The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, that it certainly was not the intention of government to propose an equalization of this tax. While he made this declaration, he conceived himself bound to say, that he thought the course pursued by the petitioners from the inland districts injudicious, and that he did not see how any practical advantage was likely to result from the agnation of the question.
§ Mr. Lambtonthought the most advise-able mode of proceeding would be to have the subject investigated in a committee.
§ Mr. Davenportconceived, that an equalization of the duty on coals would be an act of the greatest injustice, and that the owners of collieries were entitled to claim the protection of parliament. Nothing could be more narrow-minded than to lay a duty at this time on a material on which the manufactures of the country were so dependent. A tax on coals at the pit would be most impolitic.
§ Mr. Littletoncould not say that this declaration of the chancellor of the exchequer was satisfactory to him. Till he heard a declaration from government, expressing their opinion of the injustice of an equalization of this tax, and that they would not, under any circumstances, support a proposition for such an equalization, he would take every opportunity of exciting a discussion on the subject. He hoped the hon. member for the county of Durham, if he had any intention of moving for a committee, would state whether it was his intention to move for such a committee before Easter.
§ Mr. Lambtonsaid, he had already stated that he thought this subject ought to be investigated in a committee. Whatever might be the opinion of members, it was but right that both parties should have a hearing. Those who petitioned against the existing duty, were confident that in a committee they would be able to prove its injustice and impolicy. He himself had no doubt that they would bring forward evidence to show, not only that the city of London, but that all the coast ought to be relieved from the tax. They would prove that this relief would cause a great increase in the coasting trade, and thus afford employment to a number of seamen —a consideration of the utmost importance in the present circumstances of the country. He hoped they would be able to prove before a committee, the justice and policy of taking off the duty altogether. In answer to the question put to him, he had only to say that the hon. member for Surrey had given notice of his intention to bring the subject before the House, and he did not know whether he would do so before Easter or not.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, that he should certainly oppose the appointment of such a committee. He could not see that the agnation of the question could be attended with any benefit.
§ Mr. Holme Sumnersaid, that whether or not any of the members for the city intended to bring the subject before the House, he did not know; but he himself should not shrink from the danger. The persons whom he represented had long been oppressed by this tax, and the apathy with which they bore it was astonishing. But if they had hitherto neglected their interests, he trusted they would now exert themselves to see justice done.
Mr. Wilsonthought, that the equalization should not be pressed, if it would hurt the manufacturers: but he trusted that the metropolis and other places could be relieved without burthening the manufacturer.
§ Mr. C. Calvertsaid, that should the chancellor of the exchequer continue to oppose the motion for the appointment of a committee, he hoped he would experience a disappointment similar to that felt by ministers when left in a minority two evenings ago.
§ Mr. Bennetsaid, that at a time when the manufactures in almost every part of the kingdom were in a struggling condition, and the labourers almost reduced to beggary, it would be most impolitic to lay a tax on the coals employed in the manufacturing districts, under the idea of equalizing the duty: but he would willingly vote for the repeal of the tax altogether.
§ Mr. Littletonstated that the numerous manufacturers whom he represented, were not able to bear the present taxes, and consequently were incapable of bearing additional duties. Whether a new or an amended law was in contemplation, he thought, in a financial view, the chancellor of the exchequer ought not to consent to any alteration of the inland coal duties, as it would not only severely affect his constituents, but prove very oppressive to other manufacturing counties.
§ Mr. Hart Davisexpressed himself in favour of the equalization.
§ Mr. Alderman Waithmansaid, that the corporation of London had not yet given any opinion on the question. It was the inhabitants of Westminster and of the Borough, who had held meetings and petioned on the subject. But the corporation would soon take the subject into consideration; and he had no doubt bat they would agree with their fellow citizens, 858 and petition against the grievous oppression of the tax.
§ The petition was ordered to lie on the table.