GENTLEMEN,—During my last holidays the Continent, I met some of our el correspondents with whom I entertained by conversing on the pres tions of the silk trade and on of doing business with London, regret, I heard from every one plaints of the heavy cost on account of charges and bad condition of the silk.
Anyone' connected the silk trade knows that the Asiatic silk was " monopoly for England, and that it was distributed from London to every part of Europe, very often after passing through the Lands of dozen Sspeculator afore it touched the loom. The Suez Canal hae decentralized, like many other articles, the silk business by favouring in like mauner France, Italy, Switzerland and others, who wish to participate in and emulate the import of this article.
It would be purchases, but I think we could attract a certain number of our old customers if we could say:—' We can offer you the silk in as good and sound a state as it comes from and not only this, but with condition object, I propose that every parcel entering the Docks of London, to be sold on the market, should be kept in original wrappers and be c ed on the Hirst by taking from every fifth bale, fairly a: done on the Continent, two books of whi two mosses only out of the middle are con clitioned, and the remainder of the parcel, after having been weighed net to ounces, to be reduced on the basis of the portion conditioned.
This operation could and should be done by the Docks, in order to compensate them for
a and rules riy would 1.—To establish a recognized weight for the silk trade. an active market revent the i, piling and
ilk, each bale, which is so detrimental would save many charges both to sollra and bugers—It would keep the silk in good merchantable condition 6.—It would prevent abuses in Chiva and to sume extent protect importers.
7.—It would simplify and facilitate very much the despatch of account 3.—The silk would not, as it is w the be so much pulled about by the Dock withstanding e they exercise great care, employes, who, it must be admitted, not-
render by their inexperience the article worse than when it was sent by the Chinese.
9.—In case of damaged bales by sea-water, the weight of the same should be calculated on the average of the other bales of thu parcel without allowance for increas of weight, but only for depreciation for damage occasioned by the T think that this simple method will meet the views of all concerned in the silk trade, and I hope everyone will give his best attention and aid in order to do away with foreign prejudices which are so injurious to English interests and to the London Market in particular, I remain, Gentlemen, Youre truly, London, 18th February, 1880.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.