Page:A colonial autocracy, New South Wales under Governor Macquarie, 1810-1821.djvu/44

 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. 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. Governor Bligh introduced a very troublesome 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.

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 bêche-le-mer paid from £2 10s. to £5 per ton, and there was no drawback allowed on re-exportation.

When the naval officer who collected the duties had passed the cargo, the goods became subject to a curious regulation. In the earliest times the Government had been the only importer, and a system of investments in goods on behalf of