The Express.
London, England, 1859-06-29 00:00:00

HALIFAX.

HALIFAX, TVESDAY.
Today, at noon, Sir C. Wood was re-elected to
All the extraordinary Tammy la thampeasentstion of Halifax
conewment ea the right hon. berteet's ao:eptaice of oglie In
the new ministry. There was no °midden. The proceed.
hags took place la the Piero Hall, leader the presidency of his
worship the Mayor, Mr. Thome Selby Walsh.
The usual Smuggles haviog bees gone through, the right
boa. berme, was declared elected.

Sir C. WOOD, O&M • few introductory remarks, said—We
hen seen recently accounts from Useconny, that in a liege
portion of that country a strong spirit prevails, by which it
metes they are almost disposed to engage in hostilities; but
1 hope their own good senao, aided by the advice we have
given them since we came into power, will seduce them to
abstain from hostilities. (Cheers.) At soy rate, no efforts
on our part skull be spared to keep thaw nations out of war
who have nil. already engaged in it; and also to avail
ourselves of the first (avowable opportunity to restore
the blessing of peace to those who are now
involved in the conflict. (Hear.) I believe that in out
endeavour to keep Germany out of the war we shall be con-
sulting the best intermits of this country, for I have been
told since I twine into this town how much trade is suffering
from the apprebsosions arising from the progress of the war
in Central Europe. (Hear.) But, grnilrroan, in adverting
to this subject 1 moat plainly tell you that I entirely approve
of the preparations which have been made for putting this
0011.141 in &formidable state of defence. (A Voles: " Brave
old oak.") (Laughter.) I hops and trust that no occasion
wall arise which will call upon as to exert thews means of
defence ; but we cannot abut oar eyes to toe possibility that
if Germany should engage in war this country may also be
drat; n into the vortex, in defence of those interests whisk
.

oar national treatise bind us to uphold. (A Yoke : "De-
fend none.") We are bound by trestles, I my, so to do
(No, no.) I am sure there la no men, not even my
friend there who interrupta me, who would not hold
sacred tho obligations of a treaty. (Hear, hear.) I hope
the occasion will not arise; but if we have to in-
tercede, depend upon it the effect of our me-
diation will not be diminished when offered by a
country strong in its own resource*, and when It does not
approach in the shape of • beggar, but can say, " That is
your course "—not merely going to them informs pamper*
but with • right to ark them to comply. (Hear, bear.)
Upon this subject of the national defences, permit me to
say • word or two. In reference to the pert I took in
Lord Palmrrston's government as the head of the adminia-
ration for the navy, attacks have been made on the govern-
ment as neglecting the defences of the country. Gentlemen,
believe me, there is so truth In such accusations. Lord
Derby stated the other day that the navy was in a state of
decrepitude. Greet orators are apt to) indulge in oratorical
dourishea. Now, been quote eribnce that the late govern-
went itself, in word and act, have admitted that when they
acceded to power they found the navy in an of ieient state.
We bad • superiority over the French navy. We had no
bee then two hundred and forty ;Istria ptroelled by steam
pewee, • force greater than the whole number of the
French navy at the time—(bmar, hear)—and the beet testi-
mony which an be given of whatwe had dons was this, when
they acceded to power they not only accused me of having
done too much, but reduced the means which we proposed
foe increasing the navy. Would they have dens this had
they thought the nevy insufficient Y Could they reconcile
the difference themselves ? They boast of adding ships to
the navy. True it la they were launched in their time but
built in ours. (Cheers and leughter.) Twelve line of battle
Alps bare beta added to the navy, but of that number eight
were built by ua and four by them. (Hear, hear.) The
credit is due, not to these who launched them, but to those
who built them. I wished to maks these few obeervations
because I think I should not have done ray duty if I had
not given • fist contradiction to these accusation, which an
as motet as they are untrue. (Cheers.) The next q
gentleman, on which I with to say a few words is that
reform in the representation of the people. (Hose.) On
that subject you know my opinions. Ido not believe It is
possible to pass a reform bill during the present 'Peke al
parliament. (Cries of " Ob, oh.") Wo are sow, owe[
delays for which we are not reepooslblet, beginning •
in July which usually begins In February. The testilemits
bays all of them to be voted, the budget and financial stir
sores to be puipoeed, and when I tellyou that the dekko-
cies are nearer five sullies than four—a legacy which
our predecessors left us—thin deficiency which they ;cre-
ated we have to make good—you will admit that It Is 133
slight task, and will require some time for its dieesseks.
Now, gentlemen, the estimates and budget are net In
ordinary times completed before Baster ; that It, about
two months from the beginning of the ensign ; and the
prompt session *lasing in July, it will be the end of
August before us can complete the financial bueisess of
the year. I do not think it will be easy to Induce the
Howie of Commons to consider a reform bill on the Ist
of September. (A Voice: " Gammon," and some disorder )
It mum be the first business to be undertaken on
the asseentdiog of parliament ; but to bring in
a bill before we separate I do not think poteible.
Now, gentl-men, what that refer= bill may be of coulee—
[A 'ides : You don't mei—you don't suppose I can tell
you. It must be the object of early and serious deliberation
among them who compere the present cabinet. That cabinet
comprehends Lord J. Ituaeall, Mr. Cobden, and Mr. Gibson
—[A Yoke Where's Bright fl—end that is some security
that the reform bill will not be of a retrograde nature like
the last; but what it dos will be soundly done, upon eland
principle', and framed no as to extend the borough tren-
ching to many to whom we think it should he given.
Ihe late bill proceeded on the principle that any
extension of the borough franchiqs would be re-
volutionary and anarchical. Since parliament met
we were told by the late ministry that they
were prepared to concede even that, and I think in the new
parliament there will be no difficulty in carrying • measure
for weeding the borough franchise. In what we propose to
do we hope to be backed by public. opinion, and no govern-
ment can carry anything of importance unless It Is backed
by public opinion, nor can any government long withhold
that which public opinion demands. (Chests.) Now,
gentlemen, I will say a few words on a subject which has
teen alluded to by the gentlemen who proposed and seconded
me, a in,the responsible position which I have accepted inhere
Materty's government. It is true I have tome seqteuntance
with the queen= of Indian affairs, having been Indian
eeinfater for two years. But how different am
the eirenmetauces of ladle now from those in which I left
k. At the time I left it there was profoond peace from one ex•
temnity to tic other. We had a surplus revenue, and the
slaty thought 1 had at that time was to develop the resources
et the sountry, to improve the cultivation, and to extend an
(sherd melee of education. When I returned to the cor-
post, I found public confidence *batten from one
=ls mg
erierametory to the other. That army. on whose fide-
lity wow staked their liven, and by which so many lore
tbak Neer, to deetroyed, after having fought a long struggle
with ear own troops. I find an enormous deficit ; • large
Ises Ms been negotiated ; the army has to be reorganised ;
society reconrtracted ; and financial emberraienarnta to be
miaowed. 1 look, I freely say, with the deepest anxiety on
the reeponaibilitier which !undertake. I was told it wee my
duty to take the post, and I did not think it con-
sonant to my notions of duty to shrink from sesuming the
charge. I feel the responsibility. I know how little man's
wisdom and mans intellect can do to such a men so this.
know we meat depend upon the providence of God to direct
our counted@ so that they may result in benefit to that im-
mense country with Its mender millions of people, and re-
dound to his glory. (Cheers.) Gcutlemen, 1 thank you
sewn for the attention with which you have listened so me
on the present °et-salon; I thank you for returning the age's
as your representative, end estzusting me again with your
confidence. I hope I may do nothing to forfeit that mall-
di me, while I hope the fact that I am again your repreeenta-
ties will "Omelets me to do faithfully my duty in that peti-
tion in which lam placed. (Loud cheers, during which the
eight hon. gentleman withdrew.)
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the
mayor.

RADNOR BURGHS.
Yesterday, a: this place, on the proposition of Mr.
Cecil Parsee*, of Prolelgn, seconded by Mr. Riebar3 Omen,
of Knightse, the Right Hon. Sir George Commiesll Lewis,
Batt., Ur Majesty's Principe! Secretary of Stele for the
Home Department, was re-elected without oppositioa, as
announced yesterday.
Sir G. C. Ltnts met with a cordial ivy/peon. He pro-
ceeded to dwell at considerable length upon the circumstancre
which had led to the Meat of the late and the formation of
the present government, justifying the noun. which the latter
had taken when In opposable. He then continued—The two
qoestiona to which public attention is now mainly
directed are the Reform Bill nod the etete of oar
foreign relation.. With regard to the question of pulls-
roeurery reform, thle is not the place nor the time for entering
Into a fall diaanairon of it. I can only say I feel satisesd
that the present government will, at tha earliest time which
may be consistent with the proper conduct of public business.,
propose a measure of parliamentary reform which they will
be able to offer on them own responsibility, and which I feel
coeBdont will not he founded on the same principles ss that
of the late government—namely, taking heck with one hand
what yes appear to give with the other. (Cheers.) With
respect to the progress of ereata on the Continent, we have
' only just Used= imperfect account of a great victory which
ie mid to hays been attained by
_the French over the Au-
Wass mar the town of Manta., after their former
successes is this short campaign. I shrowely trnat
that if any great successes hare been achieved by
the French • anti esedintans, togatber with the Italian
troops, end It should lied to any negotiation with the Aaa-
titan government, a spirit of moderation posy be It'll:lead by
the cooquetor and a spirit of masonablentse by the con-
quered, and that the result of such negotiations way be to
=;he 'eventual of the Italian provinces on a nose retie-
sad bee afflicting position than we have witnessed for
some years peat. (Cheers.) The right hog. baronet made