The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-03 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS--This Evening.
Tho LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
five o'clock.
The Earl of CARNAUVON presented a petition from
the Worcester Diocesan College for Training School-
masters, against the revised code of education.

DENMARK.
The Earl of CARNARVON said he had been requested
by his noble friend the Earl of Ellonborough, in conse-
gnaw° of his detention in the country, to postpone
his question relative to the giving material aid
to Denmark, which stood on the paper in h►s name for to-
morrow evening, until Monday next.
CHIEF RENTS (IRELAND) BILL.
Lord DONOUGHNIORE moved the second reading of
this bill.
After a few words from Lord MONTEAGLE, the motion
was agreed to,
Their lordships then adjourned.

•
HOUSE Or COMMONS—This Evening,
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
INDIA.

Colonel SYKES asked the Secretary of State for India
whether, considering the rapidly increasing difficulties of
adjusting the large annual balance of trade in favour of
India by means of silver, it was Lis intention to facilitate
commercial operations by the introduction into India of
pure allayed gold tokens of the value of Live or ten rupees f'
Mr. VANSIT'TART asked the Secretary of State for
India whether, in lieu of the gold tokens of the value of five
or ten rupees, as suggested by the member for Aberdeen, it
would not be desirable to re-introduce that portable and
popular gold piece' among the natives known as the gold
mohur, which is worth 32e., and which resembles the Prus-
sian double fredriekedor
Sir C. WOOD said he was not prepared to introduce such
coins, which would be an impediment to the introduction of
the sovereig which ho should like to see.
Col. SYK KS said he should call attention to the subject
after Laster, and would move a resolution.
THE SAXON.
Lord R. MONTAGU asked the Attorney-General,
whether it be true that the Saxon was captured on the
ground that her cargo was supposed to be the property of
the Confederate States, and whether it be according to the
law of nations to take possession of enemies' goods under a
neutral flag, or to make prize of the neutral vessel contain-
ing these goods ; or whether, on the other hand, the Saxon
was captured on the ground that her cargo was Federal
property. which had been seized by a Confederate man-of'-
war, and had been transhipped on board the neutral vessel ;
and, if so, whether such an act bo in accordance with any
principle of international law.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said representations had
been made to the United States, and no answer had been
received. It was undesirable, therefore, to have a hypothe-
tical discussion on the subject.
COLONEL CRAWLEY.
The Marquis of HART INGTON said the papers would
be laid on the table to-night, and the distribution would
take place on Saturday morning.
LETTERS ON SUNDAYS.
Mr. HOPWOOD asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department if there would bo any objection to allow
letters posted at the General Post Office on Sunday to be
despatched on that day, on account of the great privilege it
would afford to the r üblio and the small amount of labour

it would entail P
Mr. PEEL said that a great objection existed as to the
course which the hen. gentleman recommended. There
was, in all probability. 20,000 letters delivered at the
Generalroat-oilleo on a Sunday, and to effect a despatch of
that largo amount would necessitate the appointment of a
great number of mon.
IRON PLATED GUNBOATS.
Mr. FERRAN D asked the Secretary of the Admiralty
if contracts, without competition, for two iron-pleted gun-
boats had been given, or were intended to bo given, to two
shipbuilding firms.
Lord C. PAGET Bali that the Government were pre-
pared to receive contracts for the construction of those boats
from two eminent firms if they found the tenders were rea-
sonable,

NEW ZEALAND.
Mr. A. MILLS asked the Under Secretary of State for
the Colonies, when the New Zealand correspondence
moved for 681 session would be laid upon the table ; and,
whether any intelligence has recently been received as to
the proposed transfer of the seat of Government from
Auckland to some other locality in Now Zealand
Mr. C. FORTESCUE said that the papers alluded to
would bo laid on the table to-morrow, and, in reference to
other papers which had been asked for, they would be laid
on the table shortly.
PROPOSED REDUCTION IN THE ARMY.
Oa the motion for going into committee of supply,
Lord I'ALMERSTON appealed strongly to the hon.
gentleman opposite (Mr. Baillie) to postpone his motion on
the reduction of the army until after the right hon. gentle.
man the Chancellor of the. Exchequer had obtained his
first resolution for the necessary complement of men for
the army. The discussion on this subject might then take
place with greater advantage, and the hon. member would
have ample opportunity of using such arguments as he
might consider suitable to influence the house.
Mr. BAILLIE said he could not comply with the wishes
of the noble lord, and felt justified in bringing the subject
before the house on the present occasion. (hear,
hoar, from the Opposition benches.) lie objected
to the proposed reduction in the army on different
grounds. In the first place, he contended that the efficiency
of the army was not such as to warrant its reduction,
and the relations of the country to foreign nations was
not such as to render any such reduction desirable. It
was also, in his opinion, mosteruel to our soldiers to compel
them to spend the greater portion of their lives in tropical
climates, to the detriment of their health, and merely fur
the purpose of reducing the national expenditure. As tho
greater portion of the army were stationed in such climates,
wltuchoadpnpootinbeeedn
and instead of havhtg their service abroad diminished,
it would bo increased if the proposed reduction were
effected. Tho hon. member having described the effects
produced on soldiers by a residence in certain latitudes,
denied that the HOLM of Commons generally were in
favour of a reduction in the army, and ho designated the
same u en attempt to acquire popularity at the
expense of the brave defenders ut the country. lie cent:
eluded by urging on the house to reject any attempt. )
decrease the army at the present time and under existing
circumstances.
YEOMANRY CAVALRY.
present eul.ED
yearNiroAf It thDe Smoved
assembling that f
ther re
Yeomand is oe t i
rnyun inaevea
rn t
fho or
duty,t ho ac
wouldcuat ombe do
dpArriio do,
notfa el
tox t
the rainingo f
.ot_L
0_ plaforrmooalynaetrindt
contrary to the recommendation of the com
by Lord Herbert, in the year IsGI, and is inexpedient.
The Marquis of HARTINGTON expressed a regret
ed.until the house had
Sir M. W. RIDLEY seconded
PO:len:real:nu.)
that the appeal of the noblepolsetrdpou(
acceded to, and he could net but regret that the dis-
boneetnhe army estimates. lie contended
gcuososeioinntohcaodmmniotttoo
that as exceptional circumstances had rendered an increase
in the army necessary, but under the present state of things
a reduction was not practicable but inevitable, without in the
slightest degree impairing the efficiency of the protection
of the safety and intei este of the country. Ho denied that
in proposieg a reduction in the military feria) GoTornment
was acting egiiimit the recommendet inns of the commission of
inspection. He paid a high tribute of praise to the
yeomanry and volnntecr corps. The reduction of the votes
in regard to the former was dictated by a proper sense of
economy.
General PEEL deprecated the policy of the Government
as being penny wino and pound foolish in disbanding the
yeomanry merely to save £45,000 n-yenr.
Lord PALMERSTON defended the policy of the Go-
vernment, and said that it would not entail any inefficiency
in the military service of the country in regard to the re-
duction for the present year of the vote for training the
yeninanry. (Hear, hear, and derisive cheers.)
Sir W. MILES censured the policy of the tiovernment.
(Cries of "Divide.")
The house then divided—
For going into committee of supply .... 158
Against it .. 167
M ajority with..... loud cheers. ...... —1
Tho announcement was received
erer, BITTING.)