The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-14 00:00:00

IRMO LAW COURTS MILL.

On the motion of Mr. 601:1.11liaN, this Bill was read
a second time, ordered to be printed, and to be committed
on Monday nest.

NAYS AND MEANS.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that
the house do resolve itself into a Committee of Ways and
Means, and that the accounts of the Navy and Mili-
tary Pensioee, and of the East India Cotnpany's
pay list, Ste., he referred to the said Gonitnittee.L.-
Agreed to.
The house having resolved itself into the said Committee
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved, that,
in order to make up the supply granted to his Majesty for
the year 1524, the usual duties on tobacco and snuff be cett-
tine•ti for the present year.
This Resolution was agreed to, as was also another
for the con'inuance of a ditty of 4a. io the polite!, to
he raised on all salaries and ii‘msions fur the current
year.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER next moved
the continuance, till the 23th of March, W 2.5, of the usual
annual duties on sugar.
Mr HUME rose to object to the continuance, in thee of
peace of the extra ditties, which were laid on sugar to meet
the exiecticies of war. lie had no doubt but if these duties
were reduced, the consumption would be increased, the re-
venue improved, anti the colonies bettered thereby. The
house had, in the case of the salt duties, an example of the
effect of such reduction of taxation. Notwithstanding the
reduction of 2s. per bushel on that duty, the revenue front
it was, as he understood. considerably increased. Why
then should not the sarue experiment be made on the suyte
duties? He felt perfectly satisfied that, instead of a loss,
the revenue would gaits thereby.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
the duties comprehended in the Resoltition were no more
than the usual duties granted from year to year. The oft
duty was 15s. per cwt. Which was increased to the present
sum by three differrt.t Acts of Parlinni,nt.• The present
amount yearly was about three millions and a half, and
it would he rather ominous to reduce them t.o.v, by a tt::1-
lion and a half. As they were nutty voted from year to yt. et.
another opportunity would occer for discussing the p; ,-
,priety of continuing them ally longer.
Mr. HUME desired to know the several Acts by which
the duties were raised.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER now stated
(as we nadere ood) that the original duties were I 5&
cwt, of sugar, and that they were raised to double that teas
by the 24th, 27th, and 37th of George 111.
Mr. HUME said, that be should move as an amendment
to the Resolution, that those duties be reticced to rt,. per
cwt. He expressed his surprise that theatt who were ner!
immediately interested in th it question did not exert them-
selves to reduce those duties, particularly when, as tie It is
informed, there were sisLmillions of surplus revenue in the
Exchequer this year... At the commencement of thus.,
duties, they were expressly declared to be war duties, aad
the Chancellor of the kinehequer was in honour bound to
reduce them to 155., which seas the duty before the war.
As we bad for this yeana surplus revenue of 6,000,0 W,
and as be was sure the effect of the reduction of this lax
would be an increase of.revenne, he was resolved to take
the sense of the house on- his amendment,
and he was
sure the house and the eowntry would go along with him.
He, however, suggested tts. the Right Hon. Gentleman,
the propriety of postponisig the Resolution, till be would
take time to consider it.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
this vote he proposed as the usu a- annual vote among the
ways and means,- for granting.e. supply to his Majesty.
He had not the remotest idea *at ill e ,Hol. Ueetlesloan
(Mr. Home), or any other Hos. *leashes wea' object to
it. At the same time, as a question was taisedvand H the
present was 'an inconvenient moment for discussing it, 04