In the latter part of his speech, Mr. Gladstone undertook
to reassure the capitalists of Liverpool against the prospect of any general loss from the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal. He thought it possible that if the Canal proved a great com- mercial engine, Liverpool might have to lower its dock dues, to lower its railway rates, and even, it might be, to lower its warehouse rents, but if the Manchester Ship Canal succeeded in drawing a much larger share of the commerce of the world to Manchester, it would almost necessarily increase the volume of the great stream of commerce which enters the Mersey so much as to add greatly to the wealth of Liverpool also. It will, in fact, turn the attention of the commercial world still more towards Lancashire, and though a good many of the new importations may come to Manchester, a good many will still choose Liverpool, and the result will be the still greater expansion of the forest of houses described under that name. Mr. Gladstone estimated the true population, though not merely what is technically called the population of Liverpool, at a million rather than at half a million, and did not believe that Manchester would outstrip Liverpool in the race. The rivalry of Manchester would only stimulate the energy of Liverpool. In voice and manner Mr. Gladstone was at his best.
Previous page
