Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-07 00:00:00

•
4sGRESB ,0F ,DErrrrEs FROM CHAMBERS OF COM-HERCR.

.A the meeting of the National Association for the Pro,
motion of. Social Science," iii October last, it was considered
desirable that an Annual Congress of 1-leprentatives' of
Oimmbers'of Commerce shoUld be held for the purpose•of• dis-
cussing ancl`promoting matters of general interest. The first
ceugfess is held this month in London. Your council have
appointed deputies who will bring before it such of the matters.
alluded to in this report as may require the col-operation of
otherohambers.
THE COMMERPEUT.RoLicy es FRANID4'.. -
your council have obseryer, with much satisfaction, . the,
recently announced intentions of the Emperor Of the French
(asset forth in his letter of sth JanUary, to the Mintitter of
State, M. s'ould) to suppress prohibitions from the French',',
tariff and to reduce the duties on several articles of import—,
its well raw. materials as manufactures—and they bave,,
recorded in their books a 'resolution ettpressing the deep inte-
rest with Which they regard the inauguration of this enligiatened
commercial policy on the' part of the French Government; one,:
whieli they trust will be the forerunner of still more important
changes hereafter, and May, by extending the commercial inter-
course betweon that country and our own, serve to unite two
great nations more closely in the bonds of peace and friendship.
RETIREXENT OF DIRECTORS.

The 'directors retiring at this meeting are Messrs. Boult,
Clint, Corbally, Danson, Bernard Hall, Parker, Rawlins, and
Tomlinson—eight in number, who are ineligible frr re-election
for the present year, and it will be necessary for the Chamber
to elect members to sylppiy their places.
The CHAIRMAN, in Maving the adoption of the report,
said that so short an interval Wad elapsed since their last
quarterly meeting, that the Chamber had very little to
state hg to the report of the proceedings during the last
few months. The last three months were generally con=
sidered the dullest part of the year ; Parliament was not
meeting, and there had been no measure of public inte-
rest brought' before the Chamber; but on the present

.occasion there were one or two questioAs which tkad
vccupied their attention, and .he would. inform-them of
-the results. It would be in their recollection -that at
the last half-yearly meeting he said that ho weeld take
an opportunity of bringing before the council the ques-
tion of repealing a laege number of import duties yield-
ing but a small amount to the revenue of the country,
which he considered affected trade, injuriously, and the
repeal of which would be very desirable.. The country
received, only a 'quarter of a million -from 439 articles;
and the levying of the duties restricted very much the
trade in many articles, while they seriously impeded the
exchange with other countries, who would send us these '
articles if there were no duty upon them.: 'He took occa-
sion in the course of the last few months to bring this mat-
ter more immediately under the notice of the council,
and by them it was very favourably received ; a memo-
rial was agreed to, and. had been presented to the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequerrstating the views of the associ-
ation on the -subject, and praying- the repeal of- the
duties on the 439 articles. The grounds stated in the
memorial for. the repeal of those duties were, that the
experience of the five years immediately succeeding the
movement made- by Sir Robert Peel in that direction,
and the experience of the seventeen years which haVe
ltdsielapsedoinhuosir:entsagentdts,hdhi.
anqdttchueier
eiehlnv:eBeeig
.051)n
rd2euetae
,thlthue4,
of
the commerce
period
et,
but
nfi'withiotneshownstemri
o;
afg
repyti
ofl
wmbagevttt,
ehwmvngeeetaarrecidyeenoenulmawtnorutig.::
eyeihhta,
greatly
years, an
increase of British; and foreign shipping engaged in the
carrying trade beyond the seas from 7,497i833 tons to
22;304,941 tons, or three-fold the amount of tonnage,
and the Wattage of the coasting trade had, increased
from 22,184,147 tons to .31,7,13,116 tons, The
export had : also increased. The exports of
British manufaetures rose from £.51,634,623 in 1841, to
£58,842,377 in 1847,: and in 1858 they had increased to
£116,608,756 or more thaan double the exports of -1841.
The same expansion had. also taken place in imports,
though; as the returns of their real value did not extend
further back than 1854, there were not the same means
available for comparing- them with earlier periods,: -. The
real value of imports in 1858 was officially returna 'at
£164,583,832. There still remained Avon the tariff 433
articles producing each under £100,000;• and nearly 400
of theM yielded a total of £69,584 ss.
,Bd. The .eouncil
then asked for the abolition of, those, duties, to throw
open the trade, and thereby greatly to increase out
commercial relations with other countries. The
memorial was presented to th e Chancellor of theExchequeie
who, however, could only
,give the usual.official reply,
it was not in his province to say what measures. Govern-
ment had in contemplation ;; but• he , assured them 'that
the matters which they had -brought before him had his
entire sympathy. They would be asked to confirm the
course which the Connell had taken, and a resolution
Would be submitted to them, asking. their approval of
the memorial. Another matter which had engaged the
attention ,of the council was the question of Inter-
national Maritime Law, which had been first broUght
under their notice by the memorial of the citizens of
Breeden. There-Would -remember that= by the Paris
Congress, two important-positions were secured. One
was that priveteving should be abolished between_ those
powers who were,parties to the'Cengrese; and the other
was, 'that the property of belligerents should be Protected
by being placed in neutral bottoms. It was proposed than
this immunity. should be extended to'ships as well, as
merchandiSe; and they would remember that, in 1846,
the President ofthe United States expressed his willing-,
ness to agree to the proposal, provided that, in addition,
a clause was inserted securing the inviolability,of all
property at sea. This was not entertained at the time
by the ether European Powers, and the President of the
United States soon afterwards withdrew the offer. It
was now a mast deSirable time, seeing the probability of,
the approach of ..a European Congress, for the question;
to be again mooted, and that the consent of the,President.
of the 'United States should be obtained to the proposal,-
The citizens of Bremen had passed certain resolu-,
tiOns ; the French Chambers 'or: Commerce had done
the same, and some of 'them had presented addresses
to their- respective. Ministers; he believed some •of
the Swedish parts- had memorialised ; and the feel-
ing of the Continent was very strongly in favour of
such- a step being taken. At. home the initiative
Was being taken by the Manchester Chamber of
COmmerce ; and that chamber,,, having_, considered the
matter, had come to the same conclusion, and presented
their reasons. in a letter to the Board of Trade which
had been published. The Glasgow Chamber of, Com-
merce were also taking steps-to urge the matter on the
consideration of the Government. At a meeting of
deputies held'in London, at which he and Mn. Denson
attended as a deputation :of that Chan-thee, the subject
was brought under - notice, and many, of the - deputies
joined in the Interview with Lord Palmerston last week.
They presented him with -a memorial praying him,
either- through .the Congress about to be held, or by
official communication with other; countries, to secure*
what. he considered, so important to the interests of this
country and to commerce. Lord Palmerston replied- in his
usual official manner, and without meeting the strong!
points of their ease gave them, sufficient reason to show
that the Government are not willing, for some reason or
other, to - entertain the , question, or recommend it to.
other countries, or its representation in Congress. The-
only other question to which he shOuld. refer was the
question which had excited recently so much attention—
the ;prospect: of _extended commercial relations with
France. It would be in their-recollection that last year
his predecessor-in the chair referred.to the very gloomy
prospect which then overhung. Europe, .in .consequence:
of the threatened. 'oethreak between two European
powers,- and the probability that all Europe might hei
involved in war. War had broken out ; and at one.;
tune fears were entertained that we might ourselves be-
involved in it, but, unexpectedly to all, peace was de-
clared, and the great dangers which at one time.
threatened to involve us, had, if not altogether,-
yet to a great extent, passed away, and now we
found ourselves oe e the- eve of!"-extended commer-
cial relations with a people whose 'alliance is of, the:
highest importance :to,,ns ; and ,heehoped,-,-though of
course they were: igoorent of theiterms of the treaty—e
that it would he so arranged as to;open out -a wideifiel&
to our commercial enterprise, to extend greatly the mane
kets for „our productions nnd :manufactures in FranoeY
and to afford aleo,e4nal facilities to the increased cen-
samption in this country:of their manufactures and'-pro:e
iluce. ,He was-sure nothing would more conduce to the
promotion of that state of :things which they all desired
extension and. perpetuation -of friencUy relations.
than the extension of commercial intercourse with other
eeuntries. He hoped that, if not at that meeting, per-
haps next week, when they had before them the terms
of the treaty and the proposed. alterations in the, corn-.
mercial tariff, they should then express their opinions
on it ; and, if they agreed to it, . determine to sup-
ped the government of this country in its negotiations
with France. He looked • e'en it favourably not: only,
for the immediate benefits of it, because perhaps eve
may derive little advantage kora it in the first instance,
bat befifttese it was_ a step :in
,the right. direction, and-
would lead' to great changes in the commercial police, of
France, end-which wouldiebe :followed by. other.Euro-
peen countries. Then the-advantage of,extended trade,.
mid removal 'of all
,restrictions in commerce with,
other eoiiatries would become more- apparent.:: There-,
weresorrie Matters which had oecurred during- the past
six mOnthe, whichevoeld be brought before them by:the!
Chairman
.of ithe :c committees of .Commercial, Law, and
Customs Arrangements, and: he-should call' upon theie •
gentlemen to put before them such, information as they
might think
.desirable to- commtutieate to the'meeting.
Having expressed. his -thanks to the. members for: the
bowie', foe the cordial assistance which- they hadegiven
to- the association,. he, concluded by tailing upon-Mr.
Brown to second the adoption. of the report.-

Mr. W. Bitowx said they would be blind indeed to
what is going on if they did not see that the reduction
of 4uties had increased very much Our, commercial pros-
perity,- and he, for one, .ahould certainly' feel disposed,
to meet with some addition to the income-tax for the"!
defenee of their eiinntry, rather than not repeal these,
duties, the repeal 'of which Will 'add so much to its,
proiperity, (Hear, hear.) If he had any misgivings,
it wits that,"•aided by Comnierce, France might become
more powerful as a neighbour; at the same time, he had
very little fear that nations whose national interests'
Were bound together would go to war. In every point
of view this treaty, expresses clearly and distinctly the
free trade views of the Emperor, and -Whether adopted
or not it would initiate the French in those principles
which would do a vast deal of good to themselves, as
well as to this country and to all mankind., lie was
very sanguine that the extension of free trade as far
as it is possible to extend it, would not only have the
effect of harmonising us with each other, but would be
the means of carrying Christianity and civilisation to
every corner of the earth. If they accomplish that, it
was quite clear that they accomplished a very important
thing, and one which would contribilte to their happiness
and properity ; and he must say that he should not
spare any exertionS to accomplish it. He comeluded

by seeoadiag .the adeptiouf -thlt report, which 1994 •
unaniinOntly agreed-lb. i= $-
Fourteen gentlemen-having been nominated, from '
whom seven will be elected as emnicillors for the ensbing
year, •
Mr. WILLIAM BROWN, in accordance' with- notice
previously given, .moved that gentlemen who had served
as -members of Parliament for _the borough' or Southern
Division of the county be members .of the council.
„ Mr Sheilneconded the' motion, which was carried
unanimously_
Three scrutineers •of votes for councillors were then
• appointed, and the meeting was formally•adjourned to
Monday next, to receive the result of the voting; it
being understood that the meeting should be open to
discuss the question of.the treaty .with France. •
Mr. •CHARLES HOLLAND said. that after the remarks
of-their chairman, it was rather a matter•of form on his
part to bring before them the resolution which he had
the honour of, proposing, namely, 4, That the action of
the Council in favour of the repeal ,of certain import
duties which injuriously affect commerce, be, and.:is
hereby confirmed; and that" the Council be requested to
take such :steps as they •- may deem necessary to
promote - that object." . He felt :sure 'the Cham-
ber would have general concurrence', in- obtaining
the repeal ,of duties which injuriously.' affect corn-
merge ; and, the, only arguments that could have been
advanced againstisuch a course of policy would have
been arguments which, he thought, were now generally
exploded ;,namely, either,that the duties formed protec-
tive duties for sonic particular branch of manufacture in
this Country ;. or,. on the other hand, that they'were such
important duties affecting_ the revenue of this country
that it was impossible to dispense with them. As 'to
the argument. founded upon any protection, .there was
no occasion at this time to• hinge • any. arguments .upon,
or to-offer any arguments in opposition to; the doctrine
of protection, which had now been set at rest ; ani
yet he_ perceived, on looking over that long list of 439
articles, that a great many of the duties had doubtless
been originally devised, and, he presumed;: retained,
on . the • ground of - protection which • was given to
some particular trade,, such as the. cork-Cuttere;. and
various others. Supposing-that all arguments founded
upon prOteetion were no longer' valid, all that was left
was, that the duties form such averrimportant subject
Of revenue that they cannot be dispensed with. It was
only necessary to glance at the list to See that in the
great majority of cases the revenue derived, from duties
on,theie articles•was so small, that the cost Of collection;
and!the trairelliug incidental to the collection, and the
waste of- time- and capital of ,all parties concerned,-
must be far more, prejudicial to the country at large than
could be counterbalanced by any revenue to be derived
froin them. •The -revenue in many instances was so
trifling, • "that it was- impossible: _to understand
on what ground. the duties had been maintained.
Had it been , a question of -a very large- amount
of -revenue,. involving two or 'three millions of
money, :Or even one million, he granted that that
Chamber "ought,to have proceeded with great caution in'
recomniending such reduction to the Government, and,
it would have been important, to point out some other
means—by ezeinomy or by some other duty, to snare the
revenue. But-the-total amount produced by 439 articles*
was only three-quarters of a-million of money ; and
when they considered what experience had shown to be
the effect of all those reductions which. Sir Robert Peel,
made,and that so tar from any decrease in the general
revenue. of the, country, the results were that there was
an :immense •increase --in the . general trade and in
the revenue of the country, he thought it was only a
fair and logical conclusion-to say that the same result
would follow the repeal of these duties: On these,
grounds he thought there were sufficient arguments to
advance for the course which the council had taken;
and he trusted would: be successful. He might
go on much further to show that in a great many cases,
the • duties on these articles affected the comfort and
well-being of the labouring-classes, • such -as those on
eggs, cheese, butter, and various others, which, accord-
iny, to all previous notions, ought-long-since to have
been repealed. He- thought the general feeling 'was
very much in favour. of the repeal of those dities, and
begged to, moye- the resolution which he had read;
The resolution, having been seconded by Mr. Finley,
was put and agreed to. • •
The CiI4IIIMAN, before calling upon the chairman'
of.. the. Customs Arrangement Committee,- submitted
a letter, from ';the Postmaster-General, intimating'
the intention . of the . postal authorities to de-,
spatch ,anOther, mail to London from the north,
which would, bring letters in time to be sent to the
Continent on ,the same day. The mail was appointed
to leave Liverpool at 11 -10 a.m.' the box was closed at
10 45. The chairman added that-the' American Cham-
ber of Commerce had long sought • for this,- but they'
w41:110. a noomilespatch. • • '
7, The letter was -referred to the Postal Committee. -

„_.
Mr. Bonen; chairman of the _Customs Arrangements
Committee, said: he, did not consider- that sufficient
weight had been given to the influence of the Chamber'
brought to bear in obtaining various concessions at the
time of the; consolidation of the Customs laws, and he
thought if it was better known what the Chamber did'
they would be better supported out of doors. They had
obtained the appointment of a collector, comptroller,
and inspector-general as a board, with power to decide
upon monetary
_questions between the Customs and the,.
merchant, when, the amount did not exceed £lOO. They
had also, having a large number of.warehouses unenclosed,
obtained permission to gifye a general hod for each ware-
house, it..was -owing to their exertions that they :were
allowed, to send,geodS from one terminus to another, or
from ou port to „another, unopened and untouched by
the CuAanis,.that the hours for clearing ships was ex-
tended to . eight o'clock in the evening, the extreme
before being fonr o'clock, that the -jurisdiction of the
county court was extended to sums not exceeding £lOO,
and that the ship-owner was relieved from the conse-
quences of smuggling by the crew, unless the offence
were committed by: the. captain or mate. There were
many ether allevjations -of a smaller. character, but
which in the aggregate„were unimportant, which had
been obtained by, that chamber; and, he did not:
know that. :any !association here, or , elsewhere, ,
had undertaken ..so much as that • .chamber.
Having referred to, the , great amount of unnecessary
labour connected with the present mode of entering;
goods, he said the proposition of the Qhamber was,'-that
goods shipped should he passed,.not by each consignee
as at present, but that .the report. of the .vessel should:
constitute the entry of all goods free of duty... This
proposition would reduce the staff of the Customs; and •
had met with the concurrence of the Customs solicitor
in London, and the director -here. With regard •to.:
inward, it was proposed to allow a copy of the ship's
manifest to .be -the entry for the whole of the cargo.
The Customs authorities complained
,that they were
not afforded, facilities to prepare correct statistical infor-:,
mation with regard to exports, and ii; was proposed that
outward entries, be abolished, and that instead the shipper
should deposit: with ~the shipbroker an-abstraotof the
-goods shipped, to .be left. with the copy of the ship's
manifest, a fortnight 'before clearance. There could
be, very. little doubt that frauds to a very large extent
were being , coin.naitted as to.the, town-dues, and, he,
thought ,the adoption,„of those propositions would be
a step in the, right -direction. Ile referred. to the defect:
tive system of surveys in the open docks at Liverpool,
which; as, the ',certificates of the. surveyors here
werenot aeknowled by the London Underwriters, often
coinpelledlhe owner to appeal to courtS, of law, andl
suggeayit the appointment; of an efficient board of „van
vey9o, and,alSo of a body of master porters,
,under the;
surveillance of the MerSey flocks
,and Harbour:Board..
He concle;cyd by moving —"-That. this chamber lends its
cordial aid in fili-4herance of the proposed improiements-
in Custolis entries, and also concurs in the necessity for
animproved'inode of surveying cargoes, and performing
porterage in.npen docks.” •
mr. Holland. seconded the proposition, which was
agreed to. , • .
Mr. DANsoN, chairman of the Commercial Law
Com-
mittee,.theii gave an account of;the proceedings of :that
committee, and glanced briefly at their exertions to
obtain an aniendment of the Baukruptoyand Insolvency
LaW, to g'et the Partnership Registration Bill and the
United Kingdom Writs Bill introduced into Parliainent,
and amend the law, relating. to foreign debtors.
The Chairman, having intimated that Mr. Danson
was retiring from the council, eulogised him for the
eiertiens which he had used on behalf of the association,
and Mr. Thomlinson having endorsed the, chairman's
remarks, a vote of thanks was tendered; to Mr. Robert-
son for presiding, and the. meeting then adjourned to
Monday next.

NEW LEGGIN GS.—We have seen, a new and useful
article in the shape of lez:gings, or,
_as the article may be
called, " spatterdaslies,” introduced by Messrs. Blakey
Brothers, and from their utility, we think they, must
become universal. They arc light and becoming, and
adapted peculiarly for the rifle corps, but still the general
public will receive benefit from, their use. Blakey
Brothers' easy elastic-side walking boots deserve our
cbscx-ration and public thanks, (9,

LIVERPOOL POLICE 'COURT.-YESTERDAY.

• (Before Mr. T. S. RAFFLES.)
ASSAULT WITH A KNIFE.-4 young 'man of a most
unprepossessing appearance, named Thomas Gliuny;
was brought lip charged with assaulting David M-Coy
and stabbing: him in the cheek with a !clasp knife.
The parties, it appears, reside in Gill-street, and about
half-past ten o'clock. "on the night in question, the
prisoner, being -intoxicated, went to- the prosecutor's
' house burst open the door, and challenged him
to. fight. M'Coy, who was dozing by the fire, rose
up to eject the unceremonious visitor. The prisoner,
however, seized -him 'by the coat and dragged him
into the street, where he threw him down and in-
flicted the wound on his cheek with the knife. Dr.
Kavanagh, who dressed' the wound, stated that there
could be no doubt of its having been done with a knife.
The prisoner was ordered to pay a fine of 40s. and costs,
or, in •default, go to prison for two months.
• REFUSAL TO PROCEED TO SEA.—Thirteen men, be-
longing to the ship Vocalist, owned by Messrs. Fernie
Brothers, but chartered to sail under the " Black Ball"
fiag, were brought up .under -the' 243rd section of the
Merchant Shipping Act, charged with refusing to pro-
ceed to sea. Mr. Bluck appeared for the prosecution,
and Mr. Cobb conducted the defence.—Mr. Bluck, in
stating the circumstances, said that the vessel sailed on
the 25th of last month, for Melbourne, but was
obliged' to' put' back on. the Ist of February,
in -consequence •of stress of weather. The men
would state that their beds were wet and uncemfortablei
and that the ship was leaky-and unseaworthy. It was
true that, in consequence of the bad weather, the sky-
lights were washed away, but were immediately covered
with tarpaulin.. Since her return into port the ship had
undergone a complete-survey by Lloyd's surveyor, and
was now pronounced to be in a fit condition to proceed
on her voyage.. The' men -complained of illness, but a
surgeon had examined them, and would inform the court
that they were well enough to go to sea. Captain
Flatt was called, but his evidence was in substance
identical with Mr. Black's statement. On cross-
examination by Mr. Cobb, he said the beds were now
dry. Though the vessel was making water when they
sailed, it was not in such quantities as to endanger her
safety. ,He had.never heard that any of the passengers
refused to proceed with_the vessel.—The surgeon was
called. He said •he had examined' all the prisoners,
and found the whale of them in good health and
capable of going to sea, with the exception of,
two. Mr. Cobb then read to The. prisoners the
certificate given by Lloyd's- surveyor, and were ailed
if they would now return to the ship. Every one of
them, however, declined doing so, on the ground that he
was unwell. The surgeon was ordired to make another.
examination of the prisoners and report, Mr. Cobb
agreeing, on behalf of his clients, to, take his evidence.
On their reappearance in court, the surgeon said that he
could not change his opinion, except with reference to.
one man, whom he found to be rather delicate. This
man (with the other two) was accordingly discharged,
and the remainder were committed to prison for eight
weeks.

• THEFT FROM A Snor Doon.---Julia Boardman, rather
a respectable-looking woman, was charged with stealing
a number of worsted jackets on Saturday evening, from
the shop door ,of Mr. Roberts, a dealer in sinallwares,
Mill-street. She was obseryed by a woman passing at
the time, who gave information at the shop. A lad
followed the prisoner, whohaLthe articles concealed
under ber apron. The magistrate cautioned Mr. Itoberts
against the practice of hanging articles at the doors of
shops in such a manner as to excite the -cupidity of dis-
honest persons. The prisoner was committed for trial
to, the sessions. •

STRAIANG FROM AN EMPLOYER.—Jane Kelly, a ser-
vant girl, and Elizabeth Aspinall, a charwoman, were
charged—the first with stealing a sovereign,- and the
second with stealing_ '..l:chain from Mrs. Isabella, Spew,
21, Lambert-street, their employer. Kelly •pleaded
guilty, , but Aspinall set up a defence of fulding the
chain while cleaning, out a . room, She was committed
for trial, and Kelly was sent to prison for two months.
• (Before Messrs. • LAiNTRENCE and EARLS.)
ASSAULT CASE.-;Iohn Smith, Simpson-street, was
summoned, at. the instance of Police-constable 657, on
the charge of being. drunk on the night of the 29th of
last month, and using obscene and filthy language in
the streets. SmifaThad liiii-suiEirmied the officer for
ass Milting hint. The officer stated that a little' before
tveelie o'clock on the night in question the-defendant
was making a great noise-in Simpson-street, and 'using
very filthy language:'-. He should say he was drunk.—
Mr. Anderton.: Will you, swear he was drunk ?
Officer :.,Yes, I will swear be was, drunk.—,-Smith's
statement was to the effect that he, was rid drunk; hav-
ing been "teetotal" since the 29th'SePtember last.' The
officer 'came forward and caught him by the throat as
he was about to knock at the door of his own house,
and it was for this assault he had .taken out the sum*
mores. Smith also produced a witness, who deposed
that Smith was perfectlY sober when the. officer com-
mitted the' assault. The magiatrates• dismissed both