The Express.
London, England, 1863-06-12 00:00:00

VOLITNTEERS BILL.

On the motion for considering this bill,
Mr. COX having presented three petitions spinet the
clause which gives commanding officers power to dimities
members of corps at their pleasure, moved that the
debate be adjourned. He did CA think it right at half-
past twelve to bring on such a measure, involving, es it did,
provision like the 20th clause. (Hear, hear.)
The Marquis of HARTLNGTON was perfectly aware that
if hos. gentlemen welled to obstruct the progress of the
bill, it was in their power to do so. At the same time be
would remind them that the bill bad been vary fully dis-
owned in committee. (No, no.) As the only amendment
of importance on the paper wee precisely the same al one
that bad been raised by the boo. member for Nottingham
(Sir E. Clifton), be did not see that any muse bad been
shown why the debate should not be proceeded with. At
all events it wan right that the volunteers throughout the
kingdom should know who it was that had obstructed the
merge of the bill. (Hear, hoar.)
Colonel EDWAR.DS bored the hon. member would with-
draw his amendment, for it wee not likely they would ever
have a better opportunity of discussing the bill. (Hem.)
Sr J. SHELLEY would undertake to say that the bill
was one that the volunteers, an a body, were anxious to see

pare. (Hear, hear.l
Mr. COX then withdrew his motion.
After some verbal amendments had been introduced,
Sir B. CLIFTON moved in clause 20, line 17, after
" cause," to leave out to and including "officer" in line 19,
and insert " such cause or muses respectively to be com-
mitted to writing, and communicated to the accused by the
adjutant of such corps. and the existence and sufficiency of
such causes respectively to be judged of by • court to be
summoned by the commanding officer, and to consist of one
captain, two subaltern officers, and two nou-cominissioned
officers or privates of the =me corps. " The
honourable baronet was more than ever convinced
from the letter which be had received that the clause at it
stood was very obnoxious to the volunteers gene-
ra
lly. Appeals were never forwarded by com-
manding officers, and therefore the bill practically
gave none. (The hon. baronet read • letter from a mem-
ber of the 2nd Surrey Rifles, complaining that he had been
dismissed, and had been refused information even of the
cause of his dismissal.) Only the other day a corps in
Glasgow was deprived of • whole company, who had re.
signed in ooesequance of the conduct of the commanding
Oaken. He cited also several caws in which the command.
log officers had refused to forward their appeals ; bus he did
not mention the names because he thought it
possible that if be stated them they would
be dismissed the following morning. (A laugh.)
The hon. baronet read Mr. Hutchinp' letter, of which he
said a great deal had been made, sod he left it to the house
to decide whether it wee an improper letter. He thought
that when the volunteers devoted themselves to the service
of their country, a real power of appeal ought to be per-
mitted to them which now was rendered inoperative, be-
cause the petitions of volunteers who were dismissed were
not forwarded to the authorities.
The Marquis of HARTINGTON said that a circular was
issued from the War-offiee in 1860 in which this power of
dismissal waa distinctly alluded to, and he believed the
volunteer force fouriahed wader that rule. No complaints
had been made against the rule till within
the lad few weeks. If • volunteer felt aggrieved
at dismissal be could appeal to the War-offioe or to
the lord lieutenant of the county. In the case of Mr. Reece,
to which the hon. baronet referred, what took place
followed after • court of inquiry was held, which was the
tribunal the hon. baronet advocated. He believed that the
commanding officers must have this power, if the volunteer
force were to be maintained in discipline, and he should ad.
here to the clause. (Hear, hear.)
After a few words from Sir J. Suzu.xy and Mr. Wrtn,
the house divided—
For the amendment • 29
Against lOO-71
The clause was thoonittred to, and the MU as amended
was considered.
SUPPLY.

The adjourned debate on ilis;;port of supply wee re-
nted y_
Sir J. StaXIIINSTONE, who, on the find resolution being
and • wood time, proposed to leave out the words
165,0001." for the harbours at Alderney, in order to heed
its words "65,0001."
The question wee then put, " That 165,0001. stand pert
the resolution."
Its hoses divided with the following result :

yes. 44
40
mgajority spiast th• ameadmist

The awatmement of the cumbers sou locoing! with
16•1112.
The TAB WAS thou agreed to, SS Win also the remandag
Teta.
The Reghowatal Dotes Bill woe reed • woad time.
The oak.. of Royal Naval Reeerre Bill wee mad a third
We.
The SOLICITOR-GEM/MAL oblialoed leave te Mt:o-
dium • bill to farther wad the law relating to tie en-
oeysoesoli laed for idiaritable aim.
The bill was Weetiewitly reed a dal time.
The haw adicienced at 26 wain to 3 o'clock.