The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-10 00:00:00

AUSTRIAN TREATIES

Mr. LABOUCHERE moved for leave to bring in a bill to
allow the government to suspend such part of the navigation
laws as would render it impossible to give effect to the provi-
sions of the treaty of commerce and navigation concluded
with Austria.

Mr. HERRIES expressed his surprise that no explanation
was given of the extraordinary circumstances under which
this measure was proposed. He declared that he was not
prepared to say that he would oppose the bill, or that he should
meet its concurrence.

Mr. LABOUCHERE was astonished to hear the hon. gentle-
man declare that there was no important distinction between
this treaty and that of the Earl of Aberdeen. The first im-
portant point which it obtained for this country was an ad-
vantage which had been granted by no other European state.
It was that of a free admission for all British ships with car-
goes carried direct from all parts of the world into the Aus-
trian ports. This was an important stipulation, and one which
had been most anxiously looked for by our trade and com-
merce. (Hear, hear.) In this provision alone, therefore,
there was a wide distinction between the treaty signed by
Mr. M‘Gregor and that of the Earl of Aberdeen ; and al-
though he would not deny that the treaty of the noble earl
was not of undoubted merit, he thought that it was exceedingly
improper to suggest that that newly-formed was identical with
it, except with respect to a few breaches of the navigation
laws. Hear, hear.) But there was another point of still
greater importance to which the right honourable gentleman
had not referred at all. The late tariff of Austria was one
of the most prohibitory in the world ; but he was happy that
that enlighted statesman, Prince Metternich, had seen the
importance, the necessity, of some alteration and revision
being made. The principle of prohibition had now been en-
tirely removed, and that of duty had been substituted for it.
Those duties still remained very high ; but in many instances,
changes had been made of a most liberal description, mate-
rially affecting the commerce of the country. The following,
among other articles of British growth and manufacture,
which are now exported by the Adriatic, Genoa, and the
Rhine and Elbe, into the Austrian dominions, were, until

those changes, probibited—viz. woven and printed cottons,
linens and woollens, hats of all kinds, manufactures of brass,
copper, iron, steel, pewter, and tin, painters' colours, Cape
wines, ale and porter, &c., &c. The duties at which these
were now admitted varied from 5 to 10, 15, 20, and in some
-tances, as on cotton woven goods, to 60 per cent, ad va-
. Cotton twist paid formerly 60 to 80 per cent ; it was
Jw admitted at 15 florins the centner of 1231 b, or from 5 to
8 per cent. On linen yarns the duty was reduced to 10d. per
centner, or from sto 8 per cent. Numerous other reduc-
tions had also been made. He contended that the house
must look at this treaty, together with the reduction which
had been obtained in the tariff at the same period, and be be-
lieved that it would be found that no proceeding had ever been
presented to the house of the same character, which produced
more practical benefit, or which better deserved its support
and assent. (Hear, hear.) The increase of British trade to
Austria had been the effect of this stipulation. (Hear, hear.)
After some discussion, leave was given to bring in the bill.
ECCLESIASTICAL DUTIES AND REVENUES BILL.

The house, on the motion of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, went
into committee on this bill ; and clauses to 39 were agreed
to. Clause 39 was also agreed to, with an amendment pro-
posed by Lord John Russell, to the effect that the com-
missioners should have the power •of increasing the stipends
of minor canons at their option to £l5O per annum.
The house resumed, and Mr. BERNAL reported progress,
and obtained leave to sit again on Thursday next.
The Vaccination Bill was read a third time, upon the mo-
tion of Sir JAMES GRAHAM, and passed.
Upon the motion of Mr. Fox MAULE, the report upon the
County Constabulary Bill was received ; the amendments
made in committee were adopted, and the bill was ordered to
be read a third time on Thursday.
On the motion of Sir E. WILmoT, the Grammar Schools'
Bill was read a third time, and passed.
The house adjourned at half-past one o'clock.