The Press.
London, England, 1854-05-06 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

culated to do good to the companies, and afford pro-
tection to the public.
The bill was then committed, but merely pro
forma, the chairman being instructed to report pro
greats before any was made.
THE CRIMINAL CONVERSATION BILL.
The second reading of this bill was moved on Wed-
nesday by Mr. llowymt. The measure substituted
a tine to the Crown for the money damages hitherto
paid to the plaintiffs by defendants against whom
verdicts were returned in actions for aim. con., and
also provided that the wife whose conduct was im
peached might attend to give evidence, or be repre
sented by counsel at the trial.
Mr. Comara considered the bill an incongruous
admixture of civil and criminal law. It should be
entitled a bill for the encouragement of criminal con-
versation, as after it passed no actions would be
brought. The measure was full of anomalies, some
of which he pointed out, and moved as an amend-
ment that the second reading be postponed for six
months.

Mr. CRAUFURD supported the bill, chiefly as offer-
ing an instrument for facilitating divorce.
The measure was condemned by Mr. WHITESIDE,
and defended by Mr. DIOBY SEYMOUR.
Mr. l'insw disliked the existing system, but thought
the present bill would accomplish no satisfactory
amendment.

ME. FITZGERALD confessed that the measure was
imperfect, but believed it could be rendered accept-
able in committee. _ _

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thougl.t that the whole
subject required a comprehensive reform. He ob-
jected to bit-by-bit legislat on, and recommended the
postponement of the present bill until the question
could be treated in its entirety.

After some remarks from Mr. M. CHAMBERS, and a
reply from Mr. BOWYER, the Louse divided—
For the second reading
For the amendment l2l-72

The bill was consequently lost.
SETTLEMENT AND REMOVAL OF THE POOR.
Lord BERNERS on Tuesday presented to the Peers
a petition from an union in Sussex, praying for the
repeal of the laws of settlement and removal ; and
asked the Government what steps they were pie-
pared to take to remedy the evils of the existing sys-
tem? The noble lord further inquired whether
Scotch and Irish poor would be included in any
measure to be brought forward, and also whether it
was intended to relieve real estate from any portion
of the burden at present levied upon such property
exclusively under the head of poor rates ?
The Earl of ABERDEFN stated that the Govern-
ment entirely concurred with the prayer of the peti-
tion, and had introduced a bill into the other house
upon it. The subject of Scotch and Irish poor would
be referred to a select committee ; and until the re-
port of that committee had been presented, which
could scarcely he in the present session, the English
bill would be suspended. It was not intended to pro-
pose any change with respect to the chargeability of
real property.
MILITIA.

A bill to amend the laws relating to the militia was
brought in on Monday by Lord l'Ai.mEasxmc At
present the Crown possessed the power of embodying
the militia only in times when invasion or rebellion
were either existing or immediately impending. Nei-
ther of these contingencies was now present, but, as
the war had caused so heavy a drain upon the regu-
lar force, it was thought desirable to remove that
condition, and give the Crown authority to order a
permanent embodiment of the force whenever and
for so long as the country should be iu a state of
War.

In a brief discussion which ensued, Sir J. Y. Bcj.
LER remarked upon some other points on which he
considered that the militia laws required amelioration,
Lord PALMERSTON stated that he intended to bring
in a measure consolidating the various existing acts
on the subject of the militia. Answering a question
asked by Mr. Grogan, the noble lord added that.
there was no intention to call out the militia in Ire-
land during the current year.
This bill was read a second time on Thursday, upon
the motion of the SECRETARY at WAR ; and after a few
remarks from Mr. HENLEY and Mr. Hume.
SOLDIERS' CHILDREN.
Mr. OLLVEIRA, on Thursday, moved an address to
the Crown, praying for an inquiry into the practica-
bility of increasing the accommodation of Chelsea
Hospital, so as to provide an asylum for some of the
children of soldiers now engaged on foreign service.
The SECRETARY at WAR questioned whether the
Chelsea establishment was fit or could be rendered
available for the purpose in view to any extent.
Room could, however, be made there for about 120
additional boys, who would be admitted, and their en-
tertainment would cost only 3,0001. per annum.
After this intimation Mr. OLIVEIRA consented to
withdraw his motion.