TREATIES OF COMMERCE.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3169, 16 April 1879, Page 3

TREATIES OF COMMERCE.

There is Represent a movement among Continental Governments to put'an end to the treaties of commerce which regulate to so large an extent the course of trade between, the nations of Europe. From one quarter and another we hear of treaties " denounced," so that at the expiration of certain definite periods their stipulations and agreements will cease to to be binding. The action is widespreaa, but the motires which haye provoked it appear to be various. . "When the German Chancellor gives notice that some treaty must expire at a particular dateV hii intention ii to substitute'for the duties pro Tided by it some higher and more protective duties, if he .can obtain the consent of the; Beichsrath to the change. Similar intentions may be presumed at Vienna when similar action is taken there, although with some characteristic uncertainty of purpose, as if the Governments of the Empire Kingdom were not quite sure of what they wished to do. In another quarter we are met with the highest assurances that no reactionary movement in the direction of protection is contemplated as the consequence of the denunciation of a commercial treaty. The French Government has given us notice that it intends to terminate the existing convention between us, and if this purpose is maintained, the treaty will come to an end vpitii the end of this year. But no desire to reverse the commercial policy adopted now nearly eighteen years ago inspires the conduct of the Government of France. The treaty is denounced in order that the French Legislature may be able to resume its freedom of action in re-arranging the whole of the Customs Tariff of the nation; and it is not purposed that this re-arrange-ment shall result in any enhancement of duties on foreign manufactures in the supposed interest of-domestic industries. We may not even believe that the Chambers will, on; the motion' 6f the Government, adopt of their own free will more liberal duties than at present prevail; arid we are well assured-that it will not be the fault of the Government if this is not the result finally achieved.—Times.