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0 O M M E ECIA L.
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PROGRESS OP PEACEFUL INDUSTRY . Oub day last week No . . VI . of the ¦ " Abstracts of Reports of the Trade of Various Countries , for 1855-6-7 , received by the Board of Trade through the Epreign-office from her " Majesty ' s Ministers and Consuls , " was published . We find some reason to complain of the slovenly manner in which this Blueboofi , of nearly 300 pages , is edited . In the table of contents the number of the page in which Spain is referred to is omitted . In one of the paragraphs
in that page the amount of duties in a year are confounded with the average duties of five years . At pages 99-100 , a few surplus words make two passages perfectly contradictory . But a more important proof of- the slovenliness and negligence of the Board of Trade is to be found by comparing the contents of the volume with Part V . of" Statistical Tables relating to Foreign Countries , " purporting to be for 1857 , and published about three months ago . In this Blue-book of 200 pages , some elaborate tables are given , with much other useful information , of the trade of Spain , from which it appears that the
imports and exports of that country , together , had increased from 10 , 800 , 000 / . in 1851 , to 23 , 600 , 000 / . in 1856 , which was referred to by the Daily News when the volume was published , as one amongst many proofs 6 f the extraordinary progress of trade and wealth in Europe during the last few years . In the volume now published by this same Board , a brief account is given of the import and export trade of Spain for J . 856 only , three months after the account had been given of the trade of Spain for 1851 and 1856 , and as it happened that the exports of 1856 were less than in 1855 , this single
account might lead hasty readers to infer , quite contrary to the fact , that the trade of Spam was not rapidly and regularly increasing . Short as this account is , too , occupying only half a page , from the slovenly manner in which the work ; is sent through the press , the increase of duties , in 1856 , on imports , as compared to 1855 , 204 , 877 / ., is described as the increase on the average of five years , while this is also inserted and shown to have been , 252 , 44 : 9 / . The statement has accordingly been misinterpreted by the Times and other journals . Printing for the public costs annually a very large sum , and it might be lessened if the
Government did not publish numerous duplicates , triplicates , and . even sextuplicates of the same documents ; and those which are published would be more useful if some attention were paid to putting them carefully through the press . Passing , however , Trom the negligence and errors of our officials to the more important subject we propose briefly to elucidate , we remark that the extraordinary progress of trade in Spain mentioned above , between 1851 and 1856 , 118 per cent , in five vears * continued in the several ports of Alicant , nndvz * mrl Sf . vJUe ¦ of which onlv the latest
Dublished abstracts give us information , in 1857 , and probably in the whole monarchy . The revenue of the Spanish Government , from the increase of trade , ' augmented from Il , 379 j 264 / . in 1852 r to 18 , 126 , 314 / . in 1857 , or 61 per cent , in six years . Similar facts are observable in other countries . In Austria , the revenue increased from 21 , 789 , 931 / . in 1851 , to 27 , 316 , 272 / . in 1856 , or nearly 26 per cent . In 1850 the value of the imports and exports was 26 , 380 , 290 / ., and in 1865 , 46 , 897 , 361 A , — increase 78 pqr cent . ; and in 1857 , the value of
the exports and imports , though something less than in J 866 , was no less than 51 , 295 , 103 / . The value of the imports and exports of Portugal was , in 1843 , 4 , 84 . 6 , 766 / . j and in 1854 , 7 , 417 , 161 / . Small as are the totals , the increase in eleven years ; 53 per cent ., is considerable . In Sardinia , ( the kingdom ) the value of the imports and exports Soreasedfiiom , 18 , 770 , 27 , 3 * . i » 1852 to 88 , 37 . 6 , 876 / .
in 1866 ,- ^ frl per cent . Bsfarxjen 1863- and 1867 tUe revenue increaaed from 21 , 114 a 13 / . to 27 > 224 , 2 QU The y ^ Xxm of the exports and 1 import * of Tuaoany tew , H 18 » ft 3 , 90 W 9 ft , an * m \ m , 6 M& { 9 Q 7 l There was gi fifce increase yx the trade of tne island of Sardinia as distinct from the kingdom ; in Switzerland % yp () , Turkey ,, Moldavia , WaUaohja , &o . The onbi foreign , countries referred , to i » the statistical taWes , Part V ., of whjejvtuetrade has not increased very considerably , are the , Barbary States ,
and the equally backward states of Rome , Naples , and Greece . It is scarcely necessary to remind our readers that the value of our imports and exports together increased from 268 , 210 , 145 / . in 1854 , to 334 , 018 , 472 / . in 1 S 57 , —nearly 25 per cent . ; that in the same period the value of the imports and exports of Prance increased from 151 , 880 , 000 / . in 1854 , to 213 , 120 , 000 / . in 1857 , —40 per cent ., and the value of the impo rts and exports of the United States increased from 582 , 803 , 445 dols . in 1854 , to 723 , 850 , 823 dols . in 1857—24 per cent . These are tolerably well-known facts , and their importance is scarcely diminished by the general , though by no means large , decline in the value of trade in these several countries in 1 S 58 .
In the statistical " Abstracts" referred to , we find such illustrative and corroborative facts as the following . The foreign trade of Belgium , says SirT . W . Waller , has nearly doubled itself in the last ten vears . The annual average of the imports from 1845 to 1849 was 376 , OQO , O 00 fr . ; in 1855 the imports amounted to 679 , 0 OO , OOOfi \ The annual average of the exports from 1845 to 1849 was 362 j ' 0 . p 0 , 000 fr ., in 1855 the exports amounted to 698 , 000 , 000 fr . Although the value of the export and import trade of Bavaria scarcely exceeds 4 , 000 , OOOfl ., it has much increased of late years ; of
such is the testimony of her Majesty ' s Secretary Legation , Mr . Bonar . The whole import and export trade of Denmark was 9 , 402 , 168 / . in 1853 , and 11 , 463 , 621 / . in 1855 , and the imports in 1856 , says her Majesty ' s consul at Elsinore , again show an augmentation in value of 2 S 3 , 336 / ., though the export in 1856 fell off 758 , 942 / , owing to the limited supply of agricultural produce to export in that year- One illustration more , and we will cease quotations . The trade of the _ Zollverein , embracing the larger part of Germany , was valued at 432 , 831 , 700 thalers in 1850 , and at 791 , 368 , 286 thalers in 1855 , —an increase in five years of 83 per
cent . Such facts show an irrepressible tendency or society everywhere , not merely in England and in the United States , but in Prance , Austria , Holland , Russia , &c . &c , to cultivate and extend trade . Every year , too , this tendency becomes stronger , Every extension of trade in one direction , every increase of trade in one commodity , begets a necessity to increase the trade in some other commodity , or extend it in some other direction . Every new production and every new invention multiplies exchanges or trade between individuals . No new art
is called into existence without requiring other arts , or encouraging olli arts . All trade , in . faot , implies two or more persons , and one cannot thrive but another must thrive too . The increase in trade , then , and the tendency of society now noticed , proceed in a compound ratio , and they must carry all the subordinate parts with them . In old times , when nations were yet migratory or lived in a state of war , the chiefs who led the hordes to new countries or led them in battle , acted according to the tendencies of society , and were heroes in those ages . It cannot bo otherwise now ; and those
Governments cannot succeed which by continually using violence or engaging in war thwart the tendonoy of society . Soldiers , and similar instruments of dostruotion , cannot bo the herooa of an ago in which the bulk of society is struggling to create , to form , to gain , aud to preserve . "With this increase in peaceful industry , the interests of society connected with it acquire a predominancy , and will gradually more and more curb the action or diotato the course of Government . Resting onthem , and interpreting their wishes and desires , the press—itself a peaceful industry , the influence of which is already
great in all civilised countries—may now exercise a salutary control over those Governments which are disposed for their own petty purposes to kindle war in Europe ^ and run counter to the progress of society . The sinister effect of the wars of Governments in these great'and growing interests may bo known by the disastrous consequences on national securities of oven the rumours of dissensions . The funds have already everywhere fallen , and brought ruin on many speculators . "Were the press , therefore , mow zealous in promoting and enforcing the preservation , of peace , it would have the support
and approbation of the growing , the _ influential , and the wealth-creating portions of society . We ' refer to the condition of trade as an index to national p rosperity . It is never well with commerce ( as Sir Josiah Child long ago remarked ) but it is well with land ; the two " wax and wane together . " Representing production and exchange , these are tests of progress and welfare . On them , in the maiuj Government depends for its revenue , and it cannot lessen them without weakening its own power . It can pay no more civil and military servants than these provide it with the means of remunerating . It may determine the
number and rewards of its : servants , but its means of carrying out its designs are derived from the labour employed in production and exchange , government and its agents do not add directly to the wealth of society . They are consumers , devburers , and destroyers , and to live must be sustained by others . It is not , therefore , the progressive power . The condition of Government is only indirectly an index to welfare , as its power , derived from the . pro duetive classes , tells of their well-being . On this account we now advert especiall y to the progress of trade , for , whatever be the skill , of Government in diplomacy or war , ' It depends ' for ' the-sinews ' -of its strength on the progressive powers of society . These
must and will ultimately determine its fate . Our country is not influential in the councils of the world by the wisdom of her Ministers , but by the mighty power which her rapid and continual progress in wealth places in the hands of the least . skilful administrator . -It is of importance , therefore , now to remind the public of the progress of foreign nations in peaceful industry and wealth . It gives us -a more certain clue to the general conduct of . Governments than the movements of their diplomacy or the organisation of their military forces ; and assures us that the trading and industrious people of England will now find an increasing mass of trading and industrious people in every country of Europe , desirous , like themselves , of preserving and cultivating peace .
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London , Friday Evening . The contrast between the condition of the general produce markets and the Stock Exchange is very great . In the latter , all has been through the week panic and dismay ; in the former , strengthening confidence and some increased activity . The corn market has been firm , and closes firm . Importations have declined . Stocks are short in the metropolis , and the prico accordingly looks up . A rise in the prico of com makes people expect a rise in other things , and there is a tendency to more activity . Seeds generally have followed corn . Tallowy too , is dearer . In Mincing-lane not much was done to-day , but tea is dearer . The only thing which shows a considerable depression is silk , which has fallen in consequence of the apprehension of war . For silk the market is quite disordered . Otherwise the aspects of trade this week are extremely favourable , and if war do not intervene the revival of trade is now likely to bo
steady and continuous . The rumours of disturbances on the Continent liave not had much effect in the manufacturing districts . The manufacturers are not so credulous on these topics as are moneyed men , and the result is that they seldom allow business ( o be interfered with until they have something more tangible than surmisoa to influence thorn . Tlio manufacturers Ijave been very well employed during tho week in executing orders thoy have on hand , and it is not expected that any pause in present activity will take places—at least in tho Manchester trade—for a couple of months at least . It must , howovcr , not bo left out of sight that tho uneasiness and uncortainty which prevails on tho subject of continental to have
movements are likely , in tho long run , an injurious action on trade . If manufacturers and exporters consider that thoy have reason to bullovo that tho warlike powers of tho Continent aro but waiting for flomo pretext to make war , and possibly to light up ft general continental war , they will naturally , as a measure of protection to themselves , ' refrain- —tho one from accumulating heavy fltockfl , tho other from giving ordow for continental supply . It Js to bo hoped that tho present ferment which has suddenly sprung" up , and which Iuxb hail some countenance from tho aaylngo and doings of foreign monarphn , will ao nuddonly subside , and that commerce , in all branches and direotlona , may bo uliowort to resume Us poacoful activity .
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90 THE -LEADER . ______ D * '* ^ ° J Ay rTJA ^ * 5 > 1859 .
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GENERAL TRADE REPORT
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Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 15, 1859, page 90, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2277/page/26/
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