The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-03-01 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the llouse of Lords Feb 24, the Karl of Laud, rffidevhad
on the paper a notice of a ipiestion whethie the De vaAta
Is to he inclined in order to ascertain her stability at various
angles ; and chat trials are to be made at Bea to teat her
efficiency as a seagoing vessel.
The Earl of Camperdown requested that, under the pe-
culiar circumstance., the noble earl would potty me his
question. The 12, ,a6t at ion was the first new ironclad of the
present type that had been launched up to the present time,
and it the nestles were pAiteoned u, ti the First Lord bad
moved the navy estimates, he would be happy to be able to
afford any information in his power.

The Earl of Lauderdale agreed to postpone his ynestion.
Lord Kimberley, in reply to Lord Longford. st sted that a
very small proportion of tithe unarm had appliel under the
Irish church Act of ISta to the Church l'emporaisties C
missionar to purchase their rent-charge in lieu of tithes and
that at present the Government had no intention to propose
any change in the conditions under which rent-charge in
lieu of tithes might now he purchased.
The Select Committees on the Regulation of Railways
(Prevention of Accidents) 11111, and on the Supply of Horses,
were nominated, and their lordships adjounad at half-past
five o'clock.

In the House of Commons, the chief business of the even-
ing was the Army Estimates, but before reaaling them the
House was occupied for some time by a dhcussion on the
length of service of the regiments in India. Col, nel &attn.
lot, who drew &Mutton to the subject, contended furs five
years' service, maintaining that the mortality might thus be
Wrought down to 2 per cent., and the expellee of keeping up
our reliefs reduced. A five years' service would also be con-
ducive to the maintenance of eskrit de corps, and would be
more equal and just between men and °nicer.. Captain
Talbot spoke on the same side, quoting the authority of
Lord liardinge and the Royal Commission of Recruiting in
avour of the charge.

- -
Mr. Cardwell, lathe course of • brief reply, pointed out
that the mortality of our army in India was already below 2
per cent., and that whereas regiments had been semeticues
retained in India 17 years he had introduced a fined term Cl
12 years. The new system of shirt service and double bat-
talions allowed the reliefs to be carried on much more ra-
pidly, and • term of 12 years meant not that the men were to
be kept in India that time, but the head (outer.
..„. . .

Colonel linos, Colonel Gilpin, 8111 i CA fool Corbett made
some remarks in support of Colonel Bartlelot, and General
Balfour niaintained that service in NM. had Maros been
popular with the men, and that the changes made by Mr.
Cardwell had allowed a large number of officers to return to

Alter this the House went into Committee of Supply, and
Mr. Cardwell proceeded to explain the Army estimates.
The total amount for which the War °nice ask.
tine year is £14,416,400, which is a saving of £405,000
on last year. But over soil above this it had been
necessary to ask for More than £400,0110 on account of
the rise in prices of fuel, clothing, provision; ,tc.,
and but for this abnormal dearness the savings of the
year would have been doubled—in fact, for the last two years
they would have amounted to close upon 2.2oo,ooo:which Mr,
Card well asserted showed no diminution in his desire for
ecoloniy. This year's Estimates were only a million and a
quarter over the lowest year since the Crimean War. Half
a million of this has been swallowed up by increased prices
and pay, and more than the three-quarters remaining had
been devoted to the highly-trained corps. Commnienting no
the amendment which Mr. W. Fowler had placed on
the paper to reduce the number of men by 10,000, Mr,
Cardwell explained minutely how, since the 20,000 men were
added to the Army on the outbreak of the Franco-German
vire, nearly 12,000 men have already been reduced—vie.,
nearly 9,000 from the British Establishmsn t, 1 102 from the
Colonial Establishment, and two regiments of Madras In-
fantry returned from China and Japan to the Madras Esta-
blishment. The remainder of the 20,001 men are mere than
accounted for by the additions to the Engineers, Artillery,
Cavalry, Army Service Corps, and Army Hospital Corps,
In drawing up this year's Estimates, Mr. Cardwell said the
leading principle followed was to make the reductions in
those corps only where long training was not required, and
In which the Reserves were ready. Thus the Onaras bad
been reduced to 750 rank and tile in a battalion, and the 70
Infantry battalions had been reduced to 120 task and file,
with the exception of the first ten on the roster for foreign or
colonial service. The Reserves for the year Mr. Card-
well stated at 62,719, of whom 7,973 belong to the Army
Reserves and 31,522 to the Militia Reserves (Both
liable to service at home and abroad). Adding to this the
125,000 Regulars, Mr. Cardwell asserted that, considering the
strength of foreign nations, tl.e manifold duties the British
Army had to perform, and our obligation to our Colonies, this
Force could not fairly be called excessive. Passing to the
Auxiliary Forces, Mr. Cardwell stated that the Militia (in
-
eluding the Reserves) at 1e2,000 men; Yeamanry, 15.000 Vo-
lunteers, 100,750 ; First Army Reserve, 10,000 : Second Army
Reserve, 25 000 ;a-making a grand total of 402,764 Regulars.
Reserve., and Auxiliary Forces, of whom 410,638 Crest home.
On the question of Recruiting Sir. Cardwell admitted that
there had been a falling cif in the year, though there had
been a cousiderable increase during the last four months.
There bad also been a large number of desertions, but he
accounted for noth of these incidents by the state of
the labour market, and by the regularly recurring
fact that an increase in the number of desertions
always followed a sudden aduition to the Army. As
to the quality of the recruits, Mr. Cardwell said it was
most satisfactory, and referred to the report of the I ropector-
General of Recruiting Though the lanais was 10,000 men
below its number, some 30,00 had been enrolled this year,
and 4,3)2 men had gone from the Militia to the Line. The
improvement in the Militia and the value to the officers
of the improve) training were very marked, and the
Force had attracted the favourable notice of the foregn
Officers at the Autumn Slanceuvres. With regard to the
Volunteer., though there was a diminution in the actual
numbers, the condition of the Force was most satisfactory,
and the new regulations had increased the proportion of effi-
cients and extriuefficienta. Mr. Cardwell next explained at
length the further arrangements for carrying out the system
of "10-cal Centres" and "Linked Battalions." liere,fter
the two battalions, one at home and one abroad, will for
all military purposes form but one regiment, and the
privates, nomcounrissinned officer; and sub-lieutenants
will be let rchengeable. The Colonel of the brigade
at each Local Centre will have the charge of the training
and instruction of the Reserves and Auxiliary Forces within
his district, and alter the 15th of March next each Colonel
will be ab.e to supply all the men muter his command with
their personal equipment, and the General of the district, In
like manner, will be able to supply camp equipment for his
command without the necessity of c minunicating with the
War Office in London. 'benching on the much discussed
question of a Chief of the Stiff, Mr. Cardwell announced
that a General Officer would be immediately attached to
the Staff of the Commanderin-Chief. at a salary of £1,200 a
year, who will have charge of the "collective Intelligence
Department," and who will Jr reopansible i.e supalylng
the Commamler-in-Chief with any information topo-
graphical, statistical, &a, which he may require. He ex-
plaiued nest in detail the operations of the Purchase
C nanuseloners showing that they have spent some-
where about £170,000 less than has been voted f,, them, at
theeame time maintaining that every ranched been considered
which came within the equity of the Act. The names which
were on the Cutpriumderen.thief's list when the Act was
brought in being now exhausted, the competitive examine-
Vona for commissions would commence stone., and after the
next training every Militia regiment of six companies weuld
receives commission, suppaelug there was an officer in the
regiment tit for it. A comeliest ed plan for improving the posb
Lion of the soldier in regard to pay and allowances WM de-
scribed minutely, the general result of which is that by re-
vising the R gulations as to stoppages for rations, /tc., no man
of the Regulars and Militia is ta receive less than a shilling a
day. the whole cost of this will be £197,000. but the actual
addition to the Estimates Will wily be £llo.oal. Finally, Mr.
Cardwell related what had been done by the Department
In the way of experimenting with gun cotton. manatee-
taring big guns, he., the 3,-,-ton gun being described as a
great success: he mentioned also that the obnoxious 40th
section will this year be left out of the Mutiny Alt, and
wound up by stating that provision will be ?imitator a repeti-
tion of the Autumn limo:Ayres this year, but whether on
the large scale of last year, or on email...ale ,imultaovously
In Ireland, in the North of Eugland, and at Dartmoor was
net yet decided.
At the conclusion of Mr. Cardwell's smell, which was
throughout very indistinctly beard, Sir J. Pakingion sug-
gested that the debate should be adjourned, seeing that it
Was impossible offhand to c mpreheud the multiplicity of
his details. Mr. W. Fowler, who had an amendment on the
paper to move the reduction of the numbers of the men by
10,000, supported the suggestion, and it was enforced by
Lord Eicho, Sir Ye. Love., and others. Mr. Alderman Lurk
alone protested against the arrangement, but ultimately it
was agreed to pastpone the debate until Thursday.
•

The Victoria Einankment (iontersebhoare) Bill was read
a second time, and the Custody of leant. bill was real a
second time. S axle other bills a ere forwarded a stage, and
the blouse adjourned.

In the Howe of Lords Feb. 25, Lord Ripon moved that
their loi aships concur in resolutions similar to those adopted
by the Commons for • Flint Committee of both 11 .uses on all
bill. relating to the transfer and amalgamation of railways,
camila, and harbours.
. .

The Duke of Richmond was not disposed to object to the
motion, though he did not wish to be supposed as approving
generally of joint Committees dealing with such maV erg.
Lord Redesdale thought that amalgamatton had already
gess too far and should not be allowed to proceed further,
55 11 put an end to all competition of service.
After some observations from Lord Houghton and Lord
Cowper, who expressed aatisfaction that no opposition was
offered to the proposal for a j Ant Committee, the motion
was agreed to.
On the motion of Lord Rosebery, the Prince of Wales was
added to the Select Committee on the Supply of Horses, and
their lordships adjourned.

In the House of Commons, the Marquis of HartingSon, it
reply to • question from Str. Mitchell Henry, stated that it
was not intended to proceed further with the Galway Elec-
tion Prosecutions.
Mr C Forster moved an Address to the Crown praying
Her blajesty to summon Parliament henceforth in the
month of November, to that there may be each year
an anti Christmas Session. This change' he reminded
his auatence, had been recommended by the Select
Committee of 1871, and had been proposed by Mr.
Disraeli ; and, he maintained, that it would not only
be veAluoiwe to the health of members, but would lead
to the more satisfactory despatch of business. Of the ob-
jections that it would derange the habits of Eugliah society,
and Interfere with the pleasures of sport, Mr. Forster tin-
poised in a ikeular vein, and professed his titter disbelief in
the most MormidWe objection—that the tfouse would sit
just as far into August as under the present system.
Mr. Goldney seconded the motion, though not profctelog
lobe very eager about it; and Mr. Newdegate moved, an an
amendment, the appointment of a Select C..mmittee to con
Ader at what tin.e of day the House should meet, and other
points bearing on the arrangement of business.
. -

Mr. Gladstone confessed himself favourable to the change
on principle, but thought It ought not to be made except with
genital went. Among other rea.ons which weighed with
Me e Prime Minister was the sari lot of the great hulk of the
London middle class, who under the present system—au the
"ssaeon" depended on the "Session "—never saw the country
in the key mouth of June" Lle should consider
it • deolded proof of Insanity to propose anything which
Vodd lengthen the Segyion. The first deo towards the
&asp, however, was not to fix the opening of Earliymmit
ii‘lllov,mieur, but to fix tile prorogation in June. lithe
Misange ever were made, Mr. Gladstone saw no reason why the
itairit important Estimate a simuld not be disposed of in an
anba-Chrialimas Senior. of a,ont six week., but it would be
weeeßeary to alter the financial arrangements of the year for
Mt repos*.
Eventually the motion and the amendment were with-
drawn, and
Mr. Seely then moved a Re solntton in Isvour of substitute.
fog a Secretary of State for the Board of Admiralty, and
further 4,f appointing to the offices of Controller and
Superintendent of the Dockyards persons who have
practical knowledge of their duties Mr Seely's speech
consisted chiefly of numerous quotations from the speeches
of the eminent teen who have pronounced In favour
of this change, and he dwelt especially on the Inefficiency
and positive mischief wrought by the constant changes of
officials, their selection from politieal motives, and the
want of all permanence and continuity. As a necessary
part of the change, he advocated the appointment of a
Deputy Fast Lord, subordinate only to the YU st Lord—a
permau nt official who could have all the threads of the Da-
partment In his hand, and might take the First Lord's place
his absence. By requiring practical knowledge from the
I ontroller and Superintendents of Dockyards, and employ-
ing Civilians Instead of Naval Officers, he maintained that
the wore or the Dockyard. would be more effi,lently and
cheaply done, and that we should avoid all calamities like
the Mepirra.
Mr. White seconded the motion. Mr. Brame! moved es
an amendment, that the hoard of A dmirality he retained,
but with such modifications in constitution aud procedure
as experience suggests. Having formerly sec.dided Mr.
Seely's motion, Mr. Brassey had to explain that hls re-
cantation had been produced by the overpowering tea
timony in favour of • Board recently given bet-re
the Duke of Somerset's Committee and the Metpera Coninehn
sin, sod he now raw no remion why with pn.per, nindiEn-
Nom a Board should not show as much vigour as a Secretary
of State, Into that part of the re‘olution relat.ng to the
Dockyards, Mr. Brassey went In much detail, and made one-
oak practical suggestions for improving their management,
and especially in the nay of decentralisotio...
Sir J. Elphinstone Reminded the amendment, and noone
generally in favour of strengthening the professional element
of the Admiralty.
Afterremarks from Mr. IL Daft sad Mr. Lidded,
Mx. GORbtalbapa by flQl Jngo WM frilmunarmaloa I

and exaggerations which too often abounded In the attacks -
on the administration of the Admiralty. For instance,
Mr. Seely, chile complaining that Naval Officers were
incompetent to superintend the Dockyards. had describid
their duties mine incorrectly, and entirely mi. were-
bellied the functions of the Controller. Every mishap,
too, in the Navy was attrituted to maladministration,
herein the average of disasters was by no means as
large as to Private Companies or Foreign Navies. As to the
il—as it wise now worked, and Mr Goschi nit scribed the
modu, operandi in detsil—it was more of. Council and with-
out the ass stance of some such body it would be im-
possible for any man to discharge the duties of First
Lord. Ile denied that the Naval Lords were selected
from political considerations. Admiral Deems ant
Admiral tillue had served on Boards Of b ,th parties. and he
himself was ignorant of the politics of two out of the
three members of his own Board The permanent
eli nrnt was secured by he Naval Secretary ant the Con-
troller, but he held that the coniitant now of Naval Officers
through the Departmi nt as Nova' Officers was of Inman-
loge in bringing to bear on the administration the newest
experience and the newest viewa. In replying to that
portion of the motion which called for the substitu-
tion of Civilians for Naval Officers in the management of
the Dockiards, Mr. Goschen insisted on the importance of
interest it g Naval Officers in the administration of the Navy,
and expla no I to 3lr. Seely that affipbuilding by no means
covered the whole of the duties of the Controller and Dock-
yard Superintendents. As to the Controller, it was the
unanimous di sire 01 the service that he should be a Naval
man, ad the Deputy First Lord suggested by Mr. Seely was
an impossible official.

The amendment having been withdrawn, Mr. Seely's mo-
tion was put and negatived by 114 to 13.
'

Bills were brought in by Sir R. Torrens to amend the Re-
cord of Titles (Ireland Act of ISSS, and by Mr. Wren Hoek) us
to amend the Law ass Practice of Land Settlement upon
lives not in belug.

The Agricultural Children Bill was committed, but Mr.
Fell anti mixed that it would not be pushed further until
Sir. Forster had explained hie proposals with realmt to the
Education Act.

The Public Worship Facilities Bill was read a second time,
and Mr. lieresford Hope moved that It be referred to a
ti,leet Committee. Mr. Silt, who has chsrge of the bill
strongly objected, and on a division the motion was rejected
by 40 to 9.

the industrial and Provident Societies Bill WM read a
second time, and the Thames Embankment (Somersetchonse)
Bin was passed through Committee, and the House adjourned
at a quarter to one o'clock.

In the Rouse of Commons. Feb. 26, ylr, Craufurd moved
the second reading of the Poor law (icotlattal) 111.11. In
consequence of the opposition which had been aroused
he again explained the important features of this
which he brought In last year on the recommendation
of an inquiry that extended over three years. lie com-
plained that the opponents of the bill had not given
him any notice, so that the opinion of Scotland might
have been ascertained, because while many petitions hail to-
day been presented again 4 it, there was not on the table of
the Rome a single petition in favour of the measure,
which was read • second l'me last session without opposi-
tion In t'-‘e course et his speech, the hen member dilated
on the constitution of parochial boards in Scotland, not
simply for the information of English members, but also to
sit right his Scotch friends, who, he said, evidently did not
know the law of their country on this matter, lie pro-
posed to employ the ballot io the election of the new
boards, although he was told that it would Inflict great
expanse on the constituencies, but as the School Board elec.
lions took place by ballot he thought it should be used also for
poor-law purposes. Reverting to the opposition which had
been raised, he pointed out the limited area from whence
the petitions had sprung, and showed that one of them was
signed by a gentleman as chairman of a "board ' which had
not yet come into existence. He contended that the time
was come for establishing in Scotland that system of unions
which had prevailed for some time iii England, and that rich
parishes ought no longer to be allowed to escape from con-
tributing their fair share towards the cost of the pauperism
of the country.

Sir K Colebrooke, who moved that the bill be read •
second time this day six mouths, complained of the danger-
ous provisions of this bEt, which, he contended, would de-
stroy the present in stem of poor-law administration in Se A-
land. An to the suddenness of the opposition, he retorted
that the bill had only been In the hands of members a week
before the se,mrd re Allog was moved. Ile thought this bill
should be withdi awn, and that the matter should be left in
the responsible hands of the Government. As to the
position of the Government in this matter, it was
said this bill was brought in with the concurrence
of the Lord Advoc 4,e, but he (Sir E. Colebrooke)
was &11l lOU. to know what were the relations
of his hon, friend, the member for Ayr, with the
Government. (Hear, hoar) It was believed by many in
Scotland that the hon. gentleman was merely a pilot balloon
sent up under the authority of the Lord Advocate to see
which way the wind blew Hear, hear.) The position to
w hien the scotch menthe's were placed was a very disagree-
able one, and the only way in which they could be extricated
from it was by the withdrawal of the bill.
• -••-

Mr. Trevelyan explained that last session the bill was read
a second time without opposition, on the recommendation of
the Government. but there were the strongest reasons why
that courie should not be followed again this year. Be denied
that this bill embodied the principle either of the Engllsh
law or of the irbli bill now before toe [louse.

Mr. Orr Ewing also opposed the bill on the ground that It
was not in accordance with the report of the committee that
Inquired into the Scotch poor law, and because it differed
from the bill of last sevelon.

The Lord Advocate gave a history of the committee which
led to the production of this bill, and mid that when the
report was presented he was not of opinion that the poor
law of Scotland WWI so defective, or that there were such
radical errors in the provisions of the law as could lead
him to advise the Government that the matter was of
urgency, and ought to be included in the me ksures which
they would submit to Parliament. He thought the
matter might with propriety be left in the bands of
the hon. member who had been chairman of the committee,
and he could not agree with what had been .urged—vlE,
that the Government ought either to take up this matter or
to oppose the 101 l of a private member. If it sere limited to
the r.commnsedaulonsol the committee the flume ought to
read this bill a second time.

On a diviaion thiwareolid reading of the bill was roj,ted
by ISI votes to 48, and the 'louse adPurned.