The Budget may be said to have got through. Except
the lawyers' amendments there is nothing more to fight about, for the resistance to the Liquor-duties fizzled, as it was certain to -do. On Tuesday, Colonel Lockwood moved an amendment reducing the duty on beer to 3d. a barrel, but after a rather feeble debate, it was rejected by 289 to 271, a reduction in the majority, but no more. The duty on spirits was passed on Wednesday even more easily. Mr. Macgregor objected to the increase on behalf of Scotland, and Colonel Nolan on behalf of Ireland, but neither took a division, and the clause imposing the duty was passed by 237 to 182. It is said the clause was passed by a snap division, and it is to be discussed again when the Report comes up; but the result will not be seriously -different. The plain truth of the matter is that Government must be carried on, and if it is to be carried on, revenue must .be raised by indirect, as well as direct, taxation. The only subjects of indirect taxation about which there is a consensus -of approval, are alcohol and tobacco ; and when money is wanted during peace time, they must be taxed. We rather regret the beer-tax because we think a light bitter beer would -conduce to sobriety ; bat the Treasury must be kept full, and a heavy tax on spirits alone would disturb the equality of taxation in the three Kingdoms. Unionists must find a better subject for fighting on.
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