History of the Taxes on Knowledge (Volume 2); Their Origin and Repeal (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1899. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVIII THE LORDS' AGGRESSION Mr. Wrigley said that the import duty of 2jd. per pound imposed on foreign paper when, in 1836, the Excise was lowered to ijd., was meant not to recoup the loss on the Excise, but as a protection against the French prohibition of the export of rags. He insisted that after the Excise was repealed the penny import duty ought still to be retained. The notion that the English paper-makers were going to be ruined by the French export duty on rags was absurd, though not much more so than the idea of the French that they would be ruined if they gave it up. Still we thought it worth while to publish three disquisitions upon the erroneous statements that were made in its support. We maintained the right of the consumer to get his raw material wherever he could purchase it, without reference to the interest of the manufacturer. We referred to the fears of the French on the other side, and showed that at the present time a single order to France raised the price of paper there. While we were contending with the paper-makers we were startled by the news that notice had been given in the House of Lords to reject the Bill for the Repeal of the Paper Duty, although the Act for raising the Income Tax to tenpence had received not only a vote of assent in the House of Lords but that of the Crown, so that the revenue to be derived from the Paper Duty was not required for the service of the year. As we expressed it in our Gazette next year we had been jockeyed, and by the old Tories. Regarding Lord Palmerston as one of themselves, and thoroughly approving his Fortifications Bill, they hatched a conspiracy against Mr. Gladstone. Mr. Francis was greatly distressed at the gradually fading popularity of the Chancellor's Bill. On behalf of the Press Assoc...