The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-27 00:00:00

OUR MERCANTILE MARINE.

(From the Belfast Mercantile Journal. )
The Merchant Shipping Act of 1854, although a
great improvement upon previous acts, continues
to uphold so many oppressive regulations, that it
has been the means of arousing the shipping inte-
rest of these kingdoms into action, for the purpose
of bringing about a relaxation of the law. An in-
fluential association has lately been formed in Lon-
don, under the auspices of many leading members
of Parliament and merchants, in concert with
similar associations in Liverpool, Southampton,
[lull, Bristol, Swansea, Newport, Cardiff,
Llanelly, Milford Cardigan, Newweqsuti ayo Aberyst-
with,Eliaa Mahlon, the Exeter and
(comprising Plymouth, Falmouth, Dartmouth,
rruro, Fowey, Efayle, St. Ives,
Kings-
bridge, Brigham, Torquay, Teigimouth Padstow,
Penzance
Exmouth, Poole, Weymouth, Lyme Regis Bricil:
part, Bideford, Barnstaple, Bridgewater, and
various other ports) with a ViCIV to obtain an
alteration in the present system of investigating
the causes of wrecks and casualties ; a revision of
the Merchant Shipping Act already alluded to ;
a charter of incorporation to enable the naerean.
• tile marine service (like other incorporated bodies)
to conduct and manage all matters that relate to
its internal economy—such as the founding of
schools for the training of boys for the merchant
service, the examination of masters and mates
prior to certificates, &c. ; the establishment of an
hospital, in which a home will be afforded, or by
which assistance will be given to the sick, worn-
out, and disabled officers of all grades, and seamen
of the British merchant service ; to maintain a
constant and efficient attention to Parliamentary
oroceedings ; to effect the abolition of light dues
and passing tolls, and to have our shores lighted
i.nd harbours of refuge founded and maintained
out of the general taxes of the country ; and to all
,natters affecting the shipowners, captains, mates,
enirineers, and seamen of the United Kingdom.
These objects are proposed to be accomplished,
Ist, by the organisation of societies, and the co-
operation of shipowners and mariners throughout
the United Kindorn ; 2d, The incorporation of the
mercantile marine service: and 3d, By the appoint-
ment to situations under Government, relating to
merchant shipping, of properly-qualified persons
belonging to the mercantile marine service. .
As the town is deeply interested in shipping,
owning, as it does, a very large amount of ton-
nage, engaged bothin the foreign and coasting
rade, we are particularly anxious that our ship-
owners should lose no time in uniting with this
important and most desirable association, which
has been formed solely for the protection of the
interests connected with this leading branch of
British commerce. They have now an excellent
opportunity of lending their as4stance, as Mr.
Jackson, the talented secretary of the association
we have alluded to, is now iu town, and will no
doubt take a public opportunity of fully explaining
ha views of that body before leaving. He has
already visited all the leading ports of Great Bri-
tain, and obtained their co-operation, and also been
welcomed in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Water-
ford, in all of which places public meetings have
been called by the respective mayors, at which
resolutions were passed unanimously to support
aid in the advancement of the associai ion, by
enrolling members, and using their best endeavours
o promote the best interests of the commercial
marine.

The great object of 013 association, as Mr.
Jackson state g, is to unite in one common bond
all connected with the shipping interest, whether
they may be the largest shipowners in England.
r the possessors of but one small craft—whether
;hey may be in the position of merchants, officers,
or seamen.

Mr. Jackson forcitly demonstrates, in his speeches
made at the meetings held at vatious places, that,
under the preent law, the principles of free trade
have been carri:d to such an extent as to give to
foreign bottoms advantages denied to British
vessels, which, in one important branch of trade,
has been the means of trdrisforring, the greater part
of the traffic to foreign ships ; we allude to the lia-
bility elluse, which especially operates against
the " passenger trade." The liabilities are so
serious, and of such an arbitrary nature,
that the passenger trade has been and
is gradually transferred to foreign ships,
which are free from and not amenable to the act,
thus burlesquing, as it were, the principles of
free trade. Another most important question, in
which the association takes a lively interest, is
that of '' passing tolls," to which we will add that
of "light dues." The former tax especially is
justly considered as a mo,t grievous one, as Bri-
tish ships must pay the toll for certain lights,
whether they pass within sight of them or not,
and whether they enjoyed arty advantage from
them or not. Both these dues, the association
very properly argues, should be classed with the
general taxes of the country, as the protection of
the mercantile marine is pre-eminently a national
object, and should, therefore, be sustained rather
by the imperial exchequer than by the particular
interest more immediately connected with it.
Lord Palmerston truly slid, in his recent speech
in support of Lord Clarence Paget's motion, having
reference to the present system of light dues, that
as well might we call upon the persons passing
through our streets to pay for the lighting cf the
city; the parishes pay the expense, and, from the
same analogy, the nation ought to pay the expense
of ligh!ing our coast..

At
present, the Government snake the ship-
owners pay near 1500001. a-year more than the
actual o)st of the lights. Why should this be the
caw'? Why, net transfer them, as suggested ? or,
at any rate, reduce the dues down to the actual
amount of outlay.
There are scveral other points of great interest,
upon which we should like to have touched, but
our space precludes our Saying more at present.We hope, however, that we have already said
enough to arouse the attention of our Ehipownerg,
and induce them to co operate heartily with Mr.
Jackson and the London Mercantile Marine Ser-
vice Association, in their laudable endeavours to
render our mercantile navy more efficient and
useful.