The Express.
London, England, 1864-03-04 00:00:00

THE ARMY ESTIMATES.

la committee of .apply,

The Marquis of BiIitTINGTON brought forward the
army estimates, and began by stating that be should have
to lay before the house a supplementary estimate, amount-
ing to over 400.001 W., of which 119,000/. was due by the
India, government, and, in fact, repaymenta from that
source would amount to nearly 300,0004, the remainder
being ceased by the war in New Zealand. The estimates
for the year amounted to 14,844,8884, which, compared
with that of last year-15,060,2374 —showed a decrease of
215,3494 ; while they contrasted still more favourably with
the years 1862 and 1861 ; in the latter case the difference
bang abore• million, while on the whole of those pnrnaa•
years of more than two millions. The government bad been
accused of studying economy too much in these eatimates,
and be admitted they were peace estimates, fancied ere a
peace policy. There was no doubt the army estimates had
largely increased se compared with those which existed
before the Crimean war, but that bad been caused by the
necessity of re-creating an orpaisstiou which the experience
of that war showed wee mist dilative. Bat that object
having been effected, it was the duty of the government
to direct its attention to the gradual redaction of
this source of expenditure. The stoma over the
expenditure of 1854 was Dearly four millions, and
was caused by an increase in the expense of the militia, by
the improvement of the arms of the troops, with • new
quent expenditure in ammunition and practice ; while the
expense of the war in New Zealand, and the numerical M-
aven in the army, amounting to 17,000 men and the pro-
portionate number of hones, was to be ahem into account.
Besides this there was an increase in the charge for good
conduct pay, recruiting, for improved clothing for the
far the oomminmariat, for iecreined fuel and lighta, and for
lodging allowance to married soldiers. These and other items
would fully and exactly account for the increase in the
estimate, at present over those of 1854, all of them di-
rected to the improvement of the army and the con-
dition of the soldier. The number of men to be
voted this year was 146,766 as mewed with
148,242 last year. The reduction bad been made,
sot by diminishing the number of infantry, but by dimia-
iodine the strength of the companies of the garners
artillery by 15 men each, which would be distributed
over ten brigades, while the cavalry would be re-
dead by 12 men in • squadron from each regiment. This
small reduction would not interfere either with the
efficieoey or the orpaiastion of the army. The noble lad
then tossed through the different votes, pointing out their
respective increase and diereses, sod concluded by moving
a resolution to the effect that 146,766 men be maintained
for the land service during the year (lading March 31, 1865.
A discussion ensued, in the course of which several mem-
bers expressed their dimapprobation of the proposed re•
dunks in the number of mem, and especially that the
diminution should be made in the artillery, cavalry, and
seesaws.
The resolution was agreed to.

SIR JOHN LAiIRENCES SALARY BILL.
This bill was read a third time and pared.

BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY
NOTES (IRELAND) BILL
nil bill was read a mooed time, its object being de-
scribed by Sir R. Peal aa merely to pat notaries
public in Inland on the cone footing as notaries public in
Ragland.

VESTRY CESS ABOLITION (IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was recommitted, (or the purpose of making ea
allentioo by Sit B. Peel. Plush was speed to.
it was them ordord to be read u shad time.

RAILWAY COMPANIES' POWERS.

Mr. MASSEY iac.;eit;;;;Zi;;Zti•—s;iieTeotorgittee
On railway crenpaaise poWeln :—Mr. Hutt, Lord Stanley,
Mr. Algeroon Egerton, Mr. Richard Hodgson, Mr. Clay,
Sir frantic Goldamid, Mr. Adair. Sir James Fergussoo, Mr.
Lygoo, Mr. Kinnaird, Mr. Pollard-Urquhart, and Mr.
Massey.
The motion was agreed to.
The house adjourned at half-peat 12 o'clock.