The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-29 00:00:00

EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 29, 1867.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—THLTERDLY, Mews 28.
lr the Horst of Loans, yesterday, the Earl of
SHAFTS:OI7IT presented several petitions com-
plaining of ritualistic practices, and intimated that,
notwithstanding the statement made on Monday
evening by the Archbishop of Canterbury that a
royal commission was about to be appointed to in-
quire into the subject, he should proceed with his
bill relating to sacrificial vestments.

Lord LYVEDEM moved for &return of any actions
brought or penalties recovered under the Eccle-
siastical Titles Act. The return, he said, would be
nil, as the act had never been put in force ; and he
asked if it wore wise to retain on the statute-book
an act which was altogether inoperative, and which
was regarded by Roman catholics, especially: in Ire-
land, us a great grievance.
The Earl of DENBIGH concurred in the observa-
tions of Lord Lyveden.
The Bishop of KILLALOE said the act was irrita-
ting to the Roman catholic*, and he was certain
that it would be gratifying to all right-minded pro-
testant, to see it repealed.
The Earl of DERBY had no objection to the re-
turn, but he declined to discuss the policy of
repealing the act, because he was anxious not to
revive those feelings of irritation between the two
churches which he was happy to say wore gradually
being smoothed away.
The Earl of KIMBERLEY said the law was prac-
tically violated in Ireland every day, and as the
act was practically no security whatever for the
established church he hoped it would be repealed.
Earl GREY was epposed to the principle of the
act, but doubted the expediency of bringing for-
ward the question now.

The Duke of CLEVELAND was one of the small
minority who opposed the bill in 1851, and he
tarn thought it an inexpedient measure, but he
thought this an inopportune time to agitate for its
repeal.
Earl STANHOPE said he voted for the bill in 1851,
but he had since seen reason to regret the course
he then took.

After a few observations from the Marquis of
Clanricarde, the Lord Chancellor, and Earl Gran-
ville, the motion was agreed to.
The Earl of Drama asked if the government
had been invited to join with France, Austria, and
Russia in a simultaneous note to the Porte recom-
mending the cession of Candia to Greece. Be said
he regarded the policy recently pursued on the
Eastern question as a violation of the treaty of
Paris in 1856, and that the insurrection in Candia
was now known to be the work of foreign adven-
turers.

The Earl of DERBY said he should abstain from
discussing the Eastern policy of the great Euro-
pean powers, but he denied that that policy aimed
at the disintegration of Turkey. Her Majesty's
government bad not been invited by France, Aus-
tria, and Russia to join in an identical note to the
Porte recommending the cession of Candia to
Greece, but in conversation the French ambassador
had asked Lord Stanley if he would join in advis-
ing Turkey to consent to the cession, and Lord
Stanley's reply was that he did not feel justified in
offering such advice, but if Turkey thought proper
voluntarily to surrender Crete to Greece, her Ma-
jesty's government would throw no obstacle in the
way ; and in conversation with the Russian am-
bassador a similar reply was given to a similar
proposition.
Several bills were forwarded a stage, and their
lordships adjourned a few minutes before 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Th 'limner, MARCH 28.
IN the HOUSE Of COMMONS, Mr. ADDERLZY, in
committee of the whole house, moved a resolution
authorising the imperial government to guarantee
interest at a rate not exceeding 4 per cent. per
annum on any sum not exceeding three millions
sterling, to be raised by loan by the government of
Canada, for the construction of a railway connect-
ing Quebec and Halifax. Ho said not one word
would fall from him in approval in the abstract of
guarantees of colonial loans. On the contrary, lie
p
ed this would be the last that parliament would
grant. But this was an exceptional case. He ad-
mitted that parliament came to this question per-
Ifectly free and unpledged. In 1838 this country
had to send troops in the winter from Halifax to
Quebec at great expense and with the greatest pos-
sible difficulty and hazard. It was then evident that
in a military point of view it was absolutely neces-
sary theta railroad should be made between Halifax
and Quebec. In consequence, by the direction of
the government, • survey was made by Major
Robinson, and he recommended what was mlled
the Eastern line ; and a correspondence tiok place
between the imperial government and the colonial
government on the subject. In 1862 an a
ment respecting it was signed by the ril.
of Newcastle and by delegates from Canada,
amounting almost to a convention, for the
construction of the railway, the time over
which that proposition extended expiring in
December next. Since then that proposition
had merged altogether in the confederation scheme,
and the construction of the railway was an essential
part of that scheme. With the imperial guarantee
the money could be raised at 4 per cent., but with
the colonial guarantee it could not be raised at less
than 6 per cent. The guarantee, he contended,
could be given without the slightest risk. Them
were three routes proposed ; but suppose they took
the longest, which was 470 miles in extent,
and taking the cost at 9,0001. a mile,
Major Robinson's estimate being 7,3001. a mile,
the whole coat would be a little more than four
millions. The colony, therefore, would have to
raise a little more than a million. Then it was
proposed that there should be a sinking fund of
one per cent. The charge would be, on the three
millions, 120,0001. ; on the million raised by the
Canadian government, 60,0001. ; and the sinking
fund, 30,0001.; making altogether 210,0001. The
security was the consolidated revenue of Canada,
which last year had a surplus of 190,0001., but
there was no doubt that the revenue would in-
crease.

that in case of war the ann of the country
would not be stretched out for the defence of the
colony ; but that was a different thing from saying
that the connexion was to be maintained by the
expenditure by this country of large sums in the
maintenance of standing armies in the colonies.

Mr. Low E observed that if they made this
railway within twenty miles of the frontier of
Maine the effect would be that if they went to war
with the American government the Americans
would seize the lino. Of all the hopeless under-
takings in the world there was none more so than
this railway. They were told that this guarantee
was an auxiliary of the confederation scheme,
which meant that this was the price the people of
this country had to pay the people of Canada for
consenting to the confederation.
After a few observations from Mr. WATILIN, who
insisted on the political and commercial necessity
of the railway, the resolution was carried by 247 to
67.
The house then went into committee on the Mu-
tiny Bill.
Sir J. PAKINOTON moved the omission of clause
22, which gives power to inflict the punishment of
flogging, and to substitute for it a clause enacting
that every soldier on enlisting shall be placed in
the first class, and be degraded to the second class
on the commission of certain offences ; that cor-
poral punishment shall not be inflicted on soldiers of
the first class, and on the second class only so not
exceeding fifty lashes for mutiny, aggravatfid in-
subordination, or disgraceful conduct of an inde-
cent kind, but rendering every soldier serving in
the field or on board ship liable to this punish-
ment. He said this was a concession to the opinion
of many members of the house, as it confined the
punishment of flogging to three offences.
Mr. Orwsv moved an amendment which would
have the effect of prohibiting the infliction of flog-
ging during the time of peace, which, he observed,
would be carrying out the decision of the house
when he brought the subject forward a short time
ago. Until they raised the profession of arms in
the eyes of the public, so that it would not be con-
sidered a disgrace to belong to the army, recruit-
ing would never be placed on a satisfactory footing.
Colonel NORTH opposed the amendment.
Mr. HEADLAM said the Mutiny Act gave great
powers, but his experience was that they were
used with great discretion. Soldiers of the first
class, who constituted nine-tenths of the army,
could not be flogged even for mutiny, while those
of the second class could be flogged for very light
offences. He thought that the punishment should
be retained only for mutiny and insubordination
with violence, and that it should be applied to all
who were guilty of those offences.
Mr. Hoe-sr/AN contended that corporal punish-
ment was against the spirit of the age, and that
it could not be maintained.

Major JERVIS was strongly opposed to flogging,
and said it was only kept up to keep the black-
guards in the army, and save the expense of
getting respectable recruits in their stead.
Mr. MOWSRAY replied to the criticisms of Mr.
Horaman.

The Marquis of HARTINGTON remarked that as
practically it was proposed to retain the punish-
ment for only one-tenth of the army, the sol-
diers of the second class bearing that proportion
to the whole, it seemed hardly worth while to
retain the punishment. At the same time, if they
were to take a division on the clause he should
vote for it.

General PEEL expressed his concurrence in the
views of Mr. Headlam, that for mutiny and insub-
ordination with violence soldiers of both the first
and second class should be subject to this punish-
ment.

On a division the clause was carried by 225
against 131.

Mr. Omar said he would not trouble the house
to divide on his amendment, but if he were in the
house next year he would bring forward the ques-
tion again.

Some discussion then took place as to the word-
ing of the clause, and Sir G. Gm moved to omit
thu words which exempt soldiers of the first class
from corporal punishment, and rendering them
liable to it for mutiny and insubordination, but
his amendment was negatived ; and after some
further discussion the chairman was ordered to re-
Port Progress.

- - The Bridges (Ireland) Bill was read a second
time.

The Lyun King of Arms (Scotland) Bill was
read a third time and passed.
The other business having been disposed of, the
house adjourned at half-past one.

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT RAILIrAY.

The fifth half-yearly general meeting of the pro-
prietors of this railway was held yesterday at the West-
minster Palace Hotel ; the Earl of Davos, chairman of the
board of directory, in the chair.
. . .

The report, an abstract of which has already appeared,
having been taken as read,
The noble CHAIRMAN proceeded to move its adoption.
Mr.A.C.SHIRRITY, M.P., the deputy chairman,seconded
the motion.
Mr. T. B. Trregu, wished for some information with
regard to the portion of the line between Westminster-
bridge and Cannon street, as there hod been rumours from
time to time that there was some difficult)• about it.
The CHAIRMAN said the directors had thought it best to
direct the whole of their means and attention to the
Western section first, as being that immediately conti-
guous to the Metropolitan line. No difficulties whatever
had arisen with respect to the other section, and their own
engineer and the engineer of the Board of Works were
now in communication respecting it. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Geo. WYLD said the capital for the entire line was
2,250,0001., or with the borrowing powers 3,000,000/. Of
that sum 4600,000/. had already been expended, and the
line was not more than half finished. Did the directors
anticipate that the line could be completed to Cannon-
street within this estimate? The engineering expenses for
the past year, 22,000/., he thought somewhat excessive.
The CHAIRMAN would request Mr. Fowler, the engineer,
to answer the first question. With regard to the latter I
remark he might say the sum charged was eery reasonable,'
considering the nature and extent of the work done
for it.

Mr. AYTOVN believed that all guarantees were
opposed to sound principles of political economy,
and he denied that this case was an exception.
This proposal was unjust to the taxpayers of this
country. Several English railway companies were
in great distress fur want of funds, and govern-
ment had refused its guarantee to enable them to
raise money, and why should they give it for a
railway in Canada 1 When it was said that the
Duke of Newcastle had signed an agreement with
the Canadian delegates, he denied that the execu-
tive government had any right by signing such
docdmenta to bind that house. Commercially, this
railway could not possibly be a successful under-
taking. It would never pay one farthing ; and in
a niihtary point of view it would be not only not
beneficial but positively injurious. He moved as
an amendment the rejection of the resolution.
Mr. T. Cava saw nothing in this proposition but
a colossal job fur the local authorities. He had
been in that country, and he could state that the
stations would lead from nowhere to nowhere. It
never could, by any possibility, pay its working
expenses. As to its being a part of the confedera-
ti on scheme, that had nothing to do with this country.
He did not think either that the revenue of
Canada was in so flourishing a state as to bear
this burden.

---
Mr. FOWLER said very little of the 22,000 f. reached his
pocket after his expenses were taken out of it. In reply
to the other question, be must remind the honourable
proprietor that the most costly portion of the line was not
the works but the property required for it. Now there would
be much less property required for the eastern than
the western section, because the latter for the greater
part passed under the Thames embankment. The whole of
the works from east to west had been contracted for
within the estimate, and he was mewed by the suneyor
that after the surplus land had been disposed of the cost
of all the property required would also come within the
original estimate. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. A. C. SHERRIV7, M.P., in reply to an observation,
st►ted that in January, when the stock stood at KV.,
transfers to the amount of 19,52. W. were made; in
February, when the price was B'2/., the transfers were
22,0001. Sin,* then there had been no fall in price, and
the bond fide dealings from the 211th February to the
closing of the register amounted to 17,0001. From the Ist
of January to the close of the books the transfers were
some 55,000 f. odd. (Hear, hear.)
After some further discussion, the adoption of the re-
port and accounts was unanimously agreed to.
The retiring directors, Mr. Earle, M.l'., Lord Gort, and
Mr. Gilpin, M.P., together with Mr. Room, one of the
retiring auditors, were then re-elected, and the proceedings
terminated with a vote of thanks to the noble chairman.

Tag IRISH NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. —A meeting
of the members of this emaciation was held in Dublin on
Wednesday, when the following among other resolutions
was adopted :—" That, seeing how the catholic church in
Ireland has thriven, and is thriving, on the basis of vo-
luntary support, and fe►ring that if a claim were now
made in her behalf to a share of the endowments at pre-
sent possessed by the state church, it might divide the
Irish friends of ecclesiastical justice into two conflicting
parties; and, if sanctioned by any considerable section of
catholic., must deprive us of the invaluable assistance of
the great body of English voluntaries, an assistance now
heartily given, and without whic`i the removal of the pre-
sent ecclesiastical grievances would be totally impossible,
we exhort the people of Ireland to support the association
in the voluntary policy, the only one that has a reasonable
chance of preserving our just cause from ruin."
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Mr. GLLOSTONS said if it were true that the rail-
' way would not pay its working expenses, that ought
not to prevent them agreeing to this proposal, for
the guarantee did not relate to the profit derived
from the working of the railway, but to the
revenue of the colony. The late government waa
quite as responsible for this proposal as the present
government. He trusted the house would look
upon this guarantee as auxiliary to the confede-
ration of the colonies, and that the construction of
this railway would increase the wealth of the
colony, and gradually, but speedily, develop its
self-reliance. This country had given to the colo-
nies the moans of self-government, but it had
not insisted to the same extent on the colonies
taking along with the freedom accorded to
them the burdens .f freedom. It seemed to him
that Canada should take not only the charge but
the direction of its own defence. He did not say