The Press.
London, England, 1855-03-24 00:00:00

XII.

business.

The Message was ordered to be taken into consi-
deration on Monday next.
On the motion for the adjournment of the house,

Mr. A. PELLATT complained of the rules of conse-
cration in respect of burial grounds, and the want of
room.

Lord PALMERSTON said that the pariPhes had it in
their power to provide ample burial room.
Mr. FITZROY entered into some details on the pro-
vision lately made for burial-grounds both in town
and country.

The Loin ADVOCATE moved for leave to introduce
his Scotch Educational Bill, which he said was
mainly the same as that defeated last year by party
motives. He proposed, as a first measure, an educa-
tional survey. Inspectors were to report within a
limited time on every district in Scotland—its supply
or its wants of the means of education. He proposed
to do away with the superintendence of the Estab-
blished Church. The predominance of no sect was
necessary for religions education. His bill provided
for religious teaching at stated hours, in which the
children might attend or not, as their parents thought
proper. In the towns it was to be compulsory, on
the report of the inspectors, to establish schools; in
the villages the schools were to be extended, when
necessary, under assessment.
Mr. STIRLING said that the Church of Scotland
had from its very commencement done all in its
power to promote education ; it had watched over the
educational establishment for centuries, and thought
a school as necessary as a church. There was no
sectarian teaching at the schools; even Roman Ca-
tholics were educated in them without objection. He
admitted that an educational bill for the towns was
necessary, and trusted that the Government would
introduce such a measure.
The new member for Montrose, Mr. BAXTER, in a
maiden speech approved the Lord Advocate's plan,
and argued from the altered position of the Estab
lished Church in Scotland to the necessity of alter-
ing the school system. Religious differences were
very strong, and the people never would be satisfied
under the educational predominance of the Church
of Scotland.

Mr. CUMMING BRUCE said that the opponents of
the measure had advocated all extension of educe
tion where it was wanted ; but the actual system of
parochial schools worked well, and there was enough
to be done without interfering with it.

Lord Emil° approved of the bill, rendered neces-
sary by the breaking up of the general adhesion of
former times to the Church of Scotland.

The next Premier will have precious up-hill work for a bit. I pity
the man who comes after a " vigorous" statesman. But that's his

Mr. 3. Macoarook also iiighea in favour of
the bill.

Mr. Saar said that crime was not rife where the
parochial schools existed. He strongly deprecated
the interference of the bill with these schools; why
had not the Lord Advocate contented himself with
improving where improvement was necessary—in
the towns.

Mr. COWAN, admitting the deficiencies of the town
education, said that many of the town schools offered
an example of management which might well be
followed. He approved of the bill, especially in its
liberalities to the schoolmasters.
Mr. BOUVERIE said that the alteration of the cir-
cumstances of the Church of Scotland was a matter
of fact, and must be dealt with accordingly.
Mr. WALPOLE suggested that the objects of the
Lord Advocate might be effected, without offending
a large part of the people, by bringing in a bill to
provide for education in the more populous and the
least populous parts of the country where it was
wanted. He considered that the present bill raised,
instead of quieting, the religious question. Con•
sidering the eminent men which Scotch education
had produced, it was not worth while to attempt in
it any violent alteration.
Lord PALMERSTON was glad to find so general an
acquiescence on so many points of the bill. It was
essential that the people in Scotland should not he
forced into religious differences from the sectarian
character of the school, which would create religious
prejudicies at an ear:), age. The distribution of the
schools was moreover very faulty.
Mr. ELLICE said it was quite a mistake to suppose
that alteration was not required in the country dis-
tricts as well as in the town. The religious diffe-
rences predominated everywhere.
Mr. JOHNSTONE, Mr. DUNLOP, and Mr. HATTER
made a few observations in &your of the bill, and
Sergeant SHEE hoped that the measure would be so
framed that the Roman Catholic members could
vote for it,
The Lord ADVOCATE briefly replied, and leave was
given to bring in the bill. •
The third reading of tho Intramural (Ire-
land) Bill gave rise to a short discussion.

Lord DUNCAN urged, from the nominal return of
Scotltnd, the necessity of an extension of education.
In comparing the Church of England with that of
Scotland, it should be remembered that the one re-
presented the opinions of a majority, the other of a
minority.

MARCH 24, 1855.

On the motion of going into a committee of supply,
Mr. LINDSAY called attention to our administrative
system. His observations were mainly directed to
the defect of the transport service, against which be
alleged great waste of money and a most inefficient
way of keeping accounts. The officials of the
Admiralty neglected their business scandalously.
The Government were doing much to remedy the
evil, but he did not approve of a transport board,
and urged the necessity of a responsible head, who
might be the chairman of the board.
Sir J. GRAHAM said that the changes made by
himself twenty years ago, were, in his opinion, still
efficient. When so many vessels had to be despatched
to the Crimea, no wonder if some oversight occurred.
Transports were necessary for reserve in case of
reverses—to carry the sick—for many exceptional
services. He agreed generally that there should
be a responsible head of the Transport Board, but
thought at the present juncture the mixture of
naval, military, and merchant service officers the
most advisable plan.
Mr. ALcocic found fault with the military opera-
tions in the Crimea, and sketched what he con-
sidered a better plan of campaign, of which the
capture of Anapa appeared to be the chief feature.
Sir J. NORTHCOTE, Captain SCOBELL, Mr. CAYLEY,
and Mr. BENTINCK, continued the discussion, criti
cising for the most part the governmental
arrangements.
Admiral BERKELEY defended the Admiralty from
certain allegations made in the course of the
debate.
Mr. MACGREGOR excused the heads of depart-
ments, who could not be answerable for all that was
done under them.
Mr. BROWN and Colonel Kimx having spoken,
Sir C. Woon replied as to various matters of detail

and attacks on particular officers.
The house then went into committee of supply,
but the Chairman was immediately ordered to report
progress without proposing any vote. On resuming
the house adjourned at