Star.
London, England, 1815-02-11 00:00:00

MALTA TRADE.

The House having resolved itself into a Commit-
tee on the subject of the trade of Malta,
Mr. ROBINSON rose, and after some remarks upon
the importance of Malta to the interests of the em-
pire, as a commercial depot during peace, stated his
intention to propose the means of rendering that de-
pot of more effective utility. With that view he
proposed that a free intercourse should be allowed
between our West India colonies and Malta. This,
he was aware, would involve a departure from the
principles which had usually regulated our colootai
trade ; but this was not, however, the only departure
from that principle, for in the course of the late war
a law had been enacted, allowing the conveyance of
West India produce to all parts west of Cape Fi-
nisterre, with this condition, that corn should be sent
to the colonies in return. But that restriction he pro-
posed to do away in this instance, in order that our
colonial produce should be enabled to compete with
that of the French and Spaniards in the Mediterra-
nean, and that therefiac the importer of our colo-
nial produce into Malta should be at liberty to take
back, as a return cargo, any articles he thought
proper, or should not, be obliged to take to the colo-
nies any return cargo whatever, but at liberty, on
discharging its cargo, to pursue, like any other Bri-
tish ship, such course as it might deem expedient.
It was, however, reposed to provide, that such
ships as took a return cargo to the colonies, should
not convey to the colonies any articles likely to rival
our own Manufactures. But there were many arti-
cles to be had in the Mediterranean which might be
imported into,-and which would be valuable to the
colonies, without creating any such rivalship. That
class of articles it was obviously desirable to render
as extensive as possible; and a specific schedule of
them it was intended to annex to the Bill hereafter to
be introduced ; but at present lie thought it neces-
sary enly to state the general outline of his object.
Upon the introduction I that Bill, the measure would
be open to any discussion which might be deemed
necessary. He had further to propose, that all arti-
cles in the Levant Trade, which could not by law be
exported from any other than the country of its
growth, or frem certain specified ports, should be
hereafter among those which might be exported from
' Malta, to'ether with thrown silk and mohair also,
which could not now be legally exported from any
other than the place of its growth ; subject, how-
ever, to the payment of the usual duties to the
Turkey Company. This Company was, it would be
recollected, entitled by charter to these duties. It
had no objection to the proposed arrangement, and
there could be nu fair objection of the payment of its '
dues. Fcr this Company had nothing of the cha,
ratter of a monopoly, it being open to any one to
become a member, on the payment, he understood,
of a very few pounds. Besides the produce of the
dues paid to this Company, were not granted for the
benefit of individuals, but appropriated to the public
service in defraying the expense of our diplomatic
agents at Smyrna and elsewhere. At one time in-
deed the expense of our embassy to Constantinople
was paid out of this fund ; but that practice had
been discontinued. Still, however, our Consuls and
agomans in the other offices connected with the
embassy, were paid by the Turkey Company, and it
was deemed right to continue the practice, because
in the quarter alluded to, prejudice was so notori-
ously fixed in favour of ancient practice, that it was
not conceived expedient to introduce any change, lest
such change should prove disadvantageous to our
commercial intercourse.

Several Resolutions were then proposed, agreeable
to the Honourable Gentleman's statement, as was a
Resolution to impose upon any wines imported from
the Mediterranean into the West Indies, the same
duties as are now payable upon Madeira.
Mr. FORBES inquired whether it was intended to
extend . the principle of this arrangement to East
India produce also ?
• Mr. ROBINSON replied, that no such extension
would at present be proposed, because it was thought
ditlicult to open nat.% to the East India Trade, with-
cut opening that trade to all other parts of Europe.
Upon that point, therefore, a 'difference of opinion
prevailed, which would probably give rise to consi-
Jerable discussion, and from that consideration he
avoided the point at present, confining himself to that
arrangement only upon which no objection was anti.
cipated. The Honourable Gentleman concluded
with observing that his Resolutions applied merely to
such article; as were at present prohibited to the trade
of Malta.

The Resolutions being agreed to, the House re-
sumed, and the Report was ordered to be brought
up on Monday.
Mr. Setjeant ONSLOW moved the committal of
the Bill for the better securing the liberty of the sub.
ject, observing, that he merely meant to have the
blanks filled up with regard to England, proposing
to postpone the farther consideration of the measure
until the arrival of the Gentleman who had expreszed
a wish to have the provisions of the extended to
Ireland.

The Bill was committed and reported, and or-
dered to be re-comm.tted on Monday, the 20th
instant.

The Order for the s•cnnd reading of the He'stone
Election Bill was postponed till Wednesday, on the
motion of Mr. Berjeant Onsluw.
On the motion of Mr. LUSIIINOTONp the Committee
on the Bank Loan was postponed, and the Corre-
spondence between the Bank and the Chancellor of
the Exchequer was ordered to be printed.
The Committee of Supply and Ways and Means
were postpoped till Monday. •
Mr. Lttsniserrori obtained leave to bring in the
usual Bill for indemnifying those who have omitted
to qualify according to law.--Adjourned to Monday.