The Express.
London, England, 1847-04-16 00:00:00

ARMY SERVICE BILL
_

Mr. F. MAULE moved the third reediag of the Artily
Service Bill.

Sir H. DOUGLAS assured the house that in pevisting in
his opposition to this bill, he was not actuated by any
factious motives towards the government, well knowing the
difficulties with which they bad to contend. He had
already spoken twice on this measure, and therefore it
was not his intention to trouble it with any lengthened ob-
servations. He wished, however, to state in the strongest
terms that he adhered firmly to the opinions he had for-
merly expressed—opinions which had since been strength-
ened and confirmed by oosnmunications he had received
from several commanding officers of cavalry, infantry, and
artillery. An influential naval organ had recom-
mended that pensions should be given at the end of '
fifteen years. As they were now granted, they formed no
inducement whatever to enter the service. Under a proper
regulation of pensions, it was of little consequence what was
done with regard to limited enlistment. Let the govern-
ment declare what were their intentions on this subject, and
then much of the opposition to this bill would be disarmed.
He moved that the bill be read a third time this day six
months.

Captain BOLDERO seconded the amendment, and said
that before this measure was adopted the house ought to be
in possession of the opinions of the commander-in-chief, and
of the military authorities; otherwise the house could not
form a sound judgment, and the interests of the army would
be sure to suffer. The object of the bill wee good, to improve
the class of men in the army; they might get a higher class
of men, but it was impossible to get a better class of men on
the fue of the earth.

Col. REID rote simply to draw the attention of the house
to one point. It was the position in which the soldiers of
the present array would be placed by this measure. There
would be two classes of soldiers, the limited service and the
unlimited service men. The former would have the right of
claiming their discharge gratuitously at the end of ten years,
which gave them a great advantage over the latter, whose
discharge depended entirely on the will of their commanding
officer. This was a most flagrant injustice to the soldiers of
the present army. He thought that on this ground the
pensions should be raised.
Lord HOTHAM thought that those who expected that •
better class of men would be attracted to the army by the
proposition of the right hon. gentleman would be much dis-
appointed.

- -
Mr. F. MAULE said that he wished to assure the
members of this house that this bill would not receive the
sanction of the crown without giving the highest officers of
the army the opportunity of expressing tneir opinions on it.
One great improvement which he anticipaied from the
change in the period of enlistments was, that by shortening
the period of enlistments, and the great improvements in the
condition of the soldiers, they would get out of the agricul-
tural population if this country the superior instead of
the inferior class which they got as soldiers undet
the present system. The honourable gentleman concluded
by expressing a hope that the house would pass this bill
and allow it to go to the other house, where it would not
only have the advantage of a full discuuion, but also be sub-
jetted to the approval or rejection of the first military autho-
rity in the country.

Col. WOOD said that it was not only novel but extremely
inconvenient to have the mode of enlistment regulated by
two acts of parliament, for in tha Mutiny Act, as well as
in this, there was a schedule giving rules for enlistment. It
would lead to great confusion, so these before whom the
recruits were sworn would be at a loss to know what act
they were to be guided ►y. He did not at all agree with
the right how. gentleman in thinking that this system
was calculated to increase the efficiency of the army.
Col. LINDSAY approved of the principle of limited ser-
vice, but thought fourteen years a better limit dm ten yearn.
But he attributed more importance to the increase of pen-
sions after the second period of service. That was the only
security they would have for the soldier re-entering after the
expiration of his first period of service.

Lord J. RUSSELL thought the time had come when
there must be a very great change as to the mode of enlist-
meets and the time for which they should take place. It
was most desirable that there should be • larger class ad
persons from whom recruits for the army should be obtained,
and he thought when men saw that there was a limited
period, at the end of which they would be relieved from
military service, and be able to devote themselves to other
pursuit., it would be • reason for their enlisting in the army
on sober and steady calculations instead of doing so in a
moment of haste or despair; and he believed they would
be more contented with their position than they would be
under the present system. This was one of many measures
by which the government hoped to make the condition of
the soldier more satisfactory to the men who were serving.
It was all very well to Pay that we had a fine army 30 or 40
years ago, but it did appear to him that they should, by this
teemze, induce • spirit by which ow soldiers would be more
eseartted than if the old modes of government were ee-
-1 tied; and this was a reason why he thought some change
WO requisite. He admitted fully the inconveniences which
I the hon. and gallant general had pointed out, but he thought
the general enactments were sufficient to overbear all
each considerations. He could aware the hon. and gallant

gentleman who spoke lest that the coosideration of pensions
would not be lost sight of. The warrant of 1838 was my
useful, having too, as it had, the consent of Lord Hill and
the military authorities of the time. It had the effect of
putting an end to much cooftuion ; but, with the altered
circumstances of the time, some further improvement was
necessary. When men were enlisted for ten years only, if
trey were found to be rod soldiers, and it was desirable to
re-enlist them, the amount of their permits= might he in-
creased. These and other suggestions would he fully esmi.
dered by the government after the bill had passed, which
he hoped it would do.
The house then divided. For the third reading 91
Against it 42-49
Several dames were struck out the bill.
Col. T. WOOD propoeed to strike out the following
swords in clause 2 ' After completing the term of limited
service for which he shall have first engaged, and being
ap-
proved by his commanding officer, or other competent mili-
tary authority, as a fit per-on to continue in her Majesty's
service as • soldier."

Mr. F. MAULE said he could not agree to strike out the
words, because by so doing the soldier would be exposed to
the coaxing or other temptations of his commanding officer,
with a view to reinlistment.

Col. T. WOOD said that wu an unjust imputation to cut
on the officers of the army. Any officer who could have re-
course to coaxing or other temptations, was unfit for the
service.

Col . SIBTHORP said that the bill originally contained
eight clauses, five of which were now struck out by the
Secretary at War himself. What a way that was of doing
business (Hear, hear.) He would only say God defend
them from such legislation.
The motion was withdr►wn, and the bill read a third time
and passed.