The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-19

of camels, mules, and donkeys; but generally
throughout the Punjaub the five rivers afford the
to the western point of the territory of Scinde,
Cutcb and Western India, the boats of the Ind us
convey produce and manufactures OF all descrip-
tons. The various chiefs exercise by prescription
the right of taking toll on all merchandise passing
through their territories. These charges, how
ever, are not oppressive since they are regulated
by a kind Of competition, the merchant, when any
OF the chiefs make an exorbltant demand, taking
the remedy into his own hands of passing through
the districts of others, who are more moderate.
As regards population, no regular census has
ever been taken. 1t was computed by Burnes at
$500, 600, exclusive of the Cashmerians and some
other tribes, who might amount to ,200, 900 more.
In 1874, the customs and excise duties of the Pun
jaub amounted to about E250,000, or to e-thr-
teenth OF the whole, revenue OF Runjeet Singh,
which was estimated at ,000 The chief
portion of the remainder of this revenue was col
lected by assessments on the produce of the land.
European Times
What are the Commercial Interests OF
Canada.
From the London Economist
The news from Canada must be considered, on
the whole, as satisfactory. Tranquility is restored.
But the question of the comparative advantages OF
British or American political connection continues
to be freely discussed in the public papers. There
can be no doubt that among the commercial classes
there exists great distress, which seems to be the
only foundation of those speculations. In Mont
real and Quebec, the value Of property has very
much declined. The chief complaints arise from
that influential class of commercial houses en-
gagged in the flour, provision, and forwarding trades.
For some years past and till lately, these trades
have enjoyed great prosperity. "A great, and, as 1t
has turned out, an unfortunate impulse was given
to them by the Canada Corn Bill of 1913. 1t will
be remembered that IN that year an act was passed in
this country admitting Canada wheat and flour at
duty equivalent to one shilling the quarter the lat
ter requiring no certificate of origin; while the
millers of Canada were permitted to import Anne
rcan wheat, paying duty of three shillngs the
quarter. About the same time an expenditure OF
about two millions was undertaken, in order to
construct canals TO facilitate the intercourse from
Lake Erie to the st. Lawrence, by which It was
expected that large portion of the wheat produced
both on the American and Canadian borders of
the lakes, would find its way to Montreal and Que
and the West India islands. The immediate con-
sequence was, the erection of numerous mills, and
the establishment Of " forwarding houses'' in con-
nection with this new trade.
When that measure was before Parliament, 1t
was strongly opposed by many, on the ground that
it created another protected interest. 1t fore
seen that the corn laws could not be long main
tained and that when they. came to be repealed,
called into existence under this law in Canada,
would suffer from the change. There can be no
doubt that these predictions have proved true, and
that much of the depreciation in the value of pro-
neighbornoed of Montreal and Quebec, Is owing
to the disappointment OF those calculations, as
we'll of the depression in the forwarding trade,
antcipations with regard to which, from the first,
have no doubt suffered by the direct trade now
opened on equal terms from New York, and other
ports in the United States. But we think 1t will
not be difficult to show that thus disappointment
communication between the Western Lakes and
the St. Lawrence, and that now, that that COM
muncatiOn is completed, and especially that
Canada will henceforth be relieved of the restric
hV he
chants of Montreal and Quebec will be placed in
condition better than at any former time to COM
pete with the ports of the United States.
1t is our wish on the present occasion to treat
the complaints of Canada purely on commercial
grounds. Those in the colony who seek to IN
crease discomfort and disparage British connec-
ton, frequently refer to imaginary commercial! ad-
vantages which Canada would gain by becoming
part Of the United States. We must own, how
ever that even taking this narrow view of the SUBJ
ject, the more we have examined 1t, the more we
are convinced that such change would afford no
advantage commercially, but, on the contrary,
would be great disadvantage to Canada.
After careful examination of the arguments on
which closer connection with the United States
is supported, we must confess ourselves at diff
Guilty clearly to understand them. Much Is made of
the assertion that the produce Of the borders of the
Western Lakes and Of Upper Canada can be con-
veyed at less cost for shipment to New York than
to Montreal or Quebec; but even if it were so, we
are at loss discover in this any ground for the
producers in Upper Canada preferring an Amerl-
can connection. At the present time, their pro-
duce can be forwarded to New York, and shipped
fromIthence,. as cheap!y as if they were American
subjects. We can, it is true, understand how vital
that question is TO the merchants and mlers on
the 81. Lawrence, who, at present. are so much
depressed But then we do not see how even their
condition could be improved by annexation. That
change would, at least, not send grain down the
ST. Lawrence, which would otherwise find its way
by Buffalo and Albany to New York, if, as is
asserted, that is the cheapest route. Nor can we
suppose that the Upper Canadians, much less the
milers on the st. Lawrence, could for a moment
expect TO find better market in the United States,
for consumption, than in England. 1t would be
like sending Goals to Newcastle. The truth is,
that England and the West India Islands will be
the great markets that must determine the value of
Canadian as well as American produce for the fu-
ture and now, that both will be open to the pro"
ducers of each country alike, all will depend upon
the cost at which each can reach those markets.
With the portion OF the United States bordering
on the Atlantic, Canada will have no competition
There, population has advanced so much in pro-
portion to production, that their supplies must be
drawn from the Western States. 1t is with Ohio
that Upper Canada must compete. 1t Is with the
southern borders of Lake Erie that the northern
must compete. The American and the Canadian
farmer must first both launch their produce in the
competition ill fairly begin-having already start
ed with equal soil, equal climate, equal energy
and the simple question to be solved ls which, sup
posing each to use his own route, Enough there Is
no necessity for tha) will reach Liverpool or Ia
maica at the least cost The route may be mat
ter of Indifference to the growers; but to the
chants and millers on the St Lawrence Important
Canadian mterests,) and to the merchants and mil
lers at Buffalo. Albany, and New York--between
these two classes, the one Canadian and the other
American there is all the difference in the world,
according to the way in which this question can be
solved. To the St. Lawrence and its interests tits
life or death, and It's Importance Will explain the
earnestness with which the merchants OF Canada
have demanded repeal of all restrictions on their
navigation.
We have before an able paper drawn up by
which will enable us to solve this question, so es-
sental to determine the future success of the
commercial interests on the st. Lawrence. II
gives detailed account of the cost of carrying
flour from Cleveland, on Lake Erie, to New York,
for shipment; and from Cleveland through the st.
Lawrence, TO Quebec where all difficulty of navi-.
cation is at an end. The comparison is in favor of
the St Lawrence by about 40 per cent, now that