puniuriul.
Mr. Hutt was reelected for Gateshead, and Mr. Cowper for Hertford, on Monday. There was no opposition in either case, and the proceedings were merely formal.
The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce met on Monday to discuss the commercial treaty. Some objections- were raised. The strongest feeling was shown in relation to the differential duties on shipping, and it was thought that the shipping of the two countries ought to be placed on an equal footing.
The Manchester Chamber of Commerce thoroughly approves of the whole budget, but they respectfully request that the Income-tax may be more equitably levied. A special vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Cobden.
The Bradford Chamber of Commerce also met on Monday. The chairman, Alderman Mitchell, expressed the strongest opinion in favour
of the budget. As a political opposition was in course of organization against it, he thought the chamber should be on the alert to give such support as would help to carry the budget and treaty in their entirety. With these views the Chamber agreed; a resolution heartily approving the budget was adopted, and the Chamber determined to petition Parlia- ment in its favour.
The Leeds Chamber of Commerce desires a lower duty on the linen yarns imported into France. What they want is 10 per cent.
The wholesale tea-dealers in Liverpool have followed the lead of their brethren in London, and the Liverpool ship-owners condemn the budget as unjust to shipping.
The hop-faders met on Wednesday and debated the proposed lowering of the duty. At first there was an inclination to say that the provision of the budget would "ruin" the hop-grower ; but this was felt to be too
extravagant, and ruin was commuted into "severe losses." Even that did not go down. The meeting was also asked to declare against
the budget "as a whole "—a neat suggestion from a Tory quarter which found no favour. Finally it was determined that the efforts of the fac- tors should be (Erected to the obtaining of a large drawback or the post- ponement of the diminution of duty until 1861. In all parts of the country the licensed victuallers are intent upon de- feating the inroad upon their monopoly made by the proposed extension of licenses to eating-houses.
The silk manufacturers object, that while silk fabrics are admitted free of duty in England, it is unjust to charge a heavy duty upon those ad- mitted into France. They want equal terms.
The Lancashire Reformers Union, Chairman Mr. George Wilson, has adopted a general approval of the budget, with such modifications as may appear desirable. This condition was inserted- to please those who complain of exorbitant expenditure. Mr. Bright, who was present, ap- proved of all that part of the budget touching free-trade, and condemned "as bad in the last degree," all that related to expenditure. As a mat- ter of course he especially, objects to expenditure for national defence. The timber merchants of Yorkshire have met at Leeds. They are anxious for a drawback on duty-paid timber and deals.
At York a meeting, over which the Lord Mayor presided, passed a resolution against the extension of licensee to eating-houses.
Mr. Gladstone has addressed a letter to Mr. Glyn, 31.P, on the enanges proposed in the Budget in the stamp Taws; and the charges con- netted with the bonding system. He admits that details may require modification, but points out that the resolutions do not and cannot ex- plain the measures to be founded on them. The place for considering the effect of the changes will be in Committee on the bills that will have to be introduced. He invites suggestions from all quarters.
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