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    May 24, 1856.] THE LEADER, 4g3

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    Nffcrial Parliament. \ F'~ —?—Monday, Ma...

    for organic changes ; but he hoped it would be understood that the House did not declare against all inquiry , which was needed in many respects , especially with regard to finance . —The Marquis of Clanmcardk also believed that the management of the finances of India need improvement . —The motion was negatived without a division . MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT BILL .. Lord Brougham , in moving that the House should go into committee on this bill , said that he intended to withdraw the clauses relating to divorce and legitimacy . The bill would therefore be reduced to one single but most important object . It would not alter the marriage law of Scotland at all , but it would give protection to the marriage law of England by preventing that gross and scandalous evasion of it which the conflict of the laws of the two countries occasions . It was a grievous thing , however , that the laws of the two countries on the important points of divorce and legitimacy should still remain in a state of conflict . After a Scotch divorce , the parties are free again to marry , according to the recognized principles of the Scotch law ; but if , after a Scotch divorce , one of the parties marries again in England , he is liable to be prosecuted for felony , and—as

    their transport home . With regard to the horses for riding , it certainly seemed to him that the case was less clear against the officers . If an officer was placed upon the staff , and was required to purchase horses out of his own resources , he was entitled , upon the discontinuance of the staff appointment , to receive something , either in consideration of the horses , or for the purpose of transporting them home . He was not prepared , to give a definite answer upon the subject , but it should receive due consideration . —Sir De LAcr Evans recommended that a telegraphic order should be sent out to the Crimea ; otherwise he should take the liberty of drawing the attention of the House to the situation of the officers . — Mr . Peel understood that a telegraphic communication had already been made upon the subject . THE BUDGET . The House having resolved itself into a Committee of Ways and Means , The Chancellor of the Exchequer made his financial statement . He reminded the committee that in a statement made in February he had said that there was a difference between his estimates of the revenue and expenditure last year and their actual amount ; it was not luereroreto mat statement

    had the anthority of Baron Rothschild for stating that the deposits already amounted to 4 , 000 0001 . in Bank of England notes and gold , which , at the rate of ten per cent ., represented a capital , ready tt > be advanced , of 40 , 000 , 000 / . The loan would not , however , cover the entire estimated deficiency by 1 , 873 , 0007 ., to provide for which he proposed , at a later period of the session , to ask for power to borrow , In Exchequer-bonds , if it should be advisable , to the extent of 2 , 000 , 0007 . The present state of the Exchequer-bill market did not render it advisable to increase the amount of the unfunded debt . At the same time , he believed the fall in the value of those securities had been occasioned by temporary circumstances . In particularizing the taxes which must undergo reduction at the proper time ( though at present it would be impossible ) , the Chancellor of the Exchequer mentioned the stamp on fire insurances , and the duties on tobacco and wine . He moved in conclusion a series of resolutions sanctioning and giving effect to the loan . Mr . Alcock and Mr . Hax > fibu > expressed their dissatisfaction that the duty on fire insurances is not to be reduced . —Mr . Williams objected to the funding of the two last loans in the Three per Cent . Consols , ob he

    be-Mr , Laurie was—to be convicted and pass twelve months in the hulks because he has been so ill-advised as to contract the second marriage in England , and not in Scotland . In England , the issue of such a marriage are considered bastards . Having himself failed in his endeavours to remove this conflict , he hoped and trusted that the exertions of some one else would be attended with better fortune . Lord Campbell considered that the bill would only increase existing difficulties , and lead to future complications . Was a marriage by an Episcopalian bishop or clergyman in Scotland a regular marriage ? He believed that it was not , and that the persons contracting such a marriage might be liable to be summoned before the kirk sessions for living together as man and wife without being regularly married . The marriage ought to be solemnized by a minister of the Established Church in Scotland after the banns have been duly published . However , he would not oppose the bill . —The Earl of Aberdeen ( who , though approving of the Scotch law , considered that the state of things in England is bad ) cordially supported the measure , which subsequently passed through committee , and was reported ,

    necessary , , repeat , ana he should content himself with saying that the receipts were somewhat less , and the expenditure was somewhat greater , than he had anticipated , and that the result was a deficiency of 3 , 560 , 0007 . To cover that deficiency , he had submitted a resolution for a loan of 5 , 000 , 0007 . in Consols , and also a proposition for funding 3 , 000 , 0007 . of Exchequer-bills , which had taken effect , and had been successful for its object . Since then , the balance-sheet for the financial year 1855-56 had been laid before Parliament , and the House had seen the result . The expenditure in the past year , 1855-56 , had been 88 , 428 , 0007 ., the revenue 65 , 705 , 0007 ., showing an excess of expenditure over revenue of 22 , 723 , 0007 ., or , with the addition of certain other items , the Sardinian loan and the redemption of hereditary pensions , a total excess of 23 , 936 , 0007 . To cover this excess , there had been raised , by loan , Exchequer-bonds , and bills , 26 , 478 , 0007 ., exceeding the deficiency by 2 , 542 , 0007 . The balances in the Exchequer on the 31 st of March , I 1856 , exceeded their amount on the 31 st of March , I 1855 , by 2 , 651 , 0007 ., showing a balance In favour ! of the Exchequer of more than 100 , 0007 . The exot tne waicq

    lieved it would nave been tar better to have thrown them into the new stocks created by Mr . Gladstone .- *—Mr . Edward Ball thought there should be a reduction of the malt tax ; Mr . Vaj ^ ck was displeased that there was no diminution of the duty on Irish spirits ; and Mr . Milner Gibson spoke in favour of repealing the duty on paper , in which he was supported by Mr . Ingram . Mr . Disraeli exhorted the Government to turn its attention , now that the war had ceased , to the observance of a wise and rigid economy . It was a mistake to suppose that a large military force should be kept up in times of peace by way of preparation for the contingency of war . To economise our resources , and to extend our commerce , during peace , was the best mode of making ourselves ready for hostilities whenever they might come . An efficient army , however , should be maintained ; and this might be done without any very onerous cost by preserving the militia force . Before he sanctioned the advance of an additional million of money . to Sardinia , he must have an explanation of tbe mysterious relations which seemed to exist between England and Sardinia as regarded Italy . He had perused with apprehension the tripartite alliance which had just seen t it to tnat witn tne

    with amendments , to the House . SLIGO ELECTION COMMITTEE . In the House of Commmons , a committee was sworn , to report upon a petition against the last election for the borough of Sligo . THE BANDS IN THE PARKS . Lord Palmerston , in answer to Mr . Otway , related the reasons which had induced- him to put a stop to the Sunday playing of the bands in the parks . In his reply to the Archbishop of Canterbury ' s note , he had stated that his opinions on the subject remained unchanged ; that he still thought the recreation innocent and salutary ; but that he was naturally led , under the circumstances , to ask himself this question , whether the advantage which would arise from a continuance of that arrangement would compensate for the evil that must arise of running counter to the feelings of a large portion of tho community ? ( Hear , hear . * ) He therefore said to the Archbishop that there could be but one answer to that question , and that he should take steps to discontinue the playing of the bands , of course applying only to the metropolis . —Mr . Otway then gave notice that on the first occasion on which it was moved to go into Committee of Supply , he should move that the correspondence that had taken place between tho noble Lord and the Archbishop of Canterbury bo laid on the table . ( Jlear , hear . ') Shortly afterwards , Mr . Rokijuck asked Lord Palmerston if there was any truth in the allegation that the Government had been induced to take its present

    penaiture year naa eiapsea naa oeen mainly characterized by its connexion with the war , the civil expenditure having been but slightly augmented . The total expenditure in the two years of war , 1854-55 and 1855-56 , was 155 , 120 , 0007 . ; the total amount in two years of peace , 1852-53 and 1853-54 , had been 102 , 032 , 0007 ., being a difference of 53 , 088 , 0007 . The revenue in the two years of war was 125 , 200 , 0007 ., and in the two years of peace 108 , 018 , 0007 ., an increase of I revenue from taxation in the two years of war of 17 , 182 , 0007 . The amount raised by an addition to the funded and unfunded debt was 33 , 604 , 0007 . ; so that the total receipts in . the two years of war amounted to 50 , 786 , 0007 ., as compared with two years of peace . Add- I ing the surplus income in two years of peace , the amount applicable to war expenditure over and above the sum applied to peace expenditure was 56 , 772 , 0007 . ; and , adding ( for the war expenditure of 1856-57 ) 24 , 500 , 0007 ., the total excess was 77 , 588 , 0007 . Although peace has been concluded , yet , for practical purposes , the present year must be considered as a year of war , owing to the preparations which have been made . Nevertheless , the Government had been able to effect considerable reductions in the estimates for the army and navy , the original estimates having amounted to 54 , 874 , 0007 ., and the revised estimates being 37 , 315 , 0007 . —a difference of 17 , 559 , 0007 . Besides tho expenditure immediately connected with the war , there was a charge arising from the convention with Sardinia ; and he proposed to the Houbo to authorise the Government to advance a second million for paying the tue oarumian loe eaumaieu toitu

    ne ugnc . appeared mm , wane one I hand we were encouraging Sardinia to ^ undertake a I crusade of " Italian liberalism , " with the other we were I binding ourselves to maintain Austrian dominion over that country . I Lord Palmerston said there was no mystery what-I ever in our alliance with Sardinia . Our relations with I that state were those of confidence , friendship , and intimate alliance . The Government of Sardinia has a destiny to fulfil , and that is to hold out a bright example I of what wise and constitutional institutions can accomplish . It never entered into the contemplation of England or France , nor , he was sure , of Sardinia , when entering into that treaty , that the last-named Power should be launched into a state of aggression against a neighbouring Power . Mr . Disraeli might or might not agree with what Count Cavour said as to the extent and influence of military occupation , in different parts of Italy , by troops not belonging to the country , and to ( bo effects it has on the happiness , prosperity and good order of those States ; but he ( Lord Palmerston ) had no hesitation in saying that those military occupations are misfortunes , and ought to cease as speedily as possible ( Cheers . ) Those occupations began under circumstances altogether different from the present , and which have long since ceased to exist ; and he was quite ready to state to the right hon . gentleman that the time has come when those occupations ought to be put an end to . ( Cheers , ) But , with regard to any engagement for that purpose , there is nothing but what in public to all the world—nothing that was not openly discussed in thevuiuoruiu ui isturn in ivum

    course owing to the threat of opposition on tho part of tho Scotch members . —Lord Palmicrston said that there was no truth in the assertion , and that ho regretted he had not answered tho question by anticipation . THE ASSAULT ON MISS ARCIIKH . Sir George Gbky , replying to Mr . Peacockk , said that searching investigations had been made with respect to tho alleged police assault on Mis . s Archer ; a great number of witnesses had been examined , including persons in the whops immediately adjoining the place whoro tho assault wna committed ; but no one had been discovered who had witnessed the assault . An advertisement had been insurted ia tho papers , culling upon a gentleman , who is said to have mcou tho aasuult , to give his evidence . No response had bucn made to it , and , under those circumstances , tho attempt to discover tho offender had boon unsuccessful . 01 > 'FIOEIt ' M IIORSKH IN THE CRIMEA . In answer to Captain Nohl , Mr . Fukihcuiok Pkkl stated that tho general order recommending tho officers in tho Crimea to dispose of their horses had not come officiall y under tho attention of tho War Department , hut ho found that it drew a distinction botweon tho two classoB of horses—namely , tho horacH for riding and tho baggage animalM . " Tl > o buggago animal . *? wor / i purchased hy the Government ; and , as regarded them , ho did not think that tho ( jiovurniuuiiL yvati bound to provide for

    expenses or army , expenditure for the current year , 1856-7 , including the loan to Sardinia , was 75 , 525 , 0007 ., which would cover tho entire estimated services for the year ; but , as it was difficult to make accurate estimates oa to various items of expenditure , he proposed , by way of prudent precaution , to take , as a margin , a voto of credit for 2 , 000 , 0007 ., which would make a total of 77 , 525 , 0007 . After entering into detailed explanations respecting the income-tax and the Customs duties upon tea , sugar , coffee , spirits , and malt , he stated the total net amount of tho revenue , as estimated , at 67 , 152 , 0007 . Deducting this sum from the amount of estimated expenditure , there appeared an estimated deficiency of 10 , 373 , 0007 ., which tho remainder of tho produco of tho loan of last year , 1 , 500 , 0007 ., would reduce to 8 , 873 , 0007 . Looking to the condition of tho country , and to tho difficulty , or improbability , of immediately realising this amount by additional taxation , the Government did not fool justified in proposing any additional taxes , nor did they recommend any reductions ovor and above those which arc already going on by virtue of existing arrangements . They proposed to make no change in tho exiating basis of tho taxation , but to rosort to borrowing , and they had , in tho filflt instanco , iuvitod tendon for a loaii of 5 , 000 , 0007 ., and their tonnn , which had been accepted by tho contractors , ho should submit in . the form of a resolution to tho Coinmittco . Ho I

    ; u » a m , mu prcbuiicu oi iuu - , rjuui Minister . Referring to tho unsuccessful efforts made ia 1847 to reconcile tho King of Naples to his Sicilian subjects , Lord Palmerston contended that we had done all wo could , and that there was nothing treacherous in out conduct , as Mr . Disraeli hod assorted . Sir Francis Baking , recalling tho discussion to the principles and provisions of tho Budget ( from which , he observed , Mr . Disraoli , after tho manner of a conjuror , had lured it ) , expressed a general approval of tho financial scheme . —Mr . Gladstone , continuing the discussion on the treaty with respect to Sardinia , eulogised tho policy pursued by that country , and invoked the sympathy of the English logialaturo and public on behalf of ita straggles for Itulian liborty . At tho name time , ho hoped that Sardinia would abstain from aggression . With re ~ ¦ pect to the Budget , he thought that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had loft too narrow a margin for accidental expensed ; and ho believed that some reductions would have boon possible , as , for instance , in the estimated charges for tho naval and transport _ services . —Mr . Malinh complained that tho Chancellor of the Exchequer should tako advantage of the " letter" of tho act , and appear resolved to continue tho income-tax for two years instead of one , —Sir Hicnry WiLiiOOOHBT , Mr . Jorm Phillimorb , Mr . Henlkt , and Mr . Vansittart , having offered somo criticisms on vftriona branches bf income and expenditure ,

    May 24, 1856.] The Leader, 4g3

    May 24 , 1856 . ] THE LEADER , 4 g 3

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), May 24, 1856, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_24051856/page/3/