The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 892, 25 November 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1871.

The details of the customs revenue for the first quarter of the current year exhibit no sign of improvement; but, on the contrary, they are rather worse than tho corresponding quarter of 1870, being £183,722 against £190,492. Spirits furnish the chief deficiency, the quarter's revenue under that head showing a decrease of £11,404. The reason generally assigned for this falling off is the operation of the local distilleries ; but some other cause must be at work, as the increase in the quantity of spirits locally distilled, upon which half the import duty only is charged, does not account for tho deficiency. During the first three months of this year duty was paid on 11,350 gallonsof spirits distilled io the colony, being an increase of 7.973 on the quantity during the same period of 1870. Assuming that these 7,973 gallons of colonial spirits displaced an equal quantity of the imported article they would entail a loss on the revenue of £2,392 only. There is more weight to be attached to the statement which assigns the high rate of duty as a cause of the loss to the revenue. Its maintenance mustencourage in some parts of the country the establishment of illicit stills. The Customs revenue for the June and September quarters are very nearly equal, showing that there is no increase as yet in the trade and commerce of the colony. The decline of all sources of revenue is further adduced by a comparison of trie quarterly averages of past years. During tho financial year 1870-71 it was £183,00Q; in 1869-70, £202,000 ; in 1868-69, £201,000; for the year 1867-68, for £199,000. Never in fact, ■ since tho present tariff was established, has the Customs revenue of the colony Bhewn such marked depression. The opening

quarter of the current year shows no tendency upwards, but is just on a par with tho quarterly returns of the previous year ; and ut present there is no sign of improvement. The quarters yet to come may supply the increased revenue ou which Government are calculating to assist in meeting current ggjnenditure and in liquidatiug previous deficiencies, but at present there the slightest symptom of such an improvement accruing.