§ Mr. R. Curriewished to put a question to the right hon. 1220 Baronet (Sir Robert Peel), in reference to his proposed financial and commercial alterations. He begged to say, that he asked the question from no party motives; but simply because the reply might regulate the course he should feel it his duty to pursue, on the House going into committee to consider them. When the right hon. Baronet brought forward his financial proposition, he stated in the most explicit manner that it was his intention to stand or fall by its rejection or adoption. The question he wished to ask was, whether the right hon. Baronet's declaration applied to the main principles of the tariff in the same force as it applied to the imposition of an Income-tax? Of course he did not mean to ask the right hon. Baronet to pledge himself to all the details of the tariff; for it was quite evident that subsequent information and consideration might induce the Government to make alterations in the details; but what he wanted to know was, whether the right hon. Baronet meant to uphold the main principle of the tariff—namely, the reduction of duty on articles of general consumption, and especially on food and cattle, with the same firmness and determination as the right hon. Baronet intended to uphold the principle pf his proposed tax on income?
§ Sir R. Peelstated in reply, that he certainly had said, as the hon. Gentleman represented, that the Government, in bringing forward so important a measure as the proposed Income-tax, for the purpose of relieving the country from its financial embarrassments, brought it forward as a Government measure, and an the whole responsibility of the Government. When it was considered that the proposal of the Income-tax was to become the foundation of the financial and commercial policy of the Government, he felt it to be evident that the measure was of such importance that its failure must decide the fate of the Government. He was sure hon. Gentlemen would not take advantage of this declaration, and apply it rigidly to every detail. He spoke of the Income-tax as the foundation of the financial and commercial policy of the country; and he said, that with respect to the details, in the mode of collection, for instance, there were modifications which he intended to propose. With respect to the tariff, there were of necessity many persons whose interests were affected by 1221 it; and he must reserve to himself the power of communicating with them, and making such modifications in the details as might appear desirable. He had brought forward these measures, financial and commercial, as a whole, and with the sineere desire and intention to do justice as far as possible between the producing and commercial classes of the community. Subsequent reflection had confirmed him in the opinion, that though the tariff affected many interests, yet that, on the whole, the arrangements he had proposed were just, and it was his intention, with reference to the general principle of the measure, to uphold them,
Lord J. Russellsaid, that an amended edition, of the tariff, having errors of the press corrected, and containing many alterations, which on consideration might be deemed advisable, had been promised to be ready on the meeting of the [louse. He wished to know whether this, amended edition were now ready, or whether it would be soon prepared?
§ Sir R. Peelhad stated generally he could not lead the House to expect any important alteration in the tariff. Various trades were, however, anxious to state their views to the Government, and those communications were still going on. It was desirable that the Government should have an opportunity of hearing an explanation of the views of the different parties before reprinting the tariff, which would be done at as early a period as possible. He would undertake to say, that all the parties, or the greater portion of them, who asked interviews with the Government, would be heard by Monday next; and on that day he would lay the amended tariff on the Table of the House. Though he proposed to make modifications in details, the general principle would be adhered to.