The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-22 00:00:00

CHINA.

Mr. LIDDELL moved that, in the opinion of this house
further interference on the part of this country in the civi-
war in China is impolitic and unnecessary. The hon.
gentleman condemned the course adopted by this.country
in regard to China by our interference in the military ope-
rations in that country, the object of which, he contended,
was to introduce British supremacy there,
(LEFT SPEAK IN )

HOUSE OF LORDS—Last Evening,
STANDING ORDE US.

Lord REDESDALR moved the usual sessional order
that no private bill brought from the House of Commons
be read a second time after the 30th of June.—Agreed to.
LAND MORTGAGE BANK OF INDIA. BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
JOINT STOCK COMPANIES (FO
CO UNTRIES) BILL,

IREIGN

This bill was read a second time.
IMPROVEMENT OF LAND ACTS (1844) BILL.
The LORD CHANCELLOR named the committee to
which this bill has been referred,
UNION RELIEF AID ACTS CONTINUANCE
BILL.

This bill was road a third time and passed.
LAND DRAINAGE (PROVISIONAL ORDERS)

BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
THE CONFERENCE.

The Earl of CARNARVON, before their lordships ad.
journed, wished to ask the Foreign Secretary a question of
some importance relative to the conference. Their lordships
were aware that the meeting of the conference bad been fixed
for yesterday, and their lordships were aware that the re-
presentatives of .he minor German states, and of Austria
and Prussia, failed to attend, and consequently one day was
lost; and a day was of much moment at a time like the
present. Tho conference, he understood, had been post-
rimed until next Monday; and their lordships would re-
member that this was not the first postponement. The con-
ference was originally to have been held on the 11th, but it
was postponed until the 20th, and now it was again post-
poned until Monday. It was most distinctly understood
that one of the first steps of the conference would be t 3 order
an armistice, and that a suspension of hostilities would take
place; but ho was sorry to say that there were reasons
which, it was very easy to understand, might induce the
Austrian, and especially the Prussian Government; to de-
sire to see delay in the armistice being carried into effect.
This was a matter which ought not to be lost sight of. The
question which he wished to put was whether, in the event
of any further postponement of the conference, any steps
would be taken to secure at once such an armistice as would
clause a suspension of hostilities, and to avoid an indefinite
postponement of the conference accompanied with a con-
tinuation of hostilities in Denmark. He had seen it stated
in the newspapers that there was an intention on the part
of the Prussian Government to forward their troops into
Jutland. He had also seen it staled—he hoped not on good
authority, but it had appeared in some of the German
pap,:l—that there was an intention, by means of the occu-
pation o. Jutland, to make Denmark pay the expenses of
the war. iT.;:tder these circumstances he wished to put his
question as to the; yrobability of there being an armistice.
Earl RUSSELL, ,-ho was very indistinctly heard, was
understood to say—With:)g
ard to the meeting of the con-
ference I have to state the. the German Confederation,
having appointed Baron Von Bon.' t as their representative,
,
and he holding the offices of Fresh:,nt of the Council,
Home Minister, and Foreign Minister of Saxony, it would
be necessary for him to make arrangements with respect to
performing the duties of those offices during his absence ;
he could not, therefore, be in London until Monday next.
The plenipotentiaries attended yesterday and found that !he
representatives of Austria and Prussia had received strict
instructions not to attend the conference until the repre-
sentative of the Diet was in attendance. Under these cir-
cumstances I must decline to enter into the question which
the noble earl has put. (Hear, hear.) I must say further
that when the conference meets, which I trust will be on
Monday next, they will take the whole matter into their
serious consideration.

The Earl of MALMESBURY—I am quite sure that it
is best to treat the matter with all discretion under the cir-
cumstances about to take place—l say about to take place,
because the conference now stands adjourned. I think that
the noble earl is right in the answer he gave in reference to
an armistice, but I must say on my own part, that I hope
that the noble earl and the Government will be on their
guard against a repetition of these postponements. (Hear,
hear.) It is impossible not to see the obvious consequences
of future postponements ; it is evident to every one that the
parties to meet in the conference may make use of these
postponements to come before the conference in a different
position to that in which they are at this moment. I there-
fore trust the noble earl and her Majesty's Government will
employ themselves in noting most accurately what excuses
may be made for a further postponement ; because in this
instance, looking in the distance, and at what I know my-
self has been the course taken by the gentleman to whom
the noble earl has alluded, I confess I am extremely sus-
picions as to the excuse made on this occasion being sincere

- Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE said it was satis-
factory to observe that both sides of the house recognised
the importance of avoiding discussion under present cir-
cumstances. He had no reason to doubt that her Majesty's
Government had already in mind the observations made by
the noble earl on the cther aide. At the same time it ap-
peared to him great value attached to what had fallen from
his noble friend. It was satisfactory to those who observed
what was passing that the attention of both sides of the
house was directed to the proper disposition of this confe-
rence. He felt he was justified in those observations by
what was occurring. It seemed to him impossible for any
one to read the accounts of what had transpired with regard
to Sonderborg, and to the continuance of those hostilities
which were being carried out in a murderous spirit, and
likewise with regard to the apparent intention of extending
those hostilities to the other principal fortress of Denmark
and throughout Jutland, without recognising the great im-
portance that attached to the spirit in which the conference
assembled. Be trusted that the progress of the conference
would be accelerated, and that its proceedings would be
brought to a happy end. (Hear, hear,)
Earl RUSSELL said teat the noble earl opposite was
quite justified in saying ho had a right to ask a question, as
to when the conference would begin. But with regard to
his observations generally, it was just to all parties to re-
member, that when Austria and Prussia had declared their
willingness to enter the conference, and when that proposi-
tion was made by him to Denmark, the answer he received
was that there was so much excitement at the time at Copen•
hagen, that that court hoped the answer would not be pressed
until they had more time to consider the whole subject, He,
therefore, did not press it for a fortnight. At the expira-
tion of that time he communicated the answer of Denmark

to the courts of Berlin and Vienna, and no objection was
taken on their part.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS--Last Evening.

THE FIRE INSURANCE DUTY.
On going into Committee of Ways and Means,
Mr. H. SHERIDAN moved as an amendment, that in
_ _

the opinion of the house the reduction of the fire insurance
duty in the manner proposed by the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer was not the mode of reduction contemplated by 'she
resolution of the house passed last session on the subj ect
and that a uniform reduction of is. per cent. on all desorip-
tions of property liable to the said duty wDuld be more az-
ceptab!o to the country.
Mr. HADFIELD seconded the motion, which was
opposed by

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, who
argued that if adopted it would be totally useless in respect
of any efficacious reduction of the fire insurance duty. It
would destroy the principle which the house had approved
in apportioning the balance of revenue and expenditure, and
would sweep away every rag of the surplus. With regard
to his own proposal, he oh: erved that there would be no diffi-
culty whatever in rating stock in trade.
Mr. DISR AELI thought the principle of the amendment
as distinguished from that of the Government proposition,
was the right one; but although be should vote for the
amendment, in the event of its becoming a substantive mo-
tion he should move the omission of the words "011 e shil-
ling per cent." Thus the house would only be pledging
itself to the principle of a uniform reduction of duty.
After a few remarks from Mr T. Baring, Sir
loughby, and Sir S. Northcote, the house divided, and the
motion for going into committee was carried by 170 to 117.
The amendment was therefore lost, md the house went into
committee of ways and means.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER submitted
a resolution reducing the fire insurance duty on stock in,
trade to la 6d. per cent, per annum.
Sir H. WILLOUGdBY, by way of amendment, moved
that for stock in trade, houses and buildings should be sub-
stituted ; but the amendment was negatived without a divi-
sion, and the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
agreed to nem con,

The house having resumed, on the order for supply,

Colonel DICKSON moved for a select committee to in-
quire into the claims of Mr. John Clare, jun., upon the Go-
vernment for compensatiOn for inventions and designs
supplied to the Admiralty in connection with iron ship-
building and the construction of gun boats.
The motion was opposed by Lord C. PAGET and the
SOLICITOR-GENERAL, who contended that as the matter
had already been investigated and decided in the courts of
law, Mr. Clare had no claim for compensation upon the
house.

Ultimately, and after some discussion of no inters', Pao
motion V 798 negatived.

Sir J. PAKINGTON put questions relative to the pre-
sent state of the Channel fleet, and the reserves in the home
ports. which elicited from Lord C. Paget a statement to the
effect that the first-class steam reserve consisted of 13 ships,
viz., three iron• armoured ships, two line-of-battle ships,
two frigates, three corvettes, and three sloops, and they
were all fit for service. The Channel fleet being comprised
of iron ships necessarily required a good deal of docking.
The High Court at Bombay Bill was read a third time
and passed.

The Court of Justiciary (Scotland) Bill, the Fish Teinds
(Scotland) Bill, and the Summary Procedure (Scotland)
Bill were severally passed through committee.

The Charitable Assurances Enrolments Bill was read a
second time.

The Bridges (Ireland) Bill was defeated in committee by
128 to 85,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER nominated
the select committee on the Government Annuities Bill,
Sir M. FARQUHAR moved that the committee have
power to send for and examine persons, papers, and records.
The motion was opposed by the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, Lord Palmerston, and Mr. Vivian ; and was
supported by Lord J. Manners, Mr. Hankey, and Mr.
Ayrton.

Upon a division it was negatived by 127 to 104, and the
committee nominated.

The other business on the paper was also gone through,
and the house adjourned at 10 minuet; to 1 o'clock.

LONDON GAZETTE—This Evening.

CROWN OFFICE, APRIL 20.

MEMBERS RETURNED TO SERVE IN TILE PRESENT PAR.

LIAMENT.

County of Fife—Sir Robert Anstruther, of Balcaskie,
Bert., in the room of James Hay Erskine Wemyss, Esq.,
deceased.

APRIL 21.
Borough of Pontefract—Hugh Culling Eardley Childers,
Eeq., one of the Commissioners for executing trio office of
Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland.

WINDSOR CASTLE, APRIL 18.

This day had audience of Her Majesty :
The Baron de Cetto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary from the King of Bavaria, to deliver his
new credentials;
And Monsieur de Quaade, Minister for Foreign Affairs
of the King of Denmark, Monsieur de Bile, Envoy Extra-
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from His Danish
Majesty, and Monsieur de Krieger, Plenipotentiaries to the
Contereuces about to be held in London with a view to the
restoration of Peace in the north of _Europe;
To which audiences they were respectively introduced
by Earl Russell, K.G Her Majesty's Principal Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs.
WHITEHALL, APRIL 21.
The Queen has been pleased to direct letters
patent to be passed under the Great Seal of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Constituting and
appointing the Most Noble Edward Adolphus, Duke of
Somerset, K.G.; Vice-Admiral the Honourable Sir Frede.
rick William Grey, K.O B. ; Rear-Admiral Charles Eden,
C.B, ; Rear-Admiral Charles Frederick; Rear-Admiral
the Honourable James Robert Drummond, C.B. ; and
Hugh Culling Eardley Childers, Esq., to be her Majesty's
Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Ad-
miral of the said United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, and the dominions, islands, and territories there-
unto belonging,