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    reversed , for instead of being 28 , 000 , it then amounted to 82 , 000 . Such was the rapid increase of the colony of Victoria , which Lord Aberdeen had pronounced ought not to be founded , and which only ei g hteen years ago it was considered by official men impolitic to establish . He would now advert to the effect produced by the discoveries of gold on the advancement of the material prosperity of the territory of Victoria , as seen by comparing the year 1852 with 1851 . The date was too recent to give the statistics of the whole year , and he should therefore compare the two quarters ending in June of each year respectively . In the quarter ending June 30 , 1851 , the revenue of Victoria amounted to 35 , 994 / . For the corresponding quarter of 1852 , the general revenue had increased to 98 r 426 Z ., being

    an increase of 62 , 432 / . The Crown revenue for the June quarter of 1851 amounted to 87 , 874 / ., and in 1852 to 186 , 579 / ., showing an increase of 98 , 705 / . Taking both the Crown and general revenue together , then , the whole increase on that quarter amounted to 161 , 160 ? ., whilst the population , . being now 182 , 000 in number , had increased by no less than 100 , 000 . He would now state what had been the amount of emigration to those colonies during the last few years , with , the view of showing the increase that had taken place subsequently to the marvellous discoveries to which he alluded . In 1849 the emigration from this country to Australia was 32 , 191 , in 1850 it was 16 , 681 , in 1851 it was 21 , 532 , but during the last year , 1852 , it increased to 87 , 424 .

    He bore tribute to the general good conduct of the population , and , incidentally , to that of the British soldiery placed there within a few miles of the gold fields , and said that the policy of the late Government was to place whatever public revenue might be derived from the gold discovery at the disposal of the colonial legislature . He alluded to the New South Wales petition , and its fiv e demands—namely , a revision of the colonial civil list , that the lands of the colony should be placed under local control , that certain reforms

    should be effected in the customs system , that the patronage of Government offices should be given to the local authorities , and that colonial legislation on local subjects should not need Imperial confirmation , —all of which demands were refused by Earl Grey , and of which , on the renewal of the demand , Lord Derby ' s Government had been disposed to meet the wishes of the colonists on the first and third points , had coincided with Earl Grey on the last two , and had thought that though , in regard to the second , the colonists had no risrht to claim the control of the lands , the time had

    come to concede the question ; the rather that a moiety of this revenue was applied to the purposes of emigration , an influx more important to Australia than the etnux to England . He had thought that the colonies had outgrown their constitution , and that a double chamber was desirable for New South Wales and Victoria . He then addressed himself to the transportation question , and stated the considerations upon which , though aware of the great value of the system as a secondary punishment , the lute Government had felt it

    their duty to hold out the promise contained in the royal speech . Urging the importance , not only of putting an end to the introduction of convicts into Australia , but to the holding out to criminals at home ii prospect of being taken to the gold regions , he expressed his " nope that the present Government would speedily explain its views on the subject of secondary punishments . He concluded with some remarks on the policy which should be adopted towards our colonies , a policy which should be based on the maxims of our ancestors , and adapted to win the confidence of the

    colonists . Mr . I ' KKi ) , : if ( er recognising the importance of the subject , and assenting to some of the preceding speaker ' s propositions , remarked uponthewant of proportion of the speech to its object , and characterized it as unnecessary , no one having impugned the colonial policy of the late Government . He thought that the Duke of Newcastle and Lord J . 'Russell had anticipated ono-half of Sir . 1 Paikington ' s inquiry , and rendered it needless . But he would endeavour to remove that gentleman '* anxieties . As regarded Ilie customs , recent legislation had deprived this country of all interest in the appointment of colonial oHicers , and that point was given . up ; as to patronjige , lie thought the complaints ill-founded ;

    as to the Imperial veto , tin ; Government considered it best to giv « the representative of the Crown the power to assent to colonial legislation , subject to the disallowal of the Sovereign . The more important question was the colonial demand for exclusive control over tins civil list ; and Government was inclined to think that the preponderance of argument was with flie colonists . lit ; mentioned , too , that in a list proposed by them they lind proposed n mm of 88 , 000 / ., whereas the Government had only mimed VJJ . OOO / ., and lie . thought it was far better to leave the mutter to the former . In regard to the waste lands , he believed that the Crown had exercised its trust in a

    very advantageous muniier , hut there were other con-HiderutioiiM which overbalanced the economical advantages of this present Hyntoin , and Government wore prepuml to mvry out the opinions of their predecessors , but they would wuit until the transition state of the

    colonial legislature had become a permanent one . In reference to transportation , he said that the terror which it once inspired was paafc , that it was very expensive , and was universally condemned by the colonists , which were among the reasons which had induced Government to announce its extinction . He believed that he had met the various questions urged by Sir J . Pakington . Mr . Addeelet , as one of the old colonial reformers , said that it was matter of satisfaction to find that circumstances had compelled ttfe adoption of nearly all the suggestions so long urged by those gentlemen . On some points he thought the late Government entitled to more credit than the present one .

    Lord John Rttssei / l , in answer to some remarks of the last speaker , reminded the House that the colony of New South Wales was created with a despotic government expressly for the purposes of transportation . He alluded to the changes which had in late years been effected in the colony , and tp the recent necessity of dealing with the transportation system . He denied that the present Government had restricted the resolutions of the last , and explained that they had rather adopted a contrary course . In answer to the appeal of Sir J . Pakington , he said that the question of secondary punishments was a most important one , and demanded grave consideration , but that Government would lose no time in bringing it forward .

    Mr . Hume expressed his gratification that views , for supporting which he had borne to be called a rebej , were now unanimously adopted . He could forgive all that ; but lie hoped that the past would be a lesson for the future .

    MILITARY ENLISTMENTS AND THE PEACE SOCIETY . Some persons having been prosecuted for distributing placards in order to prevent young men from entering the Militia , Mr . Hindket asked whether Government intended to continue them ; and as Lord Palmerston was not present at that moment , Mr . Fitzroy gave the required information in the negative . Mjr . Beighx renewed the question , or rather commented on it . He

    vindicated the Peace Society ; characterized the ordinary modes of recruiting as scandalous and improper ; and asked whether it was meant to gag the billposter . He displayed one of the offending placards exhibiting a woodcut — n military flogging — with extracts from the New Testament and the " Autobiography of a Working Man , " by Mr . Somerville , who had himself been unjustl y flogged . Would the persons in gaol be set at liberty ?

    Lord PAiiMEBSTON was now present to reply , which he did in a surprising way . " Government , he said , will not proceed with the prosecutions , because whatever may have been the intentions of the parties who have caused those placards and pictorial descriptions to be printed and circulated , those intentions have wholly failed . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) The good sense and patriotic spirit and feeling of the English people have induced them to treat those invitations to abandon the cause of their country with the contempt they merit ( Cheers . ) The attempt to thwart the public service having of

    failed , I thought it would really have the appearance vindictivoness to pursue tho prosecutions which had been instituted . I have , thereforo , given notice that those prosecutions should bo entirely and absolutely dropped . I shall not take tho trouble of requiring the parties to enter into their recognizances , and therefore of course- anybody who is in prison on this charge will bo released . The honourable gentleman who has just sat down alluded to the case of Mr . Somerville , which formed tho subject of ono of the pictorial exhibitions on tho placards . He jhad received a letter from Mr . Somervillo on tho subject , which ho wrmlrl roml tn t , 1 m house . The noble lord then read tho

    following letter , inclosing a copy of a letter to Mr . llindley - — " Militia—Teach Bocikty . " ' To the Right Honourable Lord Taltneraton . " ' : ifl , Limo-street , Liverpool , Feb . 17 , 1853 . " ' My Loan , —I observe by the newspapers that Mr . Hindley iH to put n question about tho unti-Militiu placards of tho Vetusii Noddy . I huve written by this post a letter to Mr . llindley , of which J annex a copy . Hhould that gentleman not read or

    notice my letter , I trust your lordship will do no , and sot me right with the public . I am moro interested in that ofleimive placard than any other per « on . I am a literary man , earning lireiid i'or «« lf and family by my pen , and eating it only by favour of the public who buy my productions . Aayour lcrdiihi p will perceive , tho Peace Society , by placarding me all over the kingdom , have placed me in a false and odioiiH pouition . '" I am , my lord , your lordship ' s obedient uervuut , " ' Amcxandku Komichvilijc ,

    " ( ' One who linn Whistled at the Plough' ) , &e . Copy of a letter to Mr . llindley , 17 th Fob ., 1853 . " * Hi n ,--Hoeing in the newspapers that you are to put a question to Lord Palmernton on the subject of tho anti-Militia plaoiirdH pouted throughout the kingdom by tho Pctwse Society , i beg your attention to the following foots , and I think you should in fairness read this letter in tho house i— The placard in question contuinu tin engraving of a man tied up to bo Hogged . It conl . aiitH aluoa description by mo ( in a book entitled the ' Autobiography of a Working Man' ) of the punishment I received while a soldier in the Hcota Greys , on the SJlHh of May , 1832 . I hnvo roaaon to complain of that otf'uneivo pluoard , iwod complained of it to the Peace Society as noon ns I knew of its exiNtenoe , and on tho following grounds ;—• ' I . ItaotMise my own opinion luw been deoidedly in favour of tho volunteering of recruits to tho Militia , in preference to a

    compulsory ballot ( or invasion of the domestic circle by a conscription ) ; and because , if the battalions of the Militia were not filled by volunteers , the conscription most have been resorted to . " ' 2 . Because I do not believe that' Militiamen were or are likely to be flogged , unless they commit crimes which they : may easily avoid . " ' 3 . Because my book was intended to be , what every page of it proves , a warning to young men entering the army , and to soldiers already there , not to connect themselves with politics and regimental politicians , as I unfortunately did ; aiap , to dissuade civilians from connecting themselves with physical force

    movements . ' ' " ' 4 . Because a quotation is prominently made from my book in the Peace Society ' s placard , without their naming the book or explaining wh y I was flogged , but , on the contrary , leading iny one not acquainted with me to infer that I was some malefactor , guilty , probably , of a vile moral crime ( which soldiers usually are guilty of before receiving such a punishment . ) " ' 5 . Because my name was the only one used in the placard , as a soldier who had suffered that punishment whioh was to deter men from volunteering into the Militia .

    " ' 6 . Because I was not asked if I should allow ray name to be used for such a purpose . " And , lastly , if I had , I should have emphatically said Ifo . " " I am , &c , " Alexandbb Somebvili / b . " « Charles Hindley , Esq ., M . P . Well , I think that that letter does great credit to the writer . The honourable gentleman who has just sat down I understand began , his remarks by finding fault with me for having said something on a former occasion which he considers to be offensive , or uncivil , or rude , to the Peace Society . Now I then stated what I cannot retract , namely , that I think thab the course they pursued was a grave

    offence . ( Cheers . ) In the remarks I made the other evening , I did not intend to say anything offensive to the Peace Society . I look upon the Peace Society as a society of very well-intentioned fanatics —( cheers and laughter)— - much too good to be entrusted with any political functions in this -wicked and sinful world —( laughter)—and I would urge and entreat my honourable friend who asked the question , to use his influence , as a man of good understanding and practicall y conversant with public affairs , to induce his peace-preaching colleagues in the society to be a little less pugnacious than they show themselves . ( Cheers , and great laughter . )"

    The Ikish Chubch . —Mr . Mooee asked Lord John Russell what were the opinions and intentions of Government in regard to the Established Church in Ireland . He hoped to have an answer which should be frank , and free from evasion , as the question affected the interests of a quarter of the Queen ' s subjects , and also the interests of the Ministry . Apprising Lord John Russell that Irish members , amounting i n number to a fifth or sixth of a working House of Commons , had pledged themselves to

    oppose any Government not prepared to legislate , in regard to the Church of Ireland , on the basis of perfect equality of religious denominations , and stating that it was urged , on behalf of two of that number who had accepted office , that they would never have done so had not Government secretly pledged itself to such legislation , and to tenant right in accordance with Mr . S . Crawford ' s bill , he demanded whether it was the intention of Government , at a fitting time , to introduce any measure of the character he had described .

    Lord John Russeli declined to--enter into any discussion on the Irish Church , but stated that Government had no intention of introducing any measure on the subject except that already announced on ministers money . He would add that no such secret assurance as had been mentioned had been given , and that the gentlemen alluded to had token office from their general knowledge of the principles of the Government . Mr . Flahkbty expressed his confidence in Ministers , rebuked Mr . Moore for his unseasonable and unfortunate introduction of the Irish Church question , and characterised his speech as " moonshine . Mr . Lucas was prepared to act independently of both English parties in the House until a party could be found to do justice to Ireland . Lord J . Russell ' s frank answer did him the utmost

    credit , and there could be no doubt about its meaning . Lord J . Russell was not prepared to legislate on the basis of religious equality . TnK Burmese Wau . —In tho House of Lords , on Thursday , tho Earl of Eli . enbobouoh moved for the production of a letter written in 1829 by tho Directors oi the East India Company to the Governor-General , giving instructions as to the lino of operations to be pursued in any future war with Ava . The noble lord then commented on the lino of operations pursued in the present war , which had been anything but successful or satisfactory , and wished to know what view the present Government took of the position of affairs in Ava , and especially with reference to the proclamation for the annexation of Pegu , though tho responsibility of that stop must bo laid at tho door of the late Government .

    The Earl of Abekdeen hod no objection to produce tho lottor in question , though a dospntch written twonty-flvo years ago on such a subject could scarcely bo considered as anything else than an historical curiosity . With respect to tho conduct of tho present war , tho Government could not boast of that power of military criticism professed by Lord EiiTiKNiiououoii , and therefore were unfortunately unablo to pass judgment on tho operations , now being carried on in Ava ; they had , however , tho groutest confidence and reliance in the discretion of tho Governor-General , nnd , as ho had expressed himself satinued with tho progress of tho war , and had determined to anno ? : Pegu , after mature deliberation , tho Government were disposed to acquiesce in the opinion expressed by tho lato Government , and in tho eulogies passed by it on tho Govurnor-Goncral .

    J ho Earl of Dubby defended tho line of operations pursued against Ava , and read a memorandum written by the lato Duke of Wellington , to prove that tho war coula not havo beon averted ; that tho operations proposed wore judicious ; that they had been carried on with great gallantry and succeNB ; and that in justice both to the Pegiwte and ourselves we were hound no $ to » fcop « hort of thf Annexation of that province .

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    196 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 26, 1853, page 196, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1975/page/4/