A deputation from the recent meeting at Liverpool on Customs
Reform had an interview of considerable length with Lord John Russell yester- day. In his reply, Lord John stated, that " up to this period private merchants, and not the Government, must be held responsible for what- ever defects are found in the system of the Customs" ; for Lord Granville and Mr. Hayter "have applied themselves during a considerable period of time to the minute investigation of alleged evils, and they have found the greatest difficulty in inducing persons to come forward with any really useful information.' It would be very desirable to have eminent mer- chants on the Board of Customs, but the salaries are not sufficient to in- duce merchants of standing to accept the post. The Government desires to act satisfactorily to the trading world, and the whole subject shall be inquired into and carefully investigated with the least possible delay.
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