The Sun.
London, England, 1852-05-18 00:00:00

4,5t0r
t:zo lf ,4111114111 EV A.
.40
.4,

LONDON. TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1852.

Another adj iurnment of the discussion on the
Militia Bill postponed the ultimate decision of the
House of Commons again last evening upon that un
fortnnate measure, which may be said to have been
partially borrowed by the present from the departed
Government. 'Whether or not the framework of the
enactment as proposed by the Right Honourable
Gentleman the HOME SECRETARY was found in the
pigeon-holes of the Treasury, it is, at any rate, certain
that for the original notion of such a proceeding
her MAJESTY'S Ministers are indebted to the
previous Administration. Borrowing from Lord
Jells/ 11US5ELL the idea that the re-organization of
the militia throughout England would be the most
rational method of securing the national defences, the
members of the new Cabinet hastily compiled a
scheme by which 80,000 raw recruits would by the
summer of 1853 be called out to practise themselves
(50,000 this year and 30,000 additional in the year
following) i❑ the use of fire-arms, so as to be in
readiness to repel any attempt at invasion made from
the shores of the European Continent. Ar-
ranged in haste, and produced with precipi-
tation, the Militia Bill has naturally encountered a
somewhat violent and persevering opposition. Amend •
ment after amendment has been inscribed among the
notices of motion, and then in due course brought
under the consideration o: the lower branch of the
Legislature. Hitherto, however, the obstructions
raised in the way of Mr. WALPOLE'S unlucky pro-
position have proved altogether ineffectual. The ma-
jorities secured by Ministers from the very
commencement of the debate have been gra-
dually on the increase, so that there appears
to be more likelihood, on every successive division, of
witnessing the ulterior triumph of the plan intro-
duced by her MAJESTY'S Government. The secret
of this increase in the majorities supporting the
Militia Bill would be altogether incomprehensible
but that the knowledge is becoming gradually more
and more appreciated that the panic about invasion
has neither subsided or even diminished. Some-
thing —it has long been generally admitted—
must be done with a view to increase,
and while increasing to re-organize the national
defences of Great Britain. About that there is no
longer any doubt whatsoever. Besides which, it is
admitted with equal readiness that that " something')
must be done, if at all, forthwith. Persuaded by the
necessity of these two movements in advance, the
House of Commons seems to be anxious, for a variety
of reasons, to relieve itself at the earliest opportunity
of the responsibility of securing in some measure the
stability of the empire, prior to the period of
the dissolution. Actuated we must believe by this
laudable intention, the representatives of the people
are hurrying forward one of the most delusive mea-
sures ever submitted to the judgment of the Imperial
Legislature.

Yesterday evening afforded rather remarkable
evidence that the Members of the House of Commons
are resolved to carry out the proposal of Mr. WAL-
POLE in spite of every antagonistic consideration. It
mattered not what might be the nature of the amend-
ment proposed—it was an interference with the
scheme as submitted to the House by the HOME
SECRETARY, and therefore it was rejected.
The Hon. Baronet the representative of Evesham
suggested the propriety, for example, of enacting that
no married man should be drawn by ballot—surely a
reasonable proposition enough ? But no ! The pro
viso was negatived by a clear majority of not less than
106. Shall not schoolmasters aad teachers at least be
exempted ? asked the Hon. Gentleman the Member
for Manchester. Certainly no!—roplies a clear ma-
jority of 78, vs.hile a subasquent majority of 66 declares
against the other proposal made by Mr. MILNER
GIB'ON to the Effect tint Peers should not be
"collated. Peers shall be exempted, says the Howie
of Commons, but not so schoolmasters. At least,
monstrates the Honourable Gentleman the Member
for Finsbury, you will not render this military service
compulsory on medical practitioners ? What is the
reply of the House of Commons? Why, by a m jice.
rity of ninety it decides that medical men
can be no more exempted than school-
masters. Other not less rational amendments were
subsequently dismissed as summarily by the sup-
porters of the Government, and, after a stormy debate
as to whether the Ch-Arman of the Committee should
report progress, it was definitively resolved that the
discussion should be once more adjourned.
As a rather obvious indication that, throughout
their unanimity upon the Militia Bill, even the most
enthusiastic of its advocates have a secret persuasion
of its insufficiency, we have only to remark the
flippancy of tone which has characterized so many
speeches made in the course of
much
he
wdiitscaumsosinogns,t
don't know whether we had
said the Vicar of Wakefield, "but I am sure we had
a great deal of laughter." And so might Mr. Wan-
rotn observe in refeeence to the debates upon his
proposed enactment anent the militia. Conspicuous
amongst its supporters, first and foremost amongst
them all is, of course, Lord PALMERSTON, and never
has the Noble Viscount spoken more humorously than
in beha'f of this extraordinary proposition—exciting
the risibility of his hearers by allusions to the Peace
Society, and fairly convulsing them with mock-serious
quotations from a pamphlet published by one of the
i
advocates of Arbitration. Yesterday, n like manner,
Colonel SIDTIMBP created no little amusement by
declaring that be should like very much to have an
opportunity of drilling the Honourable Member for
Manchester. Whether the Militia Bill numbers
amongst its admirers an eccentric legislator like the
Member for Lincoln, or au experienced statesman
like the Member for Tiverton, it is equally, we feel
assured, distasteful to the vast majority of the people
of England, as it is calculated, if carried into opera-
tion, to prove inefficient as a solitary means of defence
against invasion.

'rein the discussion, or rather conversation, in the
louse of Lords last night, it would appear as if the
Emigration Commission was the great obstacle and
impediment to emigration. With a view, we sup-
pose, of exhibiting extraordinary zeal and activity,
the Commissioners have framed a series of regulations
so very
restrictive that comparatively fe w are enabled
to comply therewith. "
ma that the They appear to be so the-
roughly imbued
with
matters
of then: ell^of lah"Lerd
tapis
s
appear to be
, of the most perfect in-
difference. Providedtaniezdethmost meritorious ap-1
establish stringent rules,
which m
Possibly
signifiesex little whether the colonies which
supply ;h funds be benefited or plioautsi:aieyt
e
away ; njured. The har-
vest time may piss
crops may rot on the
gr..und, or at least bs utterly
io,t to their owners ;
whole flocks of sheep may peri
.hfor want of necresary
care and attention ; " the staple manufacture" of Eng-
land, as it was once denominated, d
may be Invclr
the utmost difficulties from a deficie in
ency of the raw
mdahle
material ; but 211 these r;sulfs, however for mid ,
are disregarded by the H.
rinourAie lilard. The
apathy cannot ha shaken off, or any grel,
edi-
tion produced. it they L
it ppearS that hav ,er expe actual' ir 1•
hand no less than 240,000/ sterling., of e, bleb 173:6007
has been transmitted from Victoria, and 63,0001 from
New South Welts. Some furthn gums wf.re
also
sent from South Australia, the amounts whereof were
not specified. The Commissioners, however, accord-
ing to their present views, intend to distribute this
largo amount over the entire seaton. In place of
making any additional exertion to meet the pressing
exigency, they propose to go on .in their old jog-
trot style, sending out ten ships a month—no
_more in the early part of the season, when
the emigrantsl
would indeed be a welcome addition to

the colonist', and when they themselves would be
entain not merely of rcmunerativo but even of ex-
travagant wages for their services, than at its close.

The late Colonial Secretary, whose mismanage-
ment has already passed into a bye-word, was, of
course ready to defend the Coiumissionere, whom he
declared to have acted under his instructions. He
justified the various regulations making a distinc-
tion between mechanics and agricultural labourers,
and limiting the numbers of children to be taken.
He, however, admitted that he had directed " that as
fast as the money came in it should be expended."
Now that direction, at least, has not been complied
with. 240,000/. is already in hand, and yet we hear
of no additional demand or even encouragement to
emigrants who might be prepared to start imme-
diately, so as to arrive at Australia before the termi-
nation of the harvest, and Lord GREY thought that
the relaxations (which he admitted to be essential),
should be made " with the utmost caution." Now,
caution is very well in its way,but under present circum-
stances, when instant relief is required, caution may be
carried too far. An inferior class, before the harvest
and the sheaf-shearing, would be more acceptable
than the very best that could be selected, arriving
after the seism' had passed away.
But unless sours stipulations be made, or contracts
entered into with the emigrants before their depar-
ture, they Rill prove rather a curse than a blessing to
the colony. It is not necessary to send persons at the
public expense to swell the ranks of the gold seekers.
The temptations afforded by "the diggings" have
proved irresistible to all persons in the vicinity.
The same temptations would likewise attract the
new-corners, unless they were bound by solemn
obligations, any breach of which could be ade-
quately punished. Human nature is the same in
ell parts of the globe, and it is not very probable that
we shall find agricultural labourers, or 'Spitalfields'
weavers, or indeed any of those who may be willing
to avail themselves of the facilities afforded, prepared
to relinquish the golden opportunities before them in
order to acquire a title to the national " gratitude"—
a gratitude which might possibly be rather slow of
exhibiting itself.

If, however, the Commissioners could be induced
to travel out of the beaten track, if they would act as
private individuals of ordinary intelligence, taking
the special circumstances of the case into considera-
tion, they might with the fund now available
send out eight or ten thousand judiciously
selected persons even within the present
month, who, in consideration of obtaining
their passages gratuitously, should consent to
serve for certain periods in agricultural pursuits,
or such other occupations as might be indicated
to them. Stringent penalties might be imposed in
the event of any breach of contract, and a short
Act of Parliament could easily be passed if addi-
tional powers were required. The persons obtaining
the much-required assistance would willingly repay
the entire outlay, so , that the fund would,
for some time at least, become re-pro-
ductive. We fear, however, that, the Emigration
Commissioners will not originate any judicious or
practicable course ; and if Noble Lords or Honourable
Gentlemen aro desirous of seeing their suggestions
carried into execution they should obtain a Select
Committee to inquire and report on the subject,
whose prcceedings would stimulate and excite the
Honourable Board to greater exertion.

Tile subject has now attracted a large amount of
public attention. We trust that the deep interest
already exhibited will not be suffered t 6 wear away
until something be Effected calculated to provide the
colonies with the amount of labour so urgently re-
required, and to improve materially the position of
many of those who are enduring severe privations
here, but who would speedily acquire comfort and
independence in Australia.