The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-08 00:00:00

SUGAR MONOPOLY.

In comparing the price of Sugar produced in foreign
plantations with that of Sugar made in the British West
Indies, it has been usual to take as a basis of calculation
their respective values in the Mincing-lane Market—that
is, after certain charges, such as freight,' insurance,
dockage commissions for management and sale, &c., have
been added to the prime cost of the Sugars. This mode
of comparison ans,ers well enough to demonstrate what
excess of price the Sugar monopoly compels the British
to pay, over and above the foreign consumer, for an ar-
ticle of a similar quality, and in every respect of the
same value, in the markets of Europe ; but it fails
to show the actual per centage advantage the British
\Vest India Planter enjoys over his foreign competitors;
the extent of this advantage should, however, be clearly
ascertained in order that the public may understand the
quantum of protection which the contemplated alteration In
the Sugar duties will confer on British colonial interests.
For instance—Sugar raised in Porto Rico (superior, in
quality to the bulk of Sugar imported from Demerera,
Berbice, and the Leeward Islands), i. offered in Mincing-
lane for 18s. per cwt., which price includes the charges
alluded to, while the Gazette quotes the average price
(the like charges also included) of Sugars imported from
the British West Indies at 38s. per cwt., exhibiting an
excess of 20s. per cwt. in favour of the latter, or about
110 per cent. ; but if the charges which have been added
to the prices of these Sugars, be again deducted, the per
centage difference will very considerably exceed 110 s.
per cent. Assuming from the proximity of the two
islands, Jamaica and Porto Rico, that the charges of
importation into Great Britain are of an equal amount,
and taking that amount from the British West Indian's
own statement to be Bs. 6d. per cwt., we proceed to a.-
duct Bs. Gd. from the ex.duty price of both kinds of
Sugar, as above quoted; by which process the real price to
the respective producers, before the Sugars are put on
board ship for Great Britain, will be ascertained.
Thus, from 18s., the price per cwt. of Porto Rico Sugar,
is to be deducted Bs. Gd., leaving 9s. 6d. ; and from 385.,
the price per cwt. of British Plantation Sugar, Bs. Gd.,
leaving 295. 6d., exhibiting a per centage difference in
favour of the British over the Porto Rico West Indian
planter of more than 200 per cent ; the monopoly, there-
fore, confers, and has, from time immemorial, conferred
on the British three times the valve the foreign West
Indians obtain for their Sugar ; in other words, a planter
in Porto Rico will sell three hundred weight of Sugar
for the same amount of money which his British compe-
titor in Jamaica obtains for one.

In apportioning the duties on Sugars from various
parts of the world, this view of the case cannot be too
strongly urged on the attention of the Legislature, the
more especially as the West Indian Proprietors will not
fail to clamour loudly for what they will be
,pleased
to designate "protection," meaning, all the time, per-
mission, thro►~7h the powers of an Act of Parliament, to
plunder the community at large. Protection ! indeed, on
what plea can the West Indians ask for protection ?
Their old story about the extra costs of free labour
will not now go down with the public, able writers
having abundantly proved that it is far cheaper for them
to cultivate their plantations by free than by slave labour.
Let these monopolists learn to protect themselves. Let
them, if they wish to thrive, relinquish the luxuries en-
joyed through an extensive and ruinous system of ab
senteeism. Let them proceed, forthwith, to the West
Indies, reside on their estates, and superintend the work,
ing of them. While they remain in this country, aping
their betters, any pecuniary aid would be worse than
useless, for it would, in fact, be taking so much money
from the industrious and deserving to encourage with it
the indolent and careless.
February 8, 1842.

LORD BROUGHAM.—Lord Brougham was the
only man in either House of Parliament, who, on the opening
night of the Session, gave a genuine echo to the voice of the
millions out of doors. He alone'boldly declared the principle
of total repeal of the Corn-laws ; at.d he alone had the cou-
rage to insist nn the necessity. of so extending the franchise
as to admit within the pale of the Constitution the great body
of the working classes. Lord Brougham said that the time
was rapidly advancing when they must consider the latter ques-
tion, and break down the line of distinction which now sepa-
rated the enfranchised from the unenfranchised classes, if
they would preserve the peace and harmony of society. Of
course, the words of Brougham fell upon unwelcome ears in
the House where they were delivered; but they will not fail to
give hope and courage to the millions without, who now look
anxiously for a Deliverer to lead them into the promised land
of peace and plentifulness. If there he one man now living,
who is more than another fitted by his genius, his talents, his
eloquence, his statesmanlike qualities, his powers of leadership,
and his long-tried services in the cause of the people, to lead us
onwards to enfranchisement and freedom, Lord 13roughaat Is
that man. —Leeds Times.
PROGRESS OF TEMPERANCE—THE POPE.
The Belfast Vindicator, received this morning, contains
w.
following important and most gratifying announceemen
Temperance
ioh
must delight the heart of every member of th
people :—" The head of the Catholic churclh;
the earth,
Cork Total
Societies, which now include nearly five millionsear of the Irish
X N 1., is a teetotaller, and wears the medal of
announcing
Abstinence Society. A letter from (who had
illustrious
example senttliis ittnhpeoHrtaonlyt
Ffaactti;ewraas
greceived
daby),
newspapers immediately after
for Moira, and will app
rcon cnotaesnt to the 2d inst. It is nout:::::pcilt;
example will be productive„lfskHEßlEs.
just as he was setting out
the apostle's return to Ceaorrkien.
e
THE HERRING r
-itpth-oTerialine'raeypin,pllitehatn—t:eelssluoo(t7leti'hviess have
a
that dreadful gale; but the intrepidity
Fatherh Mathew
storm
enogfagWededinnetshdeasyesfiellnienrigielsitis 18,000) and
16 persons perished
of the poor and industrious fishermen has not suffered thereby.
acsousntatstedfroinm
athGeavki-wesat:,e,
imerick Reporter.
theTinh et
boats alone disastrous
of
apreers3 50 0 L