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    April 1% 1856.] THE LE ADER, 339

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    IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. Monday, April 7tk. ...

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    April 1% 1856.] The Le Ader, 339

    April 1 % 1856 . ] THE LE ADER , 339

    Imperial Parliament. Monday, April 7tk. ...

    IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . Monday , April 7 tk . POSTAL COMMUNICATION WITH AUSTRALIA . In the House of Lords , the Duke of Argyll , in answer to the Eai-1 of Hardwicke , stated that tenders for the ire-establishment of the steam postal , cornmuiication between this country and Australia are now under the consideration of Government , hut 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 t > e no objection to producing the memorial from the colonies on the subject , which had been asked for by Lord Hardwicke .

    THE CURRENCY . The Earl of Eglinton 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 he a Government control , as in the Bank of France . The fluctuations in the rate of interest within the last eleven years—amounting 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 mitvimuni of interest . —The Earl of Harbotvb y said that the Government did not contemplate any change in tlxe 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 , in 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 remai-k of Lord Derby ) that they desire at present to " tide over" so difficult a question , the conclusion of a war not being a fit season for disturbing the arrangements which now exist . —Earl Grey believed tliat 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 , since that measure was imperfeeb . —Lord Ravebsworth i-emarked on the attention which the question is now exciting , and on the detnaud for inquiry lately made at a meeting at USTewcastle-on-Tyne—The motion was then withdrawn .

    WAR ARRANGEMENTS . In the House of Commons , Mr . Wilson , in replying to Mr . Tuornely , in reference to the continuance of the bonds under which iron and some other manufactured articles are permitted to be exported , stated that the signature of the treaty of pence is not the conclusion of the war , as the treaty has still to be ratifitsil . With respect , however , to all articles , except munitions of war , an order would be issued on tho following day to dispense with the bonds . The bonds already given could not be cancelled . —Mr . PiiEf ,, in answer to Mr . Otway , stated that after a . timo the Turkish Contingent would return to Turkey , and the foreign troops in the pay of England would be disbanded . In answer to Captain Stuart , Mr . Pum , stated tiiat the holding of reviews in tho Crimea on tho Sunday would bo discouraged by the Government ; and , in auawer to Ml \ Hume , he stated that it whs lutoudort to roduoo or disband tho militia in Ireland . BILLETING SOLDIERS IN SCOTLAND . On tho order for going into Committee of Supply , Mr . Cowan moved ' a resolution condemnatory of billoUii tf soldiers iu Scotland on private families . Pho practice ho bolioved to bo unconstitutional , if not illegal , and it was roudorod tho moro odious bocuusio it was boliovod to bo exorcised with great unfairness and partiality . —Tho motion was seconded by Sir Andukw Aqnkw , and supported , by Mr . Daxtku , air Jamim Fkrouson ' , Mr . Ewaut , Mr Joum Maocuuxioii , Mr . Du ^ oan , Mr . Bi-ackuuhn , Mr . Lainu , Me . Ckaukuud , Mr . Si'uonjbk , and Mr . ALRXA . NDUU Hastus , who all represented tho vo-atluua amI tyrannical iwfcuro of tho present « y « toiu . and dwell upon the uufairnoss of continuing in f-jcotlaud an iimingoiuont which was not pormittml in En-land —Mr . hLHom cautioned tho Houno against , ouoourwiny complaint * of little grievances beforo the Uoyui-n . nont hm declared tho system ou which the jinhlary ioroo of tho country is to bo lodged . —The Loud A uvooatu admitted tho grievance of the i , r «« ont pmutioo , but thought that to romovo tho burthen of Huppo .-untf Holdior » from tho community iu uonoral a « m bum land , to a clnas , as in England , would noUhorbu liur urn-judicious . —Lord KimiNCiTON uluoopnowod tho motion . —On tho part of tho Clovornmont , Mr . Fmadjbiuok Picnx observed that tho termination of tho

    war would put an end to the grievance cotnplained of . The militia having- been embodied , it was found necessary to Mllet 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 in 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 that it is undesirable that soldiers should be quartered anywhere hut 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 he 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 op 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 some further discussion , in which Mr . Disraeli observed that the grievance was undeniable , and that there 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 116 . COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY ; Lord . Palmerston 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 Hey"worth , to reduce the vote for the theological professors at Belfast was negatived by 85 to 31 . Several divisions of the like Mud , and with similar results , took place ; but the chief discussion arose on 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 . Hundiev , the travelling agent . He held that Sir Charles is altogether unfitted for the duties of director , as shown by his qvvn admissions before the select committee of the House , and by his " miserable " purchases . Among these purchases , Mr . Otway mentioned the " Adoration of the Magi" by Paul Veronese , which he said would not be valued by a pictureappraiser at more than £ 100 , though it had cost the country upwards of ££ 1 , 977 " , To show tho universal condemnation of Sir Charles by the press , Mr . 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 ono time offered for £ 50 . —After considerable discussion , the amendment was negatived by 152 to 72 . The vote was then agreed to , as were several others-The Public Works Bill , and the Public Works ( Ireland ) Bill passed through committee . Mr . Lowe obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the law of partnership . MEDICAL REFORM . Lord Erx'iio , in obtaining leave to introduce a bill relating to tho medical profession , saul , its main featured wort )—first , that it did not interfere with the existing rights of universities and corporations to confer diplomas aud degroos ; secondly , that it established a m in ! mum standard of qualification ; and thirdly , that it empowered all properly-qualifiotl pruothknier ?> to practise in any x'urt of the United Kingdom . Tueiday , April Qth , STEAM NAVIGATION . Tho Earl of Hakdwiokk suggested to tho House op Lunm that , on tho occasion of tho groat naval review about to bo hold at Portsmouth , it would bo as well to ascertain by actual experiment tho qualities and powora of tho many vessels of new oonstruotion usaomblud at Spithoiul . It would bo very desirable to try whethor tho floating batteries aro what they protond to bo , and whether tho gunboata aro really lit to yo to boo- with tho guns tlioy carry . Ho had groat doubts ou tho smbjoot . His irnprofmiou was that , with tholr pvosont stoain pcMV « r , tlioy would bo uuablo to ibjco their way through a head sea , aud , if greater Htoaui power wore put into thorn , that tlioro would bo danger of tuoir foundering . Ho had doubts , too , whether the iron platoa with which thoy were covered wero strong ououyh to rowiHt tiliot . Hi * idoa was , tliat a 82 lb . ahot would go through thorn . No notioo of tho « o Hugggfjtionn y / im taken by tho Uoveraiaowt .

    AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BILL . This bill was read a third time , after a short discussion , in which the I > ake of Richmond complained of the unfairness of compelling farmers to make their returns while the method of taking corn averages is so delusive in its results . He objected , moreover , to imposing on the Poor-law Boaid functions so entirely different from those for which it was created . — Lord Wodehotjse defended the bill ; and Lori Stanley of Alkebley said that the attention of Government had been , and still was , directed to tha improvement of the present system of taking corn , averages . —The "bill then passed . 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 disbnirsenients during the years included in the foregoing return , specifying the presidencies and provinces in which they have been incurred . TLe papers laid before Parliament contained no account of thus 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 Argylx , on the part of Government , consented to the production of the papers ; tiut there would be some difficulty in giving the details required to distinguish the various provinces .- —After a brief discussion , in which Lord Monteagle , the Earl of Harrowby , and . the Earl of Ellenbokough called attention to the state of Indian affairs , tlve motion was agreed to . The House then adjourned . CAPITAL PUNISHMENT . In the House of Commons , Mr . Ewart gave notice of his intention to submit oil an early day a , motion for the abolition , of punishment by death . ARMY QUESTIONS . Mr . Frederick PjsEi , in answer to : Major Sibthoep , said that the Government had the greatest satisfaction in accepting the offer made by the Emperor of th e French to confer the war medal of France on the English ariny which had served in the . Crimea . The medals had been transmitted to this country , aaid directions had since been given for their distribution to 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 siuce the commencement of the war would , be sufficient to qualify any person to receive this decoration . He was yet unable , however , to state when the preliminary arrangements for the first distribution would be completed . —In reply to another question fronx Major Sibthgrp , Mr . Peel said that the elaims for money and Crimean medals made by the relations of two soldiers who had died , in the Crimea , had been disallowed on account of the illegitimacy of the men . The usual practice was , > vhen 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 1 'ROPEKTY TAX . Mr . Muntz moved— " That , in the opinion of this House , an equitable adjusbnjpnt of the income and property tax is essential to the interests of the country , particularly as regards the rates of payment upon industrial and professional incomes compared with those derived from fixed property . " He supported this motion by a recapitulation of tho arguments generally urged in iavour 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 made to rob himself , owing to his natural disinclination to produce his boukrs before the Commissioners , who are ofton his fellow tradesmen . —Mr . Pollaud Ukquiiaut seconded the motion . —The Cuancicllou ov thk Uxoiijcqujui opposed the motion , believing that tho puodont is not a fuvourciUj timo for doranging th o relations ami proportions of tho schedules . Adum iSmith had lud it down a « a rulo that taxes should be paid in proportion to i-avenue , rather than to property ; and it wilb certainly a wistuko to suppose that inouinoa aro only divisible into precarious ami purimmunt , thore being nnmy shades and gradations botwoan . Jlo moved tho previous quotation . —The origiuiil motion wan supporLed by Mr . Williams and Sir Hjunhy Willouuuuy , and opposed by Mr . Laino and Mr , bU'ooNiai . —Mr . Muntz having ma-do a brief roply , tho Houho divided , whon tho ori inal motion was virtually negatived ( i , bo mujoiity clodding that tho que .-tion bo not put ) by 11 ) 1 toOJ ) . colon jo . noun if sa and tuh uuahi > < jv OHDNANOK . CapUin L . Vmhnon moved an tidclrosn for a copy of tho oorruapoudouuo bobwoen tho Clork of tho Ordnance an 1 Lumtoniuit-i Jolonol UornoH « , DopubyliiHpootor-Geuoral of FortMoutioiiH , rebooting liiia removal from that military poBition . Tlmt removal ho « aul , wa » owing to uoino expression- * wluoh tho Colonel had u « od in tho eourao of a uorroHpondonoo with Mr . Mousoll , and whioh wore considered oifoneivo . Ho ha < l been required , to

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 12, 1856, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_12041856/page/3/