§ The House resolved itself into a Committee on the Postage Rates. On the resolution relative to the rate of postage to the colonies,
§ Mr. Humerose to inquire, why newspapers were not sent as free of postage to the colonies as they were to the Isle of Man and to Ireland? The high rate of postage at which they were charged prevented a free dissemination of knowledge between the parent state and the colonies. By returns which had been laid on the table, he observed that, for some time past, the number of newspapers sent to our colonial dependencies had been regularly diminishing. In 1810, the number of daily papers sent to them amounted to only 383; in 1817, they had diminished to 271, and in 1821, to 206. This was attributable to the high rate of postage charged upon them. A daily paper was charged 12l. 14s.; a paper printed three days a week, 7l. 14s. 4d., and a weekly paper, about 2l. 4s. He was authorized to state, by more than one newspaper proprietor, that it was their decided opinion, that if newspapers were allowed to go free of expense to the colonies, the loss which would accrue to the revenue from such a measure would be more than compensated by the increased number of stamps which would then be used. He could find no act of parliament authorizing the government to levy postage upon newspapers going abroad; and if there was such an act, he should like to know where it was to be found. The hon. member concluded by moving a resolu- 502 tion, the effect of which was, to exempt newspapers from postage that were going to any part of the British dominions.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerobserved, that as he had not expected this question to come on this evening, he had omitted to bring down with him a memorandum which would have enabled him to inform the hon. member, when the act of parliament was passed by which this postage was enacted. It was, however, an act of old date which imposed this postage, and which authorized certain officers of the Post-office to apply it to their own use. He was sure that all who heard him would agree, that there were no public officers who deserved a liberal remuneration more than the gentlemen engaged in the Post-office. Mr. Freeling was one of the most useful public officers in the country, and was therefore entitled to be most liberally dealt with. He had a fact to relate, which he thought would convince the hon. member that he would best consult the public convenience by withdrawing his motion. It would be recollected that, in the last year, the commissioners of inquiry had received powers to inquire into the various fees and emoluments received by the different clerks in the Post-office. They were now engaged upon that inquiry, and he thought it would be greatly impeded, if the House should come to a resolution to repeal those acts. Pie therefore trusted that the hon. member would withdraw his motion. If he did not, he must meet it with a decided negative.
§ Mr. Humesaid, he had no objection to to put off his motion, if any inconvenience was likely to arise from it; provided the right hon. gentleman did not mean to let the question drop. He trusted there would be no objection to the insertion of a clause in the act of parliament, authorising the Treasury to carry such a measure into immediate execution, if the commissioners of inquiry should recommend it. His object in suggesting such a clause was, to guard against the evil of postponing the operation to another year.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerdisapproved altogether of such a singular mode of legislation. They had no right to conjecture what the commissioners might propose, and therefore none to adopt any proceeding founded on the anticipation of their judgment.
§ Mr. Humesaid, that all he wished was, to guard against the loss of a whole year, 503 in coming to what he conceived to be a beneficial arrangement. It was possible, that the commissioners might delay their report to a period of the session which would render it difficult, if not impracticable, for parliament to act upon their suggestion.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, he could not pledge himself as to the time when the report would be made, but he was certain that no unnecessary delay would take place.
§ Mr. J. Martinsaid, that as the postage rates were before the House, he wished to ask a question relative to a project which existed some years ago of building a new Post-office. He believed that 140,000l. had been expended in purchasing land for the site of it. Now, was the idea of building it abandoned? If it was, the land ought to be sold, and the proceeds paid into the Treasury: if it was not, what had become of the plans, and when were they to be carried into execution?
The Chancellor of the Exchequeradmitted, that this project had for some time past been in abeyance. By the act for building a new Post-office, the city had been compelled to advance a certain sum of money, and had actually advanced 80,000l. on the security of two city bonds. In the course of last year, the proceeds of one of those bonds had been paid into the consolidated fund, and the other was now in the hands of the Post-master-general. It had been submitted to him by some individuals in the city, that as the city had furnished so large a sum, some measures ought to be taken for carrying the projected plan into execution. The consequence was, that he had taken the subject into consideration; and, upon the best attention he could give to it, he had decided, that the interest of the public would be promoted by proceeding with it with as little delay as possible. Plans had been submitted to him, which appeared fully equal to the purposes for which they were intended, and orders had been since given to competent persons to execute them. Though much money had already been expended on this project, it would not be necessary for him to call upon parliament at present for more.
Mr. Baringwished to know whether the city had given the sum which it had been originally agreed that it should contribute. He had understood, that the 504 whole of the money voted for this building had been expended, as was predicted in the committee, in buying and clearing ground for its erection. Was this so or not?
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, that the city had complied with all the terms which had been demanded of it. He was sorry to observe, that a large sum had been expended in obtaining the objects which the hon. member had just mentioned.
Mr. Alderman Woodadded, that the city had not merely complied with the terms exacted from it, but had also been 30,000l. out of pocket by this project.
§ Mr. Humesaid, that there was another point to which he wished to call the attention of the right hon. gentleman. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, no foreign post left London. This was found very inconvenient by several merchants; and it had been suggested to him to ask, whether some alteration could not be made in the present practice, so that the foreign post should go out on alternate days throughout the week.
§ The amendment was withdrawn, and the resolutions agreed to.