The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-08 00:00:00

COASTING TRAIYE EItL.

On the questron that the bill be read a third time,
Mr. H. LIDDELL put a question, whether foreigners
would have to pay duty on the stores they used, other
than those that were unlocked ?
Mr. G.' THOMPSON expressed his gratification at
this measure, which removed the last rag of protection,
and only trusted that the Americans would meet us in
the spirit of reciprocity..
Mr. CARDWIALL said that with regard to the ques-
tion of stores, foreigners would by this act be admitted
to exactly the same privileges on this point as British
subjects, and to no more ; and, therefore, foreigners
coming into our costing trade would enjoy no privilege
with ree•ard to duty-paid stores whatever ; but, on
the cong-ary would be placed on exactly the same
footiag with the Queen's subjects. (Hear, hear.) That
was the law of common justice, and that was the law
which would be carried out by the bill now before the
house. Before the measure took its final departure from
this house, he WaS anxious to say a word or two on the
subject of reciprocity. Apprehensions had been expressed
not only lest we should fail to obtain reciprocity from
other countries, b ut lest at some future period, upon any
reverse of our pr( )speritY, we should find the evil conse-
quences of epenir is our trade to all the world. Now, he
was glad to find that the Liverpool Shipowners' Society,
the members of which could not lie considered insensible

to,the I.fdpreF4s% of 114 e *iThownei3N-ailie united
floor, hail-sent to' him! alt reeoird 'of theirapproval
of this bill, and they not unreasonably coupled the ex-
pression of that approval with a desire that the Govern-
ment should urge upon foreign countries the duty of
conferring upon British subjects privileges identical with
those which in our ports we conferred upon them.
When the Govern.inent did urge that course upon foreign
countries, by what/ 1 plea would they be most likely to
prevail ? If, by retaining some fragment of the pro-
tective system, they betrayed a want of confidence in
their principles, the Government would naturally fail
in the argument they addressed to foreign countries.
It was not by reciprocal bargaining upon the subject of
trade that they were so likely to carry out their views
with regard to foreign countries as they were by show-
ing them the success of our own example, by pointing
to the unparalleled prosperity which had followed every
successive relaxation of our restrictive system, by show-
ing that we had adopted it from a conviction that it
was for the• benefit our own people, and that it re-
dounded to the national advantage, thus tending to pro-
duce in their minds an anxiety to reap the same ad-
vantages for themselves. (Hear, hear.) Particular
attention had been drawn to the case of the United
States, the most important of all the countries with
which we had relations upon this subject. It had been
said that the United States would not give us recipro-
city unless we could satisfy them that it was for their
advantage to do so. Now, we should most easily satisfy
them that it was for their advantage by urging upon
them our own successful example. We had a right to
say to her that, having made every concession with re-
gard to her citizens, having shown an undoubted confi
dence in the soundness of our own principles, we were
not open to any retort when we claimed reciprocal
advantages.- The Government neglected to take the
steps which became them in order to obtain reciprocity
with other countries. His noble friend the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs had, at the opening of the
session, called the attention of every country, and
more especially the attention of the United States, to
the steps which her Majesty was recommending Par-
liament to take. There had not been sufficient time
for the answers to those inquiries to be generally re-
ceived, but it was his (Mr. Cardwell's) good fortune to
be able to. state that already the circular issued
by his noble friend had not been unproductive of re-
sults? and, in the case of a neighbouring country, not
unimportant as regarded its commerce—he alluded to
Holland —most satisfactory assurances had been already
received of intended immediate action on the subject of
reciprocity.' (Hear.) It must be extremely satisfactory
to the community to find that this measure had been
permitted to pass through this house without a dissen-
tient voice, supported on this occasion and on others by
the testimony of those who either had a large personal
interest in the shipping trade or represented the largest
shipping communities, and he did believe that it was
a most important step in the progress of universal free
trade that England with the unanimous concurrence of
the House of Commons, was throwing open the free
navigation of her shores, and was banishing the last
remnant of protection. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DIGBY SEYMOUR, referring to a resolution
of the Shipowners' Committee of Sunderland, condemn-
ing the opinion he had expressed on a previous occasion
in this house, denied that that resolution expressed the
sentiments of the great majority of the people of that
town. The press of Sunderland—Tory, Whig, and Ra-
dical—had united in expressing their approval of the
course he had taken in supporting her Majesty's Govern-
ment, and he might add, to their credit, that the seamen
of Sunderland had come to the conclusion that the
throwing open of the coasting trade and the extension
in that way of free-trade principles would, while it pro-
moted the prosperity of the country generally, promote
also, if not at the present moment, at least_ in the end,
the prosperity of the interests which they represented.
The bill was then read a third time and passed, amid
general cheering.
The Mutiny Bill was brought in and read a first time.
The house adjourned at a quarter-past 7 o'clock.

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TILE SA N, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, EVENING, MARCII 8, 1854.

why not begin by the committee ? It must be remem-
bered that both the promoters and opponents of the bill
are put to vast expense and vexation by the preliminary
proceedings, which appear, after all, to be otiose and
superfluous. It is not for us to say whether there should
be a standing committee or a series of committees, or in-
deed in any way to. suggest the exact details of the
remedy to be applied; but at least this much is clear,
that the questions involved in private bills are peculiarly
such as require examination before a select tribunal—
limited in point of numbers, and judicial in its character
—rather than in the loose discussion they at present re-
ceive in the off-hours of the general house.
We attribute no fault to members of the house, nor
charge them with neglect of any kind under existing
arrangements. If they are in fault at all, it is inasmuch
as they do not order the course of their business better.
We fully admit that it is absolutely impossible that any
one member of the house can inform himself of the
merits of all local and private bills submitted to the con-
sideration of the house. They do their best, and this
best amounts to little enough. In any case it would no
doubt be proper to leave the ultimate decision in the
hands of the general body of the house ; but it would
be infinitely preferable that this decision were taken
after any particular measure ha,(l received the considera-
tion of a committee. The public have nothing to lose
as far as Parliamentary decision is concerned by such a
change in the course of proceeding, but everything to
gain. They retain the constitutional privilege, but
avoid useless expense and delay.

SPORTING NOTES.

DOINGS AT DONCASTER.

They who left London this morning by the special
train from King's-cross, arrived at Doncaster in ample
time to witness the first race—which was judiciously
"set" for two o'clock. As usual, the proceedings corn-
mehced with the Trial Stakes, for which five horses
started, although, in• reality, only four went with the
intention of winning, the Duchess of Loraine colt being
merely started for the avowed purpose of being beaten,
in order that he might have the advantage of the allow-
ance for the Whittlebury Stakes at Northampton. A
declaration to this effect was made prior to the race, still
the practice of running horses on such terms, a practice
which of late has been frequently adopted, is at least un-
fair and pernicious in its operations. My " selections".
Snowdon Dunhill and Eulogist made an exciting "finish",
the former winning by a neck only. Just before taking
his preparatory canter he jumped round when opposite
the stand, and George Oates, his rider, came to the
ground. His trainer, however, fortunately "had hold
of his head" at the time.
Little Toni was the favourite for the Sheffield and
Rotherham Plate ; but scarcely in any part of the en-
counter did lie sustain the expectations of his backers.
Ptolemy achieved an easy victory. Within a few
strides of the chair, however, his jockey stopped riding,
and for a few seconds rendered his success doubtful.
Before starting Julius CLesar threw his jockey, got
loose, and was with some difficulty caught and re-
mounted.

Twenty "youngsters" put in an appearance for the
Hopeful Stakes, and before they quitted the post, much
tedious delay was occasioned. Indeed, the amateur
starter was apparently somewhat inexperienced, and was
not a little puzzled to marshal so large a field in due
order. At length, however, they got away, Lady Pal-
merston rushing to the front, maintaining her lead
throughout, and winning easily by two lengths. Cypri-
ana, the favourite, was early beaten in the race.
Cross country events are not likely to attain a flourish-
ing popularity at Doncaster ; a circumstance which is
scarcely to be regretted. Ever since the establishment
of the Spring Meeting their association with the legiti-
mate sport has been attended with little success. Their
abolition would produce no effect on the prosperity of
the gathering,—and the money which is now added to
the Grand National might be more judiciously applied.
Only six animals ran for the Steeplechase on the present
occasion, and they, with the exception of the winner, pos-
sessed no pretensions beyond the most leather-flapping
mediocrity. Indeed they belong to that class in which
Ben Land's horses occasionally show to so much advan-
tage. Notwithstanding his crushing weight and his re-
-1 cent running at Liverpool, Bourtou won with little
apparent difficulty. Contrary to my expectation he
was selected to do battle for his party instead of
his stable companion Trout. The race was however,
decided as I anticipated in favour of the " lucky
scarlet jacket with the white hoop."
Spring was in the saddling enclosure, and Archer,
booted and spurred, was ready to ride him. But just
before going to scale, it was discovered that Spring had
unjustly incurred a penalty of 7lbs. by winning a hurdle
race at Lincoln. Although the strict letter of the condi-
tions made him liable to this penalty, yet it is unques-
tionable that had their spirit and the rules of racing been
abided by, the penalty would not have been enforced.
Indeed, the framer of those conditions declared that they
were not drawn up with the intention to penalise a win-
ner of a hurdle race.

Oscar, too, was sent to Doncaster, but was scratched
to-day at a quarter-past 12 o'clock. His withdrawal
was, however, I believe unavoidable, having severely
bruised his leg by his fall at Liverpool. Indeed, his
accident was somewhat singular ; both he and Peter were
racing at a " gap," when the latter swerved, Oscar was
therefore knocked out of his stride, and on charging the
rails, caught them with his fore-feet, and carried a por-
tion of them for some few yards between his legs.
The mystery which surrounds Miss Mowbray, and the
proceedings of her party relative to the Liverpool Stee
plechase, is at no distant period likely to be dispelled,
and much of the odium which at present attaches to cer-
tain individuals may be removed. From the inquiries
which I have instituted, I am induced to believe that
the mare was certainly "got at." Should my informa-
tion be correct, there is little doubt that the wrong
doers will be speedily detected and unsparingly exposed.
Salisbury races will take place to-morrow and Friday.
My "fancies" as to their probable result must be briefly
expressed. In the absence of Autocrat, Bribery will
doubtless carry off the Triennial Stakes. Should Orestes
and Cineas meet for the Trial Stakes, the race will be
peculiarly interesting. Believing that the latter has been
somewhat hard worked with King Tom, I shall expect
Cineas to achieve the victory. Ireland's Eye, Vixen,
and Roe-buck will perhaps occupy the foremost places
in the race for the Wiltshire Stakes. With a start, I
shall be inclined to give Nabob the precedence of the
"lot ;" a probability, however, seems to exist that he
will be reserved exclusively for Chester
Dbncaster, Tuesday night.