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August 13, 1853.] THE LEADER. Ill
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THE INDIA BILL IN THE LOKDS. Some amendm...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Week In Parliament. Btt8sia. The Oft...
ino- communications in reference to negotiations winch were still proceeding . Notwithstanding that , he explained the steps hy which such negotiations had reached their present position , and stating that a note , originally French , and adopted by the Powers , had been accepted by Russia , and had been transmitted to the Porte . Ilis lordship expressed a hope , that as such note contains nothing derogatory to the honour of the Sultan , it would also be accepted by him ; "He deprecated further discussion at the present crisis . ¦ Lord Beaumont complained that , instead of repelling Russia , England was endeavouring to induce the Sultan to give up a portion of his rights . Lord HaRdwicke regretted that a more quick and determined course had not been taken .
Lord Claneicaede said , he was glad to hear that there was a probability of a peaceful solution of the difficulty ; but observed that the real question was the terms upon which that peace was to be obtained . He should want to hear in due time what compensation was to be made to Turkey for the invasion of her territory . _ . Lord EllenborouGH approved of the policy of England in regard to France , but hoped that those who were urging a war with Russia for the independence of Turkey would weigh well the character of such a conflict , which would be war in Circassia and in Poland . If the negotiations ended peacefully , it would give him a higher opinion of diplomacy than he had hitherto had .
Lord Aberdeen regretted the discussion , though admitting that a desire for further information was natural . Vigorous measures had been recommended , but if the measures which Government had taken were successful , he should be perfectly satisfied . He assured the House that the terms which had been agreed to contained nothing detrimental to the interests of Turkey . Lord Malmesbury then withdrew his motion .
From a brief reply given to Mr . Layard by Lord PAXMEBSTOKj 4 t would appear that Lord John Russell will make his statement ort Monday .
August 13, 1853.] The Leader. Ill
August 13 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . Ill
The India Bill In The Lokds. Some Amendm...
THE INDIA BILL IN THE LOKDS . Some amendments have been made , at Lord Ellejtborough ' s suggestion . One provides that when the Directors delay , or finally refuse to sign an order for transmission to India , the commissioners of the Board of Control can sign and send it , and that it shall have the full force of law . Another allows the appointment of military as well as civil servants , to the legislative council . A third makes a minor regulation to allow senior members of the council to preside in the absence of the President or Vice-President . And a fourth
expunges the clause abolishing the Company ' s salt-monopoly , ( a clause inserted at the instance of Sir John Pakington , ) on the ground that the abolition would endanger the Indian revenue . " There are not the means in India of creating a new tax as a substitute for the abolition of another , and besides there is a great indisposition in India to pay a now tax . " An army of proposed amendments , brought up by Lord Ellenborough , was repelled , without a division . The suggestions all tended to extend and strengthen the power of the Crown , in opposition to the power of the Company . One would allow Ministers to nominate for the Directors , men who had served less than ton
years in Indin . The most important was a proposal to enlarge the Court of Proprietors , and therefore improve that constituency , by the addition of all retired officers , civil ns well as military , who have served twenty years in India . The increase- in the salary of the President of the Board of Control , was approved of hy Lord Ellenborough , who hinted that the best mode of expending the additional sum , would bo by receiving at his table all distinguished ofliccrs , who returned from India , every year .
TITE MILITIA . Statistics of the Militia , and comments on the con - duct and necessity of the force , were made , on Monday evening , by Mr . Sidney Herbert , ( proposing a voto of 478 . 740 Z ., to defray tho expenses of the body , ) and by other members . Tho number now enrolled ia 02 , 000 , but tho whole voto is not for tho present militia j 100 , 000 ^ . is for tho old militia staff , and tho " non-effectivo . " Tho efficiency of tho rcgimonts . has been
horno testimony to hy tho most competent officers who have- inspected them , and whq have expressed their Hurpriso at tho degreo of efficiency tl ^ oy displayed . It »« "till more important to note tho universal good conduct evinced by large bodies of men at an ago when it ini tfhfc bo deemed that where such numborn weiio congregated together there might bo nomo disturbaiicc . In <) vory part of tho country tho civil authorities ) have horno testimony to tho excellent conduct of tho lhon . Thin vote utirrod up the Peace party , who , through Air , IJiaanT , ridiculed tho idea of preparing for war .
"Admiral Dundas received the French officers on board of his ship , and were himself and the English officers entertained at dinner on board of the French ships , and that they drank the health of Queen Victoria and of Louis Napoleon , Emperor of the French , with so much cheering that ft was difficult to hear the - . artillery . I want to know , under these circumstances—when the two nations are on such friendly terms , and when with respect to another matter in dispute there seems a probability of , no war arising out of it—whether Government consider it necessary to go on increasing the militia force , and to fill it up to the whole complement . Having got over the panic of lost year , and
discovered that we have made fools of ourselves , we may now venture to let the wave subside , and the country may perhaps , feel itself sufficiently secure to allow this portion of our force to fall into decay , as it did before ; by which the expense of its maintenance will be saved . It is said that the militiamen make very fair soldiers after twentyone or twenty-eight days' training . ( A loud ' Hear , hear , from Colonel Sibthorp . ) I am not going to dispute it , because I am not a judge —( a loud ' No' from the gallant colonel , followed by great laughter)—but if men can be made fair soldiers in so short a time , it will not be necessary to take them for years before you require their
services . The noble lord the member for Tiverton has turned out to have been wrong as regarded last year ; he may be wrong also as regards the future , and 60 , 000 invaders may not come over at all ; so that the constant expenditure of 400 , OOOZ . or 500 , 000 ? . a year may be avoided . Unless they are certain that this expenditure is absolutely required , and this forc e absolutely necessary , we will fail in our duty to the country if we vote it ; and for my part , I do not hesitate to say that I regard the whole matter as an imposture , got up in order that the public might be deceived and robbed . The only result is to diminish the
power of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to remit taxes ; and there is a far greater probability of the evils of war when nations pursue the mad system of maintaining great rival armaments . I would suggest that , in the present friendly state of our relations with France , seeing the President of the Board of Control no longer makes speeches to his constituents at Halifax discreditable to himself and injurious to his -country , it might be proper to make representations to the French G overnment before any long period elapsed , for the purpose of seeing whether both nations could not agree to reduce their armaments to some extent . "
Mr . Sidney Herbert pointed out that although remarkably efficient after 21 days training , yet the militia could not be cousidere army j and Colonel Sibthorp reminded Mr . Bright that the militia were also wanting to keep Manchester and similar places in order .
THE PUBLIC MONEY . The " supply" to the Crown from tho public purse was continued by instalments on Monday . And as each sum was granted , remarks were made by economical members , or comments on the services to which the grants are devoted . Mr . Hume objected to Government paying fees when they gave a new honour to one of their servants — to 2000 Z . for the outfit of Lord St . Leonards as Lord Chancellor—a usual vote , and to the large expenses of the commissariat . Suggestions for the extension of agricultural statistics were made by Mr . Sullivan and Sir John Shelley . On the vote of 835 , 5121 . for the Post-office packet
service , Mr . Cowper explained the conclusions of the report made by the Government commission . On the vote of 200 . 000 Z . for the late Kafir war , Mr . Adderly forcibly expressed his hope that in future the colonists would be left to defend themselves . He disapproved of the abandonment of the Orange River territory as depriving the colony of a good frontier . On tho part of the Government , Mr . Frederick Peel defended tho abandonment of the Orange River territory , as it is desirable to contract our possessions in Asia , and said that if unfortunately war should again break out the responsibility of carrying it on will he transferred to the settlers themselves .
On the voto of 50 , 000 * . for tho Naval Coast Volunteers , Mr . French objected to the exclusive use of rum in tho navy . British spirits should bo used instead of colonial produce . Mr . Fitzgerald seconded this objection . Sir James Graham defended rum as healthy , and pointed out that it would bo unwise of tho Legislature to interfere with tho acts of tho Executive . Tho voto then passed . Tho religious instructions in our prisons was brought under tho notice of Lord Palmkrston hy Mr . Lucas ,
who showed that there in a want of Roman catholic ministry in many English prisons . Tho consequence is , that Roman-catholic prisoners anxious to obtain tho clergyman ' s certificate of good conduct , necesmiry for any mitigation of their punishment , frequently act as hypocrites , pretending to bo Protestants . Lord Palme U 3 TON promised that there should bo a perfect equality in future . Roman-catholics as well as Protestants should be supplied with religious instruction by ministers of thoir own creed .
CHARITABLE TRUSTS . The details of thin Bill wore again discussed on tho third reading . Mr . Lucas , on behalf of the Roman Catholics , said , that tho exemption of their trusts was unrequited : " thoir strength and interest demand u
common right and a common law . " Instead of exempting theni , they should be placed on a proper footing . Lord John Russell agreed that some change in the law relating to these trusts is wanting , but it is impossible to frame one this session . Mr . Headlam advised a complete revision of the law of mortmain . At present it is difficult to settle property for benevolent purposes , such us infirmaries aud schools ^ A clause enabling one'of the commissioners to sit in the House of Commons , was moved by Mr . Uutt , and supported-by Mr . Bonh am Carter , Mr . John Ball , and Mr . Thomas Chambers . It was opposed by the Government and several independent members . It was rejected by 113 to 32 .
Oxford , Cambridge , and Durham Universities are excluded from the operation of the Bill . Lord John Russell attempted to bring in Durham , arguing that the two other Universities are excluded because they were recently the subject of inquiry , arid are to be made the subject of separate legislation . But the attempt was defeated by 70 to 65 . Encouraged by this success , Mr . Thornely , Mr . Heywood , Mr . Chambers , Mr . Blackett , and Mr . William Johnson Fox ( friends of the London University ) moved that it also be exempted from the operation of the Bill . Lord John Russell opposed its exemption . London University is but the head of a number of schools affiliated with it and scattered all over the country . The amendment was lost by 79 to 61 > .
THE MALT-TAX . A resolution for the reduction of this tax was moved by Mr . Ball on Monday . He made amends for his strategetic silence on his former attack by a tolerably long speech , in which he argued that a reduction wa 3 the proper consequence of Free-trade , and a fitting boon to the farmer and the labourer . He did not ask for the remission of the five millions of taxation , but for such a relaxation of the stringent rules of collection as would benefit-the producer and not entail a loss upon the revenue . In consequence of the severe competition to which the farmers are novy subjected from
the operation of the system of Free-trade , and to their not being able to malt their own barley , they are not able to give their labourers any beer to sustain them at their work , and the latter are thus driven to the public-house , to the destruction alike of body and soul . It is the more important that we should take some measure which may tend to increase the quantity of food in the country , because the present harvest will unquestionably be both inferior in quality and small in quantity , while there is but little grain in warehouse , and the supply of cattle and sheep is most inadequate to the demand . " Our labourers are now discontented
and dissatisfied , and threaten to emigrate ; and I therefore hope that tho House will not decline to take a step which will be a most powerful means of keeping them at home , and which , by enabling the farmers to increase the supply of meat , would tend to spread content and plenty through the land . " Mr . Cayley , in seconding the motion , recommended Mr . Gladstone not to attempt to reply to the really unanswerable speech of the honourable gentleman who had just resumed his seat , but to take into consideration between this and the next session the best mode of carrying into effect the suggestions which had been laid before him .
Mr . Gladstone was jocose in reply . He had answered Mr . Ball ' s speech " by anticipation / ' and referring to his former speech against time , he said , though it was not becoming in a member to praise his own speech , yet ho was well satisfied with the results of that speech . " It . is admitted , indeed , by tho honourable gentleman that if he had obtained u division before that speech was delivered , he would have had a majority ; such being the force of my reason , simplicity , and ingenuousness , that that speech changed the fate of the day , and put the honourable gentleman into a startling minority . " ( Great laughter . )
Mr . Spooner was " disgusted" with " this levity ; and after a . few remarks from Sir John Siiellkit mid Mr . Ball , tho motion was negatived without a
division . TRANSPORTATION . Tho new measures taken by Government , in consequenco of the iU > olition of transportation , were explained by Lord Palmkrston , who stated the general theory of all punishments , and set forth tho p lan of tho Government iis already explained in the . House of Lords . The chief feature in the now arrangements is tho
institution of an imprisonment at home , and a release according to good conduct with a ticket of leave-in liou of the transportation for fourteen years and under . Mr . Walpoj / jo suggested that instead of thus abolishing all transportation under fourteen years , tho Government should , in individual canes , commute punishment * for imprisonment into ' transportation , as far uu colonies * for tho reception of convicts could bo found . Ho ako approved of putting tho convicts to public works , such
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 13, 1853, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_13081853/page/3/
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