The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-29 00:00:00

I. a pollui

The Sound dues, therefore, as they are levied at pre.
sent, combine in them what is most objectionable in
taxes that fall ❑pon trado; they are unequal in their
operation, and they occasion great kiss of time and much
needless expenditure in the collection of a comparatively
small revenue, and, as far as the cargoes are concerned,
without professing to be raised for any service rendered
in return, tend to impede and burden an important
branch of trade. Under these circumstances, your com-
mittee have no hesitation in declaring that these dues
are the cause of annoyance and injury to British com-
merce, and they deem it therefore highly desirable that
they should be abolished.

Your committee are the more induced to form this
opinion by the circumstance that Denmark, from her
geographical position, appears to possess a territorial
monopoly in all the practicable routes that could be sub-
stituted in passing from the German Ocean to the Baltic
Sea, by which the payment of these dues could be
avoided ; and while her continuance to levy tolls on the
passage of the Sound is allowed, she can always protect
this source of her revenue by imposing countervailing
duties on the transit by land through her territory..
It app.:axe to this committee that Denmark has already
manifested her intention to act upon this policy, seeking
to confine the trade to its ancient course by sea, for, simui-
taneousiy with any railway communication being opened
through her territory, transit dues have been imposed,
which, from their amount, practically operate as a pro-
tection of the Sound revenue.

Mr. Buchanan, the British Minister at Copenhagen,
has stated that it was notorious in tbat country, and
that he had no doubt of it himself, that this was the
object of the duties which have been imposed on goods
pac,sing on the railway between Hamburg and Lubeck,
and he feels equally confident that upon the abolition of
the Sound dues they would at once be greatly reduced.
Ocher witnesses have expressed their opinion that, but
for the transit dues, a much snore extended use would
ho made of this railway, especially at seasons of the
year when relief from the risks of sea would compensate
the merchant for any loss or inconvenience occurring
from the transshipment of geode.
It has been given in evidence Oat a railway lately has
been completed between Tonningen and Flonsborg, and
which passes through Danish territory, and which pur-
ports to convey goods clear of the Sound dues, but the
committee have not been Informed of the extent to which
they have already been made subject to transit dues.
Your committee would strongly recommend that in
any negotiation that may take place for the abolition of
the Souud dues, the fullest consideration should be given
to the means of securing a like freedom for trade in the
transit through any part of the Danish territory.
By means of documents that have been directed to
laid before this committee, as well as by statements made
by Mr. Buchanan on the subject, your committee have
become informed of the proposal that has lately been
submitted by the Government of Denmark to the Go-
vernment of her Majesty, as well as to other foreign
states, with a view to the abolition of the Sound dime,
and.they have heard from some of the witnesses opinions
as to the justice and practicability of the plan. Other
measures have also been brought under the consideration
of the committee, having likewise in view to remove or
mitigate the evils connected with these dues of which
the trade so earnestly complain.
Your committee does not feel in a position to pronounce
any confident opinion upon the respective merits of these
propositions, but they deem it important to notice, that in
all of the plans, whether the one which has been made by
the Danish Government, or those which have either ori-
ginated in other countries, or been suggested by indivi-
duals in this country, there seems to be no difference of
opinion as to the data on which the calculation for a just
settlement of this question should proceed, namely, the
payments annually made to the Crown of Denmark on
account of Sound dues ; neither does it appear that the
accuracy of the returns to This effect, which aro exclu-
sively derived from Danish authority, is seriously called
in question.
Mr. Buchanan says that theiracouracy was not doubted
at the congress assembled at Copenhagen to consider the
subject, and that he is satisfied from the freedom and ab-
sence or reserve with which access to the entries at the
Customhouse was offered to himself, as also from the
coincidence with the financial accounts presented to the
Danish legislature, that there is no reasonable ground
for mistrust.

Doubts have been expressed to this committee by some
witnesses, whether, in case of compliance with the propo-
sition of Denmark, namely, to receive at once a sum re-
presenting the capital value of the payments annually
made on account of Sound dues, any guarantee would
remain for the maintenance of lights and buoys so essen-
tial for the safety of navigation in that sea ; and whether
on:this account it would be expedient that any pecuniary
indemnity should consist of annual payments remitted by
this Government to that of Denmark. It is difficult, how-
ever,' to express any opinion upon this matter, without
previously knowing what other arrangements Denmark
might propose to make for this purpo:m.
The question on which there appears to be some real
difference of opinion is as to the mode of providing in
this country for the payment of the sum required for
the redemption of these duos, should that coursßbe de-
termined upon ; whether the burden should is borne ex-
clusively by the merchants and shipowners engaged in
the Baltic trade, or whether by the country at large.
The view taken ,by some of the most intelligent wit-
nesses, that the chief exports from the Baltic being
of general consumption in this country, the duties on
them (though borne at first by an especial branch of
trade) enter into the cost of the article, and fell ulti-
mately on the general consumer, appears to be Well-
founded, and so far to warrant the opinion that compen-
sation in this case might properly, be charged on the ge-
heral resources of the country. The committee, how-
ever, have observed that among those whose interests
would be affected by it, no strong objection has been ex-
pressed to the charge being cast on the particular trade,
and the reason assigned against this plan has been less
on the ground of injustice than that of the difficulty and
inconvenience that would be found in giving it effect.
There can be little doubt that the trade would, in con-
sideration of being relieved from the burden and incon-
venience connected with the present payment of these
dues, gladly agree to substitute in their place a direct
payment either to this Government or that of Denmark,
equal in amount to that which can now be legally
claimed of them ; but it is manifest that great practical
difficulties would arise in giving effect to a 'System of
differential duties imposed upon produce imported into
the United Kingdom from the Baltic, and which would
be thus rendered necessary.
On these points, however, the committee forbear to
express any opinion. It will be for the house to decide on
the means that may be proposed by the Governrnentof this
country for carrying into effect any arrangement with
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do
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observe that the longer the settlement of this question is
will be demanded ; an
Den-
mark for which compensation
n ittheed
scoursetates recentcre-
atedly
delayed the larger will probably be the receipts by
d
at
.deinands from this country
they Lava furtGhoervertnomreennit
taken by the
a speedy and practical solution. Your committee have
aorfkt the
a state of things which
learnt from Mr. Buchanan that the Government of the
United States have announced their intention of discon-
tinuing the payment of the Sound dues after the expira-
tion of a year, dating from the month of June last, and
that a specific offer of compensation has been made by
Oat Government to the Crown of Denmark, calculated
on the same prOportion to their previous Payments as
the proposal which has been made by Denmark to this
country, and which it is understood the . Danish
Government are ready to accept. If an exemp-
tion from the Sound dues could be granted by Den-
_

mark to one nation, it w(.uld give to that nation an un-
due advantage in the carriage of the trade with the
Lahie. Your committee therefore think that the pro-
posals made by the Danish Government to, the Govern-
ments of the different States interested in the naviga-
tion and trade of the Baltic, amongst which Great Bri-
tain holds the first place, should receive immediate con-
sideration, and become the foundation of a final and
satisfactory settlement of the question.

The accounts from Hamburg state that the demAnd
for money is again increasing, the rate of discount hay.
ing advanced to 51 per cent.
The gold arrip:4lv/yotterda contistcd of .s,zippoi.
from New York, and 240,00/-. IT the Oliver raig, fit m
Australia, making a total of 397,0001., nearly the who
of which is expected to be tient to the continent.

SOIYTH WALES RAILWAY.-NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN, That the next HALF-YEARLY ORDI-
NARY MEETING of the Proprietors of this Company will be held
st the Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington, on WEDNE:-
A.Y, the 20th day of August next, at One o'clock precisely, for the
general purposes of business.
A Resolution will be submitted to the Meeting for the purpose of
authorising the Coaverslon Into Stock of Shares in the Capital of the
Company.
The Transfer Books will be closed on the 6th August, and will
not be reopened until after the said Half-yearly General Meeting
en the 20th August.

By order.
FRED. G. SAUNDERS, Secretary.
South Wales Railway Office, 10, Eastbourne-terrace,
Paddington, July 29, 1856.

PRINCE'S CLUB.—RACQUET and TENNIS
COURTS, Hans-place.Belgrave-sqnare.—Gentlemen desirous
of becoming members are requested to communicate with the seem
tary, at the club, who will flirriish every information.
.......m....

Just published, New and Improved Edition, price One Shilling.
THE CURABILITY of CONSUMPTION';
being a Series of Papers, presenting the most prominent and
important Practical Points in the Treatment of the Disease.
By FRANCIS H. RA.MADGE, M.D.,
Yellow of the College of Physicians, late Senior Physician to the
Royal Infirmary for Diseases of the Chest, Sicc.
Also, by the same Author, Price 10s. 6d.,
A TREATISE on ASTHMA and DISEASES of the HEART.
London : Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans.

ROYAL SURREY GARDENS. - TEIIS
DAT (TUESDAY) JULL(EN.A CONCERTS.—Mme. Gas-
ster.—Admission, ls. Girdens open at Four o'clopk. Danson's grand
Picture of the City of the Su, tan and Shores of the Bosphorus ; also
of the Alps. Turkish K'o3, Stalactite Cavern. Dioramic Views, Sze.
Concert to commence at Seven o'clock. Mme. Gassier, Rcenig,
Ettheme, Lavigne, Reichart, and Hughes. Model Mditary Band.
An interval of half an hour for promenade between the First and
Second Parts of the Concert. After the Concert, a quarter of an
hour for promenade, when a superb display of Fireworks in front of
the Lake, concluding with a grand Tableau of Peace driving away
the Horrors of War, will be given by Southby. Admission, Is. Stalls
for Concert and Fireworks may be secured at Jullien and Co.'s, 214,
Regent-street.

ER MAJESTY'S TH HATRE.I
Last Night but One of the Subscription.
Mdlle. PICCOLOMINI.
Ml2lO. ROSATI—LE CORSAIRE.
ry
THIS EVENING (Tuesday, July 29), will be repeated
Donizetti's Opera,
DON PASQUALE.
Norina, Mdlle. Piocelontini ; Ernesto, Signor Calzolari ; Dr.
Malatesta, Signor Baletti ; Don Pasquale. Signor Rossi.
To conclude with the Grand Ballet,
LE CORSAIRE.
Medora, Madame Rosati ; Conrad, Signor Ronzani.
The Opera will commence at Half-past Seven o'clock.
Applications for boxes, stalls, and tickets to be made at
the Box-office of the Theatre, Colonnade, Haymarket.

THEATRE ROYAL. HAYMARKET.
Under the Management of Mr. Backstone.

THIS EVENING,
A COIIICAL COUNTESS.

After which
SECOND LOVE.

Followed by
THE CAPTIVES•

After which
LEND ME FIVE SHILLINGS.

To conalude with
THE DOCTOR IN LOVE.

ROYAL OLYM?IC TEIEATRE.

Lessee and Manager. Mr. Alfred Wigan.

THIS EVENING
DELICATE GnouNo.

After which.
M E D E A.

To conclude with
A CONJUG kL LESSON.

ROY-li, pluNcr.sws THgATRE, OXFORD•STREET.

Under the Ifanaorinent of Cnklus KEAN.
THIS EVENING,
MUSIC II ITII CIIATIIIS.

After which.

TilE WINTER'S TALE.

ROYAL TIIEtTr.R ADELPRI.

Froprtetor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.

Direetreqq, Madame Celeste.
THIR EVFINING,

PAUL PRY.

F0110w..,1 by
OUR GAL.

To conclude with
BORN TO GOOD LUCK.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPIIITLIZATRE.
Lessee and Monster, Mr. Wm. Cooke.
THIS EVENING,
The gran 1 military spectacle, TILE BATTLE OF T.IE ALM k
Extraordinary scene of excitement. The Guards inv ted, and h •
holding thcir comrades fighting over a7ain the memorable Battle.
After which,
The EQUESTRI SCENES in the CIRCLE. Mr. W. Cook
highly-trained and docile horses, Sec., with a variety of other enter•
tainmenti.

Roo-office open fr wn Eleven till Four. Stare Manager, Mr. "
West. Equestrian Director, Mr. '. Cojke. jun.

HIC :I WATZR. A.T LONDON BRID3R.

THE WEITITER.--StIN OFFICE, JULY 29.
THCILUOIMTER, IY TM{ SEIADZ.

75 -Wiest since noon yesterday.
-lovicat this morning and during the night.
75 -this day at noon.

THIS DAT—Morn. 0 rain. aft. o—Evening 5g nin. aft I I
Tg-rjouaow—Morn. 11 min. aft.l2 —Evening 0 min. aft. 1

BA Dimas-30R. 28 —rising.
WIND, SW.—Light, with fine summer weather,

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