The officers of the Treasury and Excise are, and for
some time have been, busily engaged upon calculations as to the probable effect upon the general reve- nue of a total or partial repeal of the Malt-tax. We cannot hold out any confi- dent hope to the agriculturists that either a total or partial repeal will be at- tempted, because nothing has been yet decided ; but we can safely give them full assurance that they may rely upon whatever relief shall be found possible. — Standard.
The electors must expect to see many such paragraphs as this in the course of the ensuing month. They bind the Ministry to nothing, but are intended to catch the votes of simpletons. It should be remembered that Sir ROBERT PEEL is pledged to oppose the abolition of the Malt-tax. But even supposing that a promise to repeal this tax were given, and kept, few besides the owners of barley land would reap any benefit from it. The farmer would pay the amount of the reduction in the shape of rent, and the consumer would pay just as much for his beer, while an additional tax to the amount of five millions per annum must be laid on some other article of general consumption to make up the deficiency in the revenue. The cry for the repeal of the Malt-tax is worthy of the needy landlords, who have raised it, and who alone would benefit by it, though they would endeavour to persuade the farmers that its abolition would be a boon to them.
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