"That it is the opinion of this Committee that the repeal of the malt drawback in Ireland will not be prejudicial either to the trade in spirits, or to the revenue, in that country."

missioners of Excise Inquiry, of which possessors of malt from the competition, Sir II. Parnell was the chairman. The so far as the one-half in the amount of the report of the Commissioners also recom- duty is concerned to which they will be mended terminating the drawback on spi- subjected, and for that stock in hand they rits made from malt in Scotland. That is will receive a drawback in proportion to at present 8d. per gallon; and, of course, the reduction of the duty. I do not know if there were a reduction of the duty by that this is the convenient moment at one-half, it would only be 4d. per gallon. which I should attempt to place before the But here is the report of the Committee on House the effect of these changes upon the Spirit Duties in Ireland :the revenue, It will probably be more convenient that at a subsequent part of my statement I should place the effect of those changes before the House. I will, then, once more, merely recapitulate, for the sake of clearness, what this change is. We propose to reduce the duty on malt one-half; we propose that there shall be no difference between the duty on malt raised from barley and from bere and bigg. This will occasion some accession to the revenue, though it is not for that object, but in order to simplify the subject as much as possible, that I recommend it to the House. We propose to put an end to the drawback allowed in Scotland on spirits raised from malt; and we propose that the reduction shall take place on the 10th of October next, on which day the whole stock in hand throughout the country will be taken, and a drawback allowed to the holders of that stock proportionate in amount to the reduction of the duty.

That was in 1842. In consequence of that, the drawback in Ireland was terminated without a murmur. It has given general satisfaction, and I am certain that the repeal of the drawback in Scotland will prove equally successful. There are many points in the report of the Commissioners of Excise Inquiry as regards malt which are well worthy of the consideration of the House. They particularly dilate on the length of credit which is given in that trade. They show the vicious principle on which that system has been established; and they recommend that the credit should be limited to the same duration which applies to all other exciseable articles. I confess I am not prepared to give unqualified adhesion to that recommendation. I think it is of the greatest importance that in all these changes the particular trades involved should be disturbed as little as possible; and, though I think that the principles laid down in that report are sound principles, and that ultimately we should look as much as possible in this country to diminish the system of long credits, which is not adapted to the prineiple on which our commerce is conducted at present, but which was the result, I think, of paper currency and war speculation-still, at the same time, I think it would not be wise unqualifiedly and entirely to adopt the recommendation of the Commissioners in this respect. We pro pose, then, that on the 10th of October next the malt duty shall be reduced onehalf. We have fixed on that period, of course, after due examination into the question when the change could take place with the least inconvenience to the trade, and, as we believe, with the most general benefit to the community, and the 10th of October is the day on which we have fixed. On that day we propose to take the stock on hand throughout the country, and of course we shall guard those who are then

Well, Sir, following the principle which I have laid down, that in the present state of affairs we should consider our taxation mainly as it regards the great body of the consumers, believing that that policy will afford the most legitimate, the surest, and the most efficient means of relieving the industry of the country, I proceed now to another branch of the question. I have shown you that by the manner in which we propose to deal with the malt tax we benefit largely, as we believe, the consumer; but in doing so we think that incidentally-and that was only a secondary purpose-we are giving most efficient aid to the agricultural interest, far beyond what dealing with local taxation would give. Now, Sir, I come to another branch of the subject. I come to deal with an article as popular with the people as malt, as much a necessary of life, and subjected to a much heavier tax. I am about to recommend to the House to deal with the tea duties. Sir, I know the prejudices that exist among a certain class of persons on the subject of the tea duties; but having had occasion to look very much into this question, I have been amused in mark

ing the rise of opinion-the gradual der the freer trade, though subjected to a formation of opinion on this article of colossal duty; when we look to all the eviproduce, now almost one of paramount dence before us, and to the gradual dimi interest in this country. I hardly know nution always of price, we have a right, I anything more diverting than to open think, prima facie to conclude that there Pepys's Diary, where we see it stated, will be no difficulty in supplying the de"Took a cup of the new China drink mand for tea in this country. But, Sir, -very pleasant," and to remember that Her Majesty's Government, in dealing with not two centuries have passed, and the this important subject, have not deemed it exotic novelty which pleased one even- consistent with their duty merely to depend ing that fantastic gentleman is now the upon their own conclusions, formed from principal solace of every cottage in the books, and their observation of what occurs kingdom. Well, Sir, the great objection around them. They have had an opportunity which has been urged at different times of consulting those who are great authoriand by persons in authority-for I think it ties on the subject, who, by their foreign right to state a case of this kind as fairly residence, their particular study of the as possible-is, that in dealing with tea, matter in question, and their natural aptiwe deal with an article of limited produc- tude to form conclusions upon such subtion. True it is that since Mr. Pepys had jects, should be entitled to guide the judghis cup of the "new China drink"-true ment of any Administration. They have it is that since certainly the commence- applied to those who, locally, were the ment of the last century, when only best capable of forming an opinion500,000 lb. of tea were imported into this though, of course, to form an opinion on country at a very high price, we have end- a subject in a country like China is much ed in importing more than 70,000,000 lb. more difficult than in other countries— in one year, and every year at a cheaper nevertheless, we have now some knowrate. These would seem to be facts in ledge of China; nevertheless, there are inthe face of which it is very difficult to be- dividuals who are very competent to guide lieve that the production of tea can be even a Government on such subjects; and, limited. A production so immensely in- after bestowing upon this question the most creased, and always imported at a lower laborious investigation, and having omitted price, appears to be one, the supply of no efforts to obtain the most accurate inforwhich cannot certainly be likely to fail. mation; having suggested every means and But in the year 1834, I think, or shortly every test by which that information could after the passing of the Reform Bill, when be brought to bear-having even personally the trade with China was opened-when had the honour and satisfaction of conferthe charter of the East India Company ring with some peculiarly qualified to offer was about to be, or had become, matter of an opinion on the subject-Her Majesty's discussion-it was always urged by per- Government have arrived at the conclusion sons of authority, against opening the which, to use the most moderate language trade with China, that we should be greatly I can command, may be thus expresseddisappointed in what would occur, because, that there can be no prospect of any want the supply of tea being limited, it was of a supply of tea to this country. It is quite impossible that there could be any under these circumstances, Sir, that we reduction in the price. The supply of tea approach this question. We must rememwas then, I think, about 30,000,000 lb. ber some facts of importance; we must reper annum. Now, we have, last year, member that since the year 1841 the animported the unprecedented amount of nual increase in the consumption of tea in 71,466,000 lb., our consumption being, in this country has been 1,727,000 lb. There round numbers, 54,000,000 lb. It is quite has been a gradual increase from 1841 of clear, therefore, that the importation of the consumption of tea, even at a duty of tea is still greater than our consumption; 240 per cent, and that increase during the and it is also quite clear that the duties last few years has been much larger. The which exist, which are nearly 240 per increase in the consumption during the last cent per lb., check a consumption equal to six years, without any reduction of duty, the importation. Well, Sir, when we look has been nearly 10,000,000 lb. In 1851 to the gradual increase in the importation the consumption in round numbers was of tea; when we look to the broad fact 54,000,000 lb., while in 1844 it was that 30,000,000 lb. under the restricted 44,000,000 lb. In considering this subtrade have increased to 71,466,000 lb. un-ject, it was impossible to shut our eyes to

Sir, there is one duty I am about to deal with, and which is connected with this branch of the subject, and which, perhaps, I ought to have adverted to before, and that is the hop duty. We are unwilling to make this effort to give cheap beer to the people without dealing with one of the important ingredients of that beverage. The House is aware there are two duties now levied upon hops. There is the old duty of the time of Queen Anne, and there is the war duty imposed during our great European struggle. Those duties are almost equal in amount; in round numbers, without the fractions, they amount nearly to about 1d. per lb. each, and what we propose is, that the old war duty-a very unpopular duty-a duty which ought never to have been continued-should be remit

tablishing machinery which will bring them down to 1s. a lb., it cannot be said we have been unmindful of the claims of the community, subjected to the principle of unrestricted competition.

very safe figure. Instead of 54,000,000, 1 upon which the last January revenue was raised, I only put 60,000,000 lb. for the first year of the reduced duty, being an increase of 6,000,000 lb., but virtually not much more than 3,000,000 lb.; because, as I have told the House, the consumption of tea has so much increased on the quantity on which the revenue was last taken in January 1852, that probably the amount of the consumption of tea for this year will be 57,000,000 lb. Therefore, virtually, I only calculate upon an increase of 3,000,000 lb. at the reduced duty for the first year. I think, when we take the average of a great many years, and find that we have from year to year attained a similar increase, that we may well calculate upon an increase of 2,000,000 lb. a year. That is not an excessive calculation. ted. At present we do not propose to take I think the reduction we propose is one off all. Something must be left for future that we can make with perfect safety to our statements. Still I think in reducing the finances, as I will show to the House when hop duty one-half, and the malt duty oneI sum up the changes in the taxation of half, and reducing the tea duties immethe country which Her Majesty's Govern-diately considerably in the pound, and in esment have determined to recommend. I propose, then, in regard to tea, that we should immediately reduce the duty 44d. a lb., and that in each subsequent year it should be reduced 2d. per lb. until it arrives at 1s. I believe that if you adopt that system you will very little injure the re-importance which I think I ought to touch venue, that you will gradually enable the people of this country to have a supply, at a very reasonable rate, of a very favourite beverage; and that you will do more than that that you will give a great stimulus to the commerce, the shipping, and the manufactures of this country. For my own part, I do not know any measure more calculated to give a great stimulus to the commerce and shipping of this country than a measure dealing largely and extensively with the tea duties; and, although I might have been glad to offer to the House a project with regard to this duty which, at the first blush, might seem of a more favourable character, yet, considering the circumstances under which Her Majesty's Government make their exposition of the financial policy they recommend that the financial year is not yet concluded, and other circumstances-I am persuaded we have taken a prudent as well as a bold course; and that, if the House accepts our proposition, they will have consented to one of the most important arrangements, and sanctioned one of the most effectual measures, ever brought forward to stimulate the commerce of this country.

Now, Sir, there is one point of some

upon. We are raising the revenue of this country, and recommending all these measures on the principle that the revenue of this country shall mainly depend on the consuming power of the people. But it has been said of late, it has been rumoured about with considerable vehemence, that the consuming power of the people is rapidly diminishing. Some modern economists-I speak of those statements which meet us in many quarters and in many places-say that the consuming power of the people is in a state of rapid diminution; and I think I am only doing my duty in calling the attention of the House to that subject, for it is one that very much agitates the public mind; and it is the duty of the House to instruct the public mind upon subjects of so much importance; for, if that is true, certainly the principle upon which I am now recommending these measures is erroneous and mistaken. Now, Sir, I have no hesitation in saying that no evidence reaches me which in any way leads me to believe there is the slightest foundation for the opinion which is said to prevail--that the consuming power of the people is diminishing. I apprehend the idea which

has given rise to the opinion that the con- | in fact, only 100,000 a year, while there suming power of the people is diminishing, is an addition of 200,000 to its population. is founded upon the emigration that has There is nothing, it would seem, excestaken place from this country; and that is sively apprehensive in the fact that our a subject to which the hon. and learned emigration, stimulated by the higher aspiMember for Wolverhampton called the at- rations of man, and not occasioned by a tention of the House the other night. sense of misery, so far affects our populaThere is no doubt that, if we look to the tion that 100,000 persons quit us, while returns of emigration, we shall find that the natural increase of our population is there has been a greater amount of emi- 200,000; but, even if there were 200,000 gration from this country within this or 300,000 of our population quitting year than is counterbalanced by the England, I could not view emigration, births that have been registered in Eng- under such conditions as those under which land and Wales. In the year 1849 the emigration from Great Britain takes the emigration was, in round numbers, place, as a source of weakness to the 300.000; in 1850, 280,000; in 1851, country, or, which is the point for us to 335,000; and on the 1st of October, consider, in speaking of the finances of 1852, the last return I have, that is to the country as a source of diminution say, in three quarters of a year, they are in its consuming power. On the conin amount nearly equal to the whole of trary-though one naturally shrinks from the year 1851-namely, 332,000. There paradoxes upon a subject so grave--my is no doubt also that the births of this own opinion is that it has a tendency country, in the year 1851, were in round to increase the consuming power. Every numbers little more than 600,000, and the emigrant from England generally becomes deaths amounted to 400,000. So it would an English colonist, and an English coloseem from these returns that our births nist becomes an English customer, and exceeded our deaths by 200,000 in the our markets are stimulated, our people are year 1851; and that our emigration ex- employed, and their wages are improved ceeded the superfluity of our births by by the very circumstance which some reconsiderably above 100,000; but if these gard as tending to our decay and desolafacts are a little examined-if they are a tion. But, even if I look to the case of little analysed, it will be found there is no Ireland, where emigration takes place foundation for the conclusions that have under conditions so contrary to those of been hastily drawn from them. In the England, I am still obliged to arrive at a first place, the return of our births, mar similar conclusion. Have hon. Gentlemen riages, and deaths is confined to England remembered what the state of Ireland was and Wales; in the second place, the a few years ago?-have they forgotten amount of emigration from England and that memorable document, the Report of Wales is small-two-thirds of it is from the Devon Commission ?-have they reIreland, a country which does not figure membered that description, which circuin the returns of our births and population.lated throughout Europe, of there being Then we have to consider the different in Ireland 2,400,000 paupers-that more causes that have produced emigration from than one-third of the people were receiving Ireland, and emigration from England. no wages of any kind-that they were The emigration from Ireland is produced living in hovels, littered on straw, feeding by a social system that has broken to pieces; ou dry roots, and often on seaweed? That it is produced, I may say, by the misery was the description given by Royal Comof the people. Now, the emigration from missioners, under a Royal Commission, of England is produced by causes exactly the a great portion of the people of Ireland. contrary to those I have stated with re- Well, then, you have got rid, in a certain spect to Ireland. The people in this coun- degree, of that population. It is, no try were never better off, but they have doubt, a dark passage-it is, no doubt, a foreign inducements that act upon their gloomy chapter, in the history of any spirit of energy and enterprise, and they country, that such events should occur; are determined to seek even better fortunes but I am only looking at it in a financial than they experience in their native land. point of view to-night. I am bound, in That is the first point-that is the great bringing forward measures, such as, on difference between the causes that have the part of the Government, I am now produced the emigration of the two coun- bringing forward, not to evade a matter tries. The emigration from England is, of such vast interest, upon the truth of