1 6 A COLONIAL AUTOCRACY. 



These restrictions were as nothing in comparison with those 

 on the import trade, by which alone the colonists could be 

 provided with manufactured goods, whether necessaries or 

 luxuries. In the first place the Charter of the East India 

 Company made it necessary for the Home Government to 

 prohibit commercial relations with India, China or any " known 

 South Sea island " without the express permission of the 

 Governor. 1 The coasting trade, however, from Newcastle in 

 the north to the Derwent at the south of Van Diemen's Land 

 was in the hands of the New South Wales Government and 

 the colonists. A clause in the Governor's instructions directed 

 him not to allow the building of ships in the Colony for the 

 China or East India trade, but it is doubtful whether the clause 

 was ever enforced. 2 Governor Bligh introduced a very trouble- 

 some regulation in the interests of Sydney as the headquarters 

 of the whole settlement which Macquarie allowed to remain in 

 force. In accordance with this all ships bound for Van 

 Diemen's Land from other than colonial ports had to put in, 

 first at Port Jackson in New South Wales. It was supposed 

 that as Van Diemen's Land was on the direct route from India 

 and the Cape, the port of Sydney would without this regulation 

 be subordinated to that of Hobart. 3 



The port dues and customs were general and heavy. All 

 imports save those from Great Britain paid a uniform ad 

 valorem duty of 5 per cent., and duties were laid on colonial 

 timber and coal brought to Sydney from other parts of the 

 Colony. The products of the South Seas, sandalwood, pearl- 

 shells and beche-le-mer paid from 2 IDS. to 5 per ton, and 

 there was no drawback allowed on re-exportation. 4 



When the naval officer 5 who collected the duties had 

 passed the cargo, the goods became subject to a curious regula- 

 tion. In the earliest times the Government had been the only 

 importer, and a system of investments in goods on behalf of 



1 Macquarie's Instructions. The permission of the Governor of Bengal also 

 appears to have been necessary. See Chapter V. 



a Bigge speaks of a colonial vessel of less than 350 tons register trading to 

 Cape Colony and to Batavia. Report III. 



- 1 When the restriction was removed in 1812 it was not found that Sydney 

 suffered at all. 



* For fuller treatment of this subject see Chapter V. 



8 The Government official in charge ot the port. 



