know
if it wtts"to be tilled rtn ?
Lord CAsTLERRALIff Said., • be once held that
office for a time, and he knew it to be a most la-
boilouviittlation.

Mr. 13110pc3HAM said, that a Not►te Wag
Seeretary.of State at one thne, while he held the
Presidency of the Board of Control. Was it now
intended to consolidate these oltees

Lprd CASTLEREAGH SAM, he was convinced that
any •individual lrol•ding the office of President of
the Board of Control, If he 'eliwie to make him-
self master of the business, twold find it a most
efficient office.

The Elon, Mr. LYrrt.sTog moved .lor rt list of
14ersons lieeneed to keep. Lottery-offices for the
last two years. Ordered. .
... .
Mr. 13R000ttAm moved'. for• Papers relating to
the seizure of the, Anoe ordnance tntllliii/Ort. 'Or-
(ivied. , . .