The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-08 00:00:00

THE WHEELER AND WILSON
LOCK STITCH SEWING- MACHINE
Prospectus Post Free. Instruction Gratis.

THE WHEELER AND WILSON
LOCK STITCH SEWING MACHINE :
_ 139, Regent-street, West ; 43, St. Paul's Church-

•ard, E.C.

lIIGII WATER AT La.VDON BRIDGE.
Tins DAY.—Morning, lh. 40m.—Afternoon, 2h, 7m.
To-Moitßow.-Morning, 2h. 32m.—Afternoon, 2h. 55m.

nary Budget a.. yearly amount of five hundred thou-
sand thalers for the purpose of establishing a special
fund for the province of Hanover was passed yes-
terday in the sitting of the Chamber of De-
puties. From accounts received from Berlin
last evening it appears that Count BISMARCK'S
retirement is looked upon as certain, and that he
will be replaced during his absence by the Minister
of Finance. All this looks as if the news was true,
astonishing as some may deem it perhaps. It can
hardly be possible for the Government to be carried
on like this, and if the retirement of the Count is
to be of a lengthened duration he must resign his
post altogether. If he did it would be an unques-
tionable benefit for the country, as the KING is not
likely to meet with another favourite who is at once
so cunning and so crafty.
Baron von BEUST made a speech yesterday in reply
to an interpellation on the 'political situation,' in which
he gave some satisfactory explanations regarding the
foreign relations of the country, concluding with the
observation that war was only likely to occur under
most extraordinary circumstances. Ile advised,
however, the adaption of all measures of precau-
tion in case of emergencies arising. The object
of the Government was, he said, that Austria
might, if necessary, " assume an attitude inspiring
respect," and send, at a short notice, her armies

into the field ready for action. This is a very
wise resolve on their part, and we hope
that the House will lend its aid to the
carrying out of such an intention. Aus-
tria has had of late most sad experience of war,
but there is no reason why she should not mend in
this respect, and the knowledge that her armies
have been put into a more efficient state will do a
great deal to avert the chances of war ; so that, in
any case, it is satisfactory to know that the states-
men of Vienna have recognised the necessities of
their position, and are willing to act with a sense
and spirit that the country has long been a
stranger to.

We are sorry to find from a letter written yes-
terday by Mr. BULLIVANT that Trades Unionism
has not ceased to exert its baleful influence on the
shipbuilders of the Thames. The shipowner who
empowered Mr. BULLIVANT to make the offer
which be put before the men at Burdett Hall on
the 25th ult. has now given his orders to builders
in the North. Here is a case in point illustrating
the manner in which work is lost to the Thames
workmen. Business -will not stand still to wait
their caprices, and while they are doubting, and
arguing, and considering how far they may relax
their demands without compromising their dignity,
the opportunity is lost, the work goes else-
where, and the Thames yards get the
name of being exorbitant and unreliable. It is a
great loss on all accounts. The men of the North
certainly deserve work if they are willing to do it
at fair prices ; but it is impossible not to regret the
vast and wide-spread misery resulting from the
dulness of trade and slackness of employment
among the populous districts in the East of London.
Mr. BULLIVANT enters at some length into the
merits of the question ; and, though he admits that
be is not conversant with the details of the trade,
the general arguments which he brings forward are
clear and straightforward, commending themselves
to the common sense of the public. From the in-
quiries which he has made, he is quite convinced
that high-class iron ships can be built quite as
cheap in London as in any part of England or
Scotland. "To build an iron ship it would require
to have iron, wood, coal, labour, and profit." He
thereupon examines each item separately, beginning
with iron, which he says can be had quite as cheap
in Loudon as on thP Clyde. It is commonly argued
that iron is cheaper in Scotland, but Mr. BuLLi-
VANT explains that this is only low-class iron—not
the quality which should be used in high-class
ships.
The better sort of iron comes mostly from Staf-
foonrdthsheicrel,yadne.d crarnhel?
ewbo oo du gulls et da sf
ocrhheiagph i-nc nsdh pns aiss
teak, which is naturally cheaper in London than in
Scotland. Coal, of course, is cheaper on the Clyde,
but Mr. BULLIVANT does not believe the amount

used would make a perceptible difference in the

price of the ship. The amount consumed could
hardly be over 150 tons, and allowing the difference
in price to be seven shillings a ton, the difference
in the registered tonnage of the ship would only be
one shilling per ton. It must be remembered that
the shipowner offered to give his orders in the
Thames yards instead of in the North, provided
that the contract could be brought to within per
ton of what it would be on the Clyde, and
that this offer could not be accepted. The
only remaining points are the wages of the
men and the profit of the builder; and if these, says
Mr. BULLIVANT, are as reasonable as they are in
Scotland, shipbuilding must come back to the
Thames. Unhappily this is where the main differ-
ence lies, and while employers and employed con-
tinue to blame each other, it remains quite evident
that moderation is the very last virtue at which they
aim. Masters have not now any orders on hand.
Before they can take contracts they must give in
their estimate, and that estimate is naturally based
upon the rate of wages they have hitherto paid, so
that they cannot compete with the lower prises
given in the North. How much better it
would be for all parties, instead of pro-
longing this unprofitable inaction, if masters and
men would confer together, would make mutual
concessions, and accept lower but more certain rates
of profit. If shipbuilding could be brought back to
the Thames and regular work obtained the men
would be better off at ss. per day for six days than
at the old 7s. per day, which seldom or never
allowed them more than four days work a week. We
hope those sensible and temperate arguments will
not be without their weight, enforced as they are by
the painful truth that fresh orders have been given
in the north, which might now have been filling
some of the vacant yards on the Thames with life
and action.

Co-operation is now the great domestic question
of the day, and a long-delayed reform in social
economy has at last come about. We have all
been grumbling in true English fashion year after
year at our household bills, but of late they have
assumed such frightful proportions that the most
easy and affluent paterfamilias has been startled.
When the common necessaries of life have attained
a price formerly only paid for luxuries, the why
and wherefore is naturally asked, but not always
answered to the satisfaction of the customer. Some-
thing, no doubt, may be said on behalf of the
shopkeeping fraternity, who are not likely to
find many advocates out of their own ranks. The
present system of housekeeping, which entails send-
ing for orders as well as sending home the goods
upon the tradesman, of course puts him to extra
expense and trouble. Again, if lie has to wait one
or two quarters for his money he may not unfairly
consider himself entitled to his share of the int3rest
which would be paid on other transactions of the
sort. Then be is to take care how be asks for his
money, even if he really wants it, for fear of giving
offence, and thus he is glad to make sure of what
money lie gets, and to charge a good profit.
All this is true ; but it is also true that good and
bad, casual customers and the debtors of long-