SHIPOWNERS' GRIEVANCES.

The movement promoted by the shipowners has at length reached London. Last week the Sunderland shipping interest held a great meet- ing, formed a Chamber of Commerce, elected Mr. Fenwick, M.P.' presi- dent, and resolved to petition Parliament for a comprehensive, aearohing, and impartial inquiry into the actual condition of British navigation, and the causes of the present disastrous depression.

The metropolitan meeting was held at the London Tavern. It was attended by ten Members of Parliament, by the heads of great shipping firms, and by delegates from nine ports. The chair was taken by Mr. Wigram Crawford, on the understanding that the proceedings should be strictly confined to the consideration of the claim for an inquiry. Mr. Crawford testified to the "depressed" state, the "ruinous condition" of the shipping interest. He gave an account of his exertions to promote inquiry last session, and pointed out how the desired inquiry should be conducted.

The first resolution, proposed by Mr. Somes, M.P., was as follows-

" That in the month of December of the past year the shipping interest, with an unanimity without precedent, declared by public resolution that British shipping was in a state of deplorable and ruinous depression,' and addressed the &own, praying for a specific measure of relief. That the Executive Government, while admitting the fact of depression, declared it in reply to be temporary and accidental,' and that British navigation was even then `recovering' therefrom ; while the shipowners insisted that, its principal cause being the impolicy of the existing system of maratime com- merce, no permanent improvement could take place while that system re- mained unaltered ; that nearly twelve months have submitted to the test of

practical experience the correctness of these respective opinions ; and that at the expiration of that time the shipping interest of the country now finds itself placed in a position of continued depression, difficulty, and distress, threatening the ruin of all who are engaged in the varied and ex- tensive pursuits connected with navigation."

Mr. Bramley Moore, M.P., who seconded this resolution, said ho op. posed the repeal of the navigation laws and had not changed his opinion. He complained that foreign shipping competed with British shipping in a way injurious to the latter. He desired reciprocity, but the duties im- posed by foreign nations on English ships are double what are imposed on their own. Foreigners carry on our coasting trade. In ten months 367 foreign ships were employed in this trade, because foreign seamen can navigate our shores and live cheaper than British seamen. Mr. Bromley Moore is a "thorough-going free trader," but if he buy from a trader he expects to sell to him as well.

Mr. Lindsay, M.P., now appeared, called up, as he said, by the speech.

of Mr. Moore. Mr. Lindsay admitted that the shipping interest is de- pressed, but he did not refer it to the repeal of the navigation laws. The resolution before them proposed a reversal of the free-trade policy. (Cries of "No, no !") Why, it declares that the principal cause of distress is "the existing system of maritime commerce." The memorial to be proposed prayed for reciprocity ; but enforced reciprocity, as asked for in the memorial, is Protection in its worst form. [Here arose great uproar, in the midst of which Mr. G. F. Young got up and challenged Mr. Lindsay to name a time and place for a debate, when he would dis- prove "every word and every sentiment" uttered by Mr. Lindsay. The chairman decided that Mr. Young, not Mr. Lindsay, was out of order.] Mr. Lindsay resumed his speech, and continued it amid constant in- terruptions, hisses, cries of " Question," cries of " Turn him out," and so on.

" Now, the answer given to your memorial by the Board of Trade clearly

and distinctly proved that under a free-trade policy the British shipping had increased in a far greater ratio than it ever did under a Protectionist policy. (A cry, "Prove it.") It has been proved, and let those deny it who can, that from 1842 to 1849 British shipping, built and registered during the period of reciprocity, increased 843,000 tons; but from 1860 to 18.37 it had increased 1,670,0W tons, or more than double under free trade what it did under protection. (Cries of "Bosh," " Hear, hear !" and a voice "What have the foreigners increased ? ") It has been proved further, that the entries inwards and clearances outwards—(confusion, "Hear, hear !" and " No ")—it does not suit you t o hear the truth,—you protectionist shipowners! (Confusion.) I say it has been further proved that the entries and clearances of British shipping have increased—(cries of " Hear," "No," " Tern him out ")—in a ratio equally as great as the ton- nage built and registered." [Mr. Lindsay was here met by a storm of indig- nant and discordant cries, among which were heard—" Where is the writ- ten agreement with Lord Derby ? ' " &sew colliers!" " Go to Sunderland !" " Turn-coat ! " " Sit down !"] When order was restored the honourable Member resumed as follows—" Mr. Bramley Moore has referred to what he calls the advantages which Spain and France have gained by their pro- tective system. (Uproar.) It is quite true that in the five years between 1853 and 18.57 there were no less than 600,000 ions of Spanish shipping en- tered and cleared our ports; but, on the other hand, it is equally true that during the same period no less than 1,700,000 tone of British shipping en- tered and cleared from Spanish ports. What does Spain, therefore, gain by

her system of protection ? (Confusion, and a voice, " We can see all that in the Times.' ") It is true that 3,900,000 tons of French shipping cleared for the ports of England during a similar period ; but it is no less true that 10,000,000 tons of British shipping entered and cleared from the French ports. (" Hear, hear ! " and Question.") I could go on with many more facts to prove my case. I can prove to you by undeniable facts that the British shipping interest, however much it may be distressed at the present time, has been a gainer by the policy of free trade, and that it is not for your interest as shipowners to reverse that policy." (17 roar.) Mr. Linday referred the distress of the shipping interest to the fiscal burdens on shipping, which he said were 2 per cent, and amounted to 1,000,000/. He said they were catching at a shadow they would never reach, and neg- lecting the real grievance. He moved an amendment simply asking for inquiry.

Mr. Duncan Dunbar said the speech of his Mend Mr. Lindsay—" no I will not call him my friend "—the speech of the gentleman who spoke last was beside the question. All must admit that the shipowners were on the road to ruin. The very property he had made by his industry and hard labour was melting away like snow before the sun. The man who called himself a British shipowner, and moved such an amendment as the present, was the worst enemy the British shipowner could have. (Cheers.)

Mr. Beazley, of Liverpool, complained of the policy of the United States, that prevents British shipowners from employing their own ships 'to execute their own orders ; of Lord Campbell's Act ; and he described Mr. Lindsay as a representative of the United States in the House of Commons, quoting a letter written by Mr. Lindsay to show that he used his influence with the Government to obtain charters for American ships engaged in the emigration trade. One of the extracts was as follows.

"Make your mind quite easy ; my position is such that I am quite pre- pared to guarantee to any of your American friends to obtain for them from the Government the highest rate given on the day of tender, and place their ships where others would not at any rate. I have the means of knowing and doing what others have not."

Mr. Clint, of Liverpool, and Mr. Potts, of Sunderland, the one asking for inquiry, the other assailing the timber duties. Mr. Potts said, of course all hated Protection, but perhaps Mr. Lindsay would ask the Government for a "counterbalance"—it comes to the same thing. Mr. Lindsay's amendment was rejected by a vast majority, and the original resolution was carried.

The other speakers were Mr. H. Taylor, Mr. Duncan Dunbar, Mr. Wigrain, Mr. Cave, M.P., Mr. Marshall, Mr. W. D. Seymour, M.P., and Lord Valletort, M.P. Mr. Duncan Dunbar said—

He was not Englishman enough to be satisfied because our own tonnage bad increased 1,200,000, while the foreigner had increased to the extent of 2,000,000, or 800,000 more than ours. He was so true an Englishman that he would rather that we increased five times and the foreigner once. But he did hope they would go to their homes and lay aside the feeling of loving foreigners. (Laughter.) An honest man loved himself first—(laughter) —and the great principle was, that we should take care of ourselves first, and, if we had anything to spare, to give it to our neighbours. (" Hear, hear !" and laughter.)

Mr. Marshall said—

Only yesterday his correspondence from Calcutta informed him that the rate for sugar and saltpetre was 10s. the ton, and it was represented that French ships refused 70 francs, and required 100 francs for what the Eng- lish were doing for 10s, per ton. He could further state, as a fact, that not only his own ships, but those of many of his friends, had come home in bal- last from New South Wales, while at the same time French ships were loading cargoes to bring from Sydney to the port of London. The other resolutions invited the country to petition Parliament for an inquiry, and hold public discussions. A petition was adopted by the meeting.