The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-08-02 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS-MONDAY.

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on the order for going into • l'ommittee of Supply,
Mr. LIDDELL, pretuising that certain erroneous and
exaggerated statetuenta in the public journals relative
to disturbances alleged to have taken place on board
I ler Majesty's ships Liffey, Cwur, and Here had created
some degree of anxiety and alarm, inquired whether
there was any truth in them. and, if so, what steps had
been taken by the Admiralty?
Lord C. PAGET read the reports made by the Coln.
menders of the Liffey and Hero, the only ships where
disturbances had occurred, whence it appeared that
they were of a very slight and unimportant character.
Some discussion ensued, in which the question of cor-
poral punishment in the navy was raised.
The House then went into a Cot 1111 l itke of Supply
upon the Civil Service Estimates and Civil Contingen-
cies, which were discussed during the remainder of the
sitting.
In the evening, on the order for going into Committee
of Supply,
Mr. ADDERLEY called attention to the military
defences of the colonies, and to the source from which
those defences are supplied. It was a question, he
observed, whether the metropolitan island should fur-
nish troops for the colonies. The expenditure for the
colonies was £3,rap,ooo a year, and the amount borne
by the colonies themselves did not exceed one-tenth of
that sum. Of the troops maintained in the colonies,
only one-fourth consisted of colonial forces—namely,
militia or police. The consequence was that the defence
of the colonies against foreign aggression was very
insecure, and Queen's true's, while the supply to the
colonies operated as a check upon the mother country,
did not furnish the full force for their defence.
Lord A. Cuunetind. concurred with Mr. Adderley
that the colonies might CUBIC forward and provide a
local militia for their own defence.
After some remarks by Mr. Msgstt,
Sir Dr. LACY EVANS muted a resolution :—" That,
taking into consideration the relations existing between
some of the great Military rowers of the Continent, it
is advisable that a commission be amsdided, consisting
of civilians and military and naval officers, to inquire
into and collect information concerning tlie present
position of our national defences ; to ascertain what
improvements may be made therein, in order to insure
the utmost efficiency combined with economy, and to
report there in to Her Majesty's Government."
Mr. H. D. Savalut:it called attention to the unde-
fended state of the coast between Weymouth and the
Needles.
Mr. S. lIERBERT. in reply to Mr. Adderley, after
remarking that nothing could be inure unreasonable
and capricious than the proportions of their military
expenditure paid by different colonies, observed that if
there had been only one party to the bargain, it would
he extremely simple to lay down some broad principle
as to the proportion of expenditure to be borne by the
colonies. In answer to Mr. Seymour, he observed that
the subject Lad not escaped the notice of the Govern-
meet, and there had been • minute examination of the
coast, but Ile was afraid it was itupossible to fortify
every part of the coast, and attention must be
pail, in the first instance, to the great ports and
arsenals, which were not iii the state lie could wish.
With respect to the resolution moved by Sir its Lacy
Evans, he observed that his attention used been turned
to the subject from the time lie Cattle into office, and the
Covell 111 l had conic to the conclusion to appoint A
1111 l missiou like that suggesksl to consider the plans
laid before them for carrying on and completing the
great works of defence to which lie had referred.
Mr. lIALIDURTON, as an .tnglo-Atnerican. considered
that Canada was quite capable of its own defence; "but
if you withdraw your troops and your fleet," lie said
"let us have due notice, and give us our indepen-
dence."
Mr. MERMAN expressed his satisfaction at the assent
of the Goventtuent to the appointment of a Commission,
and offered suggestions as to its constitution and the
subjects of in. miry.
Mr. C. FORTESCUE sail the Government were quite
alive to the views indicated by Mr. Adderley, but the
remarks of Mr. Haliburton showed that there was
another side of the question which deserved to be con-
sidered.
Sir De L EVANS said his object was that the Cote-
:ids:dun should take a comprehensive view of all matters
fur national defence.

Lonl PALMERSTON said the question was of very great
importance ; but lie hoped Sir de Lacy Eians would
be satisfied with the statement made by Mr. S. Iler- ,
bert, and not press his resolution, the adoption of
which would put an end to supply that evening. The
object of the Commission would be to inquire as to the
permanent works fur dockyards and arsenals, which
would not vary from year to year, whereas the IIUIRIkr
and composition of our military force and other mat-
ters varied according to the circumstances of the
country, and for these the Guveniment were respon-
sible.
The motion of Sir do Lacy Evans was negatived, and
the House went into Committee of Supply upon the
Civil Service Estimates and Civil Contingencies, which
underwent a long discnoion.
Mr. WALPotr, in moving the British Museum Esti-
mates, made a brief statement of the condition of that
inst itution.
Mr. CHF:GORY repeated the remarks upon the system
and manageinent of the museum which lie hail imule on
the occasion of his motion in the last Parliament. at the
beginning of the year, and recommended several sub-
jects connected with the institution to the consideration
of the Government during the recess.
The vote was agreed to after further debate.
Other Bills were advanced a stage, and
The House adjourned at • few minutes after one
o'clock.