The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-22 00:00:00

7. THE TRANSIT SYSTEM.

It appeals to my lords, that under this head most of the re-
commendations of the committee with regard to the facilities
which it is desirable to grant in relation of goods passing in
transit through this country, and for the removal of such
goods from the place of importation to that of exportation,
when different, had been adopted, even before the date of their
report, by direction of my lords, so far as regards to London,
Liverpool, Hull, Goole, Grimsby, and Southampton. My
lords, therefore, content themselves by observing on this
head that they will be prepared to extend like facilities to
such other ports as, from time to time, from a change of cir-
cumstances shall appear practicable with reference to a safe
and convenient means of transit, and to authorise the trans-
mission of such goods under a general bond to be given by the
railway company, thus dispensing with the special bond from
the owners of such goods, as at present by law.
My lords, however, would not wish to be understood that
they now come to any decision in respect of the plan which,
as the commissioners observe, has been proposed for the re-
moval .of goods landed at Southampton without examination,
to be bonded in London. My lords are of opiuion that the
advantage to be thus obtained by the importer would not be
commensurate with the risk and the cost which the public
revenue would incur in this and analagous cases. And if this
system be objectionable by railway communication, my lords
are of opinion that it would be doubly so by coasting Vessels ;
and that the same objection would apply even in regard to
moving goods in transit by coasting vessels unexamined, as
is permitted to be done by railway, owing to the greater faci-
lity which such a means of conveyance necessarily furnishes.
With regard to the introduction of arms in transit, my lords
are of opinion that the prohibition might be dispensed with,
but that in every case a Treasury order shall be necessary,
made upon an application which shall state the country
from whence the importation is to take place, the quan-
tity to be imported, and the country to which they are to be
shipped.

With regard to the limitation of the size of the packages
in which some goods can be imported or exported, and espe-
cially spirits and tobacco, my lords are opinion that the
relaxation of the law which my lords have made from time to
time in favour of the transit trade have already accomplished
all the purposes which the committee contemplated as
well as with regard to the facility of forwarding samples of
tobacco.

My lords will, however, generally observe under this head,
that in the present state of the commerce of the world, and
especially in reference, to our great maritime interests, it is
one of the first duties of the Government to afford every faci-
lity for the extension of our transit trade ; and they aro
pleased to direct that that the attention of the Commissioners
of Customs shall be given to this subject, in order from time
to time to reeommend such modifications as shall appear de-
sirable.

My lords' attention has been drawn by the Commissioners
of Customs to the present practice of giving bonds in each
case, in which goods are removed from one warehouse to an-
other, and to the great trouble .which such practice entails
upon the merchant ; and my lords are pleased to direct, in
accordance with such recommendation, that in cases where
merchants prefer it, they shall be at liberty to give one single
general bond to cover their transactions.