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Leader (1850-1860), 12th April 1856, Edition 1 of 2, Page 339

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      AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BILL . This bill was read a third time , after a short discussion , in which the Duke of Richmond complained of the unfairness of compelling farmers to make their returns while the method of taking corn avex-ages is so delusive in its results . He objected , moreover , to imposing ou the Poor-law Board functions so entirely different from those for which it was created . — Lord Wodehouse defended the bill ; and Lord Stanley op Alderley said that the attention of Government had been ., and still was , directed to the improvement of the present system of taking corn averages . —The bill then passed .

      Monday , April 7 t 7 i . POSTAL COMMUNICATION WITH AUSTRALIA . In the House of Lords , the Duke of Argyll , in answer to the Earl of Habdwicke , staterl that tenders for the re-establishment of the steam postal communication between this country and Australia ai * e now under the consideration of G-overunienfc , but that , before any route is adopted , the general assent of the colonies to the proposed plan must be obtained , as they are to bear a large part of the expense . There would be no objection to producing the memorial from the colonies on the subject , which laad been asked for by Lord Hardwicke .

      war would put an end to the grievance complained of . The militia having been embodied , it was found necessary to billet them in towns during the time arrangements were being made for removing them out of billet . The distinction between , the English and Scotch , systems had arisen at the time of the Act of Union , which provided that the plan then iu force in Scotland should continue ; and he ( Mr . Peel ) was not sure that the Scotch system was not fairer than the English . —Lord Palmerston fully admitted the grievance , and held thab it is undesirable that soldiers should be quartered anywhere "but in barracks . The barrack accommodation , both in peace and in war , should be extended ; but this requires time and money in a considerable degree . Previous

      to any alteration of the present system , moreover , there must be a modification of the Mutiny Act , which could not take place till next session . The Premier afterwards again assured the House that Government are ready to consider what measures can be adopted for relieving the householders of Scotland , and that they have no objection to assimilate the law of Scotland to that of England . —The Chancellor , of the Exchequer observed , amidst much laughter , that the' question resolved itself into one of finance . The question was , whether the House was prepared to grant an additional vote in Committee of Supply , for the erection of permanent barracks , or temporary quarters : —Sir George Grey hoped the house would not adopt a hasty resolution .

      After sonie further discussion , in which Mr . Disraeli observed that tke grievance was undeniable , and that tliere was very little chance of its being remedied unless the resolutions were agreed to , the House divided , when the motion , was carried against the Government by 139 to ll ' 6 .

      COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY * Lord Pal ^ ierston then moved that the House resolve itself into a Committee of Supply , which was agreed to after a few sarcastic remarks * by Mr . Disraeli on the lesson the Government had just received . The consideration of the Civil Service Estimates was resumed . An amendment , by Mr . Lawrence Heywortii , to reduce the vote for the theological professors at Belfast was negatived by 85 to 31 . Several divisions of the like kind , and with similar results , took place ; but tlie chief discussion arose ou the vote of £ 17 , 639 for the National Gallery , which Mr . Otway proposed to . reduce by £ 650 , the sum . set down for the travelling expenses of Sir Charles Eastlake , and of Mr . Miindler , the travelling agent . He held that Sir Charles is altogether unfitted for the duties of director , as shown by his own admissions before the

      select committee of the House , and by bis " miserable " purchases . Among these purchases , Mr . Otway mentioned the " Adoration of the Magi" by Paul Veronese , which he said would not be valued b y a pictureappraiser at more than £ 100 , though it had cost the country upwards of £ 1 , 977 . To show the universal condemnation of Sir Charles by the press , Mi \ Otway gave a long list of papers , including the Leader , and almost every other journal of standing in London , from the Times downwards , condemning his management . —Mr . Bowyer said he was informed that the "Adoration of the Magi" was at one time offered for £ 50 . —After considerable discussion , the amendment was negatived by 152 to 72 . The voto was then agreed to , as were several others-The Public Works Bill , and the Public Works ( Ireland ) Bill passed through committee . Mr . Lowe obtained lcavo to bring in a bill to amend the law uf partnership .

      MEDICAL REFORM . Lord Elcho , in obtaining leave to introduce a bill relating to the medical profession , said , its main features wore—ft rat , that it did nut interfere with the oxitfUug rights of universities and corporations to coufor diplomas and degrooa ; secondly , that it established n mini m tint standard of ' qualification ; and thirdly , that it ompuworod all properly-qualified pmcthiunors to practise iu any purt of the United Kingdom .

      Tuesday , April 8 tJi . STKAM NA . VL 0 ATION . Tho Earl of Hahdwioke suggested to tho House oi > ' LoiiDa that , on tho occasion of tho groat naval review about to bo hold at Portsmouth , it would be as woll to asoortuiu by actual experiment tho qualities and power * of tho many vesaola of uow construction assembled at Spithead . It would bo very de-Himblo to try whother tl » o fluatiug- buttorio / s nro what thoy prelond to bo , and whether tho guubouta aro it

      roally ( to go to son with tho guna thoy carry , lla hud groat ; doubts on tho subject . His impression was that , with their present stoam pc \ v » . » r , they would be unable to force their way through a head Boa , and , H groator stouin powor woro put into them , that there would bo danger of their foundering . Ho had doubts , too , whether tho iron plates with which thoy yvero covered wore Htrong ouough to ru-nint shot . HU idea wan , that a 32 lb . shot would go through thorn , No notion of those miggoationtt was taken by tho Govornmont .

      THE CURRENCY . The Earl of Eulinton moved for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the operation of the Bank Charter Act , of the general principles of which , however , he approved . He also approved of an issue of notes besides the portion issued on bullion , but he thought the constitution of the Bank management requires remodelling . The directors , he urged , hold office for too short a term , and the decisions of the body are made by the will of a mere majority . There should be a Government control , as in the Bank of France . The fluctuations in the rate of interest within the last eleven years—amountin g to

      forty changes—had had a painful effect on trade and commerce ; and these had been more frequent since the passing of the act than before , and increased in number every year . He proposed an issue of £ 1 notes ; and suggested , "though with great doubt , " the possibility of fixing a mini-mum of interest . —The Earl of Harrowby said that the Government did not contemplate any change in the Bank Act , but that , if an inquiry should be demanded , they would not oppose it . Previous to any renewal of the powers of the Bank , it would , of course , be necessary to institute an inquiry . —The Duke of Argyll , iu answer to the Earl of Derby , said that , if a Royal commission were issued , it would imply that the Government was

      dissatisfied with , the present state of things—a conclusion at which they had not arrived . He afterwards admitted ( responding to a remark of Lord Derby ) that they desire'at present to . " tide over" so difficult a question , the conclusion of a war'not beino a fit season for disturbing the arrangements which now exisfc . ^ -Earl Grey believed that the present is a very fitting season . He did not agree with the Earl of Eglinton ' s objections to the Act of 1844 ; but he thought an inquiry was necessary , sLuce that measure was imperfect- —Lord Bavensworth remarked on the attention which the question Is now exciting , and on the demand for inquiry lately made at a meeting at Newcastle-en-Tyne . —The motion was then withdrawn .

      WAR ARRANGEMENTS . In tho House of Commons , Mr . Wilson , in replying to Mr , Tiioknely , in reference to tlie continuance of the bonds under which iron and some other manufactured articles are permitted to be exported , stated that tho signature of the treaty of pence is not the conclusion of the war , as the treaty has still , to be ratified . With respect , however , to all articles , except munitions of war , an order would be issued on tho following clay to dispense with tho bonds . The bond * already given could not be cancelled . Mr . Peisl , - iu answer to Mr . Otway , stated that aftor a timo tho Turkish Contingent would return to Turkey , and tho foreign troops in the pay of England would ' be disbanded . In nnswor to Captain Stuart , Mr . Feel stated that the holding of reviews in the Crimea on tho Sunday would bo discouraged by the Governmont ; nn <\ , in answer to Mr . Hu . uk , he stated that it yaw intoudod to reduce- or disband tho militia in Ireland .

      him . ktinu soldiers ix Scotland . On the orclorfor going iuto Committee of Supply , Mr . ( Juwax moved a resolution condemnatory of billutiu . ; Moliliors iu Scotland on privato families . Tho practice ho believed to bo unconstitutional ' if not illegal , and it ^ yas vemlorod tho moro odiuu . s because it was boliovod to bo exercised with great uiifuimuww and partiality . — -The motion vvuh soooiukiil by air Andruw Acinkw , and supported- by Mr . JBaxtkk , yir James FuutausoN , Mr . Ewart , Mi-John Maouiikuoii , Mr . Duno . vn , Mr . Bi . aokhuhn , Mr . Laj inu , Mr . Cuaukuud , Mr . Si'Oonkk , and Mr . ALKx-vNoicit Hastik , who all represented the vexatious and tyrannical nature of tho present system , nml dwelt upon tlio unfairness of continuing in Scotland an armugeiuout whioh was not permitted in England . —Mr . ku . ioM onutionocl the Hmwo ngaiuat encouraging complaint * of littk grievances before the Government has doolurod tho system on which tho military l . u-oo of tho country ia to bo lodged — Tho Luiii ) Advooatis admitted thogriovanoo of tho present practice , but thought that to romovo tho burtheu oi supporting mjldiora from thy oounnuuit y in general ua m fcJoo ! land , to a oIuhh , aa In England , would neither bo lair nor jiuholuur ) . —Lord Eihunoton alaoopporaod the motiou . —Ou tho part of tho Government , Mr . Fujodihuqk FuKL , obsorvod thtit the tonuiuutiou of the

      INDIAN FINANCE . The Marquis of Clanricarde moved that the return of the territorial revenues and disbursements of the East India Company , lately presented to the House , be printed , and asked for a return of the military disbursements during the years included in the foregoing return , specifying the presidencies and provinces in which they have been incurred . The papers laid before Parliament contained do accoxint of this expenditure . He thought it was time to consider the

      financial state of India , as it appeared that the present annual deficiency of the revenue exceeds £ 2 , 000 , 000 . —The Duke of Argyll , on . the part of Government , consented to the production of the papers ; but there would be some difficulty in giving the details required to distinguish the various provinces . —After a brief discussion , in . which Lord Monteagle , tlie Earl of Haurowby , and the Earl of Elleuborotjgh called attention to the state of Indian affairs , the motion was agreed to . The House then adiourned .

      CAPITAL PTTNTSHMEHT . In the House of Commons , Mi " . Ewart gave notice of his intention to submit on an early day a motion for the abolition of punishment . by death .

      AK . MY QUESTIONS . Mr . Frederick Peel , in answer to Major Sibthorp , said that the Government had the greatest satisfaction iu accepting . the offer made by the Emperor of the French to confer the war medal of France on the English army which had served in the Crimea . The medals had been transmitted to this country , and directions had since been given for their distribution £ o the troops . He understood that the Sultan of Turkey also intended to bestow a medal on the British army in the East ; but no official communication to that effect had yet reached our Government . With regard to the new Order of Merit , any acts of

      gallantry performed since the commencement of the war would be sufficient to qualify any person to receive this decoratioii . He was yet unable , however , to state when the preliminary arrangements for the first distribution would be completed .- ^ -In reply to another question from Major Sibtkorp , Mr . Peel said that the claims for money and . Crimean medals made by the relations of two soldiers who had died in the Crimea , had been disall 6 wed on account of the illegitimacy of the men . The \ iaual practice was , when a mother made a claim for the effects of an illegitimate son , to allow such claim , provided she was able to produce a certificate showing her relationship to the person deceased .

      INCOME AND . PROPERTY TAX . Mr . Munxz moved— "That , in the opinion of this House , an equitable adjustment of the income and property tax is essential to the interests of the country , particularly aB regards tho rates of payment upon industrial and professional incomes compared with those derived from fixed property . " H « supported this motion by a recapitulation of the arguments generally urged in favour of a higher tax upon realised property than upon uncertain income , and called attention to tho present mode of assessment , by which a man is often inado to rob himself , owing to his natural disinclination to produce his Looks beforo tho Commissioners , who aro often his follow tradesmen . —Mr . Pollard Ukquhaht seconded tho motion .

      —Tho Chanokllou of the Exchequisu opposed tho motion , believing that tho present ia not n favourable time for deranging tho rotations mid proportions of tho Bohedulos . Adam Smith hadlucl it down as a rulu that taxes should be paid in proportion to rovonuo , rather than to property ; ami it wiw oorfcninly a mistake to suppose that income * arc only divisible into prcaarious mid pcnnniient , thoro boing ninny shades ) and gradations between . llu moved the previous quoHtion . — Tho original motiou wjvh supported by Mr . Williams and Sir 1-Ik . nhy Wii , lou « hhy , uixl oppowod by Mr . Lainu and Mr . Hraojiiai . —Mr . Muntz having made a brief reply , tho Houho divided , whon tho original motion whb virtually negutivocl ( tho majority deciding that tho question bo not put ) by 191 to 03 . COLONEL 11 OHNK 8 H AND TI 110 JUOAlll ) OK OKDN / VNOE . Captain L » . Vicunon moved an addross for a copy of tho ooiTonpondoiiuo l > ofc \ voon tho Clerk of tho Ordnance an I Lieutiommt-CJolonol Hornonn , Doputylnnpootor- ( jJenoral of Fortifications , rebooting Iuh removal from that military position . Tlmb removal ho mud , wan owing to some expression * which tho Colonel had uned in tho oourBo of a oorroBpondonoo with Mr . Monuoll , and which woro considered ottbnaiYo . Ho had boon required to

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      April 12 , 1856 . ] THE LEADER . 339 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ . ^^^^»*^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^* ' ^^ - ^^^^^^^^^ ' . — . . . . . . . . —^^—^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ h ^^» . ^^^^^^»^^^^^^^^ wt ^ M ^ jfc ^^^^^ M^^^^^—fcM ^ M ^ M ^^ M ^^^^ fc ^^^^^ M ^ M ^^ fc ^^—^ M ^ F ^ M ^^ M ^ W ^^ g ^^^^ M ^ F ^^ M ^^^ B ^^^^^^^ B ^ M ^^^^^^^^^ B ^^ MM ^^^ W ^^^ M ^ M ^^ M ^^^^^^ gM ^^ g ^^^^^^^^ B ^^^ M ^^^ fc^^^^^^^^^^— . ^^^^^ - —^^^^^^ . ^ m ^^^^»

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      IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 12, 1856, page 339, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2136/page/3/