fetus In t4r Rita.
THE 1317DGET SUGAR-DUTIES.
Lesketh How, Ambleside, 23d February 1857. Sin—Having witnessed the distresses of our West Indian Colonies, I cannot but feel an interest in their welfare, especially considering the great exertions the planters have made as agriculturists, and the little support they have received from the Government at home. To write concisely, as the time and your space require, I would beg to ask, is it right that the ad-valorem duties should be continued on sugar—those of our Colonies—aocording to the programme of the Chancellor of the Exchequer? Is it right that the supply, already deficient, should be rendered more so, by making it more profitable to the planters to send their sugars (an increasing trade) to the "United States rather than to the United Kingdom ? The difference of duty as proposed in the Budget for the ensuing year, between Refined Sugar, which sustains no loss as freight, and Brown Sugar, which sustains a considerable loss—a dead loss to the public as well as to the importers—is 6s. 3d.
Were there no such ad-valorem duty, in accordance with the principle of free trade, would not the effect be the introduction of more skill and science in the manufacture, the use of the vacuum-pan and of other improved apparatus of home-make, diminished loss both in the preparation and on the voyage, a larger import, and consequently, so far as supply and demand affect price, a cheapening of sugar, and this with increased profits to the grower and manufacturer,—and, moreover, as hitherto so little refined sugar has been sent home from our Colonies, without any considerable if any loss to the revenue from the change ? I am, Sir, your obedient servant, jOHN Davy.
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