The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-03-29 00:00:00

MARCH 29, 1853.

Mahon'. medan nation Can be maintained by a MR. GLAD S T O N B'S FIN
Christian state, however necessary its existence may
STATEMENT.
appear to be. From the time when JOHN SOBIESKI

hich depen

Icommercial operatio
rapidly weaker from inherent decay; and_much as

I, We ITIUS

after the E,

,sfaction. We may premis

e that we

Russian Government has not shown itself so

anxious to resort to hostilities as sumo i

statement with any reference to our own vie

-4P•---

with Sir JOSEPH BAILEY, on be?

Dock Trustees, who had suggested the d

csirabilitv of 1

the Docks on both sides of the rive

sane fear of the extension of Russian influence at grave complaints. There have Leen times in our
Constantinople, we were about to become the mere history when such a determination would have
tool of the French Emperor,and lend ourselves to the been attributed to any other motive than those
support of a demand which ought never to have which a British Minister would have cared to avow,
been made, and which was itself an aggression, in —when the fact of a wealthy company obtaining
order to gratify the ambition of Louis NAPOLEON peculiar privileges, to the detriment of other in-
and increase the influence of the Romish Church— terests, would have been supposed the natural con-
two objects which we ought to be the last to support. sequence of their command of capital ; and when
that "every man has his price," would
pAlnaededwhsiydehabsy aalildethwisithbeen FRANCEdone,
iann dE
thisN GuLnAh No
Ivy
hthaevesabyeienng
believed to have no exception, at least
dispute ? It can only be traced to the apprehension in high places. Such a supposition, however, can-
of the designs of RUSSIA, and the belief that it is not be entertained at the present day; but what-
the interest of ENGLAND to maintain the Empire ever the motive, there are few who will deny that
of TURKEY as the only efficient bulwark for the the interests of Great Britain in India are of far
integrity of our Indian Empire. If we admit that too much consequence to be lightly entrusted
the destinies of nations are guided by human fore- to a body of irresponsible men in London, without
sight, and the progress of mankind the result of a searching inquiry into their mode of administra-
human wisdom, we cculd readily believe that tion. It is to be hoped that our independent legis-
ENGLAND was justified in protecting, at all hazards, lators will, in this case, exercise their own judgment,
so important a key to her Eastern trade as the and not permit the Charter of the East India Corn-
Empire of Turkey : but we have a right to look to pany to be renewed at the mere bidding of the
a higher fountain of wisdom than the policy of Minister, without due inquiry into the question in
diplomatists; and therefore we cannot believe,what- all its bearings.
ever appearances may present themselves, that a

A.NCIAL

was the defender of Christian Europe against the
Infidel Turks, the followers of MAHOMET have NOTWITHSTANDING the anxiety with which most people
been decreasing in numbers and importance. For are now looking for the Budget of the CHANCELLOR of
years past the Empire of TURKEY has grown the EXCHEQUER, and upon w

ait until that early day

_
we may dread the designs of RUSSIA, our Christian .aster recess, when its announcement has been
faith compels us to believe that that of the Moslem promised. In order, however, that our readers may be
must become utterly extinct, and TURKEY no able to indulge in some speculation upon probabilities,
longer remain the only exception to at least the and also that Mr. GLADSTONE may* some assistance in
nominal Christianity of Europe. Such a result no the difficult work in which he is eid, we subjoin the
human power can avert, and it is folly to attempt chief points on which, if he is a prudent man, he can,
it; but it does not, therefore, follow that we are consistently with his party predilections, construct a
to submit to the extension of Russian domination, financial statement which may give the largest amount of
which we have so much interest to prevent,

As, but rather

~
WILLS rugaitt `"., .w.... ......,_,...,-. ----,1-,..:„.. t1,..,,,n,t,..ai
been so desirous to make it appear; much may be
done by pacific negotiations; but if we needlessly principles of the party now in office. Indeed, we put
seek a cause of quarrel, we shall but precipitate the forward the statement somewhat in the light of a pre-
catastrophe we wish to avoid. diction ; and, should it be realised, we shall claim some
credit from the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER for our
THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, disinterested assistance to him in his difficult task.
AND ITS ABUSES. To begin, then, with the reductions of taxation,—which
are always looked for with the most anxiety,—he will pro-
THE announcement by the Government of their pose to reduce the duty on tea from the present rate of
intention to introduce a Bill this session for con- 2s. 24d. to ls. 6d. per lb., which, calculating at the present
tinuing the Government of India, for a lengthened rate of consumption, would entail a loss to the revenue of
period, upon a mere modification of the present £lc,oBoosidooerOab;
considerable
eui setnacrsetahe rinedtuhce ptticoonnswuimll,nioondoue willbt, le
staedti.
o
system, has excited more than ordinary attention to
a n' h
this important subject. So long as the peculiar
mate the loss
of a coma taittonlre £1,300,000. Followingeof the House of the recommen-
dation
Commons, he will then
powers exercised by the East India Company were propose to repeal the Excise duty on Paper, and also the
based upon a legal charter, granted for a definite duty on Advertisements, which will have the effect of
period, there was no disposition to interfere with relieving an important branch of home manufactures, and
the privileges of the potentates of Leadenhall-street ; also of giving facilities to trade by increasing the means
but a proposal from the Government to renew of communication. These reductions he calculates will
amount in round numbers to £1,000,000. The next item,
those privileges puts the question upon quite a i
w
different footing. It is almost a matter of surprise which he will approach with some trepidation, is the
renewal of the Property and Income-tax, which expires
that the administration of affairs in India has not on the sth of April. He will propose to renew the tar,
long since excited more of public attention than it but at the reduced rate of 4d. instead of 7d. in the pound.
has hitherto done, and been made the foundation This will amount, according to the present scale of
of a grievance by those restless legislators who are assessment, to a reduction of about £2,300,000, but in
never better satisfied than when they have something order that it should be more equally levied, he will pro-
to grumble at. It is not for want of magnitude
posei
lltoo reduceases to thel limit of
eo ftaexemption
oltyo £t
that
portion a year, but o f
of the interests at stake, for the population of our income which is in charge
Indian empire is at least four times as great as that excess of the above limit, so that
of the United Kingdom ; nor could it ba because a year, being 4d. in thet pound upon the additional £4o.f
persons possessing £lOO a year will have to pay 13s. 4d.
e
if'ocroem calculate oni
there was no room for improvement, for a cloud
rueaeliwseilj aprlsoopeprrtoypionslrSan andn het will therefore
of witnesses might be brought to prove the con- the total reduction at £1,500,000. This, with the other
Crary. Still, whatever might have been the cause, reductions, will make an aggregate loss to the revenue of
£3,800,000.
the management of this vast appanage of the It may be supposed, that in order to make this large
remissions o
ms
additionalo f th ptauxbalitciabnurdsuencisl,
as
se
British Crown, with the exception of the acquisitionlisisabOrelecteOssporropiolas3
of the territory of Lahore and the desultory war in done in his scheme for doubling and extendingp the House
Burmah, has aroused very little of public discus-
cputttty • byliceonlinrinGli.iAsnastrteooNtlizo)owtiell
thesteer
rcel:eaorto fot
shiitsiodoi ffio-f
sion. It is time, however, that the British Le is- the tufty. by
Debt. The House will present
that in
lature should be aware of the vastness of the interests
rleBSuelett.here
of wtpel
New
a savinge oti £625,000 a year by the
Y t 0 Three ion
pr Cent, awnd heewaill paroQpuoasertetor pmearkCseantresctioaeak
upon which it will have to decide, and the heat
responsibility of deciding hastily where the issue tion of a similar amount on the interest of Consols. This
is so important. Were it not for the simple fact awill effe-t a saving to the country of about £1,250,000
year, making together £1,875,000 ; and estimating the
that the controul over this magnificent territory present surplus revenue at only £2,500,000, there will be
t7sringaftienrtothseccopuronptosthede
irnectirletasctiionnosreof
has been, from its first acquisition, nominally vested at
a xma tairogni n woi ft
hf u 5
in the East India Company, it would be difficult to ceipts owing to the prosperous state of trade. Having
imagine that the British Government would consent h ex pounded his views, he will move
for
leave to bring
thus
I in bill to effect the proposed reduction in the interest of
to the delegation of powers of such magnitude to the National Debt.
but Wet 1
ahraer
aet only nst
syvgeirvaeln the
smaller rticui tleamrsswqlfi which ew
lilu
check has been the right of veto on certain of the to swell the catalogue. He will allude to the reduction
major details by the Board of Controul ; but the fthe
reduction interest onaa
te Exchequerere Bills,interest
o andtiep
deposits
t safl
ingSavings'
immense amount of patronage and all the minor Banks as sources of revenue ; while, on the other hand,
parts of the system—which contribute, perhaps, in ahteawcimll
aplrioatholuynotropose an equalisation of receipt stamps
the greatest degree to the results—are at the will of
the East India Directors, who, in this respect,
possess a power not inferior to the highest offices
in the Home Government. Had this plan worked
successfully—had the resources of India been de-
veloped to anything like the extent which might THOSE who imagine that the increase and prosperity of
reasonably have been anticipated, and our power in Birkenhead will prove any detriment to Liverpool,—that
the East been proved the means of ameliorating the indeed there is any rivalry or antagonistic interest between
condition of above a hundred millions of the the two sides of the Mersey,—indulge in a popular error
heathen population, reduced to subjection by the which is the direct converse of the truth. Birkenhead is
force of arms—the wisdom of a change of system to Liverpool what the suburbs are to London, one of the
might have been questionable. The results, how- main sources of her greatness, and all that tends to ex-
ever, are far otherwise. India, which should form tend and improve the one is felt in a material degree by
by far the largest market for our exports, consumes the other. In Birkenhead new buildings have been raised
only to the extent of Ten Millions a year ; and a within a few years, to an extent that rivals the almost
country which, in its days of Pagan rule, maintained
magic celerity with which new towns spring up in Ame.
many princes in barbaric splendour, can now barely
rica ; but they furnish commodious residences and purer
pay the expenses of its Christian rulers. It may
air to those who have their business in Liverpool—the
not be chargeable upon the East India Directors
that each man has only his own interest to serve,
population of Birkenhead has increased, and is increas-
ing, but they form new customers for the trade of Liver-
and that the whole system is but a scramble for
individual gain ' • but it is clear that with the pool—and even the shopkeepers on that side the water
patronage vested in irresponsible persons, who have derive the greater part of their supplies from this side,
to take advantage of an elevation gained with diffi- aided by the excellent accommodation afforded by the
culty, incompetent persons are placed in offices of several steam-ferries. Even the Birkenhead Docks,
trust, and the interests of the whole are subordinate, which by many have been looked upon with jealous eyes
if not absolutely sacrificed, to the private ends of as rivals to our own magnificent line of docks, have been
these nominees. Whenever the affairs of India in reality adding to the trade of the port by increasing its
have been commented on by those who have had accommodations ; and, as the shipping business is still
opportunities of observation, without being in the
interest of the Company, it has been shewn that extending, their value will become almost every day more
the whole object of the system of Government apparent.' There have, however, existed obstacles to the
due development of these advantages, which it should be
appears to be to give value to the patronage of the
Directors, without the slightest reference either to the object of every one to assist in removing, and it is
the improvement of the population of India or to with this view that we have called attention to the subject.
render it a source of permanent advantage to the
It is well known that the construction of the Birken-
trade of this country. So long as India yielded head Docks wes commenced upon so gigantic a scale
sufficient to pay the salaries of the officers and the the funds at command proved inadequate for their corn.
dividends to the holders of stock, nothing pletion, and the difficulties were further increased by
more was required ; and every step that has been disagreements between the chief promoters. Much of
made in advance, such as the promotion of rail- these had, however, been overcome, and in October last a
ways, has merely been as a precaution against the contract was signed for the completion of the outer works,
increasing inadequacy of the revenue to meet the which are now in course of construction. Still the coin-
expenditure.
mend of capital is not so ample as to inspire confidence in
Let us suppose, however, that all this was eiveedryporColaiDiSaoctikOsn. 0
htehesourbi
jgeienta ird essi
gbnr,o ua gn hd t whi leafto ries
altered ; that the Governor was the direct nominee
the Dock Committee Thursday, in as e
ci his
rs were duties;
tghoavte rhni
so rc
of ourn te hi
le
aenffid c
oi et
hn
et
rp e rfo
subordinater ma nc e o
of
ffih
really wanted is the efficienton assistance of
tthe, Trustees of
of the Crown, and responsible as any other colonial
ttlhi the speedy
CHAIRMAN that he had had a core-
also appointed by the Crown ; and that the whole
system of government was under the direction of,
and immediately responsible to, the Executive at
home, and liable to be freely discussed by the
Legislature ; England might furnish a host of
efficient men for the performance of the several
duties required, who have now no opportunity,
because they have no friends among the magnates
of Leadenhall-street. The resources of India
might he made available to render us independent
of America for cotton and of China for tea; and the
perseverance and enterprise of the Saxon race,
unrestrained by the chilling and baleful influences
of favouritism, which now prevents all competition,
might FOOD render this mighty empire in the East,
with its fine climate and unlimited command of
labour, a market for our products exceedb ,;- all
our exports, and a means of employment for our
mercantile marine, which would be continually
extending. If India were opened to our country-
men as freely as Australia, under no other ensign
than the British flag, Liverpool would have to
increase her docks in order to accommodate the
East Indiamen which would leave the port
freighted with English goods to return loaded
with the riches of the East : but little improvement
can be hoped for so long as the administration of
our rule in India is at the dictation of the twenty-
four individuals known as East India Directors;
who, from the temporary nature of their tenure,
cannot be expected to have any other object than
the advantage of the present time, without any
reference to the interests of the future.
The opportunity is now afforded for effecting
very desirable alteration, owing to the period for
which the charter of the East India Company was
a
last renewed soon drawing to a close ; and yet,
notwithstanding the reasonable demands upon
the Government to postpone the question
for a year, in order that a committee of inquiry
may bring their investigation to a close, and any
proposed system for the future receive that careful
consideration to which it is entitled, they have
avowed their determination to bring in a Bill
during the present Session, to continue nearly all
the abuses which now form the subject of such

LIVERPOOL AND BIRKENHEAD.-UNION
OF THE DOCKS.

,went by the

,n in London

of the Birkenhead

haying

one manage•

ment, and recommended a conference between the respec-
tive parties interested. The result of the discussion was
the appointment of a committee, consisting of Mr. CHAS.
TURNER, M.P., Mr. BOLD, and Mr. ROBERTSON GLAD-
STONE, to confer with the representatives of the Birken-
head Trust on the terms of arrangement, and to report to
a future meeting of the Liverpool Trust.
This is a good beginning, the ice has been broken, and it
is to be hoped that no petty jealousies, unnecessary par-
simony,
aoyr
oinfoerffdeinctaitnegidaneassrorafng3aeinmweniltl be allowed to stand
prove beneficial to both parties. The Shipping trade of
ance, and to furnish sufficient Dock accommodation on
sacrifice far more valuable property, and in less convenient
situations, than by taking advantage of the ample space
this side the Mersey the Trustees
afforded on the other side. Nor will the guardians of
thepeelaledtov iew ,
when
h e n Birkenhead
it i s
remembered property begtuhi lattyt of
he any
completion great sa sacrifices
fitchees
in making liberal concessions to accomplish the end in
Docks under the auspices of
sub-
stantial value to all the property in the •
vicinity, and make
those resources available which are now comparatively
worthless. The negociationmust be .-
entered upon in a
spirit of liberality on b•ath sidesand
predict that the realisation will ; we may confidently
prove of incalculable ad-
vantage to the port of Liverpool.
It is gratifying to observe ninny satisfactory signs of
Inc . Birkenhead rec •
overing from the depression which she
has experienced for
some few years past. The number of
elegant residences recently erected at (Won, Claughton,
Trantnere, and the other out-lying districts, have materi-
ally added to the population and increased the business of
the tradesmen, and the opening of long untenanted shops
betoken a return to activity. In the neighbourhood of the
docks there are far more signs of industry, as shown by
the larger receipts for railway traffic. The extensive
ship-building yard of Mr. LAIRD is furnishing full em-
ployment for hundreds of busy artisans. Messrs. A. and
G. HOLME have lately taken a very spacious plot of ground
for purposes of business ; and PRICE'S Patent Candle
Company, which now employs many hundred hands at
Vauxhall, near London, is about to establish a factory in
this vicinity for the convenience of its export trade. These
are all evidences of Birkenhead rapidlyrising into increased
importance, and Liverpool should not neglect the oppor-
tunity now afforded of possessing such an ample auxiliary
to her Dock accommodation. pi will i
Liverpool
l l extent
vih ei
ll
e oga
mni
glue
import.