A meeting consisting of deputations from the different parishes of
Westminster took place on Tuesday evening, at the Quadrant Hotel. Mr. Adcock was in the chair ; and the meeting was addressed by Mr. A'Becket, of Golden Square, and several other gentlemen. The following resolutions were unanimously carried— "That the House and Window Taxes are in the highest degree oppressive and unjust in their effects upon the middling classes of people, especially those who are engaged in trade and manufactures.
" That the profits of trade having of late years been so much reduced, the solvent tradesman has, in reality, been living upon his capital, instead of the fair remuneration which he ought to derive from the employment of his labour and capital. " That under these circumstances, while pressing necessity compels the most rigid economy, these taxes operate with increased severity and partiality upon traders; form- ing an overwhelming expense, from which it is impossible to escape, while many per- sons of independent property reside on the Continent and evade them altogether, thus converting them into direct and most oppressive taxes upon the industrions classes.
" That the House-tax was imposed by the Legislature as a war-tax, and that there- fore its continuance in the seventeenth year of peace is a grievance as unjust as it is intolerable.
" That although this meeting would feel considerable reluctance to adopt any mea- sures which would cause embarrassment to his Majesty's Government, still they are so convinced that these taxes arc injurious in the highest degree to the trading interests of the whole kingdom, that they feel it their duty to pledge themselves to use every con- stitutional me,sns in their power, by calling meetings in their respective parishes, for the purpose of petitioning for a repeal of burdens which tend to cause dissatisfaction and disaffection.
" That previously to convening any future meeting, these resolutions be presented by a deputation from this meeting to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; and that as Sir Francis Burdett and Sir John Cam Hobhouse have always supported the repeal of these odious taxes, they be invited to accompany the deputation, and to impress upon his Lordship the injustice and impolicy of his Majesty's Government continuing taxes CO Unjust and ruinous."
A deputation from the meeting, accompanied by Sir John Hobhouse and Sir Francis Burdett, waited on Lord Althorp on Thursday. Sir John's Committee—who deserve praise for their activity—have manu- factured an exceedingly good election puff out of the interview. They give Sir John a speech, in which he tells Lord Althorp, if the House and Window Taxes be not repealed, it will be difficult to levy them. Sir Francis Burdett also declares them to be highly. objectionable. Altogether, the scene appears to have been well got up. Lord Althorp said he must look to the public creditor ; and if the House and Win- dow and the Newspaper Taxes were repealed, there must be some substitute provided. It has been proved ad nauseam, that for the Newspaper-tax no substitute is required.
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