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    December 11, 1852.] THE L E A D E R. 117...

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    The Pabliamekt O$ The Week. Thj0 Flbench...

    He had accepted the wording of this resolution froin the Earl of Derby in the hope of securing unanimity by concession , but he had been disappointed in that expectation . He regretted having adopted such a course , as he preferred his own resolution , whilst that of the noble earl had exposed him to opposition from all parties . He assured the House that he had learned a lesson from this matter -which would not in future be lost upon him . - ¦

    The Earl of Aberdeen , as one of the oldest and most intimate friends of Sir Robert Peel , congratulated the House and the country on the success of his measures . He would not himself have advised or proposed any vote of this description , a 3 he held that their lordships had , in 1846 , pronounced a very decided opinion upon the subject of our commercial policy , and nothing had since been done to indicate the slightest reaction towards the old system . At the same time , he could not comprehend why the resolution to which the Commons had agreed should be objected to by noble lords opposite . The present resolution , however , was a reactionary resolution . It was so constructed , that the logical and fair inference from it was , that the Government would agree to a change in our policy , were it not for the evils that would attend it . But this was

    not a sufficient ground for their adhering to the present system . If they adhered to it , it was because it was " wise , and just , and beneficial , " and this he wished the House to affirm . . . Lord Beaumont insisted that the resolution passed in the House of Commons could not be construed as a reflection on the Government , otherwise how could Ministers in that House have supported it ; and if it were not insulting , why did not Lord Derby accept it ? Lord Clanricarde had shown a wonderful complaisance in yielding , not only the two resolutions he had intended to . move , but in adopting the resolution drawn up by Lord Derby . For himself , he was not content with that resolution , and he should move the resolution agreed to in the House of Commons .

    The Earl of Derby ; described the view he took of the present position of the question , and urged that the noble marquis had deliberately adopted the words of the present motion in order that there might be no division of opinion upon the subject . He put it to the House whether , consistently with their lordships' ordinary practice , they could give their support to the amendment , of which no notice had been given . He did not think any resolution was ne cessary on the part of the Government , as they had given ample evidence of their full intention to carry out t he principles of Free-trade ; but he contended that noble lords would best promote the same object by affirming that principle in such a manner as should secure t he greatest unanimity in support of the resolution . m

    •• ' My lords , I will not now enter into any discussion of tho wisdom , expediency , and justice of the measure of 184 ( 5 . I differed from the policy , and still more widely from tho justice , of the introduction of that measure at tho timo when it was introduced and by the man by whom it was introduced , and I gave tho fullest proof of the sincerity of my opinions by abandoning tho colleagues with whom I had no other ground of difference ; but from that time to this , I defy ( I do not uso the word offensively ) , tho warmest friends of the lato Sir Kobert Peel to find in any speech or " writing of mine a singlo expression derogatory to his chahad with

    racter ; and the only serious misunderstanding I my noblo and lamented friend , tho b . to Lord George Hentinck—a misunderstanding which I am happy to say was thoroughly removed before bis lamented death—was upon a full and frank expression of my opinion that nothing could bo moro unfitting or more impolitic than to load with terms of vituperation those from whom wo are compelled by political reasons to differ . " In conclusion , ho entreated the House not to enter upon a useless discussion about the past , and to give the Government credit for having no intention whatever

    to adopt a reactionary policy . The Marquis of Lansdowne said he could not vote in favour of the amendment , in consequence of what had taken place the other iwght ; but bin noble friend wan justified in calling on their lordships to express an opinion so decided on the subject that the House and the Government should not readily ho able to depart from it . Tho motion fell sort of wlmt the occasion de manded , but he could not recommend their lordships , under the circumstances , to refuse it .

    Tho Karl of IIaukowu y / suggested that the simplest and best course of arriving at a unanimouB conclusion would bo to omit the preamble of the resolution , avoid the allegation of any reasons , ami declare " That this House , thankfully acknowledging tho general prosperit y , adheres to tho oonnuorcinl HyHteiu recently established , and would view with regret any renewed attempt to disturb Hh operation or impede its further l > rogr « 8 « . " That would Ijo u moro statesmanlike proposition .

    The Duko of Nkwoahtms concurred in tho HtiggeHtio u of tho noblo Karl who spoke hint . Tho preamble luul no particular value in tho eyes of tUo noblo

    Murquis who proposed it , while it had been received with disfavour on other sides of the House . The remainder of his speech consisted of an able defence of Sir Robert Peel , and a vindication of his policy ; especially as contrasted with that of Lord Derby . Sir Robert Peel had not made agitation against the Reform Act the basis of his party ; quite the reverse j therefore a declaration , in 1835 , that he would not disturb the

    Reform Act was not demanded of him . Sir Robert Peel had manfully and openly changed his opinion in 1845 , and retired from office ; " but what we complain of in the conduct of Lord Derby is , that he has not changed his opinion . " If he had come forward even at the eleventh hour , and avowed a change , then there would have been no more necessity to bind the Government than to bind that House ; but he had not done so ; and a resolution was necessary .

    The resolution and the amendment were withdrawn , and Lord Haerowby carried his amendment , as a substantive resolution , without opposition . What an undignified climax to the great struggle for Free-trade or Protection !

    THE BUDGET : INCOME-TAX . The final discussion in the House of Lcrds finishes our account with the past ; and the financial projects of Mr . Disraeli carry us'fairly onward into the now undisputed regions of Free-trade taxation . Let us see how Ministers seem likely to fare . On the motion for going into Committee of Supply , Mr . Gladstone made a statement respecting the Income-tax , the House-tax , and the Tea duties , and the form of proceeding about to be adopted . He objected to taking the House-tax before the Income-tax ; it was by no mean * the constitutional order of proceeding . They were about to provide for the financial year of 1853 , and in April the Income-tax would cease . That Income-tax supplied one-tenth of the revenue ; and

    they were to be called upon to decide on the augmentation of the House-tax before they knew whether the Income-tax would be continued . Then they were not called on merely to vote the renewal , but the reconstruction of the Income-tax . To that , lie and others entertained wholly insurmountable objections . And , in respect of the proposal to vary the rate on incomes , to that he must offer the most strenuous opposition . The foundation of his objection was , that it would commit a breach of the public faith to the national creditor . And he quoted the Loan Act , and cited the opinion of Mr . Pitt , to show that loans had been contracted on condition that they should be " free from all taxes , charges , and impositions whatever ; " that fundholders might be taxed as the recipients of incomes , but not as fundholders .

    This was the first intimation of serious opposition to the Budget . Mi * . Hume came in to the rescue of Mr . Disraeli , and stated that he differed entirely from tho views of Mr . Gladstone as to the alleged breach of faith with the public creditor ; but then ho would prefer to deal with tho Income-tax before dealing- with tho house-tax . Mr . Diseaem would nob go into the question . Ministers were prepared to stand or fall upon tho decision of the House on any point of the financial measures . Lord John Russell had desired that a distinct issue should be raised ; and in complying with that suggestion , ho had fixed Friday for considering the house-tax and tea duties .

    Jiut here Lord John Russell joined issue . Ho had suggested nothing of tho kind . Ho had only asked what Government intended to do . Ho added his criticism to that of Mr . Gladstone , declaring that the principle of the income-tax was at variance with tho principle ltiid down by Mr . Disraeli last session—that if you had direct taxation , it ought not to he founded on exemptions . But the proposition in the budget was not founded on one , but on various exemptions . " 1 must say , " exclaimed Lord John , in closing his remarks , " that after what 1 heard on Friday night , f do think the financial safety of tho country is in great peril . "

    From the observations of Sir CirAitwcs Woo I ) , Sir John Shicm . kv , Mr . Sidnkv IIiciuihrt , Mr . Kvklyn Dionihon , Sir Hknry Wilumjuiihy , and Mr . John Macuukuou , and in spite of the attempt made by Mr . Wau'ou : and Lord John Mannkrh to win over iho House , it was apparent that the course taken by the Government , in placing tho house-tax first for consideration , was strongly disapproved . Tluj House then went into a COMMITTKK OK KlU'l'LY .

    Mr . Staitokd moved for votes of 113 , 000 / . for 5000 additional seamen ; and 100 , 000 / . for steam machinery . The Government proposed to ask for 5000 additional seamen , and 1500 marines for four calendar months ; but in order to make tho sum which would bo required as small an possible , tho Government would auflumo that for tho ih * at two uiouthu only half tho

    number of seamen and marines would be raised . At the same time , he was happy to state that the rumours ' which were circulated of the difficulty of getting men to join her Majesty ' s ships were highly exaggerated , though the House must not disguise from itself that at present the British sailor was the most precious article in the market . The Government had not only to meet the competition of the mercantile marine and the attractions of the gold regions , but- of every other navy in the world , and therefore it was absolutely incumbent upon us to do everything that would promote his comfort , and tempt him to remain * in the naval service .

    With regard to the fleet which the Admiralty proposed to raise , and which he trusted the House would enable it to raise without delay , they intended that it should be stationed in the channel , cruising , of course , occasionally up and down for exercise . At the Nore , they proposed to place three frigates and five steamers ; at Plymouth , four sail-of-the-line and five steamers ; and at Portsmouth , five sail-of-the-line , two frigates , and six large steamers . Considering the exposed nature of the coast , and not forgetting Osborne and the hopes and loyal sympathies which often centred there , he thought this would not be looked upon as too large a force for the defence of our own shores .

    Mr . Hume protested against the vote altogether . Lord John Russell warmly assented to it . In deference to public opinion , Mr . William Williams would offer no opposition to the vote . Sir George PECHELli complained of the stoppage of the sailor ' s grog , and suggested that they should be made to understand that their position in other respects should not be made worse than that of any other service in the world . Captain Scobell congratulated the House that they had at last taken the right

    means for securing national defence . As to the vote for steam machinery , Sir George Pechell complained of wasteful expenditure in altering- ships , " pulling- them about , " in the system of saluting , and in pulling ships to pieces whether they wanted repairs or not . The House laughed at the complaints , and agreed to both the votes . They subsequently voted 111 , 900 ? . for wages and victualling stores , & c , for the 5000 seamen and 1500 marines ; and 92 , 658 / . for 2000 artillerymen , 1000 horses , and additional heavy iron ordnance .

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer then asked for a vote of 150 , 000 / . for the purchase of land for the erection of a new National Gallery , and of edifices for other purposes , which he proceeded to explain . He observed that the time had come when it was necessary to study the industrial education of the people . This country could no longer maintain its manufacturing superiority by its mere command of raw material . The intellectual element was daily becoming more and more important . The results of the Great Exhibition had brought this conviction to the minds of

    those who had had the direction of that most interesting display . The Chancellor of tho Exchequer then alluded to the progress which the Continent had mado in the establishment of industrial schools , and proceeded to advert to some of the principal points in the recent report of the Royal Commissioners . Ho stated that the Commissioners had invested their surplus of 150 , 000 / . in the purchase of land , and had asked tin ; Government to recommend the House to make a similar advance . Land bad been bought near the site of tho Crystal Palace , and the ultimate hope of the Commissioners : nul the Government was to combine on one

    spot a complete collection of raw material , of machinery , of manufactures , and of pictorial and sculptural , art . it was also hoped that the various scientific societies might assemble and combine their collections on tho sumo site . He concluded by urging the great importance * of the object , and the benefits it would confer upon the industry of the nation .

    Lord SiOYMO ( nt generally approved of the proposition , but believed that , the societies would object to be removed to Kensington . Lord John Russkj . Ij cordially concurred in tho proposed plan , in which ho believed that he saw n prospect of the greatest advantages to the country . Mr . Hiimk objected to vote public money until he knew in whose hands the future man : if * enient of it w : is to be . Mr . Dhiimmond ridiculed the notion of trying to force upon tho people a love of fine art , for which nature had not qualified thorn . He drew an unfavourable contrast hetweeruour

    artists and those of foreign nations , and inserted that we had never produced anything of a first-rate order in art ,. Mr . Kwaht protested against Mr . Drummond ' n inferences , believing all nations capable of improvement and development . The CirANOEiiiiOit of the Exchequer defended tho proposed locality , nhowcd that Mr . Drunimond had . mistaken tin * object of the Conimissuonors , and reminded , tho House that it was not by tho present voto pledging iteolf to anything beaido the purcluwo of tho lund .

    December 11, 1852.] The L E A D E R. 117...

    December 11 , 1852 . ] THE L E A D E R . 1175

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 11, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_11121852/page/3/