New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-11

TINS trace amounted to only S2l7,1l5 or ~ per
cent OF the customs taxation. The Canadian in
port OF salt fish is the only colonial trade included
III the above figures. and il is given "a signal
proof OF the fact that these tariffs are designedly
preferential to British trade The claim has
been made at Washington by Mr.. Lubbock that if
they seemed to bear against American goods 1t
was only because the taxation of foodstufs was
the most convenient method of compelling all
the people to contribute to the expenses of gov
crnment. Salt fish. however. performs precisely
the same function in the food of the people tha:
salt pork performs. 1t is. If ANYTHING. more gem
orally used-prObably on account of the very dis
crimlnation we are complaining OF. for Ear
bados admits salt fish at the ad valorem rate Of
two per cent, while against American pork the
iuty amounts to 1G per cent. On S21S.Jio
worth OF American salt meat a revenue Of So D.
$50 was collected in 1880. while Oh S293. ?2i
worth Of Canadian salt fish the revenue was only
$1,000. In the presence of these figures il is
absurd 10 claim that we couldn't sell any more
salt meat in Barbados that we do. no matter
how low a duty iXcG. We could certainly
sell an amount equal 10 the Canadian sales OF
fish if the duty each article was the sane
The claim so vigorously pressed by the British
Commissioners at Washington that the West Indies
is unqucstionably true, though why it should he
regarded as reason for not lowering duties 80
that their purchases might increase will scarcely
be clear TO logical mind. We can sell the food
stufis cheaper than anybody else and consequently
they must buy of US, and although the sum Of
their consumption may be added 10 largely.
Another result than this. however. is hoped for
from the new treaty. especially in the larger col.
onies. The planters and merchants perfectly under
stand that the only way to insure the pcrmanency
Of their market in America is by cnliSting AmcII.
can capital in the development Of their industries.
As things are now, such capital is drawn from
abroad comes almost entirely from England.
Some American firms exporting sugar have made
n practice of advancing money prospective
crop, but as yet this is the principal form Amcrl
can investment has taken. II is steadily incrcas-
ing, however and as steadily british capital
becomes harder 10 get. These the natural
results of the shifted market SO long British
merchants could buy the colonsts sugar, they
were willing 10 put out money To increase the
crops and cheaper the cost of production. But
their profits fell of, and Of course their interest.
also, when the market moved over 10 New-lork
Money is painfully needed in the West Indies, end
America is the only place from which in the near
future there is hope Of obtaining 1T. This fact
powerfully stimulates the desTe OF the Nest
Indians for such an increase Of the American
export trade o. will make the Americans willing
10 put money into the production Of sugar, coffee
and cocoa. They would gladly see their eutirc
importation drawn from the United States, and
those of them whose opinion is really valuable say
that the only reason why there is any delay in
realizing this hope is because American manu-
facturers are unwilling Ia take the small profits
and give the long credits which amply satisfy the
producers OF England. H. T.. q.