The Express.
London, England, 1862-06-17 00:00:00

CANADA.

Lord LYVEDEN asked the noble duke near him if he
could produce any papers, or fire any explanations with re-
gard to the extraordinary debate which bad recently taken
place in the Canadian parliament, which had resulted in the
rejection of a measure of self-defence. The event had
caused a peat sensation in this country, and it was no doubt
a strange return for the promptness with which the mother
country had sent out troops to Canada when it was
threetesed with hostilities.

The Duke of NE WCASTLE—I am not at all surprised that
the noble lord should ask fur information on this important
subject. lam riot, however, able to give the noble lord
any information further than that which he has gleaned
from the newspapers, nor is it likely that I should be so,
because your lordships must see that the motives which
have brought shout this result must be matter of specula-
tion and of opinion, and would not therefore form the sub-
ject of a despatch. It is well known to many of your lord-
ships that a militia bill passed through the Canadian legis-
lature two years ago; but that militia force has only
existed on paper, it being impossible to bring
the act into effectual operation. In consequence
of what took place last winter, and the earnest
recomniend•tion which I forwarded to Canada, a com-
mission was appointed three or four months ago for the
purpo.e of considering the whole question of militia ar-
rangemeets in Canada, with a view of amending them.
That commission consisted not merely of Canadians, but of
some British officers who went over with the reinforce-
ments last winter, and the result of their bloom was •
recommendation for the introduction of • bill which was
brought forward in the Canadian legislature during the last
month. The Attorney-General moved the second reading
of the bill on the of May, and • division tooa
place which resulted in the rejection of the bill
by 61 to 51. On the following day the ministers
tendered their resignations to the Governor-General, which
were accepted. The Governor. General then sent for Mr.
Macdonald to form a new administration, which be has enc-
..

The report upon the British Museum vote was brought up,
and on the motion that it be agreed to,
Mr. GREGORY expressed a hope that the session would
not terminate without some arrangement being made to
alter the government of museums. Nothing could more
strongly show the necessity of it than the resent decision_ ,
and what had led to it on this subject. Ile remioded
the house of the committee of 1.810, and the
report which had Leen presented, rennarlung that
had there been no trustee government there would have
bees satisfactory action as the result of that committee.
But the committee did make certain suggestions which it
was to be regretted had not been accepted ; but in the
Trustees Bill every suggestion made by the committee bad
been ignored. The committee suggested that a small amount
of space should be provided; the trustes insisted upon a
large addition of space, and that a portion of the collection
should be removed. After referring to the other sugges-
tions in detail, and showing how they had been ignored, he
canvassed the elements of the majority against the Trus-
tees' Bill—observing that it was composed of those who
objected to the removal of the collection, those who objected
to the faulty management, and those who objected to the
extravagance of the system. The proposal for the removal
came from Professor Owen, be believed, almost alone, and
however great that gentleman's authority, it was not, he
thought, sufficient to justify the proposal.
.He (Mr. Gre-
gory) believed • satisfactory arrangement might bs come
to now by providing for the Batumi history collection in the
second floor, and the sculpture in a building upon the small
piece of gro d which it had been recommended should be
p adjoining the present building. This would
involve an outlay of not more than 270,0001., instead
of 670,0001., which was the expenditure involved in the
government propose!. The plan he. proposed would admit
of indefinite extension of the galleries, so as to provide for
future additions to the collection.
Mr. CONINGHAM thought the drawings had better re-
main where they ware than be removed to the National
Gallery, and that if a vast quantity of rubbish were re-
moved that never ought to have been placed in the
Museum, and by a marrangement, room might be found for
a great deal more of what was really useful than was gene-
silly supposed. He objected to the system of restoring the
sculptures in the Museum which had recently hese intro-
duced, and which he thought as objectionable se the
restoration of the paintings. He should certainly be sorry
to are the drawings withdrawn from the British Museum.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it would
be the duty of the government, after what had happened in
that house, to consider further the whole subject of the pro-
vistou to be made for the production which had been re-
ferred to. The only principle involved in the government
measure was, on what site the extension should be made.
He could not, hold out any expectation that they would be
prepared to teaks a purchase in Bloomsbury, and he might
say further that the government did not think it expedient
or desirable to make any proposition to the house on the
subject during the present session after the judgment which
hod already been given.
Lord H. LENNOX Doped that next year the right hon.
gentleman would admit the correctness of the points he bad
advanced upon this question.
lhe report was then agreed to, and the house resumed.
ARTILLERY RANGES BILL.
This bill paned through committee.
THE NAVAL AND VICTUALLING STORES BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
TRANSFER OF LAND (STAMPS).
Reeolutiose relating to stamps In this ball were moved in
HOUSE OF COMMONS.-•-MONDAT, JUNG 16. committee and spud to.
The Sew= took the chair at 4 o'clock. POOR RELIEF IRELAND (No. 2) BILL.
PRIVATE BUSINESS. Sir It. PEEL proposed that this bill should be taken in •
The following bills were read a third time and pared:— morning Pitting on Friday next.
Aberdeen Police, Water. ke. ; Birkeeheadßailw•y; Breoce Mr. VANCE said he was in hopes this bill would not
Markets and Fain; Caterhans Water ; OfireMow ; have ham proceeded with this session. He could not
Rent cone, Rahway • icottathwt and Tbnipim, Railway ; acquiesce in the proposition, and if he obtained any support
Lianelly Railway aeti Dock ; Merthyr Tiredspr, ased Aber. he would divide the house :gaiost it.
gneeen7
Hawn, phwitnote. faato ; Vale et math ! Lord J. BROW NE supported the proposal for a morning
Railway ; Walos6sU-Water ; and Vrie!=fettliser, VIA*. which was spud to.
MUITEISH 'Cr.Afifir ON. COURTS OF JUSTICE BUILDING BILL ,
Lord It. MONTAG Li gave peace thlwto..roorrow Ina The order of the day for the emend reading el this tin
would move for a return of the claims for compensation as- wee dishisrlid•

ceed;d in doing. So far the events which have occurred
have been correctly stated in the public prints, but there is
one incorrect statement. I have seen it stated in several
papers that the result of this course was the dissolution of
the existing parliament. That is not the case. Parliament
has sot been dissolved, and so far u I have the means of
knowing. the newly formed government have no intention of
recommending the Governor. General to dissolve par-
liament. My noble friend says this vote has
caused a painful feeling in this country. No
doubt of it, and I believe the Canadian people
are aware of the unfavourable impression which that act of
their legislature has produced in this country. I cannot
distinctly state the reasons which led to this vote. I believe
them to be mixed ; two-fold certainly. In the first place
there was an impression among many members that the
militia bill was not one that would be found to work well in
practice. They considered that it bad too muck of the
character of • conscription, and that a more palatable and ,
effectual measure might be introduced. I will not express
my individual opinion, but I believe that to that
feeling has been sopendded • personal feeling spinet
the late ministry. I believe the vote wu taken as a
vote of want of confidence in the late government. Speaking
as an Englishman and as an ardent friend of Goads, I can
only express my deep regret that, if this was one of the
motives, soinopportune a moment should have been chosen
for expressing such an opinion. I am not saying whether
such an opinion was justifiable or not, but alter the events
of last winter, and alter the noble manner in which the
feelings of this country were displayed, in atooce sending out
assistance to Canada, I cannot help regarding the rejection of
the bal.'s most inopportune and unfortunate. At the same
time I by no means despair of the government introducing
and of the parliament adopting another militia bill, which
I hope may be as effective and as good as that which his
been rejected. Of this I sun certain, that the ministry and
parliament will not be acting in the spirit of the Canadian
people if they du not pass such a measure, for I run confi-
dent of this, that both sections of Canadians, the French
and the Kaglish, are most earnest io their desire that some
measure may be pseud before the coming winter for the
effectual protection of Canada. So far as lam 000cerned,
I shall continue to give my earnest exhortation and advice
to the Governor• General and the people of Canada, both
privately and officially, not to rest till some effective mea-
sure has been passel for the protection of the province.