The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-03-14 00:00:00

THR iTAT.

probabilitiessof was were so great. The Hon. CientlernaP
advertd to &plan. which by converting the three, direr.
and a half, and fonr per cents. intofive per cents. not re-
deemable for a certain number of years, would make .a
`eensiderable reduction in the capital of the debt, and
still leave a surplits for reduction.
Sir H. PARNELL observed that the principle of his
:-plan of converting perpetual into terminable annuities,
was chiefly founded on the objection to the Sinking I
Fund, that it afforded a facility to Ministers of diverting
it from its original purpose, and was an encouragement
to extravagance, This objection his plan would com-
pletely obeiete, and he would, therefore, suggest to the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, to insert a clause in the
Bill which would* empower the Commissioners to adopt
his plan, whenever they, in the exercise of their discre-
tiou,•thought it would be most advantageous to the inte-
/este of the pubiV.
Mr.MABERLY opposed the Bill upon generalgroands.
He did not, however, suppose that any thing he could
say would note have the effect of altering the determi-
nation or the Chat cellor of the Exchequer; yet he, did
not see hoiv thy Right Honourable Oentleman could
refuse hie assent to the amendment proposed by the
Honourable Member for Aberdeen. He would still
venture to bopp that the present Bill would not he
pressed, till all the motions for the seduction of taxation
were disposed oh
Sir F. BLAKE said he was not against a Sinking
Fund, if the country were in a proper state for such a
measure. The present system was a mere fallacy, so far
as it was .considered to operate towards the liquidation of
an enormous debt. It was like taking a bucket of water
out of a large reservoir which was abundantly supplied
by the fountain head. It appeared that the Chaucellor
of the Exchequer twit merit to himself for coming
down to that House with a new Sinking Fund, which
had all the defects of the old one which it was
grafted—

11 Timeo Danaos et lona termites."
What would he said of a married nian, who having three
children, should say, " Well, I have now three children,
hot, at all events, I'll have two more?—(A laugh.)—
Would it not be slid that he • reckoned his chickens
before they were hatched ?"—(Laughter.) Thus it was
with the Chancellor of the Exciequer and his Sinking
Fond of 5,000,0031. The Right Hon. (lent. reckoned on
two out of the five millions, befoul be got them into his
poisession. He (Sir F. B) wood certainly support the
amendment, for be would much r.ther see the people re-
lieved from taxes than the amount of the Sinking Fund

increased.
The House then divided.—For lie original motion, 82
le-For the amendment, 38—Ma)orty 44.
On our re-ndinission to the ("allay, we found
The CMANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER on his
legs, submitting a motion to the House for the third
reading of the Bill to-morrow, whim was agreed to after
a'few words from Mr. blaberly.
ASSESSED TLX
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER mwved
the Order of the Day for the third reading of the Assess-
ed Taxes Reduction Bill.
Mr. MABERLY said he would, on an early occasion,
take the sense of the House upon the guidon fur repeal-

ing the whole of these taxes.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed
that this at least was a candid opposition.
Mr. Alderman WOOD complained of the hardship
which the proprietors of shops and warehouses were
under, on being obliged to pay a guinea year for each
person temporarily employed in them, not selling, not
selling goods. He wished to introduce a clause for do-
ing away this oppressive tax,
Mr. CURWEN was anxious that the whole or the
Window Tax should, be repealed.
Mr. HUME thought that a viatica ought to be
introduced fur exempting window lights in small

schools.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
that the schools now established for the education of the
poor, were generally largo buildings, well lighted and
ventilated. la most instances such buildings were ay.
empted from the tax.
Mr. HUME and the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE-
QUER briefly explained.
Mr. Alderman WOOD then proposed his clause re-
specting persons employed in shops and warehouses.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ob-
jected to it upon the ground that the question was
now before the Judges, and he did not think that any le-
gislative measure should be adopted with respect to it
pending the decision
Mr. Alderman WOOD said a few words in explana-
dos, after which the clause was withdrawn.
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
The King's Property Bill was read a second time, and
ordered to be committed to-morrow.
The Marriage Act Repeal Kill was read a second time,
after a few words from Or. PIIIILLIMORS, Dr. LUSKIN°.
TON, and Mr. ADSRCROMBY. It wrs ordered to be com-
mitted on Tuesday next, when it is understood the dis-
cussion will take pia- e.
The Marine Mutiny Bill was read a second tittle, and
ordered to be committed to-morrow.

PINANC6 RtTURNII.
Mr. HUME moved for returns of the semi receipts of
the Revenue, exclusive of Loans, from the Lth January,
1/116, to the rnlrJ &nasty, 1823 ; also returns of the actual
amount of expenditure, exclusive of the charges of the
Sinking Fund, &c.—Ordered.
IMP APPAINTICEe.
Mr. HUSKISSON moved the Order of the Day for
the House to resolve itself into a Committee, on the Act
for regulating the number of Apprentices to be taken on
beard merchant vessels. In the course of some observa-
tion% the Right Hon. Gentleman said that his object
was to propose that all the traders in the country should
be obliged to take a certain number of apprentices in
proportion to the sire of the vessel. He should propose
that every vessel of 80 tons up to 200 should bate one
apprentice; and also that the term of protection, from
impressment should be fool- years instead of three, as at
present. He had consulted with the ship-owners and the
Lords of the Admiralty on the subject, and be was happy
to say that they entirely agreed in the measure be had in
view. The Right Honourable Gentleman concluded
by moving a Resolution to the effect, that leave be
given to bring kr a Bill to regulate the number of ap-
prentices to he taken on board British merchant vessels.
Mr. VERNAL expressed his approbation of the mea-
sure, and suggested a revision of all the laws relating
to seamen, which he thought would confer a great be-
nefit on the commercial classes, and on the country in
general.
lily. RICARDO said a few words, which were bleu ii-
hie in the gallery.
Mr. T. WILSON supported the Resolution, and, said.
by giving encouragement and protection to seamen's ap-
prentices till the age of twenty-one years. the country
would always have a nursery of active seamen at the least
possible expense.
Mr. HUME said he could not agree to all the ergo-
*rents urged by tie Right fion.Geatlemtn, and he hoped
p, would pause before be hurried the Bill through the
use.
Mr. HUSKISSON said be had no wide to lorry the
Bill. It had the approbation of the shipping interests of
the country.
Mr. RICARDO wished to know if the Right lion.
Gent. was sure that the tailors themselves were satisfied
with the proposed tonsure. He had so doubt bet their
masters approved of it. . ,
Aftet tew words from Me. ORRIVAL aftd Mr, PLUM-
MER, the Resolution Was agreed to.