The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-22 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, FEB. 22, 1869.

Those who appreciate the importance of our mer-
cantile marine will see with satisfaction that the ex-
President of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
has made some more remarks on the subject. He
has directed his attention this time to marine in-
surance, and has succeeded in showing its importance
in matters beyond those which are pecuniary. Great
improvement is called for in the manner in which the
rate of premium is conducted, and a little considera-
tion cannot fail to show the evils which result from
the present system. The underwriters have
for the most part adopted the injudicious system of
basing the rate of premium upon the classification of
the ship, irrespective of the character of the com-
mander and the quality of the nautical instruments
that are employed. It is indeed an anomalous state
of affairs, and it is only surprising that something
should not have been done in the matter before this ;
but public attention is often slow in observing such
inconsistencies until some chance arouses it. It is in
every way unfair that the careful and conscientious
shipowner should be called upon to pay
as much as the careless and indifferent one. While
it is certain that the sea has risks which cannot be
avoided, it is also very evident that far greater
hazard must be run by an unseaworthy ship, badly
equipped and with an indifferent crew, than by one
which possesses the due requisites for a voyage, and
has a careful commander. It is truly observed in
this letter referred to that our underwriters c m do
much if they like to render the State important ser-
vice, and that it is most important that " the living
agency whence alone these vessels must derive their
safety should be brought out and maintained by the
highest state of efficiency." It is to be hoped that
these judicious remarks may receive the attention
they so justly merit, and that those most specially re-
ferred to will take heed to their ways, for it is evident
that a reform is loudly called for. The suggestion
contained in the concluding paragraph of this state-
ment is likewise wt l worthy of attention. It is to
the effect that the Government should aim at render-
ing it impossible for unseaworthy and insufficiently
equipped vessels to leave our ports. The under-
writers should be more careful in the discharge of their
duties, and encourage the efforts which are made
by the conscientious shipowner, while last, and not
least, the shipowner himself should remember the
" deep responsibility" which rest upon him if he fails
in the fulfilment of h;s duty to the ship. The large
shipowners who are self-insured enjoy comparative
immunity from loss, and this is owing to the care
and caution they adopt in guarding against those
causes from which great sacrifice of life and property
have arisen. It is scarcely necessary to impress the im-
portance of these considerations on all whom they may
concern, and if the result of these communications be
to awaken a spirit of inquiry into the causes of recent
disasters with a view to find a remedy the objects of
the writer will surely be attained. Wherever there is
an error there should be found a willingness to im-
prove, and if the present system of underwriting be a
bad one let it be amended, changed or controlled as
the case may be ; but let us not fold our hands while
property is being sacrificed, and the national charac-
ter for maritime efficiency remains at a discount.

On Friday evening a measure of some importance
was introduced into the House of Commons and read
a first time. 'The subject may not possess many
special attractions to distinguish it from the host of
bills and motions which press on the notice of
members at the opening of every session ; it refers,
indeed, to a branch of our Administration which is
singularly unsuccessful in gaining the attention of
our legislators. Indian affairs, whether they refer
to finance or famine, to cotton cultivation or the
transfer of the seat of Government, are alike apt to
weary the litening M.P.'s. Few of them have
studied Indian subjects, and they do not attempt
to understand them. It is doubtful whether any-
thing less momentous than a mutiny would have in-
duced the House of Commons to go patiently through
the clauses of the great Act of 1858. The question
involved in Mr. GRANT DUFF'S Bill, however, is one
whose importance can be readily app reciatedby any