The Express.
London, England, 1866-03-16 00:00:00

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PASLIA.II.ENTARY OATHS BILL

Sir G. GREY said that the government had carefully
considered the amendment of Mr. Disraeli, and that, es the
right hon. gentleman and his friseds were in favour of
adoptiog a uniform oath, the govsremeat saw no objection
to the first paragraph, as aim ar in substance to their own,
and would oceept it. The word " defend" might, how-
ever, he omitted, as its retention was niumnissary, sad
some hon. members objected to it.
Sir H. CAIRNS was of opinion that the word "defend"
did not imply that the person taking the oath bound him-
self to Ulm up arms for his sovereign.
Mr. NEWDEOATE appealed to the number of pets-
tines which be had presented to the house as indicative of
the public feeling that the oath ought sot to he relaxed.
Mr. DILLON thought that before the bowie pledged
Itself to maintain a protestant sovereign against all comers
it should endeavour to understand what • protestant really
was. At present the matter appeared to be in disputa, as
" Romaniaiog practices," as they were termed, were making
great way in the Anglican church. All a Roman catholic
be protested easiest the auriedments of Mr. Disraeli,
which he considered unnec.ssarily offensive to his co-reli-
gioststs.
Ms. CHAMBERS thought the hones bad gone quite far
enough in modifying oaths, and argued that to declare
that the Queen was supreme lathe courts of law was merely
to smart a truism.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER deprecated
a goneral dismission, end recommended that the house
should go into committee on the bill.
The house thee went into committee.
Oa the first clause, relating to the proposed oath of
allegiance,
Mr. DLSRAELI moved to add the following paregvaph :
—" And I do faithfully promise to maintain, support, and
defend the succession to the crown, as the same stands
limited sad settled by an set passed in the reign of King
William 111., intithrid 'An sot for the further limitation
of the crown, and better securing the rights and liberties of
the subject.' "
This was agreed to.
Mr. DLSRAELI next proposed to add another paragraph
in these words :—" And I do further solemnly declare
that bee Majesty Is, under God, the only supreme go-
vernor of this realm, and that no fore* peace, prelate,
State, or potentate hath any jurisdiction or authority in any
of the courts witbia the ems."

ice opposed the motion on
two grounds—first that the words were inoongruous with
and unnecessary to the object of the oath • and secondly,
that it would be obviously mieekievous in itself. It was •
mere abstract declaration, a truism, and • platitude wily
of use aa a Met, But this was not all, for it could not be
said that it was even harmless, insummah as it redly
limited the jurisdiction of the Queen.
Sir H. Cairns and Mr. Whiteside supported the amend-
ment, which was opposed by Lord E. Howard sad Mr.
ar2sii•
On a division it was negatived by 236 to 222.
The obtuse containing the oath of allegiance, as proposed
by the government, with the paragraph relating to the sue-
' cession guided, wee thee agreed to, and the bill passed
through committee.
'HE NAVY. _ _

On the motion for going into oonunittee el supply,
ElirJ. WALSH directed attention to the importance of
stootinaing the construorioa of iron-olad men of war, sad
especially of corvette, and vessels of a smaller class than
those whiff% now formed the armour-plated fleet.
Mr. BAILLIE 000 tended that our naval force, in this de-
scription °V ships, was inadequate for the purposes of de-
fence aad the protection of our COIIIIINWCO ; sad that at the
present moment we were in an inferior position both in the
Mediterraaean and the Pacific.
Lord O. PAGET admitted that, namerleally, our navy
might be small ; but its [ores was really greater than it had
been for many yes», and fully equal to the security, sad
worthy of the dignity of the country.
The house they went into committee of supply ea the
naval estimates.
On the vote far stores, outfit, and repair of ships, • long
discusakin moaned, fa the course of which the mode of oon-
Wartime iron ships by the Admiralty was minutely criti-
cised by hoc. members at both rides of the house in-
eluding Yr. Seely, Mr. Laird, Sir J. Paldcgtoe, Mr. Flem-
ing, Mr. Snoods, Mr. Graves, Mr. O'Beirne. and others.
The [.blowing votes were taken :-1,350,000/. for stores,
outfit, and repairs ; 318,0001. for steam machinery ;
689,052/. for half-pay, reserve half-pay, sod retirements ;
and 135,3691. for Greenwich Hospital and School.
The Sheriffs' Court-houses (Scotland) Bill was reed •
second time.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES PEEVEN'TIGN.

Mr. CHILDERS obtained leave to being in a bill for the
better prevention of contagions dues+. at certain naval
and military stations.