The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-20 00:00:00

When the Dock bill went into committee

ast session

t had to encounter merely the opposition of the Ware-
house owners, backed, it is true, by a strong feeling

known to exist against the scheme amongst an influ-
ential portion of the people of Liverpool. But in the
approaching session it will be found that a more
serious opposing aspect will present itself. The parlia-
mentary notice of the Dock Solicitor, will be found in
our advertising columns; and the same medium will
show at what a fearful price the object sought will
have to be purchased. Encouraged by the fatal con-
cessions of last session, the trustees of the Bridgewater
Estate claim an exemption from Liverpool Dock dues

for the rising port of Runcorn ; the legal agent of the

Harrington Dock, at the south end of the town, seizes
the opportunity to amend his act of last session, and

extort further powers and privileges, and the proprie-
tors of the Cheshire Strand, at the same time, claim
the right of erecting there new docks, which shall

likewise be free from the charges hitherto levied, for

the support of the docks of Liverpool, upon all vessels

loading or unloading within the mouth of the River

Mersey

Here, then, we have openly and distinctly placed
before us the concessions to which we must submit
before we shall be permitted to obtain the fulfilment of
the pet scheme of our liberal corporation. If the
Dock Warehouse Bill passes in the ensuing session of
parliament, it must carry upon its face clauses utterly
and for ever subversive of those exclusive privileges,
by the enjoyment of which our present splendid docks
have been erected and supported. The corporate body

of Liverpool may bid adieu to the hope of any further

improvement in their dock estate, and prepare to wit-
ness the diversion of a great portion of the coasting
trade of the port, into the various new, and compara-
tively inexpensive, docks which will spring up in the
course of time on both sides of the river.

That an aggression of so threatening a character—
so fatal to the future prosperity of the port, and so
subversive of existing interests— should be lightly
tempted by a body professing to represent the interests
of their fellow-townsmen might well excite surprise.
Yet it is tempted wantonly and wilfully ; and not only
is it tempted, but we cannot see that it is opposed. A
body of patriotic and loyal men would, we are per-
suaded, at once throw overboard a scheme, however
ardently cherished, the agitation of which was calcu-
lated to encourage interests so completely hostile to
those of their fellow-townsmen at large ; but the
scheming clique of Radicals and Jobbers, who have
originated this measure, have no such loyal and pa-
triotic feelings. Their pet project is still pressed for-
ward ; and we have no hesitation in affirming, that to
promote its success they will not only fraternize with
the aggressors upon the privileges of the port, but
readily and eagerly accept their object, although, en-
grafted upon the bill which secures it, are clauses which
will eventually reduce this once flourishing town to the
condition of Tyre and Sidon of old—the condition of a
depopulated and deserted city upon the waters.
We cannot afford space at present to do more than
call the attention of our fellow townsmen to this impor-
tant subject. Of the Dock Warehouse Bill we have
frequently expressed our opinion but the question is
no longer now of the merits of that bill. The question
has now become one of more vital import. To the
creditors of the Dock Estate it involves the very ex-
istence of the security upon which they have advanced
their mouey ; and to the owners of property within the
existing port of Liverpool the stability and future value
of that property. On an early occasion we shall enter
into the details of the subject; and in the meantime
we call the serious attention of the public to the few
.emarks we have advanced.