The Sun.
London, England, 1852-06-26 00:00:00

ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
rose to move the adjournment of the house till Tuesday,
but was interrupted by
Mr. HUME, who said before that motion was put he
had a petition to present, founded upon certain resolu-
tions recently agreed to in the Legislative Assembly of
Van Diemen's Land. The petitioners complained that
from 1844 to 1851 they had constantly petitioned the
Government of this country against the existing system
of transportation to the colony, but without effect; they
complained that 20,000 out of the 70,000 persons form-
ing the population were convicts, and that the money
which ought to be expended for the benefit of the colony
was devoted to gaol accommodation for those convicts.
The petitioners stated their determination to vote no
further sums which should be so misappropriated, and
they concluded by asking to have the management of
their own affairs, and for a different adjustment of the
convict system. The Hon. Member asked the Right
Hon. Gentleman whether the Government were in re-
ceipt of any information with respect to the resolutions
upon which this petition had been founded?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER be-
lieved that such resolutions had been received at the
Colonial-office.
OCEAN PENNY POSTAGE.

Mr. BRIGHT, on behalf of his Right Hon. Colleague
(Mr. M. Gibson), said the House was aware that many
petitions had been presented to Parliament in favour
of a reduction of what was known as the ocean postage
between this and other countries. The project recom-
mended was that the ocean postage should be at one
uniform rate of one penny, the scale of internal postage
being left to be settled by the Governments of the re-
spective countries. The emigration now going on made
this question more important than at an earlier period;
and, with regard to Ireland, he understood that more
than one-third of all the letters crossing the Atlantic
were either from persona in America to friends in Ire-
land, or vice versa. That ho thought a startling fact,
and when it was considered how large a portion of our
population were settling in other countries, it was of the
greatest importance to• individuals, and not less to the
country at large, that the greatest facilities with re-
spect to the transmission of letters should be
afforded. By affording such facilities the foun-
dation of future harmony between those who
emigrated and those left behind would be laid. He
now gave notice, on behalf of his Right Hon. Friend,
that in the next session of Parliament he would make a

direct motion on the subject, or move for a Committee
of inquiry; and he also begged to ask the Chancellor of
the Exchequer whether during the recess he thought
he could turn his attention to this question, which, as it
concerned the comforts and affected the social inter-
course of many of our fellow-countrymen, was undoubt-
edly of importance? He did not think the loss to the
revenue would be considerable, but that the increased
number of letters would balance the deficiency, even
snore speedily than when the change was effected in the
inland postage system.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER feared
that his time would be much occupied during the re-
cess, but be would endeavour to consider the question of
ocean penny postage, and likewise the petition just
presented by the Hun. Member for Montrose.—(Hear,
hear.) The Right Hon. Gentleman then moved the
adjournment of the House till Tuesday, and the motion
was agreed to.
SUITORS IN CHANCERY RELIEF BILL.—
EXPLANATION.

The MASTER of the ROLLS then rose to complain
of what ho contended were inaccuracies into which a
Noble and Learned Lord (Lord Lyndhurst) had fallen
on the previous evening, when alluding, in the House of
Lords, to the share which he (the Master of the Rolls)
had bad in the present Bill. Possibly the observations
of the Noble and Learned Lord had been misreported,
but if not they contained inaccuracies to which it was
necessary that he (the Master of the Rolls) should call
attention, as they involved a personal imputation. The
Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman then proceeded to
quote passages from the reported speech of Lord Lynd-
hurst, and, in refutation of them, proceeded to say that
he (the Master of the Rolls) had been no party to the
Introduction of the Bill, which was passed through
the House by the Secretary of State for the
Home Department. The fees to which the
Noble and Learned Lord alluded had been settled
by the previous Lord Chancellor and Master of
the Rolls, and therefore he (the Master of the
ells) had made no alteration in them. The present
Bill took away those fees, but a subsequent Bill gave a
power of appeal to the Treasury for compensation, and
left with the Treasury the settlement of future salaries
of the clerks. He regretted that the Noble and Learned
Lord had not taken sufficient pains to make himself ac-
quainted with the true nature of the Bill.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER under-
stood the Master of the Rolls to complain of statements
alleged to be contained in a speech delivered by a Noble
and Learned Friend of his (the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer's) in another place.
The MASTER of the ROLLS--I merely wish to set
the matter right.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER re-
gretted that as there was no lawyer at present on the
Treasury bench he could not enter into details. He be-
lieved the Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman had
given notice to his Right Hon. Friend the Home Secre-
tary that he would call attention to the subject, but his
Right Honourable and Learned Friend had been obliged
to leave the House on urgent business. He (the
Chancellor of the Exchequer) could not, however,
allow the observations of the Master of the Rolls to pass
without remark. Ho was not prepared to go into de-
tails, but of the Noble and Learned Lord to whom re-
ference had been made he would say, that he was not
more distinguished for his accuracy than for his sagacity
and learning—(Hear, hear)—and the most charitable
'new to take of the question was that his observations
had not been diffused with the accuracy with which they
were delivered. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer)
could not allow remarks to be made, and in a tone of
reproof, on one who had been a distinguished ornament
of that House.—(Hear, hear.) Nor could he forget that
this year that Noble and Learned Lord, although op-
pressed with physical infirmity, had shown that the
brightness and energy of his mind remained, and that
his valuable services had been devoted to the interests of
the public, and to the carrying through of those measures
of which everyone admitted Ahe importance.—(Hear.)
At a later period of the evening, Sir J. GRAHAM,
in referring to the same subject, said he thought it very
inexpedient to refer to any discussion that had taken
place in the other House of Parliament. It was, indeed,
contrary to the stTiot rules of the House to do so. This
case, however, was somewhat peculiar. He was not
surprised, considering the high judicial station occupied
by the Master of the Rolls, that he should seem hurt by
any such imputations as had been referred to, especially
when it was supposed that they had fallen from so high
an authority as the Noble and Learned Lord in another
place. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had spoken in
terms not at all exaggerated of the merits and character
of that distinguished person. The Right Hon. Gentle-
nun claimed him as his friend. Be (Sir J. Graham) also
claimed him as a friend and colleague. He admitted all
the distinguished qualities of that Noble and Learned
Personage to which the Right Hon. Gentleman had
called their attention. But there was one quality which
Particularly distinguished his Noble and Learned Friend
—that was his love of justice. And he was quite sa-
tisfied, after the explanation which had been given by
the Right Hon. Gentleman the Master of the Rolls of
his conduct in respect to the Bill referred to—many
particulars of which he (Sir J. Graham). could, as an
eye-witness, aver—he was satisfied th at his Right Hon.
and Learned Friend would be of opinion that the allega-
tions which were brought forward arose from a misap-
prehension of the facts. He was also persuaded that the
Noble and Learned Lord would b.o the first to retract
any imputations which wer injurious to the high repu-
tation of his Right lione . and Learned Friend the
Master of the Rolls. He saw opposite to him the Right
Hon. Gentleman, the President of the Board of Trade,
Who served not only on the Commission over which the
Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman the Master of the
Rolls presided, but who, also, was a member of the
Committee in which this question of compensation for
the fees given up was determined. He was satisfied
that the Right
.Hoe. Gentleman would state that in
the course of the inquiry or in the progress of the Bill
nothing had occurred which in the slightest degree
could support the accusations that were made against
the Right lion. and Learned Gentleman, as to any dis-
position evinced by him to bear hard upon the clerks
connected with the Court of Chancery, or any indica-
tions shown that he wished to uphold the salaries and
emoluments of the officers in his department. Any such
allegationcwould be most injurious to the Right Hon.
and Learned Gentleman's character, and he could well
Understand his anxiety to be relieved from the
of them. He was certain that the Right Hon. and
Learned Gentleman's explanation would be considered
Most satisfactory to the public, and would remove the
erroneous impressions that might be abroad in respect
to the high patronage which he exercised.
Mr. HENLEY said he did not think he could do
Otherwise than say a few words on this subject. It was
his privilege and honour to serve on the Committee to
Which the Right Hon. Baronet alluded with the Master
of the Rolls, and he was bound to say be did not recol-
lect any question ever arising or suggested by any of the
Members
_ , and least of all by his Right Hon. and Learned
taiend, in respect to an alteration in the salaries of these
officers.—(Hear, hear.) He did not think, as far as be
Well could recollect, that any such question bad ever been
broached. He felt bound to say that he did not see any
difference between them in that Committee or the Com-
mission. Indeed, it was somewhat extraordinary to see

such great unanimity prevailing as had existed amongst
the Meisn2:s of that Coran;ittee.—Gear, holt)
THE TL WITH MINUTE ITH RESPECT TO
CEIICOItY.

Lnril D. STUART said, the Right Hon. Gentleman
the Chanc,llor of the Exehequcr, in reply to a question,
had stated that the Tte4sury minute of 1810 had not
been rescinded, and that if it were it would be so re-
scinded as not to interfere with the fair treer3 of the
country.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—The
fair trade of the country.
Lord D. STUART—The words of the Right Hon.
Gentleman, however plausible, and smooth, and soothing
they might appear, would strike dismay into the hearts
of hundreds, he might say thousands, of honest traders
in this country.—(A laugh,) Now, considering thatan
assurance had gone forth that the next Parliament would
meet early, he suggested tho postponement of any pro-
ceedings with respect to this artiole of chicory until that
Parliament had mat.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied
that if Treasury minutes could not be made without a
particular vote of the House of Commons, it would:be as
well at once to stop the whole administration of affairs.—
(Hear, hear.) The Treasury minutes were, in fact,
made under particular Acts of Parliament. The minute
to which:allusion had been made had not been rescinded,
and if it were rescinded the law would not remain in
tha same state as when that minute was made. If it
were rescinded instructions would be given to the Board
of Inland Revenue to leave the traders in a far different
positioa to that which they occupied before the minute
was framed. For instance, before th© minute was issued,
traders could not have chicory on their premises without
making an acknowledgment. In case the alterations in
the existing minute were resolved on persons would have
power to have any amount of chicory on their premises.
The change, however, would not be made until oppor •
tuuity was afforded for disposing of the adulterated
stock. _ _ _ _ _ _

Mr. HUME said it was alleged that chicory had been
sold instead of coffee, and in that way much fraud was
committed. He believed that that was not the case—he
believed that a great portion of the public preferred the
mixture of coffee and chicory. The Treasury order
existed for 11 years. It was founded upon this princi-
ple, that whereas in the previous years it was impossible
for honest dealers to carry on their trade when the law
prohibited the mixture of chicory with coffee, because
they could not compete with those who sold the mixture
as the genuine article, at, of couree, greatly reduced
prices, the Treasury was overwhelmed with applications
from the most respectable grocers in the country for
protection. The Treasury minute of 1840 was conse-
quently agreed to. He was sure that the alteration of
such an order now, after its existence for 11 years,
would entail much injustice on many parties. He would,
therefore, only ask the Government to postpone the
question until the next Parliament, when they would
have an ample opportunity for discussing it. He
thought it would be almost an act of spoliation to alter
such an order without giving due notice to all parties
concerned.