The Budget advanced a little on Thursday night. Mr. Picton,
in the interest of the masses, proposed the abolition of the tea-duty, but was defeated by 259 to 98, Mr. Goschen pronouncing the duty nearly unobjectionable. Certainly, without it teetotalers who do not smoke would receive from their fellow-countrymen the whole benefit of the State organisa- tion without paying for it, as a kind of involuntary alms. Mr. Gladstone resisted the increased duty on wine in bottle, on the ground that it was partly protective, and would put fatal arguments in the mouths of the Protectionists of France. Mr. Goschen denied that French interests would be affected, as the tax would fall only on high-priced wines, all others, except cheap champagne, being imported in cask ; and showed that in almost all countries, especially France itself, the same difference was made. He denied that there was any protection in the matter, and said that the Chamber of Commerce at Bordeaux, which was Free•trade, had not raised the objection, but had crnly quoted the tax as an argument for a commercial treaty which would prevent these disturbing impositions of
new taxes. The tax was carried by 246 to 121. Earlier in the evening, Mr. Goschen announced that he had resolved to tax no light vehicle under ten hundredweight, and should above that weight charge 10s. for two wheels and 21 for four. That does not content his opponents, and a division on the subject will be taken on Monday.
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