Star.
London, England, 1830-04-08 00:00:00

LW which was then math. Tiny were in a condition to show that
iz it interests tequired the imposition of another shilling, or per-
is 31

r 6. CLERK explained that the great reason for reducing
the duty upon spirits In Ireland and Scotland was to discounte-
sante private whisky-making, which' had been found to &Mora-
-lisc the people in these countries. If the duty were added now
is any extent this smuggling would revive. The consumption of
rum now bore a fair proportion to that of British spirits ; but, if
tie duty was raised higher upon the latter article, rum would in-
crease in an undue proportion.
Mr. WODEHOUSE hoped the interests of agriculture would
not be lost sight of in this collision of manufacturing interests. It
was of the last importance to look at the effect of a reduced duty
on spirits, as it affected the consumption of barley. If the West
India interests were to be relieved, they might be more effectually
benefited by reducing the duties on sugar.
Mr. MOORE said the interests of the Irish distillers ought to
be attended to.
Mr. VILLIAM SMITH contended that the distillers had been
placed, by recent alterations, as well as by the increased price of
grain, In much more disadvantageous circumstances than the West'
India proprietors. During the last year there had been an increase
in the quantity of rum imported of not less than 237,000 gallons,
and since 1820, to 1829, there had been an increase in the price of
malt of ss. 9d. All this was unfavourable to the distillers. But,
besides that, the trade had been put to the expense of more than
250,0001. for alterations in their premises, in consequence of the new
measure introduced by Lord Goelerich. He should like to know
how the West India planters would have relished any measure
which would have put them to an extra expense of 250,0001. He
would not say more on the subject at present ; but when the ques-
tion came before the house for discussion, he would pledge himself
to make good his case.
Mr. C. PALLMER said that one cause of the increase of rum
was that the West India planters were obliged to go on producing
rum, and therefore, when the demand failed, they must sell it at a
loss. He should like to see all restrictive laws removed, and all par-
ties left to fair competition. He was ready to admit that the dis-
tress had been subject to great hardships by the alterations which
they had been obliged to make in their premises in consequence of
the regulations of Lord Goderich.
The petitions were then brought up and read, and ordered to be
rrinted.
A message from the Lords announced that their lordships bad
passed several bills; among the rest the St. 011es's Vestry Bill.
3lr. HUSK I SSON pottponed some motion of which he had given
notice, but which could not be ascertained, to the 4th of May.

Mr. EASTHOPE presented a petition from the nobility, gentry,
&c. of Hertfordshire, complaining of distress.
Mr. IRVING presented a petition from Larges against the duty
on seaborne coals.

...
Mr. K. DOUGLAS moved for a return of the quantity of rum
imported into Scotland and Ireland for the last five years.
Mr. ATTWOOD moved for returns of the expense of conveying
:IT snail from Dover to Calais and Ostend.