The Express. — London, England, 1853-04-22 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS.—TIWitaDAT, APRIL 21. The LoaD Cites mune. took his ant at 5 titlark. PETITIONS PRESENTED. OPENING OP TEE CIITETAL PALACE ON SCEDATS.—By the Reel of SHAFTESBURY, from St. Dunstan in the West, Southwark, Toth, fit. Matthew's Liverpool, and 2,076 of the cumwercial young men of London ; and the Bishop of OXFORD, from Wingfield, Reading, and other i places is Berkshire, and from places in Oxfordshire; 1 against. AINVIAION OP TAU Jews to PARLIAMINT.-117 the Lid of SHAFTBSBURY, from Sherborne Dugout - hold, tisintboreagh, and Wedneabiary ; and the Earl of EOLIN- TON, from plugs in Scotland ; against. j CANADA CLERGY lIIIIIIVIS BILL.—By the Earl of I EOLINTON, from the presbytery of Kintyre and other 1 Pleeeslo Scotland, against. I GRANT TO MATNOOTII.—By the Earl of SUM.' TES BURY, from Tain ; and the Earl of EOLINTUN, from plum in Scotland; againat. FOREIGN REFUGEES. IN reply to some observations by Lord Sagowicif, which were totally inaudible in the gallery, The Earl of CLARENDON said that he conld not, at the resent moment, announce any decided intention on the put of her Majesty's government to bring forward any measure on the subject of foreign refugees. Their lord nhipe mast be aware, from what had passed to th it house, of the great difficalties technically, as well as practically, with which the question was surrounded ; and although to agreed with his noble friend opposite upon the iuiport puce of settling this question as between this country and Yrance ; and although he felt confident that when any measure that ought to receive the sanction of parliament was: brought forward, it would be discussed in that house without any display of party spirit, yet he felt so much the Importance of proposing a measure which should receive the sanction of parliament, and that there wets so many itfliculties in the way, that he could not at present an moan any intention of the government to brine forward mutt a measure, but he could assure his noble friend that the subject was receiving the most earnest attention of the igeverenseut, (Hear.) The Rail of MALMESBURY said as he was the person who Opted the convection which was the subject of their c Haversation, he might be permitted to sal, although he egreed with the noble earl that many technical difficulties stood in the way of improving the laws respecting eOlll,Ol - still be must easter th it those difficulties might be s 'melt lightened gad lessened if that (the opposition) side of the house abstained from imitating the conduct which he had not with from the ether side of the hoes' when he was to the noble earl's pleas last year. Considering the con- T. idiots which he had Aped was no Invention or act of his, nod that aotwi ell the gaierepresentatiou made on the odd_ eat, is that bare, bat by the public prms--mbeepregenledene that ash' not have been made if they had set emewated from party feelings—he said, cen t...lens( the geneemlima wee DO act of his, but of the govern ment whisk bed peeesded that of his noble friend behind trzaileadmeekkelei that the only addition cad alteration he bed agile te that convection, and to the act which he bed .brewebt Into that house to carry it into exe cution, was to defied refugees in this country from being ki.laapprd again, ask were, to Frames, by any false accu sations, be must take that opportunity of pretesting against those mirrepreesedgilleme, which attributed to him the setborship of the mweention in question. The LORD OHANOILLOR could not allow the obeer 'atoms of the noble earl to pus without sal ing—and he *puke net only fee hismelf, but he believed he uttered the I, ationnts of every noble lord on his side of the house— that there was not the lust symptom of party holier, or any attempt to thwart the measure of the noble earl in its leniffla. Oa the contrary, it was pointed out that the anginal error had occurred en the part of the government which preceded the last govern meet, and it oceirred to Irish sad he believed to the Lord Chief Justice. that there wee difficulties in the till introduced by the noble earl which were insurmounta ble. He could net help thinking that wash was also the °ionise of his setae sad learned , otherwise he would have eutleinied bow thouilMllim could have been rot over. If he wars. mistaken. die noble earl withdrew the bill because be the diflealties scold not be met ; but 0 suppose that there would be Iny party feeling us to the maarier la whisk marshals could bed be brought to justice, seemed le bin to he a supposition not very credita ble to their bow. lie could only say for ii*him self, that he the bill because he did not think it gwesible that NEM be carried in the form in which it had been istrodued ',their lordships house. (Hear, hear.) Lord CAMPBELL mild bear testimony that, optima file, they were most anxious on his side of the house to assist in passing the measure, end he never heard any blame imputed to the noble earl for bringing it forward. That house wild °sly carry the convention into effect as it bad been agreed to, and the noble earl was advised to try to amend it, with a sincere promise that when it was so amended, he inlaid have the cordial support of the opposite aide of the haws in c truing • bill which might be framed according Manch amendment. (Hear, hear.) Tho Marquis of CLANR ICARDE said, that although he was one of thane who opposed the measure when it was brought forward, he did not join in any misrepresentation against the noble earl. It was decided by the government of which be was • member, that such • bill should be brought forward • bat the ci.t.inet never agreed to the draft of the bill in th e shape in which the noble earl had introduced it' to parliament. He did not think that it was a bill which any government ought to have passed is that shape. Earl GRANVILLE said the noble earl opposite had made a similar eharr once before, when he (Earl Granville) got up and stated as fully and clearly as he could what share tLe late government, of which he was a member, bad in this convention ; and, 'Der that explanation, he thought there was no want of candour on that side of the house which would justify the noble earl in making each • charge as he bad that evening. (Hear, hear.) The Earl of MALMESBURY said there wee an essential dilemma both in spirit and matter between the observa tions of the noble earl who had just sat down and the noble marquis es the ma/ion referred to. K INGSTON-U PON-HULL ELECTION. The Earl of ABERDEEN, in rising to move that their lordships agree with the Commons in the address to her Majesty, with reference to a commiesion to inquire into corrupt practices at the elections for Hull, said that, for the litmus which he had before stated, he did not think it ne cessary to give their lordships any reason why the motion should be agreed to, because the evidence showed that bribery of the most extensive nature had prevailed in the ' borough. Lard CAMPBELL said it appeared that all the proceed lags were quite regular in this ease, and no question could arise as is the Canterbury case. After • brief conversation. in the usual inaudible tone, between Lord St. LIONARD'S, Lord LTNONIMIST, and Lord the motion was agreed to. THE CLITIIEROE ELECTION. Lord CAMPBELL gave notice that if any noble lord moved the house to agree to the address of the Commons ir the Clittaeroe ease Issialsould move, by way of amendment, that the motion be considered that day six months. JEWISH DISABILITIES BILL. The Berl of ABERDEEN nave notice that be should more the second reading of this bill on Friday, the 29th instant. CONFERENCES. Some time having been oenthied by a delay in appointing a conference on an electoral commission with the Commons, Lord BEAUMONT said bethought that these conferences with the Coansoosan the subject of COMMilleiolls were bee, m ing so bequest that their lordship ought to consider the in convenience of the suspension of business which was thus occasioned. (Hear, hear.) They bad done away with the general teconvenienee of conferences, and he would suggest lathe Inventive mind of his noble friend the chairman of the committees (Lord Redesdale) whether the inconvenience in this particular might not also be done away with. (lieu.) he East of ABERDEEN made some comment on the an i mation ; but he was not audible in the gallery, THE COLONIAL (AMERICAN) FISHERIES. The Rut of MALMESBURY put the question of er'..icla be had given notice respecting the state of the negotiations pending between Great Britain and the bruited States on the subject of the colonial fisheries. lie (Lord Malinesbury) was at this moment ignorant wish regard to the position of the negotiations: and it the noble lord could do so without injury to the public orgies, he would perhaps inform the home how far they had been advanced, and whether they were soma likely to be deemed to a conclusion. The fishery season was ciao-wing; and it was very desirable to knew if it was the intention of her Majesty's government to cautious prutecti•A to thou British fisheries, especially the is-shore fleherie., ea tit. ease understanding and in the NIRO mann , rin which they had been protected by the Lite guerament ? The E irl of CLARENDON—I have to inform the noble earl that her Majesty's minister at Wathiasten, in Can fortuity with instrucimaa which he received from her Ma jury's government, and in pursuanotof th e desire expressed by the President of the United States, entered into a dis cussion at Washington for culling arrangements to carry into effect en a better Motiog the commercial relations be tween the United States and this country. Mr. Crampton received the Wilt cordial assurances both from the Pron sleet and from the Secretary conducting foreign attain, of their agreement in the views taken by her Majesty's gi vernment, and of their belief that a convention might be comehaded in a satisfactory form. Mr. Crampton, at their request, proposed the project of a convention, on which, however, toms difficulties arose, and some objections were made, but the whole prothedings being conducted in the rant fritailly spirit. When, however, the President, is his knead message to Congress, declared that is his opinion the two subjects, that of tie fisheries and the reciprocity of trade, had better be em bodied in two separate dons, Mr. Crampton enaveyed to him the reasons . 1 he believed rich • cosi , e would be objected to by her Majesty's government. The pioject wis nevertheless sent hoes*, and agreed to by her naVesty . s hoer rnmetit, with some 'modifications ; and my noble friend (Lord John Russel) expressed to Mr. Cramp ton his sanest deem that it might be concluded. slid thou lie accepted as a proof that the two governments were de termined to e rry on their respective relations in Vie spirit of justice, accommodation, and liberality. This who met la the ace spirit by Mr. Everett. But some fresh ob ketions cad new difficulties that were entlrelfunforwen arose ; thee, oecamosed a new refitment to her JI .jetty's governmeni ; thus it Weans wtaatbstly Impossible to wary the m.tter further, w U. any hope of bringing it to a sacepful issue during the ah.rt perk.]: .a which the late government of the United ististes were ti remain in office. The queahort must therithue at borardered to be at present under negotiation ; and I am sure that my noble friend opposite would be le last man to call upon me, under the circumstances, to speak further on the point. lam sore, also, that my noble friend will require no assurance from 1123 that the east, ability, ..ntl great judgment characterising all Mr. Cramps ton's conduct will not allow any opportnnity to creeps of brirelog the question to a conclusion, alike honourable and useful to both countries. With respect to the other ques tion asked—regarding the protection of these fisheries. I have to state that precisely the same instructions that were I sent out last year, and fee the same purpose, have been I sent out by her Majesty's present government. Those instruc tions appear to me to be framed with great care and caution, and 1 believe no alteration whatever has been made in them. My noble friend will receive farther satisfaction from knowing that those instructions will littewiae be earned into effect by the same gallant Admiral to whom they were addressed last year, and who, I am sure, will evince again the same determination to protect every British right, as well as the same caution in respect to the rights and interests of others. I need hardly say, that in the praise bestowed on that gallant officer by my noble friend I en tirely concur; and perhaps, what is of more consequence to him the opinion thus expressed is fully shared us by my right hon. friend the First Lord of the Admiralty. Some time ago my right hon. friend addressed a letter to Sir G. Seymour, thanking him for the important services which he had rendered, and stating that it would be his pleasing duty to bestow the first good service admiral's pension which fell in. (Hear, bear.) The Earl of DERBY thought that the noble earl bad made a statement which would be entirely satisfactory to their lordships, the country, and the colonies. FUNDS AND PROPERTY UNDER THE ADMINIS TRATION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY. . . Lord ST. LEONARD'S, pursuant to notice, asked what were the iotentions of her Majesty's government with re gard to the funds and property under the administration of the Court of Chancery. The noble and learned lord ad dressed their lordships at some length, but note mingle con. netted sentence reached the gallery. We understood him to advert to the remarks of the Chancellor of the Exche quer, on a recent occasion, in respect to a suggested method of dealing, in his extensive financial scheme, with the suitors' fund. and to Impress his great apprehension of the results of such an interference. The Earl of ABERDEEN, in reply, said that the noble and le used lord had been contending with a purely image nary measure. His right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer had certainly stated that the present system of dealing with the fund in question was unsatisfactory, and that he hoped some change would be effected; but he had also stated that he was not in a condition to submit any proposal on the subject ; and is fast there was no purport of the kind before the government. Undoubtedly, how ever, if his right hon. friend, who bad paid great attention to the matter, should make a proposal, it would be well worthy of the consideration of the government. TILE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND AND THE KARL OF RODEN. The Earl of CLANCARTY rose to move for the produc tion of the correspondence between the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Earl of Roden, respecting the restoration of the latter to the commission of the pesee. He said the house would recollect the allusion which had recently been mad* to the act of the Lord Lieutenant in proposing to re instate the Earl of Roden in the commission of the peace, in connexion with the restoration of Mr. Kirwan, being an act of grace, and that while restoring a stipendiary magis trate the Lord Lieuteaant was not unwilling Co do a similar act of grace to his noble friend. His noble friend was dis pleased at any analogy being drawn between his case and that of • stipendiary magistrate, the propriety of whose re storation was strongly questioned, and he brought forward a correspondence, which he (Lord Clancarty) telt to be of such a nature that it ought to Ise laid on the table. The noble lord then proceeded to express his regret that the letter of the Lord Lieutenaut to Lord Rodin was so worded as to render it impossible for his noble friend to accept the offer of res toration ; and he urged that there was a strong contrast be tween that proceediug and the mode in which Mr. Kirwan was restored. He concluded by saying that he moved for the correspondence not so much with the view of pressing for its production as with the hope that it might lead to a re-consideration of the case of his noble friend. The Earl of ABERDEEN said there was not the least ob jection to the production of the papers ; and he was sure the house would not expect him to go into the case of the noble earl. The correspondence would speak for itself, and when it was produced it would be seen whether there was any such intention on the part of the Lord-Lieutenant as the noble earl supposed, and whether the refusal to accept his cffer on the part of the noble earl (Roden) was justified by the terms of the letter of the Loril•Lieutenant. The motion was then agreed to, and their lordships ad journed at 20 minutes to 7 o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TIIVRSDAT, APRIL 21. The Seraxau took the chair at 4 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Midland Ifaiit4y(i7neTtinsentOiAets, &o), and the Scottish Central Railway, Bills, were severally read a third time and passed. The Lands Improvement Company (No. 2) Bill was read a second time. PUBLIC BUSINESS. PETITIONS PRESENTED. ADMISSION OF JEWS TO PARLIADIENT.—By Mr. LOCK • HART, from the Free Synod of Glasgow and Ayr ; against. Mr. P. URQUHART, from the Inhabitants of Castle Pollard, in the county Westmeath ; in favour of. OPINING OP THE CaTSTAL PALACE ON SUNDAY.— By Mr. EDW. BALL, from the ministers and congregation of St. Peter's Chapel, Wisbesch ; Mr. MASTERMAN, from various tradespeople in the borough of Southwark, rector, churchwarden, and inhabitants of the parish of St. Dunstan's, in the west Liberty of the Rolla and precinct of Whitefriars, commercial young men of London, 1,927; Mr. WILLIAMS, from inhabitants of Southampton ; against. TAXES ON Keowignon.—Mr. BAINES, from the com mittee of the Leeds Mechanics' Institution and Literary Society; Mr. PIIINN, from the Commercial and Literary Institute of Bath ; against. Poetic Houses (ScotL.tND) Iltu..—By Mr. lIASTIE, hen" the Lord Provost, magistrates, and council of the city efOlugew ; Colonel BLAIR, from the Provincial Synod grahams and Ayr ; from spirit dealers, merchants. &c., aim town of Cann s. Ayrshire; Mr. CRAUFURD, Seem **inhabitants of the town and parish of Killionio, county of Ayr ; from ministers and ofece-bearers of Free Church, Campbelltown ; in favour of. ADVERTISIIIENT DLTT.—By ALEX. HASTIE, from the proprietors of the Glasgow Chronicle newspaper ; for repeal of. SCOTTISH UNIVERSITY TESTS—By Mr. F. DtNDAS, from magistrate' sad town council of Stromness, from united presbyterian presbytery of Orkney, united presby terian congregation of Strome''', inhabitants of the island of Westroy, inhabitants of Lenvick, inhabitants of the island of Fetlai; Mr. LOCKHART, from the rev. synod of Glas gow and Ayr; Sir A. CAMPBELL, from presbytery of Cupar ; Mr. STIRLING, from Perth; against. Pit,o'reoz BILL.—By Mr. M'CANN, from the harbour commissioners of the port of Drogheda, from the shipowner of Drogheda; Mr. CARDWELL, from merchants, ship owners, and others of Liverpool, in favour of. Rewords or Suzann Covitr.—By Sir J. ANDER SON, from the magistrates and town council of Dunferm line, against the Lord Advocate's bill and in favour of Mr. Crsufurd's. AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS BILL.—By Mr..PHINN, from inhabitants of Wedmore, Somersetshire. against. COUNTY RATE AND EXPENDITURE BILL.—By Lord LOVAINE, from poor-law guardians of the Morpeth union, is favour of. Ilaystoont.—By Marquis of STAFFORD, from the parish of Targue. Sutherlandsliire ; Mr. CRAUFURD, from Irvine, signed by upwards of 3C9 Inhabitants, against grant to. Arrometts CERTIFICATE DU TV.—By Mr. B. COLES, hem the Morales resident at Andover, in the county of Southampton; Mr. STIRLING, from the procurators of Crieff and Danblane ; in favour of the abolition of. root RATE.—By Mr. 11. RUSSELL, from Bedford Board of Guardians, for more equal assesment of. Boaan or HEALTH Acr.—By Lord LOVAINE, from ratepayers of the town of Morpeth, against. CONSOLIDATED ANNUITIES —By Mr. URQUHART, hoes Castle Pollard, county Westmeath, for remission of. CRIMEA HOSPITLL.—By . Mr. HUTT, from Robert Iterey, of Gateshead, complaining that the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital had deprived discharged soldiers of cer tain rights secured to them by act of porliament. OCCUPATION or EONS ET THE FELINCH.—By Mr. I'. BUNCOMBE, from the inhabitants of Bradford, Birken 'haw, Unitarian Congregation of Topsham, inhabitants of Wilton, Kingston-noon-Hull, Bradford and vicinity, Leeds, Colchester, and Ipswich, London and vicinity, Moffatt, Brighton, Newcastle, and Braiatrv, against. MALT Tax.—By Mr. B ENTINCK, from the land mass, occupiers, agricidturists, labourer", and others, of die parishes of Crimplesharo, Markom, Shouldhare, Should bees Thorpe, Rudhain, W, a. Dereham, Downhatn Market, West Newton, Darisioahom, Great Maningham, Beacham well, Shinghatn, and two other parishes in the county of Norfolk, fur the total repeal of. CRUID.II Ratza. —By Mr. WILLCOX, from inhabitants of the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. John'r, Soothe:tip toe ; Mr. COBDEN, from Rotherham and Xaslonougia, LETTER CARRIERS. Mr. T. DI:NCOM BE asked the Seautary of the Trea sury whet steps the Postrouter-G.meral bad taken tnwards the removal of the como'aints of the district letter carriers of the mi tropolis, as well as of the venous grievance- con tained in the netitMas of the provincial letter carriers of the tailed Kinsdora Mr WILSON Paid the quest: - -z r s deed itself into three points, first with regard to the pred.ilition to solicit Chriet mat bores, secondly as to the differenee of superannuation allowances to different classes, an. thirdly as to the differ ence of pay to the different elated-a. With regard to the first he had to i,,forna his bon. friend that the Pcstmaster- General bed issued a circular wi•hdrawing the prohibition to solicit Christmas boles. With regard to the second ques tion, the superannuation allowances, a more just scale bad turn eirefully framed by the Postmaster-General, who in formed him that he bad alrea_4 prepared it and sent it to the Treasury for approval. Wilt regard to the third, the amount of pay of 1 tter earrhrs in diffaent parts of the'. country, the r estm a•terd'ienepal bad come to the same e-n -elusion that be (Mr. Wi:oon) bad, that equality of pay throughout the twit!" was impla.ible ; but he had re ceived, he need not say, sir.ce the statement made in that house, numerous applications for increased pay in individual cases. Ile had taken them into eowdieeation, and in many instances he had increased the amount of pay. In others, where he thougbt there was no just ground of complaint, he had • so the exercise of his public duty, r..fivcd. CASE OF LIEUTENANT INOLEDEW. Sir 0. fee Tuesday nest he should move that the memorial of Lieutenant legledew to be reinstated in his former rank bb referred to the select committee on dockyard appointments. THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 22, 1853. sunvEYons OF MIDDLESEX. Lord R. GIIOSVENOR moved for an account of the number of houses surveyed, and amount of all fees ve• eetved, during the last five years by the surveyors of the county of Middlesex, distinguishing the number of houses Jed, and the amount received in each year by the die surveyors of the several districts.—Agreed to. BOROUGH OF BARNSTAPLE. - - Mr. O. STAN LEY appeared at the bar and reported the decision of the select committee appointed to determine the petition in this case, to the effect (as given at length in the Daily New of yesterday) that Sir W. A. Prater and Mr. Breroridge were not duly elected ; that the election was a ♦oid election ; that several eases of bribery had been proved to the satis faction of the committee, and that Mr. Bremridge was cognisant of an offer having been made to John Ireland to induce him to vote for Sir W. A. Fraser, and ratified that offer, but with this exception it was not proved that bribery was committed with the knowledge or consent of the sitting member*. OFFICERS OF THE MILITIA. Col. LIN Diif asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the clerks of the peace in counties bad any legal right, or had any authority from the government, for charging the officers of militia with fees, either on ap poietment or promotion ; and if it was the intention of the government to take any steps to prevent a continuance of this practice for the future. Lord PALMERSTON said he bad bad many representa tions on the matter to which the gallant gentle man's question referred namely, the fees, and in some imitated eases, very considerable fee", which were levied by clerks of lieutenancy and clerks of the peace upon militia officers for their commis gone. The .hon. and gallant officer was aware that the commissions of militia officers were signed, not by the Secre tary of State, like the commissions of the regular army, but by the lord lieutenant, who, by the act of parliament, was the person competent and authorised to sign the same. The government, therefore, had no control over these dif ferent clerks, bat as far as he was informed, and he had in quired, he was not aware of any law by which these clerks were entitled to levy these fees. They might, of course, have a claim for some recompense for the labour and duty of preparing the commission, but he was not aware that there was any law either thing the fee, or under which they could recover the fee. As the house was aware, the officers of the regular army were not at present subject to any fees. They would endeavour by some means to relieve the officers of the militia from any charge on their eimm'arlans. THE MILITIA IN SUSSEX. Sir G. PECHELL said a statement had been made to the magistrates in quarter Denton for the Welters Division of Sussex that an additional body of militia to the number of 300 wen to be embodied as a corps of artillery to be sta tioned near Brighton. He asked tho noble lord whether that additional body was beyond the quota ? Lord PALMBROTON replied that the quota for each county was settled by order in council, and no addition could be made to it, but the crown had the power.of train ing the men belonging to the quota in such manner es might appear best for the public service, and it was thought desirable to train a portion of the militia in maritime coun ties to the use of great guns and the management of bat teries on the sea coast, but they formed no addition to the force. BOROUGH OF RYE. _ Sir J. PAKlNEliaironiht upthe report of this committee (for which see the proceedings before the com mittee). PROBATE AND LEGACY DUTY. On the motion of Mr. Hums, returns were orderer], showing the amount of capital on which the several rates of legacy duty have been paid in .Orsat Britain, in the years 1851 and 1852 (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 140, of Session 1852), with an additional column showing the amount of tan received on each of the eight several rates, also the amount of the duty in the abstract in each of the eight several rates: — I Showing the amount of capital in which the seve ral rates of legacy duty have been 'paid in Ireland. for the years ended the bth day of January, 1852 and 1853, and distinguishing the amount of each rate; account, showing the total amount of duty on legacies, probates, and administrations, received in Ireland in the years ended the sth day of January, 18.52, and the sth day of January, 1853 ; return of the total amount of revenue received in the United Kingdom in each of the years ended the sth day of January, 1851 and 1852, for stamp duties on legacies, on probates, administrations, and testamentary in ventories; distinguishing the amount from England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland; with an abstract of the whole amount of duty received since 1797 ; and, account showing the total amount of duty on legacies, probates, and administrations, received since the year 1797 to the bth day of January, 1851. THE NORTHERN MAILS. Mr. DlGBY — SEfilaii — aerFihelecretary of the Treunry whether his attention had been called to the fact that, under recent postal alterations connected with the transmission of mails to the north of England, no accele ration had taken place in the delivery of the day mails from the south at Sunderland, while the northern mails from Sunderland must now be despatched four hours earlier. Mr. WILSON said be had made inquiries lots the matter. Arrangements were being made for the further acceleration of the day mails, by which the day snail would arrive in Sunderland in time for being dispatched north ward. NEWSPAPER SUPPLEMENTS. On the motion of Mr. BiIIGHT, a return WWI ordered of the names of all the newspapers in the United Kingdom. to which halfpenny stamps were issued during the year ISA, stating the number of such stamps issued to each newspaper, end the amount paid to the Stamp-office by each on account of such stamps. THE PROPOSED DUTY ON SUCCESSION TO REAL ESTATES. Mr. STAPLETON asked the Chancellor of the Exche quer, whether it was his intention to make persons who suc ceed to property under the shifting clause of a settlement, by which one property shifts from them on their succeeding to another, pay the duty to be imposed en succession on tie whole value of the property to which they succeed, or merely en s f much thereof as may be in excess of the value of the property which shifts from them. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, in considering the proper form of the resolution to be sub mitted to the holm with regard to the legacy duty, he found that precedent and prudence, and the necessity of keeping within the rules of the house, dictated the use of very general terms indeed. It.was impassible to introduce into the resolutions the various specifications which must ne. tenuity be introduced into the bill, the subject being one of great complexity. The matter to which the question of thr hon. gentleman referred, had been carefully considered, and he should be prepared to announce to him the views of the government regarding it, but if he would allow him he would rather net make the statement orally is the house. THE ADDITIONAL FIVE PER CENT. DUTIES. Mr. HUME asked whether it was intended under tke new final measures of the government, that the additional five per cent. duties on wines should cease. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER intended, as ho had stated on Monday night, to give up this 6 per cent. wherever the but when they came to the wine duties, the 5 per cent. on which yielded nearly 100,0001. a year. and to the tobacco duties the 6 per cent. en which yielded twice that amount, he was afraid they were not rich enough to be liberal. LIGHT GOLD. Mr. A. PELLATT begged to ask the hon. Secretary of the Treasury, whether the government intended to take any and what steps to protect the public; from the circu lation of light sovereigns and half sovereigns, by which serious loss was now sustained in deductions for light gold by the bankers? Mr. WILSON replied that the government had no inten tion to take any steps to prevent the loss complained of, other than these which the 'law already provided. No per son was obliged to receive light gold unless he pleased ; and alter the statement which he (Mr. 'Wilson) bad made the other night the hon. gentleman must see that it would be utterly impossib'e for the government to attempt any general issue of fresh coin. COCKERMOUTH ELECTION. Mr. C. BERKELEY moved that the evidence taken before the committee on the Cockerotooth election con nettles be printed. Agreed to. THE SPIRIT DUTIES. - Mr. COWAN begged to put a question to the Chancel lor of the Exchequer, in consequence of a telegraphic mos cogs he bad just received from Edinburgh—he presumed from a dealer in whisky—(a laugh)—camely, from what date was the additional duty of ls. per gallon to be imposed ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER believed be had stated that the imposition of the duty would of course date from the passing of the resolution on the subject. He regretted to say that he had omitted to ask the house, in conformity with the precedent which had been established, to agree to such a resolution on Monday night. The object of passing the resolution was merely to avoid any disputes that might arise on the question put by the hon. gentle man, and not to prevent persons from offering any opposi tion to the proposal that they thought fit. lie had there fore given notice of a committee to-night in order to go through that formality._ RYE ELECTION. Sir J. PAK IN G I ON moved that the evidence taken be fore the Rye election committee be printed. Agreed to. --- --.__ TILE BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE, Mr. Dltil.cl:l.l wished to put an inquiry to her Ma- jesty's government respecting the course of public business, which had lately been somewhat perplexing to hon. gentle- men on that side of the house. About ten days ago the Chancellor of the Exchequer bad laid some very important resolutions on the table of the house respecting the comma 'tation of the interest on the South Sza Annuities and on other annuities of a much larger amount. Those resole- I tinny were not put iuto the hands of hon. members until five o'clock nn the slay en whi• h they were movtd; and he (Mr. Disraeli) had understood at the time that a subsequent day would he appointed to consider them. Alter they hat been moved, a somewhat desultory conversation took place ; and at about 10 o'clock he had risen to ask the right hon. gentleman to name a day nn which those resolutions should be taken. The noble lard, he thnuaht, in a somewhat captious spirit—though consi dering the uniform courtesy with which the noble lord con ducted the business of the house, that must hare been unlit- tentional—found great fault that any debate bad taken place at all. and would not agree to • period being fixed for the discussion of the resolutions. He (Mr. Disraeli) was inclined to oppose the goternment on that point, but feel ing a sincere desire to facilitate the task of the noble lord, and knowing how burdensome it was for any one in the noble lord's position to carry on the public business, he had not done so. There was a eery formal declaration, how ever, that in agreeing to the resolutions HI/ were not to be precluded, when the bill came before them, from discussing one of the most important ques tions of finance which bad lately been introduced. Bat to his great surprise, he found that on the night of the budget, after the very able and lengthened statement of the right hon. gentleman which did not terminate until half-past tea, and when it wits impossible to enter into the consideration of the bill for the commutation of the interest iof the South Sea and other Annuities—to his great ear prise, after he and many of kis friends had left the house, that bill was read a second time without any discussion helots heard upon it. He did not mean to say that this wee intentional on the part of the government. There must have been some misapprehension: but yet he did not think that the house had been very fairly treated. In this state of things he wished to ask the right hon. gentleman whether he still intended to ask the house to go into committee on the bill ? Ile trusted the right hon. gentleman did not. Hear, hear.) There was also another ques tion on which he wished there were a 'le r understanding. There was on that side an anxious desire to assist the government, but the noble lord must be aware that that feeling could only continue so long as he manifested towards them the utmost frankness and candour in return. (Hear, hear) Now he (Mr. Disraeli) had asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to name the day on which the resolutions founded up m his budget would really come on for discus. lion, and the right hon. gentleman filed Monday, stating I that he intended to take the property and intern? tax first ; secondly, the legacy duty ; and thirdly, the customs duties. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—No, no! the spirit duties. Mr. DISRAELI—WeII, that was not material; tut he found by the resolutions which had been placei in their hands, they were to consider the customs first, and secondly the excise. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—Oh, no! Mr. DISRAELI—At all events it justified his appealing to the right hon. gentleman so let them know what gement.' he had made. (Hear, hear.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER begged to assure the right hon. gentleman that he had not the smallest intention of altering the order he had announced—namely, to proceed first to discuss the income tax, next the legacy duty, and then, if it should be agreeable to the house, to take any substantial debate on the spirit duties. He did not know how the order of theleeolutions had come to be tchanged in printing , bat here Waine;;;b;;;;;;intentini to take them in any different manner. (Hear, hear.) With respect to the South Sea and other Annuities Commutation Bill there had really been no desire to mislead or disappoint hon. gentlemen who might have wished to harehad inoppor tunity for its discussion. In a cue like this expedition was of very peculiar importance, but still that expedition would be purchased too dearly at the expense of depriving any member of that house of an opportunity of discussing a measure 0 , that sort. (Hear.) The right hon. gentleman however, was in error in supposing that any pledge had been given as to the particular stage at which the debate should take place. The bill stood on the paper for Monday night, and the government seeing the right hon. gentleman and hie friends were absent, had naturally supposed that they did not wish to take the discussion on the second reading, as they would have • full opportunity of debating it on the question that the Speaker should leave the chair before going into committee. (Hear.) As the right him. gentle man would rather not proceed with the bill that evening, no time nee I be wasted, as his bon. friend (Mr. Wilson) had an important statement to make with 'respect to the customs, and there was also the Pilotage Bill. He should, therefore, merely propose that they should now go into committee pro forma, with a view to introduce some amendments which - had been suggested by the solicitors for the Bank and the South Sea Company, and that they should go on with the bill the first thing to-morrow (this) night. The first of these alterations that was net • merely formal one, was to give power to the Court of Chancery in express terms to direct the Aceountant-Genetal with respect to the exercise of his discretion. He proposed, also, to insert the express words which were to be found in every loon bill, exempting the dividends from taxes and charges. Thirdly, he proposed, in order to meet the apprehension which had been ex pressed that danger to life and limb might be incurred in the rush which was expected at the bank to secure the prio rity of redemption. to insert a provision that all parties whe should enter their names at the Bank of England or the Bank of Ireland on the day in question, should'. share the amount amongst them, rateably and in proportion to the amount of their respective stocks. (Hear, hear.) The bill, with these amendments, would be delivered to-marrow morning. In answer to Sir F. KELLY, The SPEAKER aaid that the bill would have to be re committed, and that the discussion might be takes upon the motion that he leave the chair. Mr. DISRAELI had understood th►t persons whose in comes were between 100/. and 150/. a year should be rated at 5d., but he did not observe that stated in the resolutions. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had con sulted the highest authorities on the subject ; and it was considered that the proper course would be to follow the precedent of the act of 1842, namely, to make the tax first cover all incomes, and then to exempt by clauses in the bill all incomes under 1001. a year, and partially all income, be tween 100/. and 150/. a year. (Hear, hear.) THE DOCKYARD INQUIRY. Sir B. HALL had expressed a hope that the committee for which he bad moved on Tuesday evening on this sub ject would be appointed by the Committee of Selection; but finding that that was considered objectionable, he had agreed with the bun . gentleman (Mr. Sta ff ord) upon a list of names, which would be submitted to the house to morrow. SOUTH SEA AND OTHER ANNUITIES COMMU- TATION BILL. The CHANCELLOR 7t the EXCHEQUER then moved that the house should go into committee upon this bill proJo►ous, in order to introduce his amendments. This was agreed to, and was done accordingly. CUSTOMS REFORM.. . . . . . Mr. WILSON said it would be remembered that about three years ago a most unhappy controversy had arisen be tween the Customs department and two of the large London dock companies. In consequence of that controversy, a parliamentary committee was moved for by the hon. mem ber for Bridport, and sat for two years, at the end of which period they presented their report. That report was sen by the government of the day to the Commissioners of Cus toms, for their observations thereon, and those observations I were forwarded to the Treasury in the month of October', last. A few weeks ago, • most important and influential body of City gentlemen waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon this subject, in which they took a most lively interest; and his right hon. friend promised them that • bill should be prepared in the course of the present session—first, for the purpose of consolidating all the ex kiting acts on the Customs; and secondly, for the purpose of introducing into that consolidated act the whole of the improvements the government should think fit to recommend to the house. His right I hon. friend had promised that ample time should be afforded to the country at large to express their opinion upon the' subject before any actual legislation took place ; and as the pre ration of the bill would necessarily require a conside rabb period, and as they had noweoncluded with very great ears a Treasury minute which contained all the essential points of the proposed measure, they had thought it beet that he, as the representative of the government, should state to -night— [Here the hon. gentlemen was interrupted by the uppity ance of Lord li. Grosvenor at the bat, to announce that the House of Lords had agreed to a conference on the subject of an address respecting the Borough of Malden. The con ference accordingly took place forthwith; and the result having been reported to the house,) Mr. WILSON then resumed. In consequence of the pledge given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the deputation that waited on him a few weeks ago, he was about to state to the house and the public the alterations and amendments which the government proposed to make in the Customs regulations, in pursuance of the recommen dation of the committee which sat thereon. The report of that committee was divided into 14 heads. He must say, in the first place, with regard to the unhappy controversy that had arisen between the Customs department and the I docks, that that having been settled during the inquiry ' before the committee, the committee thought it consistent with their duty not to express an opinion thereon. In doing so they had followed a very wise course. He should there fore carefully avoid any observations which could in any way tend to revive those controversies, which he hoped never would be revived. The first part of the committee's report re ferred to the constitution of the Board of Customt; but as that did not form any part of the bill about to be intro diced, the government did not intend to deal with it on ' the present occasion, and had not included it in the Trea sury minute to be laid on the table of the house. But the ' subject was under the consideratien of the government, and be believed no long time would be allowed to elapse with ' out a measure being passed to settle that important ques tion. In the meantime, the government had desired that any vacancies occurring in the hoard should not be filled up' till the whole question had been considered, and a conclu sion come to thereon. The next topic on which the com mittee reported was with regard to the appointment and promotion of Custom-house officers. Whatever reforms were introduced, their success would in a great measure be dependent on thecondition and constitution of the officers by whom they were to be carried into effect; and, therefore, the condition of that body of men ought to be made as ad vantageous as possible. The observations of the committee referred chiefly to the exclusion of certain classes of efficers from promotion from one chits to another. There were 10,800 persons employed in the Customs, of whom one thousand were weighers and lockers, and 1,710 tide-waiters ; making 2,720 in those two co puoities. They were confined in their promotion to the particular position in which they were placed ; and under no circumstances were they permitted, whatever their merit, to pass a certain line of promotion. The go vernment were quite prepared to authorize the corn mi,.itiners to make this errangcment that whenever a p er son had been three years a stiperiutending locker, he might demand an examination by his superior officers, I upon undergoing which he should have a certificate forwarded to the treasury, and his name ' would he enrolled as being eligible for promotion to the higher ranks. They would also give to the coromissioncrs a right to nominate or retain,- mend to the Treasury, one in every five of the appointment. made for the most meritorious officers to he appointed from the lower ranks. The next topic alluded to by the committee, was fines and satisfactions. Nothing was mere unsatisfactory then the position which the , officers at pretest bore towards the mercantile com munity in this respect. The committee Stated that in consequence of the officers getting half the fines and half the profit on goods seised or detained for ad valorens duties in the case of a tabs, an impression prevailed among the mercantile community that the cffieers were sonieuntes actuated rather by a speculative view to their own interest, than to that of the revenue. The seizures and stoppages to which these fine, applied were of two kinds : lint, nominal detentions fur inaccurate de. ecription, wrong denomination, and non compliance with the law through inadvertence or ignorance. For any of these minor and nominal offences goods might be seised ; but on application to the commissioners, they were delivered up to the owners, upon payment of a small fine. Complaint was made of that fine being levied; but the government would do wrong to relax the system ; for though some mistakes were undoubtedly made from inadvertence, yet if they were generally passed over, lit would lead to great fraud. The government recom mended, not only that there should be greater facilities for amending entries, bat that the fines should be levied ter a small amount, and that the officers detaining the goods should have no interest in those fines. The second class or penalties was for under valuation in ad valorem duties, and the seizure of goods is cases of smuggling and decided fraud. In these cases fraud was usually intended. The government sought to remedy the inconvenience by re moving every description of goods from ad ralorem to specific duties, as far as possible ; and as regarded those with which it was impossible so to deal, the same rule must continue to prevail, with this inception that whatever might be the result of the sale, the officer would have no interest in the profits derived from it. In one department no alteration was proposed iu this respect—the coast guard service, where officers were exposed to great danger, not only in most unhealthy situa tions, but also to great personal danger in seizing smug• gled goods. The next head of the committee's report was with regard to ad co/orens duties. It was the abject of the go vernment to do away with those duties as much as possible, principally with a view to get rid of the difficulties attend ing the entry of such gond. and their valuation for customs duties. This had been by far the most fruitful source of dissension between the commercial public and the Custom House anthorities. (Hear, hear.) Now that our duties generally were reduced to small amounts, it was thought that the ad valorem duties might be almost wholly aban doned; and the Chancellor of the Ezehequer's statement had embraced a propo.al to that effect. The few that were left must still of course be treated as they had hitherto been. It would be a question whether the 10 per cent. hitherto paid on the value declared by the merchant should not be reduced to 5 per cent., in order to make the margin . . --- -- --- . , smaller within which persons desiring to sail se near the wind as possible might think it advisable to enter their goods; but the number of articles left to be so dealt with would be so small that no inconvenience would aria. The next point was— seizures and stoppages, and adjudications upon them. This had led to very angry discussions ; and the commie aioners, before making their report to the government, had already taken steps to remove those causes of complaint. The first complaint was that officers seam; goods gave no written notice or statement of the reason why the goods were seized to the owner, who bad thus a difficulty in arriving at the true reason of the seizure. In August la.t the commissioners had published a notification to remedy this ; and it was fair Ilia% the house should know, after the representations that had been made es to those eminent officers, what they had done of their own accord. They had issued instructions to all officers requiring them to furnish a written notice in every case, specifying the ground of detention of goods or vessels; and no seizure could now be made without a written notice being immediately given by the seizing officer to the proprietor. The next objection was that the Board of Customs was a secret tribunal, a sort of small Star Chamber, where eases were decided witheut • the knowledge of the parties interested—(hear)—and T. o fair means were allowed them to defend themselves and to protect their property. Whatever ground there might be for that complaint formerly, it was entirely removed by the circular of the commissioners of the 23rd August hist, in which they stated that they would be prepared, in any case of seizure, on application in writing, to appoint one of the members of the board to take the evidence on oath of the merchants or parties claiming the goods on ono side, and of the officers on the other, supported by any ne cessary witnesses, and to report the same to the board fer their decision; so that now say person having his goods detained might have his case heard in open court before oae of the commissioners, and have his witnesses brought forward and examined on oath; therefore he hod all the security he would have in any other court whatever. In those two regulations the government entirely concurred. It might be said they were inapplicable to the outports, but they proposed that a similar inquiry might take place before the collector and comptroller• at any port whore a seizure took place, that a merchant might have his case tried before them in open court, the same as before the commissioner' in London. Greater power had also been extended to the landing surveyors for amending entries. The commissioners would carefully watch bow far this ex tended responsibility of the surveyors answered the pur. pose, sod, if it did so, it might be extended not only to London, but to all the outports. The next head was one of very great importance.—law costs and penalties. It had been supposed that the crown end the subject were not on a level in prosecutions. In civil cases, where the commis sioners brought actions for the recovery of bonds, or where there was only a difference of opinion with regard to the law, they stood in regard to the defenders the same as one subject to another; the losing party paid the costs. With regard to a second class, suits for arrears of duty, the re covery.of penalties, or offences against the public, partially of a criminal nature, the rule hitherto bad been that each party paid their own costs ; the customs never recovered from the defender, and he had no claim against them. As to a third class, which constituted the great majority of cases,—prosecutions for goods seized and for penalties —un doubtedly the law entitled the crown to demand a bond in the first instance from the defendant, generally 1001., fur costs, before they went into court; and in case of the defen dant being successful, he had no remedy against the crown for his costs; but if the crown were successful, they had a claim against him, which, however, wss generally confined to the amount of the bond. Considering the altered state of public feeling the government thought the time had come when the crows might place itself exactly in the same position as the subject—chear, hear)—that if the crown were right in its prosecutions tt should have a claim for costs ; if wrong, that the subject should have a claim upon it. (Cheers.) Another most important alteration proposed was this. The committee had suggested whether a cheaper, quicker, and more economical tribunal might not be taken for cases in volving small amounts; and the government had felt that Witted of the lengthened investi/tation and time occupied by trials in the Exchequer, and the great costs in curred thereby, they might make it imperative upon the crown, in certain cues, to resort to the county courts, to local tribunals, or to the magistrates, in order that eases of small amount might be decided quickly and at little cost. The Treasury minute authorised this to be done in all cases where the debts and"penalties did not exceed 100/. ; such ca es to be taken before the county courts, or other local tribunals, as the Treasury might direct. (Hear, hear.) The option was reserved to the defendant of having his ease re moved into a higher court, and tried before a jury, if he thought fi t. The commissioners would also have a right of representing to the Treasury any peculiar circumstances in a ease which rendered it desirable that it should be tried by a superior court; and the Treasury might then authorise the commissioners so to remove it. But as a rule, . . in all cases where the amounts involved did not together exceed 1001., the commissioners would be obliged to proceed in the smaller courts, with leave to the defendant to have the case tried by &jury if he thought proper. They went a step further. In cues of larger amount, where, from the simplicity of the question, the commissioners should certify that it might be left to a smaller tribunal, the Trea sury might authorise the commissioners so to proceed. Another complaint was, that when a defendant found him self aggrieved, he could only sue the seising officer for penalties. That no doubt was a very serious thing. A merchant might be put to large expense and enormous in convenience, and after a protracted litigation he might find that he had only a customhouse officer of inferior grade against whom he could bring Inaction for damages. If the law were closely looked into, it would be found that no officer had power to make any seizure, or bring any action, except by the consent of the commissioners, or through the Attorney-General; and in practice the commissioners were considered the real complainants, though the action might be brought nominally in the name of the officer. However, if there were any uncertainty in the law, the treasury mi nute made it imperative that every action brought for pe nalties or under the Customs laws should be brought, if not nominally, yet really, by the commissioners, and that they should be held responsible in all cues for the acts of their officers as agents. (Hear, hear) Therefore, in all cases, the remedy of the merchant would he against the commissioners, and not against the inferior officers. (lieu, hear.) Another complaint was the limitation of the time within which actions could be brought egiinst the commis sioners or officers; it must be done within six months of the cause of action arising. But it not unfrequently happened that the trial in which the merchant was defendant might be postponed for twelve months ; and while uncertain ae t the result of that trial, he considered it unwise to take any steps to bring his own action. To remedy that evil, the time would he extended to one month after the final deter mination of the case in the court. It was further com plained that the crown had no prescription as to the time within which it might bring an action. In that there was some mistake. In civil actions, the same prescription applied to the crown as in other cases. But in suits for penalties in the superior courts, the crown must proceed within three months,: and in cases before the magistrates within six months ; so that no alteration in that respect:appeared to ho necessary. Here, again, the committee recommend that in all eases where the penalties and duties did not exceed 100/.. the action should be brought in some other court than the Court of Exchequer, and the government responded to that recom mendation. The next recommendation of the committee was with respect to the transit system—a system which had during the last two years exhibited most striking results. It would be recollected that when the navigation laws were under discussion two or three years ago. one of the great advantages which was expected from their repeal was that this country would he able to send assorted cargoes to the United Sates, tied thereby increase the trade of this country. It was also one of the expected advantages of that repeal, that European countries, which before had sent their goods at great expense in their own ships to vari ous parts of the world, would use the vessels of this country for that purpose. That anticipation was to a great 'tearer realised. The arrangements which hot been made for giving facilities to this trade were that goods which had been sent to London, Liverpool, hull, Great Grimsby, and Sunderland, were allowed to be de spatched from these ports by railway vans to any other port without being re-opentd or dtsturbed in any way. TO these arrangements several objections were made, the most important of which were that some descriptions of goods which were altogether prohibited might be peed in this way; that certain goods, such as books for instance, might be passed in this way, and soli in foreign countries as the goods of this country, to the great injury of the trade of England. That appeared on the fare of it to bs a strong objection,but on considering the mattes they thought it could not be sustained. And for this reason, that if people thought it was for their advantage, they could get these goods from the continental ports where they could exercise no control. They had therefore come to the resolution to allow transit under the superintendence of a Custom-house officer, to goods coming from foreign countries between any two ports in this country to which a railway went, and to be re-embarked without being opened or examined. The advantage of transit in the case of the ports he had men tioned was only in existence for two Tears; but the re markable influence which it exercised over the trade of the country was too inesortant for Lim to pass it over altogether. The amount of goods which passed in transit through this country last year was Batter, 203 cwt.; cheese, 5,026 cwt. ; ems*. 15,040 lb. • groin (all kinds), 1,541 cwt. ; ditto. 8,637 quarters; gists: (all kinds), 44,446 cwt.; ditto, 131,598 lb.; spirits (all kinds), 400,852 gallons; sugar, 21,482 cwt. • wine (all kinds), 78,874 gallons ; tobacco, 1,174,160 lb. ; bat, in addition, articles not requiring specification, com prising silk, leather, woollen and cotton manufac tures, watches, perfumery, confectionary, and other manufactured goods to the value of 3,411,4e1e, had also passed through this country during the last year. In the very last month—the month of Match—the value of the goods which pissed in transit amounted to 420,0001, or at this rate of 5,000,0001. a year. The effect of this on the shipping trade of Liverpool was most remarkable. During the three years before the peeing of the Naviga tion Laws there entered of tonnage in and out of Liver pool 1,817,000 tons of British shipping, and 2,924,0e0 tons of shipping of all nations. During the three years since the Passing of the Navigation Act, the British chipping entered in and out of Liverpool amounted to 2,185,000 sons, and the total shipping in and out mounted to 3,783,0 ( 10 tons, being an increase of 368,000 tons in British shipping, and of 861,000 tons in the total eliipping. (Hear, hear.) He did not mean to say that this result was to be entirely atterest d to the transit trade, but when so much as 5,000,0001. a year pegged in this way through the country, he thought that a large portion of the increase was to be attributed to it. (Hear.) It was therefore the opinion of the government that every facility—providing against the risk of fraud—should be given for the extension of the trade. They thought it was their bounden duty to give every facility for making this country the carrier of the world's trade. (Hear, hear.) As the law stood at present each person was bound to give a bond for the amount of duty for which ho was liable. But they thought that it would be sufficient to get one single bond from the railway companies who were willing to give it, the government holding the railway company responsible fur the delivery of the goods in bond, port, or duck, at the opposite side of the island. On this point the committee suggested other facilities which the government found it impossible to concede. It was suggested, for instance, to allow tee some facilities of tran-it by means of coasting vessels which were allowed by railway. But gentlemen acquainted with mercantile mat ters must be aware that it was one thing to give facilities by means of railways running throueh from one port to another, and quite another thing to allow the same facilities by means of coasting vessels. In the latter case the facili ties fur fraud would be much greater, for nothing could be easier, if goods were allowed to be reshipped in coasting vessels unopened and unexamined, than to ship one kind of goods under another name—tobacco, fur ex ample, under the name of fi ix—thus opening a wide door to fraud and smuggling. But with regard to goods which had been examined, it was not intended to withdraw the privilege which already existed, of removing goods from one bonded warehouse to another. V,tli regard to this particular branch of trade, they proposed to introduce an other important modification which was not recommended by the committee. At present, in the large transactions which were carried on between London and Liverpool and other ports, the merchant removing goods was obliges! to give his bond on sac's transaction for double the amount of duty. The government wishing to facilitate these transac tions as far as possible thought it would be sufficient to take a single bond, which would cover a certain amount of trans actions and rue for a certain time. (Hear, hear.) By this means they thought they would miniumse the amount of trouble in conducting these transactions without weakening the security of the crown. (Hear, hear.) The committee stated in their report that in their smite= there was no reason why the importation of arms fer transit should be prohibited. The government agreed in that view, and accordingly arms would be permitted to pass through the country is transit, with this precaution, that in each case the party transmitting the arms should apply for a Treasury order, and give intimation to ;be Custom-house of the ex tent and character of the transaction. This precaution was taken in order that no improper use might be made of the facilities thus given. (Hear. hear.) With regard to the size of packages, as the law stood at pre sent, packages below a certain size, and contain ing certain kinds of goods, such as tobacco, could not be imported, and the committee suggested that where the goods were imported for the purpose of exportation, there should he no such limitation of size. But the fact of goods being iutended for the purpose of exportation, did not obviate the opportunity which this would give for smuggling. Suppose for instance that a vessel approached the shore with casks of brandy containing from 6 to 10 gallons each, for the purpose of smuggling them, the cap tain might say, on being discovered, th it they were in tended for re-exportation. There were just the same facili ties therefore given for semegling, as if the goods were intended for home consumption. But the present practice of the Custom-house met the difficulty : because, where it was distinctly intimated to the Custom•house officers beforehand, that these goods, seen as small casks of brandy and even wine even so low es one or two dozen were intended for re-exportation to Mexico, Chili, Peru, or elsewhere, the permission of the Customhouse was at once given. But to go beyond this, and to allow goods to be imported in small packages gene rally, would open a door to smuggling. (Hear.) The next point had reference to fines on captains of 'tenets which had smuggled goods on beard, these goods being smuggled by the men, and the committee rccommeuded that the captain should not be fined, except where it was shown that the captain er mate bad connived at the act. Her Majesty's government concurred its that recommendation, but, in point of fact, the existing law and practice coincided with that recommendation, and it was , of the rarest possible occurrence that a vessel was detained, except where the captain was implicated in the fraud. But if the existing law and practice were not found to be sufficient, the gnvernment would carry out the recommendation of the committee. The nest point was one of extreme interest and great im portance—the point regarding the bonding or warehousing system—to which, perhaps, more than to anything else, this country was beholden fee the growth of her trade. (Hear, hear.) Now, what the government proposed to do in this matter was, that in the first instance the importer should be liable, as at pre sent, to the crown ; but if he parted with the possession of the goods, permission was given him to re-enter the goods in the name of the new owner. The original importer would thee be no longer tesponsible to the crown, except for such parts as were deficient while the goods were is his hands. It was also intended that the custom-house should take stock of all the goods once every five years. (Hear. hear.) This might appear a serious thing, but it was easier than might be supposed, for the whole stock would not be taken all at one time, but would be in gradual and conti nual operation from day to day. Mr. MITCHELL asked whether, in the case of every fresh transfer of goods, a fresh entry was to be made ? Mr. WILSON —What they proposed was that the party who parted with the possession of the goods should be at liberty, if he thought proper, tore-enter them in the name of the new owner. If be did not do so, of course he could not justly complain at being held responsible for the duty. (Hear, bear.) And in the case of the more valuable goods, at least they would have to be re-weighed or re-measured (as we understood.) With regard to the taking of stock, they were willing to give it a trial ; but if the merchants found it to be inconvenient, he believed there would be no disposition on the part of the customs to persevere with it. There was another point connected with this part of the subject to which he must allude. At pre sent there were three classes of warehouses, and this was a part of the system which Liverpool very much complained of. There were, first, ware houses which gave special security ; second, warehouses of ordinary security where the warehouseman gave the bond and not the individual merchant; and, 3. ordinary security, where the warehouseman gave no bond but the individual did. The government did not think it necessary to keep up this distinction, and they therefore proposed that there should be only one class of warehouses, and that the warehouse-keeper should be responsible to the crown for any deficiency more than the na tural deficiency allowed by law. No merchant, therefore, would be required to give a bond at all, for they considered that the multiplication of bonds was a great hardship. In future, therefore, the merchant would not be troubled with giving a private bond for each particular im portation which he made. (Hear, hear.) The next point ho had to refer to was with regard to luggage. The go vernment had already taken some steps to facilitate the examination of passengers luggage, which might be taken as an earnest of their intentions in this respect. (Hear, hear.) There was no place in Europe where greater facili ties were given for the transport of luggage than at An twerp, and travellers who were enabled to get a glimpse of the Rhine without losing a train, were no doubt disposed to draw unfavourable comparisons with respect to this coun try, and the clumsy mode of operation pursued here. But everything had its dark side as well as its bright. (Rear.) On more than one occasion, on arriving at Antwerp at low water, he had been compelled to remain on sleek amid a torrent of rain ; and therefore he was disposed to think that on the whole the English plan was the better of the two. Again, it must be remembered that steamers arrived in the Thames at all hours of the twenty-four; and be thought the house would agree with him that, in the winter or late in the autumn, it would be a monstrous inconve nience to passengers to be roused out of their beds at four o'clock in the morning to have their luggage. examined be tween Gravesend and London. Now, what the government proposed was, that all passengers who haul only one or two packages might have them examined between Gravesend and London, and delivered to them if they contained nothing that was subject to duty, ar,4 that those who had more might have a carpet-bag ex/emitted and leave the re mainder. An arrangement of that lap e l would, he thought, be the one most convenient to the public sad to the safety of the reveur e e. With roe and to Dover. ar rangements had already ',icon made, as the house was aware, for :be examination of luggage wittch came by night trains to London-bridge ; and, with eeppect to Folkestone,ea structions hail tram given to the effect that every Pow