The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-02-07 00:00:00

1101Ig TL&DI MID 1111iNC11.

In parsing away from Ireland there is I am happy
to say, a silver lining to our cloud. The Chanoellor of
the Xxchequer will doubtless have a good surplus; but
I have reason to know that the very recent revenue
returns are not so good as was expected. Possibly the
I alling-off may arise from high price of money,
merchants allowing goods to remain In bond, and I
fear there is no prospect of cheap money for some time
come. But our labouring classes are well employed
and well paid, and I quite endorse what was said by a
Cabinet Minister last week. If any country ought to
be thoroughly attached t the principles of Free
Trade, it W.II this country, which manufactured so
much for others, and required s, much from others.
During 1881 it appeared from figures ju.t made up,
we had exported 164 millions (2164,000,030) worth of
manufactured g £29,000,000 of partly manu-
factured, and 240.000,000 worth of other goods. musk-
lug a total £233000,000. The figures seem almoet
fabulous. We imported of manufactured good.
£36,000,000; of partly manufactured £23,000,000
worth; of food £174,000,000 worth; of raw material
2121,000,000 worth; and of other goods £42,000.000
worth; making a total of £396,000,000 These
figures make me think it beet to leave well alone, and
not distr.'s myeelf with the question if Fair Trade,
although I should so much like Universal Free Trade.
Our Shipping Trade is most extraordinary; fr the
twelve months ending in December lest. the tonnage
cleared from Stigland was—British, 1,700.000,000 tons;
Foreign 5,250,000 tons, and having the shipping trade
of the world makes more than the difference between
the values of our exports and Imp xts. Shipbuilding-
yards are full of work, and have orders sufficient for
Iwo or three y, are to same, and shipownecs are mak-
ing considerable profits. &Wish capita, invested in
foreign securities. exclusive of investments in ships
amount. to £1,500,000,000. If Meuse Providence will
only grant us a good harvest, we shall have prosperity
in earneet. (APPlauss)

THZ TITATT WITH TWIG/

This is • matter which grieves me very much. Our
Government have done everything in their power to
bring it about; we were prepared to continue the
Treaty that now @Aft, but the French want further
protectioa, and put Usher taxes on our cotton and
woollen manufactures. Our exports to France of the
British produce amount to £5,00; but Francs
does not take the above for home consumption. A
part is really tent through Francs to other countries,
and all that France takes for herself is probably
under £12,000.000. Again of what we export, a pert
Is raw material we have previously imp rted, and it ie
doubtful of the real exports of British prod.:, for con.
sumption in Francs exceed £10,100,000. There-
fore I do not regret the loes of the treaty so
much on commercial, as I do on political,
ground.. We have had the eadat cordnue cemented
by our friendly commercial lotereturee that has existed
for the last Xl year. ,• and that bond broken, I fear we
shall have occotionsi irritation arising to disturb the
harmony that has hitherto existed, and with the stets
of dfair. in Egypt, we want the Weide cordiale more
than neer. W. are in alliance with Francs to guard
the Independence of Egypt. and I need hardly en the
Independence of Egypt MIMS almost the Independeens
of England, for it is the key to our Indian possessions.
The prevent state of polities in France renders it highly
improbable we thall lan a renewal et the tasty afar