The Express.
London, England, 1852-03-30 00:00:00

must he of peat advantage to ham Ma militia officered
by men wh6 Mire aerved in the army and who are now on
half-pey, ends. propose that all officers who :if enter the
militia shall be considered to possess the qu cations re-
qulred for the higher grades. (Hear, hear.)With regard
to the training and discipline, the house is aware that by
the present law it must ho called out for training and
exercise for 28 days. From the best information we
have been able to obtain on this subject, we think
that as an ordinary rule 21 days will be suffi-
cient; bat we think that there are certain eases of emer-
gency, when it would be moat advisable to extend that
period—(hear, hear).—and other ease* when it would be ad-
vantageous to reduce it. For this reason the bill will pro-
vide that the ordinary number of amyl for training and die-
delis° shall be 21, with a rower to the crown to extend it
to 28 days, and also a power to reduce it to 3
days, if it appear necessary. (Hear, hear.) With
regard to the circumstances under which the men
are or should be embodied, we propose to retain the
liatitation of the existing law. (Hear.) The house is
aware that the men are embodied by the existing law in
cases of actual invasion or imminent danger thereof. We
propose that thew should be the circumstances under which
the militia should be coabedied. (Hear, hear.) With re-
gard to the expense that will lie incurred, it will be heavier
in the fine year from the necessity of providing for the
bounties and also of providing fur the equipment and arms
of the force, but if you spread the expense over the whole
period of five years, it will amount to 1,200,000/. or to
280,0001. annually. In the first year, in consequence of
having to preside for tl.o bountice, the equipment, and the
arms, the a serest) will be 400,0e01., or between 3 and
400,000/. Now, we look upon this u a national force, and
sines it is to he a nationnl force we consider that another
great alteration ought to be made in the law as it now
stands. We consider that the expenses ought to be borne
by the pudic funds—(ministerial cheera)—and not by bur-
thens on the local properties. (Renewed cheers.) As the
object to be enforced is to he a permanent and a national
one, we think, at the same time, thet if any district fails
in furnishing its proper quota, for that neglect it ought to
be rinnished ; and it has occurred to us that the hardship
and sea critics of the ballot, tegether with its expense,
should be thrown upon that district. Such is the measure,
in a short compass, which her Majesty's government have
now to submit to the consideration of the house. The
reasons for it, and the objects we have in view, I thine I
have endeavoured to explain in the course of the observa-
tions I have made. (Hear, hear.) There is use objection,
however, to which I Might refer. That objection is, that
I.y raising so large a force of volunteers you must interfere
with the recruiting for the arnty. That would boa mos' serious
objection. We have consulted the niilitery authorities on
the point. and we mire informed, and I bell ye cerrettly,
that that objcitien, if not entirely done away with, will be
greatly limited by the precisions which we iutend to make
with refererce to the ages and height of the men. (hear.)
The house is aware that a man enlisting in the army "oust
not be more then 25 years of age, and that the etaud mil of
height is feet 6 inches. We propose that the ages during
which persons may voleuteer or be balloted for, shall extend
from 18 to 35 year,. The consequence is, that with regard
to those men who are upwards of 25 years of age, we shall
not interfere with the recruiting for the army, rind as to
those under that age, we shall net prevent them from en-
listing. (Hear, hear.) With reference to the gees-
tam of height, I may observe that the standard
required by the present militia law is 5 feet 4 inches.
The height of the Russian infantry of the line is 5 ft. 4 in.,
in France it is 5 ft. I in. (Loud latighter.) Hon. gentle-
men may laugh at that; but, though I am speaking in Eng-
land, we ought never to forget that a nobler or more de-
voted soldier ne yet existed in the world than the French
soleier—(,lnner,)—and if we find that this melee who'
bays fought throughout the length and breadth of Europe,
base taken into their armies men of fi It. 1 in., we ought
not to assume the military capacity is not to be found in
men of b ft. '2 in.—which is the height we propose to take
—(laughter ant cheers)—or that it it too low • standard.
(Continued cheers.) lam well aware that this is a subject
which contains in itself so many difficulties, that I ma
not have explained myself ma clearly to the house as I
should have wished ; l have endeavoured, however—
Lord J. RUSSELL—What is the period of 'service ?
Mr. WALI'OLE—Five years. I have endeavoured,
however, to give you a plain and simple account of the dan•
Kernel facts of the case, as 1 believe them to exist with re-
fereuee to the state of your internal defences. I think I
have shown you that there is an absolute necessity for some
improvements in your defensive armaments if you intend
to ~cure yourselves against all the casualties to which na-
tions like individuals are equally liable, and to diminish
the chances of defence by provisions made in time of peace.
If you accept thin measure, I trust you will used us with
your counsel end support in accomplishing the object which
we must all leave in view, that of preserving to this country
• permanent mid effective defence, combining together in i
the anxious desire to put the people to as little constraint as
you possibly can, and Oen to internee in se small a degree
as you aro well able to do aith their ordinary puruits,
with their natural occupations. Knowing what will be
the feeling of the country if this measure be rejected.
I feel you will give a patient consideration to the mea-
sure which I have now the honour to submit to
your consideration. (Prolonged cheering.) The right hon.
gentleman concluded by moving that leave be given to the
Secretary at War, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and
himself, to bring in the bill.
Mr. HUME then rase, but was for some time quite in-
audible, owing to the noise of members leaving the house.
The hem gentleman was understood to argue that no ease
justifying any increase in our forces had been shown, and
waned the house by the example of the great military
states of Europe, which were iu a state of bankruptcy,
against wasting the resources of the country in needleas
reader), preparations. lie protested against the doctrine
that we ought to preside enormous armaments; contended
that we were in no danger of being assailed without such
notice as would enable us to summon our regular forces;
objected to the increase of taxation, and attributed the war
panic to the idle half-pay officers of the clubs. He did not
think it would be right to oppose the introduction of the
bill, though he believed that government would have great
difficulty in perimading the house to pass the measure.
Sir IL L. EVANS declared his belief that the country
was in an unprecedently excellent condition of defence, and
that all we had to provide against was some sudden and
foolish attack. No hostile armament could be prepared
without our having due notice, and steam had placed imme-
diate concentration of force within our reach. The militia
Laws certainly required amendment; but by means of regu-
lar troops and volunteers, we could place ourselves on a par
with any enemy. He much doubted whether the force
could be raised by voluntary enlistment, and in
that case it would be necessary to adopt some other
plan. lie repudiated the suggestion of the pomi-
sibility of foreign aid, as • gratuitous insult on the people,
who, by their oilers of voluntary service, had proved that
they were as ready as at any former period to bear arms for
the defence of their country. The existing military force,
proeerly arranged, with the aid of volunteer corps, would
be sufficient to meet any sudden emergency that might
arise. lie thought that the house should refuse their con-
sent to any militia bill until they clearly understood what
was to be the conduct of the government with respect to the
volunteer corps.
Mr. M. GIBSON asked ministers to defer any further
proceeding with the measure until eller the promised
appeal to the constituencies, and allow it to go to the
country as part of their policy. This bill was wholly at
variance with Lord l'almereton'e plan, and ho suggested
that the noble lard, having turned out one government on
the question, should now do justice by turitimg out their
successors. No case had been elude out for any increase in
our military establishments, much less for an increase so
unpopular mid objectionable in its character as a militia.
In criticising the details of the Bill, he demanded what
ismity was provided for the actual attendance of those
who should receive the bounties / And where was the force
M be lodged when collected? The country would even
prefer an increase of the regular army. There was nothing
le justify the proposed iucreasgof militia force.
Viscount PALMEIiSION said—l am not about to give
ea answer to the call made on me by my right honourable
friend (Mr. Gibson) ; for, so far from opposing this
measure, as he invites me to do, it is my intention
to give to the government any support that is in
mg pewee. (Cheers from the ministerial benches.)
I eannot but compliment the right ban. gentleman the Se-
cretary for the Ileum Department upon the very able, for-
cible, and, to me, satisteetery manner in which he has
stated the objects of the measure. (Load cheers.) In my
spawn, it is impossible to overstate the necessity of a per-
manent measure of this kind. It is all very well for hon.
gentlemen to talk of our military force, including the
troops which are stationed in the East Indies and scat-
tered and dispersed in every colony, and to tell us that our
army is available for the defence of the United Kingdom.
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) It is absurd to use such an argu-
MUM when it is manifest that that portion of our army so
mattered and dispersed cannot be available for our defence
nt
home. (Hear, heifer My hon. and gallant friend the
member for Westminster Imo expressed a doubt as to the
macule:ion of the right hon. gentleman as to the mnalluess ,
of the 'iambs of troops which lie states with our preaent
military force could be brought together fur the
defence of the capital. But I have seen a cal-
enlation which has been made on that ',eject,
and 1 am consieced by what I have seen and I
know that the right hon. gentleman in his calculation has
not underetuted time amount—(Bear, hear)—sod I doubt if
even that force which he has mentioned could be got toge-
ther in a few days if it was wanted. (Ileer, hear.) It is
true feat we have a large number of shims of war; but, as
bee been stated by the right hum gentleman, they could
not be ready to put to era at a inunieut's make, because
they have not got sailors to man them. (t. lieu," and
cheers.) I will go further, and say that even if they were
fully manned sad ready to put to sea, it would be phy-
sically impossible for a navel force to prevent the approach
of a large leveeing force if upportunitiex acre properly
taken advantage of. !sly hen. and gallant frien.l, the mem-
bet for IVestraimiter, says that it would not be possible fur a
large force to be collected and to are the channel without
such preparations being made as would give us notice here
of such an intention; but I think he is mi.taki n
in I.li estimate of tee facilities possessed by neighbouring
countries to melee a format:hie fewer, and to convey it
over befere any notice cold he given to us. (" Hear.
hair," and ctn. ) Tee very watching ships which would
brier us an intimation of an expedition havisig sailed would
om his sere any somas than tile expedition itself. (Hear.)
1 eq. th. reform that it is indispensable that in addition to
our Day:a force, we should lease istlth u home fince as
sw.,hi,l Va. aulliewut to most any clAt:.l.) that 111i4ill Lytton
our me.st. (tlear, hour) Ido nut rest the, upitnen ma the
nutioli of any insane...halt danger exiting at the present.
lity1:11.11:. (Gear, hear.) 1 will admit to any extent that
hoe. geuthanen may )lease, that as regards our relations
with foreign countries there is no present danger. If
there were, this measure would be insufficient to meet it,
because it is not one which will raise a force immediately,