The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-18 00:00:00

It was proposed by W. Crawford, Esq. ; seconded by Hugh M.

Matheson, Fsq.,
That inasmuch as protracted discussions upon alterations of duty
detrimentally affect the interests of all parties both here and abroad,
promote undue speculation, and tend to diminish the amount of
duties received for the revenue, it is highly desirable that any reduc-
tion proposed as regards the tea duties should take effect with the
least possible delay.

It was proposed by G. T. Brain, Esq. ; seconded by Lewis Huth, Esq.
That as regards the extent of reduction, ibis meeting is fully im-
pressed with the importance of its being of such a magnitude as would
secure to the people a difference in price sufficiently important to en-
sure such increased consumption as would promptly restore any
temporary deficiency in the revenue.
It was proposed by Riebard Twining, Esq., Jun.; seconded by John

Entwistle, Esq.,
That the following Memorial be signed, for presentation to the
Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, conveying to him the views of this
Meeting on the subject, and that the same be handed to him by John
Masternean, Esq. M.P., and Samuel Gregson, Esq., M.P.
It was proposed by J. Ingram Travers, Esq. ; seconded by Jas. Lay.
ton, Esq„
That the cordial anks of this eetig te iven to Jhn Master-
q., M.P., forth his conduct in then chairg tins day,o and for his
man, Es
reidy attention at all times to the wishes of his constituents.

To THE RtGHT HON. WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE-, M.P., CIIAN-
CELLOR OF HER MAJESTY'S EXCHEQUER, &C.
The Memorial of the undersigned Merchants and Traders of
the City of London.
Showeth,—That your Memorialists are deeply interested in the
trade with China, or engaged in the sale of tea.
That your Memorialists consider the present duty charged upon
tea to be exorbitant acid oppressive, and most inconsistent with the
avowed commercial policy of the nation, of securing to the mass of
the people all necessary articles of consumption at the cheapest pos-
sible rate.
That this excessive duty interferes most seriously with the con-
sumption of tea.
That tho natural development of the China trade (in most in-
stances one of barter) is greatly impeded by the imposition of a high
duty Won one of the principal articles of import, as the extent of
British manufactures to be introduced into that country must be
regulated by the returns of China products which we are enabled to
consume
That your Memorialists consider that could returns lac taken from
China in sufficient quantity, the exportation of British manufactures
would be increased to an enormous extent, China being not only the
most populous country in the world, but its inhabitants are probably
the most dress-loving people and the most prone to the indulgence of
cheap luxuries of any nation with which we are acquainted.
That your Memorialists are convinced that the reduction of the
duty on tea will ensure a largely increased consumption of that
article.
That the loss of revenue occasioned by a reduction of duty would
be speedily repaired by slice increased consumption, provided the
reduction were sufficiently important to cause a sensible diminution
in the price, and one which would be felt by the mass of the people,
whose purchases, though made in very small quantities, are enor-
mous in the aggregate.
That the duties imposed by the Chinese tariff on British goods
varies from 5 to 7 per cent., while the duty on tea, their staple
export to Great Britain varies from 200 to 250 per cent.—a fact
which should induce the Government of this country to take the
earliest opportunity of lessening the excessive duty now charged
thereon.
That independently of commercial views, the extended consump-
tion of tea In this country may be deemed a moral and social ques-
tion of great importance. Tea yields a wholesome and agreeable
beverage to every class of the population, one that is increasingly
desired as a subs itute for iutoxicating liquors, and is peculiarly valued
by the humbler classes, whose comforts would be increased, and
whose social habits would be improved were the cost of so important
an article of consumption materially reduced.
That in reference to navigation, a largo reduction is important.
Tea is a light and bulky article, requiring considerable tonnage in
proportion to its value; the continued emigration to Australia will
direct a large amount of shipping to the southern hemisphere, a part
of which, proceeding to China, would find profitable employment,
were a large additional quantity of tea required in this country.
Th,it your Memorialists would further mention that during the
past six years, while the shipments of tea from China to Great Bri-
tain have only increased from 57,600,001 lbs. to 65,000,0001b5., the ex-
ports of tea to the United States, where no duty is imposed, have in-
creased from 18,000,00011 m. to 34,300,000 lbs.,—a striking illustration
of the expansive power of the tea trade If relieved from burthensome
and oppressive duties.
That in our colonies and dependencies where tea is free or lightly
taxed, the consumption is, in proportion to the population, in some
cases two, in others three to one more than in this country, a fact
which farther strongly illustrates the capability o' greatly Increased
consumption.
In conclusion, your Memorialists will only refer to the elaborate
investigation into the working of the China trade by a Committee
of the House of Commons in 1847. The Report of that Committee,
which entered most fully and ably into all questions arising out of
this important branch of our commerce, contained the following re-
commendation to the house:—
" Your Committee think themselves warranted in recommending
to the house a considerable reduction in the duty on tea at the
earliest period which in it wisdom it may see fit, as most desirable
in itself, with a view to the comforts and the social habits of the
people, as involving but a, temporary loss to the Revenue, and as
essential to the extension of our trade with China, nay, even to its
maintenance at the point which it has already reached."
Under these circumstances, your Memorialists pray for. a liberal
and pr,mpt revision of the Tea Duties.
London, 14th March, 1853.
Baring Brothers and Co.
Matheson and Co.
Palmers, Mackillop, Dent, & Co.
Fred. Huth and Co.
Gregson and Co.
Forbes, Forbes, and Co.
Rawson, Norton, and Co.
Peter Dickson and Co.
Sanderson, Frys, Fox, and Co.
T. A. Gibb
Ashton and Co.
G. T. Brain
R. Twining and Co.
Horrocks, Miller, and Co.
Gladstanes and Co.
Peek, Brothers, and Co.
W. J. and H. Thompson
Layton, Hulbert, and Co.
Elias and Co.
J. Travers and Sons
Crawford, Colvin, and Co. s
Harvey, Brand, and Co.
Finlay, Hodgson. and Co.
Daniel, Dickenson, and Co.
Reiss, Brothers, and Co.
Small and Co.
Moffatt and Co.
Finnis and Fisher
Arbuthnot, Latham, and Co.
Philpot and Buttevant
R. Gibbs and Co.
Dallas and Coles
Timothy Smith
Ewart, Maccaughey, and Co.
Phillipps, Shaw, and Lowther
Hyde and Jones
John Entwistle.
Hayter and Howell
Carlisle, Capel, and Ce.
R. Hillhouse and Sons
Maul and Sons
Delafosse and Wathen
Mitchell and Blain
.los. Goddard and Co.
Thos. How and Sons
F. Clarence
J. Deane, jun.
W. E. Franks, and Sons
Heath, Beatson, and Co.
Robert Smith and Co.
G. Peabody and Co.
John Silverlock •
Charles L. Fergusson
Rowley and Davies
Edwards and Sons
DaVison, Newman, and Co.
Parker, Son, and Pritchett
Wmollatt, Brothers, and Co.
David Lloyd •
Fincham, Matson, and Co.
North, Simpson, Graham, & Co.
R. Holb irn and Sons
Bennett, Brown, and Co.
W. Smith and Co.
Miller and Lowcoci
J. A. Abbiss and Co.
Geo. Duncan
Chas. Watson
John Fletcher Betts
Chas. Barry and Co.
C. Thorne

W. E. Moffatt
J. J. Noyes
G. H. and J. F. Wolff
Benj. Williams
Joseph Hackle),
John Waring
J. Crumplon
Norton, Kilburn, and Co.
Russell and Co.
John J. Edwards
H. C. White
IL C. R. Macduff
Charles Hawkins
Robert Archer
W. D. Beard
Thomas Maltby
Charles Maltby
W. J. Bland
Thomas How
W. IL Williamson
Edmund Crawley
Absolom Crocker and Co.
Mitchell, Blain, and Co.
Lloyd, Matheson, and Co.
Charles Harris and Co.
Charles Ady Hulbert
Smith, Kennedy, and Co.
Jos. F. StAckhouse
F. and H. Monkileld
Robert R. R. Moore.
Thomas Watkins
Lewis Brothers
Cornelius Pugh
Thomas Howard
James Moore
George Findlay
Robert Earnshaw
W. G. A spinall
John Nicholson and Co.
W. 0. Young
Wm. Wilson
George Buck
George Salntsbury
John H. Mason
Charles Hive
Wm. Weston
Passam Smith and Co.
John Teesdale
John Thornton
Wm. IL Alcock
John 'lb gle
John Hawkins
Wm. Sentance
Edwin Hassey
Robert E. Warwick.
Wm. Pritchard
R. B. Whiteside
J. White
James Cousens and Sons
Phillips and Co.
Andrew Jobrson and Co.
Charles Hunt
Noel Whiting
Robert H. Salmon
John Towse, jun.
Richard Gibbs, jun.
James Gilbertson
William Spottiswode
F. Farnan and Sons
W. Hanswell