The Press.
London, England, 1857-05-16 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Mr. CAIRD asked the Vice• President of the Board
of Trade whether the Government intended to take
any steps fur collecting agricultural statistics in
England?
Mr. LowE said he was not aware that the Govern-
ment had any such intention.

THE KING OF GUM'S DEBTS.
Mr. V. SMITH, in reply to Mr. Fagan, said that all
the public and bonafide debts of the King of Gude
would be referred to the Government of India, and,
though he was not prepared to say that any particular
sum would be allotted for the purpose of defraying
them, yet any debt which was shown to be public
and bona fide would no doubt be paid out of the
ordinary revenues of the country.

SHIPPING DUES.
Mr. LOWE, in reply to Mr. Hudson, said that it was
the intention of the Government, when the state of
public business would allow, to introduce a bill for
the abolition of passing tolls, founded on some of the
recommendations of the commissioners for inquiring
into the subject of the shipping dues, who reported
in 1854, but it would be more convenient if he were
to reserve a statement of its details until he asked
for leave to introduce the bill.

THE ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION.

Sir G. GREY, in reply to Lord lt. Cecil, said that
he hoped soon to be able to give notice of a bill
founded on the report of the commissioners.

HOLIDAYS.

The Marquis of BLANDFORD said that, looking at
the state of public business and the probable short-
ness of the session, it would be very convenient if the
noble lord et the head of the Government would
state on what day he proposed that the house should
reassemble after the Whitsuntide holidays.

Lord PALMERSTON said he would rather postpone
his answer until the period referred to was nearer.
The Marquis of BLANDFORD said he would put the
question on a later day.

THE UNITED STATES AND CENTRAL AMERICA.
Lord PALMER.:TON, in reply to Mr. Wyld, entered
into a brief explanation of' the origin of the recent
dispute between the United States' Government and
that of Granada. With respect to the intentions of
the United States' Government in fitting out a
powerful squadron to obtain " redress for the past
and security for the future," Lord Palmerston said:—

We have been in communication with the United States'
Government upon this matter—a matter which evidently
concerns not merely the interests of the citizens of the
United States, but also those of all other nations whose
people are in the habit of traversing this isthmus. I am
happy to say that the United States' Government profess
the most just and honourable intentions. They disclaim
any desire to occupy or take possession of any portion of
the territory of New Granada, or of the railway. That
which they are naturally entitled to expect is secunty for
their citizens in passing and repassing the isthmus by
railway ; and they naturally also require some redress for
the injuries which were sustained upon the occasion to
which I have referred. lam happy to say that their re•
quirements are such as would be made by any Govern-
ment in a similar position, and that they entirely disclaim
any intention of taking advantage of this quarrel for the
purpose of putting forward any unjust or aggressive
demands against the Government of the State of New
Granada.

473

AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS UPON WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Mr. Thr,r.wym moved for and obtained leave to
introduce a bill to repeal the Act 10th and 17th Vic.,
c. :10, and to make better provision for the prevention
and punishment of aggravated assaults upon women
and children. He said that he did not intend his
measure to apply to cases in which a mar. had
simply struck a woman, although that was unmanly
enough, or had reasonably chastised a child :

The cases with which he wished to deal were those in
which a man, infuriated by evil passions or by drink,
knocked down, kicked, trampled upon, and dragged by
the hair the unfortunate victim of his brutali y, or syste-
matically beat a young child.