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

AT a numerous and highly respectable MEET-
tNG of MERCHANTS and TRADERS of the CITY of
~O DON, herd at the London Tavern, on Monday, the 14th March,
1853,

JOHN MASTERHAN, Esq., M.P., in the Chair,

It was proposed by J. Horsley Palmer, Esq ; seconded by Samuel

Gregson, Esq ,

That in the opinion of this Meeting the present duty of 2s. 2/4 d.
per lb. on tea, or from 200 'o 250 per cent., is a most oppressive tax
upon an article of universal consumption, N‘ hich enhances the price
so considerably as seriously to limit the demand, and that su h is
directly opposed to the established commercial policy of this coun-
try. That the effect of this duty upon our commercial relations
with China is prejudicial in the highest degree, inasmuth as the
trade being principally one of barter, our exports of British manu-
factures are dependent upon the extent of our imports from that
country—it may, therefore, be fairly expected that our trade would be
materially increased, were there a considerable augmentation of the
returns at present received from China. That a large reduction of
duty is impor, ant, inasmuch as tea is a favourite article of consump-
tion with she great mass of the people, whose 'comforts and social
habits would be promoted by placing within their reach an accept-
able and wholesome beverage at a reasonable price: And further,
that as a Parliamentary Committee, in July, 1847, after a length.
ened inquiry, recommended to the House of Commons a considerable
reduction of the duty on tea it is highly expedient at this time to
urge the Chancellor of the Exchequer to re-consider the Report of
the Committee, with a view ofsubmitting to the house a proposal for
carrying their rez9pepaopjauk,otrect.
It was proposed by W. Crawford, Esq. ; seconded by Hugh M.
Matheson, Esq.,
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 rvas proposed by G. T. Brain, Esq. ; seconded by Lewis Huth, Esq.
That as regards the extent of reduction, this meeting is fully im-
pressed with the importance (Wit. being of such a magnitude as would
secure to the people a difference in price sufficiently important to en-
sure such increased 4 consumption as would promptly restore any
temporary deficiency in the revenue.
It was proposed by Richard 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
Mast erraan, 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 thanks of this Meeting he given to John Master-
man, Esq., M.P., for his conduct in the chair this day, and for his
ready attention at all times to the wishes of his constituents.
To THB RIGHT HON. WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE, M.P., CHAN-
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 t onsider the present duty charged upon
tea to be exorbitant mid 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 the natural development of the China trade (in most in-
stances one of barter) is greatly impeded by the imposition of a higk
duty uron 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 be taken from
China in sufficient quantity, the exportation of British manufactures
would be increased to an enormous extent, China being not only the
most popu'ous 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 sacs increased consumption, provided the
reductions 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 tact
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 deemei 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 intoxicating 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 large 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 rart
of which, proceeding
.to China, would find profitable vaployment,
were a large additional quantity of tea required in this country.
Th,t your Memorialists w6uld further mention that during the
past sixyears, while the shipments of tea from China to Great Bri-
tain have only increased from 57,600,00 lbs. to 65,000,0001b5., the ex-
ports of tea to the 'United States. where no duty is imposed, have in-
creased from I 8,000,0001b5. to 34,3,0,000 'bs., —a striking illustration
of the expansive power at 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 ropulation, in some
cases two, in (3, hers three to one more than in this country, a tact
which further strongly illustrates the capability o' greatly increased
consumption.
In conclusion, your Memorialists will only refer to the elaborate
invest.gation into the working of the China trade by a Committee
of the House of Ct.mmons in 1847. The Report of that Committee,
which entered most fully and ably into all questions arising out of
this important br nch of our commerce, contained the blowing 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 flt, as most desirable
in itself, with a view to the comforts and the social habits of the
people, as involvin; 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 alresdy reached."
Un•'er these circumstances, your Memorialists pray for a liberal
and pr,mpt revision of the Tea Duties.
London, 14th Alareh, 1853.
Baring Brothers and Co. W. E. Moffatt
Matheson and Co. J. J. Noyes
Palmers, Mackillop, Dent, & Co. G. 11. and
il J. F. Wulff
Fred. Huth and Co. Bent, Williams
Gregson and Co. Joseph Rackley
John Waring
Forbes, Forties, and Co.
Rawson, Norton, and Co. J. Crumplon
Peter Dickson and Co. Norton, Kilburn, and Co.
Sanderson, Frye, Fox, and Co. , Russell and Co.
T. A.
an H.
J. Edwards
Ashton and Co. H. C. White
G. T. Braine IL C. R. Macduff
R. Twining and Co. Charles Hawkins
Horrocks, Miller, and Co. Robert Archer
Gladstanes and Co. W. D. Beard
Peek, Brothers, and Co. Tbomas Maltby
W. J. and 11. Thompson Charles Maltby
Layton, Hulbert, and Co. W. J. Bland
Elias and Co. Thomas How
J. Travers and Sons W. H. Williamson
Crawford, Colvin, and Co. Edmund Crawley
Harvey, Brand, and Co. Absolom Crocker and Co.
Fin'ay, Hodgson, and Co. Mitchell, Blain, and Co.
Dantsl, Dickenson, and Co. Lloyd, Matheson, and Co.
Reiss, Brothers, and Co. Charles Harris and Co.
Small and Co. Charles Ady Hulbert
Moffatt and Co. Smith, Kennedy, and Co.
Finnis and Fisher Jos. F. Stackhouse
Arbuthnot, Latham, and CO. F. and H. Monkfteld
Philpot and Buttevant Robert R. R. Moore.
R. Gibbs and Co. Thomas Watkins
Dallas and Coles Lewis Brothers
Cornelius Pugh
Timothy Smith
Ewart, hi accaughey, and Co. Thomas Howard
Phillit p 9, Shaw, and Lowther James Moore
George Findlay
Hyde and Jones Robert EarnshaW
John Entwistle. W. G. A spinall
Hayter and Howell
John Nicholson S.nd Co.
Carlisle, Capel, and Co.
W. 0. Young
R. Hillhouse and Sons
Win. Wilson
Meal and Sons George Buck
Delafosse and Wathen
George Salntsbury
Mitchell and Blain
Jos. Goddard and Co. John H. Mason
Thos. How and Sons Charles H•ipe
F. c larance Wm. Weston
J. Deane, jun. racSaCrl Smith and Co.
IV. E. Franks, and Sons John Teesdale
Heath, Beat on, and Co. • John Thorman
Robert smith and Co. Wm. H. Alcock
G. Peabody and Co. John 'f I,: gist
John Silverlock John Hawkins
Charles L. Fergusson Win. Sentance
Rowley and Davies Edwin Hussey
Edwards and Sons Robert E. Warwick.
Davison, Newman, and Co. Win. Pritchard
i arker, Son, and Critchett R. B. Whiteside
Wcollatt, Brothers, and Co.
David Lloyd J. White
James CousenS and Sons
Fincham, Matson, and Co. Phillips and Co.
North, Simpson, Graham, &
Co* Andrew Johnson and Co.
R. Holb ton and Sons
Bennett, Brown, and Co. Charles Hunt
W. Smith and Co. Noel Whiting
Miller and Lowcock Robert H. Salmon
J. A. Abbiss and Co. John Towse, jun.
Geo. Duncan Richard Gibbs, jun.
Chas. Watson James Gilbertson
John Fletcher Betts William spottiswode
Chas. Barry and Co. F. Farnan and Sons
C. Thorne. W. Hanswell