Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-16 00:00:00

restrictions from trade ; but now, in regard to the
charges on warehousing goods, a restriction Was to be
tried on. This, he conceived, was, to say the least of it,
unwise. (Hear, hear.) ,He was a free-trader, and all
that he wanted was a fair field and no favour, or, as
sporting gentlemen would say, to be properly handicapped.
He would cheerfully pay the income-tax ; but then he
must have a trade that should be to that extent profitable
that he could afford to pay it. Now they knew that in
the coffee trade there were certain qualities of goods
that were imported in very small packages, upon.
each of which a penny would be a serious charge.
Again, they knew that often one quality of coffee was
to be had in Liverpool that could not be foundin the
Liverpool market, and the getting it down here under
the proposed amended bonded system would involve the
trade in the payment of a heavy tax. He should, there-
fore, give his most unqualified opposition to the parts of
the budget that had been discussed to-day. Secretary
Wilson found the ss. 6d. bond so onerous some years
ago that he removed it, and yet here the trade was to
pay according to weight as well. The scheme was not
defensible, and lie should, therefore, move the-following
resolution :—" Resolved, that a deputation consisting of
the following gentlemen, Messrs. Steains, Clark, and
Macfie, be appointed to wait upon the Chancellor of the
Exchequer and point-out to him the injurious effects on
trade that these clauses will inflict, and to co-operate
with the London and other deputations on this subject."
Mr. JEFFERY said there was one thing not alluded to
and that was the charge of one penny upon packages.
The Cultriim.tx said that would he left to the deputa-
tion which were-to wait on the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer. They _were told, for instance, that in some of
the-South American trades, business would be annihilated,
because the goods were made up of very small packages,
to be carried over the mountains on mules, &c.
Mr. JEFFERY apprehended-that those engaged in the
South American trade• would have a similar meeting to
the present before long.-
The CHAIRMAN had no doubt that they would.
Mr. Suanr said it was important to be known that
in the coffee trade they had what were called pocket! of
East India coffee, weighing about 35 lbs., imported into
this ,country. Thos packages were small, that they
might be carried down the mountains by men where
was only a foot track. Such a change as
this,
therefore, in that branch of their trade, would be most
serious in its effect.

Mr. MACFIE said that the charge upon some
descrip-
tions of sugar would operate very seriously against the
British manufacturer. In reference to being appointed
one of the deputation, he -had expressed so strong en
opinion against the :budget that he thought some one
else should be appointed in his stead.
The CHAIRMAN" said he .kneW so well the value of
Mr. Macfie's services, that he should regret if he -did
not forth one of the deputation, and he had no doubt if
Mr: Macfie used too strong language to the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, the right hon. gentleman would soon,
call him to order. (Laughter.)
Mr. R. ROBERTS had very great pleasure in second-
ing the resolution. He , had very little to add
to what had been already stated. They knew
where their own trade pinched Most ; and in refe-
rence- to his trade, he-thought the inequality between
the provinces' and London was very marked. Mr. Glad-
stone, in proposing the obnoxious parts of the Budget
which had been referred to, must have been listening to
some one who was more a theorist than a practical man.
- A' great deal might be said upon the subject generally;
but he would refrain, and merely say that the effect of
the proposal would be to drive trade to London. And
as to the provinces, there would be very much difficulty
in getting goods down—increasing the delay which was
already felt by the present inadequate ,means of inland
conveyance.
Mr. BROWN said that in some cases the charges Iva
sugar would amount to no less than 9s. per cwt. Ile
was of opinion that as Mr. Macfie had expressed
strong a conviction on the Budget, that it would be well
if another gentleman were appointed in his place, ans
he begged to move Mr. Badenach.
A gentleman in the meeting said that he had 1115.
Badenach's authority for stating that he entertained
other views, and that he would decline to ssrve.
The CHAIRMAN—He thinks the advantages to the
fruit trade are such that it is better to heave well alone,
(Laughter.) If the matter were left to him (the chair-
man) he would take care to arrange that a good third
man went up as one of the deputation.
The motion was then put, and agreed to.
The Cna.rirmAN read a copy of the London petition,which
had been circulating throughout, the country for signature.
As regarded the tea trade, he felt that they had a strong
claim upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer. They
had, without a murmur froth any part of their trade,
consented to allow the war tax on tea to continue a •e4r
and a-half longer than it should have done ; and if it
was necessary, to get rid of this .£300,000 of duty ell
small articles, the tea trade would be quite willing to
consent to the duty on tea being raised from ls. sd. t°
Is. 6d.; and as a penny a pound on tea would raise
£350,000, those duties could be abolished, and the
Chancellor make £50,000 into the bargain. They bed
no objection to the Chancellor boldly saying that he
wanted a shilling in the pound income-tax, which they
would willingly pay, if it was necessary; or to his say"
ing that he wanted an increased duty on tea, which they
Would willingly pay ; but- th?y would not quietly sub-
mit to these resolutions.
A Voice—Would it not be better to suggest to him t°,
lay a penny in the pound on tea ? (Cries of ,4 No, 110.;?.
On the resolution of Mr. JEFFERY, a vote of thanKs
was accorded to the Chairman, and the proceedings
were brought to a close.
Several of tho gentlemen, before leaving, appended
their names to the petition referred to by the Chairman.