Dec. ], 1898.] THE TEOPICAL AGEICULTURIST. 
399 
duty were abolished. The people perhaps would not 
actually drink much more thau they do but there 
would be more waste. 
The annual iocrease of the population of England 
is 300,000, so that the natural increase of tea con- 
sumption would be only say 1,500,000 lb. (5 lb. per 
heaa) but since the duty was lowered the average 
annual increase has been 5,300,000 lb. so th.it we may 
claim an increase of 3,800,000 lb. per annum due to 
the reduction of duty. — Yours truly, 
(Signed). H K RuTHERrOBa. 
41 Blincing Lane, Loudon, E.G. Aug. 5th, 1898. 
Edward J- Young, Esq., 
c/o Messrs- Whittall & Co., Colombo, Ceylon. 
Dear Sir, — We are in receipt of your letter of the 
12th July, and in reply to your questions, we are of 
opinion that the Home Consumption of Ceylon Tea 
would in all probability receive some stimulus, in 
common with tbat of other growths, from a redaction 
or total abolition of the duty; aty alteration would 
we think, affect every growth alika, with this ex- 
ception, that inasmuch as the present fixed duiy 
imposes a relatively heavier tax on low priced tea, 
any reduction or total abolition of duty would give 
considerable impetus to the exportation of common 
tea from China, which would in that case become 
once more an important factor in the trade, interfere 
considerably with Ceylon and Indian Tea in the 
market for low grade tea for '• price " — The total 
abolition of the duty and the consequent absence of 
proper Customs supervision would also greatly facili- 
tate the importation of worthless or adulterfited leaf, 
which has hitherto not been allowed to be entered 
for Home Consumption. 
You are quite at liberty to use these remarks before 
the Planters' Association of Ceylon, and trusting 
that you will find them useful, — We are, yours faith- 
fully, (Signed) Wilson, Sjiithett A Go. 
38 Mincing Line, E.G, London, August 8th, 1893. 
E. J. Young, Esq. 
Dear Sir,— In reply to your letter of July 12th we 
write to say that opinion differs very widely among 
those who are interested in the question as to the 
probable result of an abolition or reduction in the duty 
on tea. 
If the tax were removed we think probably the 
number of distributors might be increased, with the 
result that for the time at least demand would be 
brisk and clearances large which would deplete stocks to 
the benefit of importers — but it is by no means cer- 
tain that a large permanent increase in consumption 
would follow : — seeing how very cheap tea — as a bever- 
aga now is. 
Some think the remission of the tea would render 
it more easy to admit unsound and spurious tea. We 
think, on the contrary, the vigilance of the Inspectors 
would not be lessened and if it were a stimulus could 
quickly be applied. 
Looking at the question broadly we incline to the 
opinion (not generally held) that abolition of duty 
would turn the scale in favour of the best as against 
the cheripest tea — thus directly encourage the pro- 
duction of the finer kinds in Ceylon — but importers 
could not expect to obtain more than a par'j of the 
total remission and that only for a time. 
We are, dear sir, yours faithfully, 
(Signed) W.m. J.^s. & Hy. Tuompson. 
23, Rood Lane, London, E.C. 12th A'lgugt, 1398. 
E. J. Young, Esq., Ceylon. 
Dear Sir,— Wc bog to acknowledgo receipt of yonr 
favour of I'ith ulto. 
In consiJoriug the points on which you as'c our 
upiuiou we tbiuk it well to record our li^jures oi H^.axi 
Consumption. Taking these from the Baard of Trade 
returns they read as follows : — 
HOME CCNSUMPTIO.V. YEAR ENDING SlST DEC. 
1895 
lb. 
1896 
lb. 
Tea from — 
India 
Ceylon 
China 
Other 
Countries 
1897 
lb. 
116B43,31-1 122,941,096 124.534,194 
74,023,809 80,294,475 85,4-J3,554 
26,201,374 19.831,673 17,242,247 
5,231,640 4,71S,251 4,129,783 
221,800,137 227,785,500 231,399,778 
Again taking figures just published and showing 
results for first seven months of this year — 
HOilE COXSUMETIONi SEVEN MONTHS E -.'DrNG 31ST JULY. 
1896 1897 1898 
lb. lb. lb. 
Tea from — 
India .. 70,162,579 71,952,593 76,127,862 
Ceylon .. 44,883,290 48,223,876 43,079,216 
China .. 11,228,204 10,452,219 8,688,588 
Other 
Countries 2,751,194 2,126,748 2,764,789 
129,025,267 132,655,436 135,660,455 
Vv'e are of opinion that a decided stimulus would be 
given to the consumption in this Kingdom of Ceylon 
Tea if the present duty were reduced by 2d per pound ; 
but inasmuch as the conjitions under which Teas 
must be entered and warehoused and handled for the 
mere purpose of securing and collecting the Duty 
are necessarily cumbersome and expensive the value 
of such a concession would be more than double by 
a total abolition of the present duty of 41. 
We see no reason to suppose that China Tea would 
be specially benefitted by such changes in our Duty 
but assuming that the percentage of increase in its ' 
consumption to be equal that of Ceylon Tea such 
increase would be about one sixth of the Ceylon 
increase. We are of opinion that such fiscal changes 
would still leave the general position untouched, this 
general position being as shown in the above figures 
that our use of Ceylon Tea is increasing— our use of 
China Tea is decreasing. — We are Dear Sir, Ycuri 
faithfully, (Signed) Walker, Lambe & Co. 
37, Mincing Lane, London, E C 18th Aug. 98. 
E J Young Esq., Messrs Whittall ct Co., Colombo. 
Dear Sir, — In reply to your letter of 13th July 
asking us to give you an opinion as to the probable 
effect on the consumption of Ceylon Tea if the duty 
were abolished or a moiety thereof removed, and 
whether the Importation of China Teas would be in- 
creased, we have now the pleasure to inform you that 
we have discussed these questions with several dealers 
and Brokers in the Lane and find they are generally 
against the total abolition of the duty, but would not 
object to a further reduction. If the Chancellor en- 
entirely removed the duty all check on the 
movements of the article entirely disap- 
pears consequently no reliable figures could 
be obtained. Doubtless the consumption of all 
classes of Tea (not only Ceylon) would be increased, 
but we fear it might encourage the importation of 
the commoner productions from Java, South Africa, 
and other countries, where they are beginning to 
cultivate tea and would most likely also induce grow- 
ers to send us the inferior qualities to a greater 
extent than they do at present. — We are. Dear Sir, 
Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) Sanderson & Oo. 
13 Rood Lane, London, E C, Aug. 12th, l^OS. 
E Young Esq., Colombo. 
Dear Sir, — We are in receipt of your favor of tha 
'12th ulto. ac dressed to our Mr. Gow asking his op:« 
uioa as to the p.cbible effect o:i tha conaamption of 
Cej'l9a Tea if the Duty ia ftlbglishsd, algi} to t/ig 
