The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-25 00:00:00

" It appears to be the opinion of the principal
officers of Customs, gentlemen of great experience,
that the system of collecting statistical informa-
tion has been improved by the operation of those
charges, and the only further improvement sug-
gested by them consists in their extended applica-
tion. It seems to be admitted that perfect accuracy
is unattainable, but they maintain that the existence
of a charge, graduated with reference to the quan-
tity of the goods imported, affords them facilities
for obtaining this information from the importers,
and for correcting inaccurate entries, which they
would not otherwise possess.
" On the other hand, it appears to be the unani-
mous opinion of the mercantile witnesses, supported
by the evidence of Mr. Edwards, the collector of
Customs at the port of Liverpool, that these charges
have proved useless for securing accurate statistics..
It was further shown by the officers of Customs
that ou all dutiable articles the charge on goods
inwards was unnecessary for statistical purposes,
while on imports, otherwise duty free, information
as to quantities was mainly obtainable from the im-
porters. The mercantile witnesses agreed that,
owing to the fractional, complex, and uncertain
character of the units of entry on most important
classes of merchandise, the difficulty of an approach
to accuracy has been increased rather than dimi-
nished ; that the is. 6d. stamp is in no wise con-
ducive to greater care or accuracy as to returns of
quantities or values exported, and that the produc-
tion of shipping bills or Customs bills of lading and
ship's manifest can be obtained by other means.
" As to the operation of these charges upon the
trade and commerce of the country, the testimony
of the mercantile witnesses was unanimous in de-
scribing them as obstructive, vexatious, expensive,
and unequal.
"In regard to the charge on imports your com-
mittee refer to the valuable evidence of the Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer as to the reasons for its impo-
sition, and to the practical experience of its work.
ing, which have induced the distinct declaration
teem him that the principle of this tax may be con-
sidered as abandoned.
" On reference to the tariff of units of entry de-
livered in by the chairman of Customs it will be seen
that it contains a greater number of items for taxa-
tion than the national tariff, the detrimental opera-
tion of this second tariff being still further increased
by any variation in its items which may be made
from time to time, thereby exercising a plejudicial
effect upon the general commerce of the country ;
and in regard to the ls. 6d. stamp on ex?orts it
appears by the evidence given on behalf of the im-
portant and rising ports of Southamrpton and Hull
that it presses with considerable severity on all the
smaller items of our rapidly increasing commerce by-
steam transit; while at the same time there exists

great facility for its evasion.
" Notwithstanding the annoyances that were, on.
all hands, matter of complaint, there was an equal
unanimity in the statements as to the able and con-
ciliatory manner in which the officers of Customs
had constantly endeavoured to collect these obnoxi-
ous rates, the objections being mainly directed.
against these small charges on tmde and commerce,
rather than to the mode of their collection.
" Your committee were unable to obtain any po-
sitive information as to the total cost of procuring
statistical information ; the moneys expended,
for this object by the Customs were stated at
about £27,000 per annum, and by the Board of
Trade at about £4,000 per annum ; but, as these
sums represent only salaries paid to the officers and
persons employed in this department of statistics,
they are obviously a very insufficient measure of
the actual cost to the country for this information-
" According to the last Parliamentary return, the
tax on imports yields about £138,000 per annum,
and on exports about £13,000 per annum, repre-
senting in the aggregate an amount altogether in-
significant, when compared with the trouble, ob-
struction, and annoyance caused by their imposition.
The evidence which Las been obtained fully sus-
tains the acknowledged principle of sound taxation,
that the tax should produce the revenue required.
with as little annoyance to the payer as possible.
" Your committee are of opinion that these small
charges on commerce are unwise and inexpedient,
and recommend their abolition.
" The chairman of your committee has prepared.
an abstract of the evidence affecting the most im-
portant points referred to your committee, which
is appended to their report."