The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-22 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 22, 1867.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

defence at home ; second, the fleet for the defence
of our oolonies ; and third, the fleet for the pro-
tection of our commerce on the °pasta of some
civilised nations, and of all barbarous nations.
In the home fleet he included the Channel
fleet and the fleet stationed in the Mediter-
ranean, and he did not propose to reduce it.
With regard to the third fleet, at present we have
on the China station 30 vessels, which he thought
might fairly be reduced to 21. One reason why so
many were kept there was that we kept the entire
police of the Chinese seas, though we had not the
greater portion of the trade. He also advocated a
reduction of the squadron at the East Indian, the
Australian, the North American, and West Indian,
the South and East American, and the Pacific sta-
tions, on which he submitted that they might re-
duce the force by 7,200 men. lint as a set-off to
this he proposed the formation of a flyingsquadron
of six or seven fast ships, some armoured and
some not, carrying 3,000 men, rendezvous-
ing at Lisbon, and sent from thence by
telegraph to any part of the world. This
would enable them to effect a reduction
of 4,200 men. Another point was the state of the
lists. They were gradually accumulating an enor-
' mous list, and there was an absolute necessity of
some sweeping machinery to clear them. At pre-
sent the chances were 0 to 1 that if an officer were
promoted to the rank of post captain he would
have nothing to do ; if he were made an admiral,
the chances were 24 to 1 • and if a general of
marines, 42 to 1. He suggested a scheme for
buying the officers of the navy out by the means of
annuities being purchased for them in the National
Debt office. By this means they would induce
officers to retire at an earlier age.
Mr. CORRY replied. He defended the policy of
the Admiralty in building a number of small
vessel, which were absolutely necessary for the
protection of our commerce. The necessity of
building so many this year was owing to the late
Board of Admiralty having built hardly any for
several years. He was afraid that it would not be
possible to reduce the foreign squadrons to the ex-
tent proposed by Mr. Childers, but he approved of
his suggestion to buy out the younger officers.
Mr. SAMUDA contended that the Admiralty was
not proposing to apply a sufficient sum to iron-
ship building. He criticised the plans of the ships
proposed to be built, and called on the Admiralty
to come to a judgment of their own, and not to
imitate other governments.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—THUPADAY, MARCH 21.
IN the Hot se of LORDS yesterday the Trades
Unions Bill med through committee, a clause
being inserted, on the motion of Lord elm:moan',
providing that the inquiry of the commissioners
should be public.
The Duty on Dogs Bill was read a third time and
passed.
Their lordships adjourned at 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURBDAY, Masai 21.
IN the House of Commoics Sir G. BOWYER gave
notice of his intention, in committee on the Re-
presentation of the People Bill, to move to ex-
punge all those clauses which deprive any borough
of any portion of its representatives ; Mr. Fawcarr,
to move an amendment throwing all the necessary
expenses of elections, such as hustings, polling
booths, and polling clerks, upon the county or
borough rates ; and Mr. SerjeantGaszLex, that he
will move clauses disfranchising all boroughs hav-
ing a population under 5,000, and that boroughs
with a population under 10,000 returning two
members shall have one member taken away.
Mr. Orwav gave notice of his intention, in com-
mittee on the Mutiny Bill, to move to expunge the
clause giving power to inflict the punishment of
flogging. At a later period of the evening, Sir J.
PAILINGTON postponed the order for going into
committee on the bill, till Thursday next, in
order to afford a better opportunity for diecw.s-
ing the subject.
Lord STANLEY, in reply to Mr. GREGORY, stated
that advice had been given by France to the Porte
to cede Crete to Greece, but he was not certain
whether that advice was supported by Russia and
Austria.

The CHANCELLOR of the Ezell scusit, in reply to
questions from Mr. H. VIVIAN and Mr. GLAD-
STONE, said a forty-shilling freeholder, residing in
his own freehold house in a borough, will be a
voter, but that will have very little effect, as nine-
tenths of the county voters in boroughs are not
rated. The measure he had introduced did not at
all interfere with any privilege or right under the
act of 1832. In extending the franchise to occu-
piers in boroughs they considered that extending
it to householders was sufficient, and they did not
propose to extend it to the occupiers of any build-
ing. On Saturday morning returns would be in
the hands of members which will give information
with regard to the number of householders, but it
would be impossible to give a return of the numbers
who would obtain the vote by the payment o 2
direct taxes. Compound householders would be
admitted to the franchise on paying the same rates
as their neighbours.

After a few observations from Admiral WAccorr,
Sir M. Par° submitted the that time had come
when other nations who traded with China should
be invited to take a share in the protection of com-
merce on the Chinese seas. Then he suggested
that the vessels now employed on the African coast
should be withdrawn, and that a few fast-going
steamers should be employed in their stead. He
also recommended the combination of the offices,
and that the board itself should be reorganised.
Sir J. PA IC I SGTON replied in detail to the various
points that had been raised. With regard to the
old ships, there were between 90 and 100 line-of-
battle ships and frigates which were kept up at an
expense of not less than 1,0001. a year each. These
ships should be regarded as obsolete, and if he had
remained at the Admiralty he should have sold
more of them. He believed that 200,000/. would
be received this year on the sale of some of these
ships. The timber that would be sold ho thought
would fetch about 450,0001. They had ordered
the building of the small vessels because they found
that there was a great deficiency in that class of
vessels. Then they had determined not to spend
large sums in the repair of obsolete ships which,
when repaired, were not of the class required.
With regard to the squadrons on foreign stations,
there had been a gradual reduction both in men
and tonnage during the last seven years. In main-
taining these squadrons they had only followed out
the policy of the late government.

Ir. reply to further questions from Sir R. ANSTRU•
THEE and Mr. C. Foal.Eger',
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that
it is his intention after the Easter holidays to bring
in a bill to amend the reprmientation of Scotland,
and that he also intends to bring in a bill for
Ireland.
mI In reply to Mr. EDWARDS,

The ei.siteituAni of the EXCHEQUIR stated that
applications had been made to him for relief on
behalf of railway companies who are in financial
embarrassments, but that he had not acceded to
those applications.
Mr. CRAWFORD thereupon gave notice of his
intention to call the attention of the House to the
subject, and that he will propose a plan by which
the government may assist the companies with ad-
vantage to the state.

MR H. TRACY called attention to a recent promo-
tion by the First Lord of the Admiralty. Theyoung
gentleman in question was a lieutenant of only five
years and eight months standing, and he had been
promoted to the rtuik of commander, over the heads
of 350 of his seniors. He moved a resolution to
the effect that promotions under such circumstanoes
are prejudicial to the public 'interest.
Sir J. PARINGTON said the officer in question
was Mr. Yorke, the son of the Earl of Hardwick.
He justified the promotion, and adduced three
instances of promotion of a similar character by the
Duke of Somerset who promoted Mr. Graham, the
son of Sir James Graham, Mr. Wood, the son of
the Earl of Halifax, and Mr. Fitzclarence. It was
necessary for the good of tho service that
young blood should be infused into the navy, and
they must therefore make some promotions by
selection.

The CUmutual then reported progress, and the
house resumed.

The Consolidated Fand (',924,000/.) Bill was
read a second time.

The Lyon King of Anna (Scotland) Bill passed
through committee.
Sir C. O'Loomex obtained lesce to bring in a
bill to render policies of insurance assignable at
law.

Mr. MAcEvov moved for leave to bring in a bill
to repeal the Ecclesiastical Titles Act.
Mr. O'Rtici.v said no one was more opposed to
that act than he was, but there was a time for all
things, and he did not think it well to bring in
this bill unless they had the assurance of the
government that they would not oppose it. He
had had communication with the catholic hierarchy,
and they said this was not the time to ask for the
repeal of that act, but that the Irish members
should confine their energies to measures of more
practical importance to Ireland.
Sir G. BOWYER should rejoice if there were any
practical result from this motion ; but he did not
think that the question was ripe for discussion now.
Mr. WHALLEY said if this law were to be violated,
as it was every day, he would second the motion
to bring in a bill.
Mr. GrAnsroxa agreed with Mr. Whalley that
it was a scandal that they should have a law which
was systematically violated. There was no one
present to speak for the government, but he might
say he did not think the bill would meet with
much opposition on his side of the house.

Admiral ERSKINE agreed in the observation that
there must be promotion by selection, but con-
tended that the promotion should not be in the
hands of the rust Lord of the Admiralty.

Mr. Avarow said the First Lord of the Admiralty
claimed the right to make every fifth promotion,
without any special merit in the officers promoted.
This was so iniquitous a doctrine, bringing them
back as it did to the worst times of the navy, that
it was the duty of his hon. friend to press the
motion to a division.

Mr. CHILDERS suggested that a return should be
made of the services of the officers promoted by the
Duke of Somerset, and the services of Lieutenant
Yorke, and that the motion should be withdrawn
until those returns wore nude.

Sir J. Hay said there was no objection to the
returns. He justified the promotion in question
on the ground that it was necessary that some of
the superior officers of the navy should be compa-
ratively young men, and on the ground that Lieu-
tenant Yorke was the son of so distinguished a man
as the Earl of Hardwicke.

After some further observations from Mr. Rear-
don, Colonel Greville,and Mr. M'Kenna,

Mr. GLAnwrosit regarded the statement that an
officer should be promoted over the heads of others
because he was the son of a distinguished man as
of an exceedingly grave character. He considered
the suggestion of Mr. Childers a wise one.
Mr. Serjeant GASELEE protested against the
doctrine that officers should be promoted because
they were the sons of distinguished men.

Mr. NEWIPSUATE said he believed it would be a
rash thing to attempt to repeal this act. The Roman
catholics were prudent in trying to repeal this act
now, if they tried to repeal it all ; for they would
never repeal it in a reformed house.
After some further discussion, leave was given
to bring in the bill.
On the motion of Mr. Lowz, that a petition of
Mr. Shields, who complains of injustice having
been done him, in reference to the plans for the
Thames Embankment, be referred to a select com-
mittee, the house divided, and there being only 34
members present the house stood adjourned at two
o'clock.

Mr. H. TRACY then withdrew the motion.

Sir E. DERINO called attention to the position of
the naval engineers, who complained that by the
mode of reckoning the time they serve adopted by
the Admiralty they cannot attain the highest
rank until they arrive at the age of 56 ; also that
their names were nut inserted in the Navy List.
Lord H. Losxox explained that the naval en-
gineers had no right to be put on the same footing
as the assistant surgeons, who paid for their own
education, whereas the naval engineers got their
education at the public expense.
Mr. O'REILLY called attention to the provision
for the spiritual wants of Roman catholics in the
royal navy, which he contended was insufficient.
Lord H. LENNOX gave the details of the regula-
tions in reference to this matter, and pointed out
that the spiritual wants of the Roman catholics in
the navy were sufficiently attended to.
The house then went into committee of supply.
On vote 1, which related to the number of men,
Mr. CHILDERS called attention to the increase of
the estimates. They were now asked for 716,6831.
more than the actual expenditure of 1865-6, and
534,2991. more than the estimate of 1866-7. The
total estimates for the present year for the army,
navy, civil establishment, and the revenue depart-
ment amounted to 40,233,8341., being an increase
of 2,030,9791. over those of last year, and as last
year there was a windfall of 500,0001. from New
Zealand and 480,0001. for China indemnity, and
as no similar sums would come to hand this year,
there would practically be 3,000,000/. more to pro-
vide this year, which would necessitate increased
taxation, even if the revenue increased a million
and a half. On looking over the estimates ho did
not see any evidence of that economy which ought
to be practised. He then criticised several of the
items, complaining especially of the increase of
allowances and of the expense of the Greenwich
establishment. He approved of the proposal
to sell a portion of the timber in the dock-
yards, and to sell a number of old ships.
the increase in the estimates was mainly on the
item fur ship-building, and he condemned the
policy of the Admiralty in building such a large
unarmoured ship as the Inconstant, which was to
carry ten guns and 600 men. He also thought it
unwise to build so many gun-boats as it was pro-
posed to build. This brought him to consider the
question of the extent of our foreign squadrons.
There were three classes of fleet which England
had to keep up—first, the stationary fleet for our

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.

CHURCH RATER ABOLITION BILL.

P.URS.

rOlt TIM BILL.
Mr. J. Locke
Mr. R. Jardine
Mr. Stone
Mr. Allen
Mr. Wickham
Sir T. Lloyd
Mr. lieneage
Mr. Corti.lly
Mr. C. PitzwiMans
Mr. W. Lee
Mr. Bonham-Carter
Mr. Kennedy
Mr. H. Vivian
Mr. Monereiff
Lord Milton
Lord J. Hay
Mr. G. C. Glyn
Mr. R. Hmlgson
Mr. Hanbury
Captain Herbert
Mr. The
Mr. H. B. Sheridan
Sir John Ogilvy
captain Grosvenor
Hon. G. Cathorpe
Hon. A. Y. Kinnalid
Lord E. Bruce
Mr. T. Hughes
Mr. Grant Duff
Sir W. Russell
Mr. S. Laing
Mr. More
Mr. J. AbeiSmith
Loral Andover
Mr. W. B. Portman
Lord B. Llivenclish

Aoangsr THE BILL.
Lord H Thyme
Mr. G. Hardy
Colonel 11 Knox
Mr. Pie
Mr. Milford
Mr. °ulnae*,

Mr. J. Hardy
Sir A. Hood
Mr. Turner
Mr. nendlord
Sir R. Egerton
Nr.B. G. Smith
Mr. Adderley
Mr. Huddlestone
Lord A. Clinton
Sir J. Femur.*
Mr. Treherne

Slr. T.Hering
Mr J. Trollops
Mr. L. Lindsay
Mr. Hornby
Viscount Hamilton
Sir M.
sir W. IGASZey
Mr Kennard
Lord C. J. Hamilton
Colonel Annealny
The Attorney. General
lord Galway
Lord Courtesay
Mr. J. Laard
Mr. Garth
Mr. Liddell
Colonel Somerset
Mr. Gerard Start
Lord Curzon

THE GOVERNMENT REFORM BILL. —Mr. Jesse
Turner has given notice of the following motion at the
next court of Common Council :—" That in the opinion of
this wort the propositions of the government in reference
to reform do not meet the just anticipations and require.
menta of the country, and that this court do accordingly
petition parliament against the bill introduced to amend
the representation of the_people."
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HOUSE OF LORDS.—MAics 21.
APPEALs.

The noble and learned lords present were the Lord Chan.
eellor, Lord Cranwortb, Lord Westbury, and Lord
Colooney.
THE EARL Or DA RNLIT ". THY LONDON, CHAT/WI, AND