The Express.
London, England, 1865-02-28 00:00:00

TRANSPORTATION TO A lISTIi!.ALIk.

Lord TAUNTON, in piimenth;gpsiltions from Melbourne
and other places in the colony of Victoria praying for the
immediate and permanent abolition of transportation of
convicts to Acstralia, said that these petitions, which were
thirty is 0111.122N0r, OWN from every part of the colony of
Victoria, and expressed the most unanimous feeling of the
community that the system of sending out our convicts to
Western Australia ought to cease. Toths unanimity which
prevailed in Melbourne upon the subject there was not a
stogie exception. Before sitting down he would ask his noble
friend the President of the Council whether he rightly
understood that it was the intention of the government to i
put an end to the system of transportation, so far u
Australia was concerned, as speedily as possible, and not
exceeding two years; and also whether any new arrange-
=lota world be made for the disposal of the convicts at
hams, and if so, whether any legislation would be necessary
this session of parliament. The noble lord was frequently
inaudible in the gallery.
Fail GRANVILLE, in answer to the question, said he
was perfectly ready to admit that he entirely agreed with
his noble friend in what he had stated to be the f=
of the colonist. in Australia, but he.thought it
be idle, now that the question hat been finally and
matiatutorily settled, to take up any of thoseminor
qaertions which bad creakd acme discussion between the
colonists and the government. His noble friend bad ex-
pressed regret at the recommendation of the commierionen
who sat two years ago upon the subject of penal servitude.
The commissioners came to their conclusions, not from any

selfish views towards the mother country, but, as they
thought, from a desire to benefit Western Aastralia—•
colony at that time anxious to receive convicts. But since
that period facts bad awns to light, in reference to the dis-
covery of a large track of fertile land, which appeared to
make it desirable that no more onevicts should be seat to
Western Australia ; and the evidence of the different
governors showed bow sound and genuine was the
feeling against the system generally. The govern-
ment had received from the colonists statements
which deprecated what they considered to be a
course likely to increase crime in their colonies, inasmuch
as late discoveries would make the communications between
the colonies more easy, and her Majesty's government had
not therefore the slightest hesitation in putting an end to
the system altogether. As regarded the question of his
noble friend, he might say that the words of the despatch
were given without the slightest double meaning ; and that
in three years from the time specified, all the arrangements
necessary would have to be made in regard ti additional
prison room in this country. But before anything could be
done parliament must be consulted in one shape or another,
and perhaps a measure would be proposed daring the pre-
sent aurae. (Hear.)
Lord ORANWORTH said, that in the absence of his
noble friend who had presided over the committee that bad
been referred to, be wished to explain the reasons which
had induced the committee to come to the unanimous re-
commendation that not only ought transportation to be
continued, but be extended as far as possible. There was
in fact DO conflict of evidence upon the subject, all the
witnesses agreeing in the opinion that it was essential for
the interest of the colony that the system of transportation
should be continued and extended. They had no doubt
heard a sort of rumour about the other Australian colonies
beau adverse to it , but coosidering that the distance from
Western Australia to Sydney was greater than from Cork to
the American coast they did not attach any great weight to
the objection that the convicts were likely to proceed to
Sydney on the expiration of their sentences. He thought
there would be no second opinion as to this, that for the
convict himself, the best punishment which he could
undergo was that which soabled him to be absorbed into a
society in which he might be able to redeem his character.
(Hear.) Evidence had been laid before them which went
to show that in Western Australia convict labour
was better than free labour ; but perhaps, in their anxiety
to keep the convicts, the witnesses rather exaggerated that
point. The commiasioners, thmefore, came to the condo-
Moo that it would be beneficial to this country, beneficial to
the colony, and beneficial to the curiae themselves that
transportation should be continued. He did not, however,
mean to dispute that in the altered state of circumstances
the recommendation of the commission ought not to be car-
ried out. (Hear, hear.)
Lord REDESDALE thought it would be au advantageous
compromise for both countries if ticket-of-leave men .are
sent out to the colony. It would be better they were there
than allowed to roam at large in this country.
The subject then dropped.
Their lordships adjourned at 20 minutes past 8 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-MONDAY, Fn. 27.
The Emcee took the chair shortly before 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.

MY. MURPHY took the OIL& end hie Mlllt on his election
for the city of Cork.
GREAT YARMOUTR BOROUGH RAVEN AND