[16] _Foreign and Colonial Review_, Vol. i. p. 233.
[17] Porter's _Progress of the Nation_, Vol. i. p. 101.
This was written by Mr Porter in 1837; but while subsequent times have evinced an increased anxiety on the part of this country to extend the principles of free trade, they have been met by such increased determination on the part of the European governments to _resist the system,_ and adhere more rigorously to their protecting policy, that the disproportion is now universal, and is every day becoming more remarkable. The following table will show that our exports to Europe, notwithstanding our twelve reciprocity treaties with its maritime powers, and unceasing efforts to give a practical exemplification of the principles of free trade, are stationary or declining.[18]
[18] Table showing the date and value of Exports of British Iron Manufacturers to Europe in the afore-mentioned years.
Northern Europe. Southern Europe. Total. 1814 £14,113,773 £12,753,816 £26,867,589 1815 11,791,692 8,764,552 20,556,544 1816 11,369,086 7,284,467 18,653,555 1817 11,408,083 9,685,491 19,093,574 1818 11,809,243 7,639,139 19,448,382 1819 9,805,397 6,896,287 16,601,684 1820 11,289,891 7,139,042 18,428,433
1833 9,313,549 5,686,949 15,000,498 1834 9,505,892 8,501,141 18,007,033 1835 10,303,316 8,161,117 18,464,433 1836 9,999,861 9,011,205 19,000,066 1837 11,097,436 7,789,126 18,187,662 1838 11,258,473 9,481,372 20,739,845 1839 11,991,236 9,376,241 21,367,477
In one particular instance, the entire failure of the free trade system to procure any corresponding return from the very continental states whose harbours it was chiefly intended to open, has been singularly conspicuous. In February 1821 the reciprocity system, in regard to shipping, was introduced by Mr Huskisson, and acted upon by the legislature; and the following reason was assigned by that eminent man for deviating from the old navigation laws of Cromwell, which had so long constituted the strength of the British navy. Mr Huskisson maintained--"That the period had now arrived, when it had become indispensable to introduce a more liberal system in regard to the admission of foreign shipping into our harbours, if we would avoid the total exclusion of our manufacturers into their harbours. The exclusive system did admirably well, as long as we alone acted upon it; when foreign nations were content to take our goods, though we excluded their shipping. But they had now become sensible of the impolicy of such a system, and, right or wrong, were resolved to resist it. Prussia, in particular, had resisted all the anxious endeavours of this country, to effect the introduction of goods of our manufacture, on favourable terms, into her harbours; and the reason assigned was, that the navigation laws excluded her shipping from ours. The reciprocity system has been rendered indispensable by the prohibitory system, which the other European powers have adopted. The only means of meeting the heavy duties they have imposed on our goods and shipping, is to place our duties upon a system of perfect reciprocity with theirs. Foreign nations have no advantage over us in the carrying trade: from the London report, it clearly appeared, that the ships of Norway, Sweden, Russia, Prussia, France, and Holland, cannot compete with British, either in long or short voyages. But at any rate, the repeal of our discriminating duties has become matter of necessity, if we would propose any trade with these countries."[19]
