The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-29 00:00:00

THE PAPER MAYBES AND THE PLUMB
THIATY.

Yesterday a numerous deputation of the paper
makers of the United Kingdom welted upon Mr. Mame
Gibson, at the Board of Trade to place before him the
present coaditios of the trade, sad to correct some false
inferences which he had, in a recent speech delivered by
him at AshtomunderLyne, drawn from the statistical re-
terns of the department over which he presides. The right
hon. gentleman wasaddreased by Mr.Evann Mr. Ingham, Mr.
Potter, Mr. Routh/dee, and other gentlemeo, who complained
that the trade was in a really ruinous condition, owing to the
blunder made is negotiating the French treaty, which
ought to have stipulated for the removal of the export duty
on rap when it allowed French made paper to eater Slue
country duty tree. The forgiver was thm enabled to
compete with the British manufacturer even in the British
market,snd the amount of the French export dam, immesh
as it enhanced the pluthamoost of French rags to theßritith
manufacturer was to that extant equivalent to a bounty
paid ont of his pocket into that of his French ommetitor.
The Mamie in the exports of British paper and in the im-
portation of foreign rap wee really beside the question,
which was sot in soy way one of quantity. The efforts of
British paper were larger in 1859 than they bad last year
been, but the increase of last year ene chiefly in the export
of writing papers, which commanded the market ma account
of their superiority of finish :Mbar than by realm of the
emapsratim cheapness. The American rupture, too, had
canned an increased exportation to the Coafedusate &Mee,
and so for the increase in the exportation was exceptional ;
and as regarded the increased consumption of foreign
rags by British papercuakers it also &peseta oa
an exceptional cause, namely, the break down is the codes
trade, which deprived them of the *cotton waste. Os the
whole, they would have either to shot up their mills or else
put an overstrain upon their productive capacity. Mr.
Gibson, in his reply, called attention to the great sameme
in the number of homes which were hat year taken out as
a proof that three who were erectiog them new mats did
not take a very gloomy respect of UM trade. The Foreign-
office waa nevertheless actively engaged in eadsavoarieg to
get the French and other governess/Ma to adopt a free-
trade policy in its plenitude, and it had just succeeded in
ioduciog the Italian government to take a the duty on
rags exported to this country. The deputation hew* ex-
pressed some surprise at this announosenent, which they
were glad to hear, thanked the right hon. patient= for his
courtesy, and withdrew.

PROGRESS OP THE WORA7PO MEN S CLUB
MOVEMANT.

Last night a social tea meeting was held in the
Hare street Schoolroom, Bet Wallies% for the purpose of
furthering the movement to establish a working men's club
for this neighbourhood. After tea the chair was taken by
the Rev. J. Colhourne, incumbent of St. Matthias, Hare-
street. The Chairman, in an introductory speech, explained
the objects of the meeting, and stated that until a suitable
house could be procured be would be happy is Hilt t the
use of his schoolrooms for au rying out the opsrtttoos of
the proposed club. The meeting was then addressed by
Messrs. Sims, Sleith, Large, end Bland, working
men. A resolution, pledging the support of the
meeting to the club, was moved by Mr. Conelly
neyton, • member of the provisional committee,
who regretted the scarcity of funds at the Cantrul Union, to
which might be attributed not only the delay which had
arisen in the formation of this club, but which in many
other cane was retarding the progress of this important
movement. Whilst it was undoubtedly essental to the
independence of the working men that he should pay hie
proportion of the current expanse@ of the club, it must be
admitted it was out of the reach of working men to en.
I counter the preliminary expenses incurred in forming
• club with any pretensions to comfort or cooventerice.
I The motion was ably seconded by the Rev. C. Kirkneri,
diocesan home mammary fur the district, and being put
from the chair was unanimously and enthusiastically carried.
Over filly men having paid their tint subscription, it was
decided to open the club on Monday Dell. On Monday last
the half early Sarre of the Holloway club was held, when
an address was delivered by the key. H. Sully, secretary to
the Central Union. On Wednesday evening an important
conference of London secretaries (the Pint held) took place
at the central offices, 150, Strand, when the following me-
tropolitan clubs were represented : Battersea (forming),
St. Oeorge's Mission, Shonditch, Holloway ; Duck-lane.
Westminster ; Homertoo, Forest-hill, Holban (forming),
Soho, Brantford, Kent-street, Borough (forming) ; Gravel.
lane, Southwark ; Kentish-town, CIIVIUSW•11 (forming),
Wandsworth, Bishops's'e. St. hirutin'e-in-thafields, Vise
torte Docks, and Mare-street, Bethnal-green.

THE PROPOSEDREGENT-STREET ARCADE.