The Express.
London, England, 1849-05-22 00:00:00

THE TEA TRADE.

The Liverpcol Financial Reform Association has
issued the following paper en the to trade:—
Of such custom-hene frauds as indicated in the six
previous sections, the association migth ht ose
continue their proofs,
and add to them from evidence elicited by parliamentary
committees and known by experience, until volumes were
written and printed. But volumes are not read when the
matter is the same, spin and again repeated; or, if read by
a few persons, volumes on such topics are not fixed in the
memory, diested, and practically applied.
The astromatica accommodates those who are too busy or
too impatient to read volumes ; and, while they do so, hope
to math by their tracts those, too many in number, who do
not mad, or think, or inquire about the principles of national
wealth, until the tans connected with them are strongly,
vividly, and repeatedly placed before them.
They, therefore, pea from the question of direct against
indirect taxation, as flew rem d by the robbery of the revenue
throuth the
sideration—and pretend to the question of direct against in-
direct taxation, as illustrated by the obstacles which indirect
taxation opposes to productive industry, and the free opus-
don of productive capital.
They first take the tea trade, and will glance briefly at its
history.
At what precise period to beams known in Britain b
immortals, but prior to 1667 hone was imported by the DM
ledia Oempany. The small quantities remount" abseil
that time wise decocted, and in the liquid state wan s2e:
`ems dubs duty of Bd. parln
sold in
mod similar plans of refreshment. In 1667 the Had
India Cempsey sent out their first orders for 100 lbs. of the
lbut “tay,•• es it was Uses ezpreeeed is speech and writing
From that period tap to 1700 the duty on tea was shared
several time, widths selling price varied from 10s. to 24a. per
lb. for any snide supposed to have been of equal quality.
In 1747 the tea duty was reduced, and the consumpliala
greatly thanes& In the following year the duty wee bete
that reduced on certain qualities, and the consumption VSn
larther increased Ia consequence.
In 1784 the consumption of the United Kingdom had
reached about five million pounds weight. Mr. Pitt was
then taking the initiative in tbase measures of a reformed
commercial policy, which the ceuntry condemned, as with
one voice, in the advocacy of which he toiled against preju-
dice, ignor.inee, party spirit, and ingratitude, for six years,
and succeeded but partially with one ; end was defeated
entirely in others. He was defeated (1785) in the attempt
to establish a free trade between England and Ireland ; was
successful only in a partial degree in opening a trade with
Femme (1787); but seconded in very materially reducing
the tea duties (1784.) At that period the duty' was Is. per
lb. on all qualities, with an Waiting' 67 per cent. of ad
04,0“111 duty. These Mr. Pitt reduced to 124 per cent.
Immediately the consumption rose. It was about flee mil-
lions in 1784, sad is 1795 had reached twenty-one million
pomade weight.
In the latter year the war-spirit of nearly all the British
people, tbrcugh poli•ical =Wake: of all clan-es, rendered an
augmentation of taxes requisite to maintain the war sgaiast
France • a war which undid all the good, and much more,
effected Mr. Pitt in the heat eight years of his ministry.
Tea was one of three articles which the minister readily laid
hold of for his war budget. He increased the tax from 124
to 20 per cent., and a ern after to a higher rate, by which the
consumption was restricted. Nine additions to the duty
were imposed from 1795 to 1834—the period when the East
Lelia Company's charter was abrogated. At this last period,
though the number of pelmets weight taken for the United
Kingdom was greater than in 1795, it was lea than it ought
to have been in proportion to the lacrosse of population.
At the expiration of the charter of the East India Com-
pany, the tax was 96 per cent. icr all teas sold under two
shillings per pound, and 100 par cent, for all at and above
two shillings per pound.
In 1834, the trade being opened, an attempt was made to
levy the duty according to a scale which was supposed to
mark quality, namely, Is. 6d. per lb. on the lowest tee.
2v. 2d. per lb. on the middle, and 3s. per lb. on the finest
Wads. This scale was also constructed on the principle of
taxing the article, as nearly as could be estimated, with a
duty of 100 per cent.
In 1836 this was abandoned as impracticable to all, and
ruinous to many merchants; and other schemes were de-
emed, which, partially more sound, had, and still have, the
elements of ruin to capital and wren, to society in them.
Human ingenuity has exhausted Smelt in devices to make
this tax bear easily and equitably on the consumers of tea.
Fellers has followed failure. A very low duty might have
fulfilled some of the commercial hopes and political prophe-
cies brined at the different changes; but while the national ex-
chequer could notbear the loose( the high duties, no substitute
being offered, the redefines of the duties was not enough
to liberate and nourish this mighty arm of commerce—an
inhumane then and now ; a friant's arm destined to be. Bat
the Financial Reform Association offer a substitute for this
unwise impost, which shall at ones meet the legitimate
wants of the national exchequer, and set this branch of com•
mere free to grow to its natural magnitude.
They offer to teach the nation how simple and efficient
direct as over indirect taxatloo.
Several devices were presented to the country, but not
enacted se law, instead of the scale last-named. That at hat
adopted was a uniform duty of 21. Id, per lb. until 1840.
At teat poi sal the financial necessities and political despair
of a nominally liberal etnernmentt obtained an addition of
5 per cent. to nearly all customs cuticle This brought the
tax upon tea up to 24. 21 i. per lb., at which, 1849, it still
continue a. . _

In 1847, a committee of the House of Common, was ap-
pointed, on petition of the merchants interested in the trade
with China, of whom report and evidence the association will
wow avail themselves. Tee committee eor Dieted of Lord
Bandon (chairman), Mr. Francis Baring, Mr. Beckett, Dr.
Bowring, Mr. Brown, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Swart, Mr. Har-
court, Mr. Hawes, Vimmunt Jocelyn, Mr. Mathewson, Mr.
Moffatt, Mr. John Abel Smith, Mr. Spooner, Sir George
Staunton.
This committee sat sixteen days, the average attendance
being upwards of two-thirds of the members. It examined
tarty TM witnesses, comprising seventeen merchants engaged
extensively in the trade with China, amongst whom were
the chairman and the deputy chairman of the London
Bast India and China Association; the president of the
Manchester Chamber of Commerce; five manufacturers en-
gaged in the making end shipping of goods for the China
markets; nine in the home tea trade, the secretary
of the Na Temperance Society, and others' of whom
nineteen have, more of lee, resided in Chins, and have been
more or less connected with the trade there, from which
persons the committee derived a large maw of most nodal
and minute information, extending to upwards of four thou-
sand nine hundred questions and answers, on which their
report has been founded.
Regarding the exorbitance of the duty, ita limiting our
exports, and ultimately endangtring altogether our trade
with China, and thereby seriously interfering with the em-
ployment of labour, the report says:—" Your committee
regret to state, on and tubted evidence, that the Muds with
China has been for some time in a very unsatisfactory peel-
dots, and that the result of our extended intercourse has by
no means realised the just expectations which have been
naturally founded on a freer ac etas to so magnificent a
market:
Whether we look to the tables of exports, which mark a
declension of exports of nearly every branch of manufacture,
or listen to the statements of experienced merchants and
manufacturers, we are brought to the USG conclusion.
We find the exports of cotton manteacttuye decline between
the years 1815-46 from 1,735,1411. to 1,216,61111. in value;
those of woollens in the ems period from 530,2231. to
439,6631.
We find that on a great proportion of the trade for the
same years the lots taken both ways, i. e., that on the menu-
fae:ures sent out and on the tea brought home in payment,
may be fairly stated at from 35 to 40 per cent. ; so great,
indeed, that some manufacturers have abandoned the trade
altogether, and that much of the tea lately sent home has
been sent on Chinese amount, the English merchantdeclining
to run the risk of the venture. We find that the diffleultie.
of the trade do not arise from any want of demand in China
for articles of British manufacture, or from the increasing
competition of other nation,. There is no evidence that
(omen competition is to be seriously apprehended in the
articles in gourd demand. The sole difficulty is in providing

a return.
"Of these (tea and silk) England and the United States
are nearly the eels consumers ; and thus it happens that the
advantages which were eo naturally expected from com-
mercial seems to a civilised empire of above 300,000,000
people, are practically limited by the extent to which these
countries an willing or able to consume these two products
of the soil of China."
After alluding to the silk trade, the committee proceed to
my:—" On a first cost, ranging on the qualities in meet ge-
neral demand from Bd. to 101 in the ports of China, if any
reduction can be effected, it might be of advantage to the
merchant, but would have no important effect upon the
selling prices in England. It is only thr,nigh the duty—a
duty, on the average qualities, of about 200 per cent., and
on the worst qualities of about 360 per cent —that any such
reduction to the consumer as be effected, as to stimulate
consumption in any sensible degree, and such a tense-
ties thus becomes essential to a healthy and extended trade."
As affecting the social condition of the people, end our m-
inions with Chins, the report observes : " That it is *leo
desirable in itself as promoting the increased consumption of
a beverage wholesome and agreeable to every class of our
population, and one which is increasingly desired as a sub-
stitute for intoxicating liquors; and that it would be no
move than is due to the Chinese, who tax oar products so
lightly, while we burden theirs so heavily, and with such in-
convenience to their trade."
Bespeaks the effect of such redaction on the revenue,
the committee remark : " In fact, the whole difficulty exists
in the offset which any material reduction, and none other
would be of much value, may be expected to have upon the
• resources of the Exchequer."
This the association, as already stated in this section, are
providing foe.

Taz Rim J. Stion.—Although in a very bad
rata of health, Mr. Mee firmly declines Demi= hoe
prima, if parebassd by prams of the eau.
Fnatens' lizavvro AT Yonx.—On Saturday, a
sleet* of about fear hazard rweow was held I. the
Yessirsle Hall at York—ye%dpsay farmers sad Mennen
-.." milibia parliament. swift lona dairfok sad Ifea_ra
fse a Mos to preesedve Missy. lfr. Nubia, se wsp-
ft
linen —, was la the chair. Me wall alms was
bowl ups boars et free trade, attar niia sad de.
whys vas yosiisted, sad the farm. were urged to um
disk Whams la tie bores& frier I. maw deaths,
lira these wife an their easesmis aray Mad it sapedisat to
vote fee peeesesive easitidatia railer Ina Imo *dr NM.
It was speed to estaldie a mission math bat se step
was taken tersoalptirailo shags, sad a sessiatioa Igo
epees* a wood to sot fa sfeeleViodis
se was obsweed tbe

DUBLIN, MAT 21.
It is expected that the Load-Lieutenant will return
cn Thursday next. Ilia Excellency was accompanied
to London by Lord Carew.
There was a grand review on Saturday in honour
of her Majesty's birth-day. A vast crowd was pre-
sent from an early hour in the Phoenix Park, and the
Counters of Clarendon, attended by an escort, wit-
nered the military evolutions.
No orders have been received yet ab3ut the state
prisoners, and the most coatictiog opinions prevail
about their ultimate fate. In the meanwhile their
friends are very active in obtaining signatures to the
petition in their behalf.
The 7frperary Vindicator says that there is a se-
cret system of organisation established amongst the
peasantry in the nelghbourhocd of Clonmel and Car-
rtek-on-Suir. An oath is taken by every enrolled
person promising that he will be ready to fight when
called upon. The persons enrolled are called " United
Irishmen. This statement of the Vindicator is much
doubted. _

Foe the het three or four months the current ex-
wises of the bankrupt union of Bantry have been &-
frayed by the commissioners to the average amount
of 3001. a week. The commissioners are now decrees-
log their supplies!, and several deaths by starvation
Dave occurred there. The state of the district is most
miserable. -

In the Kitrush union (county of Clare) several of
the evicted tenantry are living in turf pits scooped
oat of the bags and covered in at the top with IMO
breeches of trees. From these caoitie, the smoke at
times is seen ascending, and the passer-by would
hardly known that the bog was inhabited by a sub-
terranean population. In one locality there are as
many as twenty of there bog-dungeons, with families
in them. Your correspondent lately heard one of
the highest employes of the Poor-law staff
give a dreadfully seraphic picture of the scene he
had witnessed in Karnali. He had got down into
one of these bog-dungeons, in which a family were
lying in fever, and he rm.:corded in moving some of
them, but the odour of the place was so overpowering
that he was compelled to retreat. Part of the county
of Clare is now the worst spot in Ireland.
Dr. Langley, accused of cruelty to his wife, has
been arrested in Dublin, and is now a prisoner in
Newgate.