The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-04 00:00:00

NOTICES OF MOTION.

On the motion of Mr. Hayter, a return of the public
income and expenditure for the past year was laid on the
table.

Mr. Hayter gave notice that, on Thursday, the Colonial
Secretary would move for a committee to consider the
state of the British possessions in North America, under
the administration of the Hudson's Bay Company ; and
to move for leave to introduce a bill relating to the
ecclesiastical government of Norfolk Island.
On Friday, the 6th of February, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer would move for a select committee to inquire
into the operations of the Bank Act of 1844. and the Irish
and Scotch Acts of 1845, and also into the laws relating to
Joint Stock Banks,

On Monday, February 9, the Home Secretary would
produce a bill to amend the acts 16 and 17 Vic., chap. 99,
entitled an Act to Substitute other Punishments in lieu
of Transportation, and on the same day he would ask leave
to bring in a bill to facilitate the establishment of refor•
matory schools in England.

The Attorney General for Ireland gave notice that, on
the 16th of February, he should move resolutions, prepara-
tory to the expulsion from that house of Mr, James
Sadleir.

Mr. A. Pellatt gave notice for Thursday, the 12th, and
Major Reed for Tuesday next, a motion for the reduction of
the income tax, from the sth of April next, from Is 4d to
5d iu the pound.
Mr. Roebuck gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he
should move for a select committee on the subject of
Secondary Punishments and Transportation.

Sir William Clay gave notice that, on Thursday the 12th
February, he should move for leave to introduce a bill on
the subject of Church Rates.

Sir John Pakington gave notice that, on Thursday the
17th, he should move resolutions for the Promotion of
Education.

Mr. Bowyer gave notice that, on Thursday next, he
should present a bill to Reform the Constitution of Grand
Juries in Ireland.

TRE ADDRESS.

Sir John Ramsden then moved an address in reply to the
royal speech. He congratulated the house upon the favour_
able state of affairs at the opening of the present as
compared with the previous session. Then the country was
at war, and they had to provide for large war expenses, but
now the speech recommended a reduction of the armaments,
a reduction of the taxation, and attention to domestic
matters. Under these circumstances he anticipated that
the vote upon his motion would be unanimous. Last year
there was a doubt whether we were to be at peace or war, and
therefore war had to be provided for, but now peace wasre-
Stored,theHouse of Commons had the pleasing duty to perform
of releasing the poorer classes of this country fromauht theeavy
t axation which they bad patiently borne throughout

war. He refrained from entering upon the question of the
differences with Persia and China, as it would be
anticipating a discussion which must before long ensue.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer must now consider the
question of reducing taxation, but at the same time must
bear in mind the experiences gained from tha last war,
and not propose too great a reduction of our military and
naval establishments. (Cheers.)
Sir A. Agnew, in seconding the motion, took the Speech
paragragh by paragraph, briefly remarking upon each
commending in all respects the wise and necessary policy
of her Majesty's Government. particularly in withdrawing
all diplomatic negociations with the Government of Naples.
With regard to our defences, he contended that these should
be well maintained in order to secure us against becoming
a third or fourth-rate Power. He would not advert to the
question of legal reforms mentioned in her Majesty's
Speech, because there were many learned members of the
house who would be able to beguile many a tedious hour
during the session by their disquisitions. (Laughter.)
Mr. Disraeli criticised the course pursued by the
Government in reference to the second Conference
at Paris. The necessity for the appointment of tha
conference was not, he contended, Fo much to be
attributed to the false maps and alleged perfidy of Russia,
as to the want of knowledge on the part of Lerd Claren-
don. That Minister went to Paris with instructions to
secure the independence of the Bleck Sea, and the freedom
of the Danube, but both these points had been neglected,
and Lord Palmerston had excited the people into the belief
that all was owing to Russian duplicity, and made them
willing to pay twenty per cent. more income tax for Lord
Clarendon's blunders. (Cheers.) The noble lord at the
head of the government said there should be no more con.
ferences, but the second conference was appointed, which was
conveniently excused as satisfaction to the morbid sensibility
of an ally. Then a President was appointed—the very person
who was to have been excluded from the presidency. Lastly ,
Bolgrad n3t being Russia, was not to be referred to. But
why, then, a large cmplicatioe allowed for it. He charged
the government, also, with having induced the Swiss, by
promises of assist,,nee,eto refuse the French preposition for
the settlement of the Neufchatel que.stion, and with leading
them to accept it afterwards rather than provide the
assistance. These failures of the noble lord gave him con-
fidence to meet parliament with the statement that from
the nettle danger, he had plucked the flower with
safety. The noble lord had created two great
difficulties—the Persian difficulty, and the China
difficulty. In the first case, he believed that Russia
—the power threatening India, as it was said—had used
every attempt to procure a peaceful settlement of the
differences, and had even endeavoured to persuade Persia to
give up Herat. He should take occasion to move for papers
on this subject, that the house might be in possession of the
facts of the case. With regard to China, he doubted
whether the flimsy excuse for the public was the true
reason for the hostile proceedings, but was inclined
rather to attribute them to instructions from home.
Upon the subject of the income tax, he urged that as its
proposition, in 1853, formed part of a general scheme,
that the present assessment should be maintained. He
understood that the war increase world terminate in April,
but thinking it necessary that the house should come to a
speedy decision on the subject, he intended that day
fortnight to move two resolutions expressing opinion that
the impost should cease in April next, and that the settle.
ment of Mr. Gladstone's plan of 1853 should be adhered
to. He warned the house and the country against the
maintenance of a great military establishment in a time of
peace, under the control of one man. (Cheers.) The hon
gentleman concluded by stating his intention of supporting
the address.

The,Chancellor of the Exchequer defended the financial
policy of the Government, and deprecated a discussion
on the question of the income tax till the budget was pre-
sented, promising to make his annual statement at the
earliest possible day.

Mr. Gladstone declined to take the responsibility of the
policy of the income tax, as assessed by the present
Chancellor of the Exchequer. He considered that the
pledge given in 1853, when the tax was first imposed,
should be adhered to, and he should, therefore, support
Mr. Disraeli's resolutions when they came before the
house.

Lord Palmerston observed, that Mr. Disraeli
had misstated each of the several questions of
foreign relations which he had referred to. With
regard to the second Paris conferences, the Russian
demand upon Bolgrad, as the head quarters of the Bul-
garian colonies, was just; but, considering that giving
up that 'place would virtually annul a portion of the
treaty, it determined to give Yalpuck in exchange. With
regard to the policy of the Government with reference to
Persia anti China they were merely following in the foot-
steps of the Governments of Mr. Disraeli and Sir Robert
Peel. Upon the financial questions touched upon in the
course of the debate he urged the abstinence from discus-
sion, till the estimates had been laid before the house.
After a few observations from Mr. H. Baillie,

Lord John Russell defended the policy of the Govern-
ment in regard to the second Paris treaty. He had some
doubt as to the Persian question, and he feared the inde-
pendence of Persia ; but, at the same time, he deprecated
the annexation of Herat to the Persian Empire. He also
referred to the state of Italy, urging a speedy ameliora-
tion of the condition of the people.

Mr. M. Gibson raised objections to various parts of th e
speech, and denied that :the country was in a state of
contentment, and that productive industry had not beer%
checked by the wars.

After a few remarks from Mr. Hadfield and Mr. Smith,
the address was agreed to.

The House adjourned at half-past twelve.

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By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company.

•••••••••

SPAIN.

MADRID, F. 2ND.
The Queen is at present visiting the southern
provinces of her kingdom, and it is feared that on
her return she will take rigorous measures. From
private sources, however, we learn that these fears
are unfounded.