The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-18 00:00:00

went were proceeding step by step on the recommendation
of the comrcission.
The SPEAKER explained that the instruction moved
would be informal, and it was withdrawn.
The house then went into committee.
Clauses to 3 were agreed to, and on ola Ise 4.
Mr ADDERLEY and Mr WATKIN 3 made some ob-
servations in support of some general measure of legisla-
tion on this subject instead of dealing with it from year to
year.

Mr BRUCE denied that it would be practicable to intro-
duce any general measure on the subject, as circumstances
might arise from year to year which would render an alte-
ration in legislation necessary. He understood from Mr
Baker that additional inspectors were not required. With
regard to machinery and time of labour, he would take the
subject into consideration.
The clause was then agreed to.
In page 5, first schedule,
Mr. BRUCE moved an alteration in regard to the
" packers."
Mr. ROEBUCK said that this was a contest which
had been going on for forty years, and the improve..
ments which had been effected in the condition of the classes
employed in factories and mines had been invariably op-
posed by the manufacturers. He contended that the exclu-
sion of the class of " packers" from the provisions of the
bill was unjust to them, and virtual legislation in favour of
the manufacturers.
Sir G. GREY said it was not intended to exclude the
class in question, but their case was not provided for by the
present measure. It should be remembered that they were
proceeding upon the reports of two commissions.
After some further discussion, in which Mr. Crum
Ewing, Mr. Potter, Mr. Buxton, Sir Hugh Cairns, Mr.
Baines, and other hon. members took part,
Mr, C. BRUCE vindicated the manufacturers
from some imputation that had been cast on them
in the course of the debate, to the effect that they
were indifferent to the social and moral progress of
those in their employment. He had acted on the
advice he had received relative to the omission of the
words in the clause, but he could not deny that there was a
strong feeling in the house in favour of retaining the clause
in its entirety, and, therefore, he would consent to the
suspension of the sitting of the committee until Monday
week.

After another discussion, the proposition of the right hen.
gentleman was acceded to by the house.
The CHAIRMAN then reported progress, and obtained
leave to sit again on Monday week.
The sitting was then suspended until six o'clock,
At six o'clock the house resumed.
THE ASHANTEE WAR.
Sir J. HAY moved, "That her Majesty's Government,
in landing forces on the Gold Coast for the purpose of
waging war against the King of Ashantee, without making
any sufficient provision for preserving the health of the
troops to be employed there, have incurred a grave respon-
sibility, and this house laments the want of foresight which
has caused so large a loss of life." The hon. and gallant
gentleman contended that no proper arrangements had been
made in the first instance for the proper accommodation of
British troops in such a climate—that the Gladiator, which
was to be sent to bring them home, was altogether unsuit-
able for such a service, and that the great mortality that
had occurred was to be traced to the lamentable want of
foresight on the part of the War-office in equipping the
expedition.
The Marquis of HARTINGTON described the steps
that had been taken to provide for the comfort and safety
of the men, and contended that the staff of medical officers,
and the supply of medical and hospital stores, were amply
sufficient for a force of 1,400 men. He had read a great
many dispatches from the Governor at the station, and from
the officer commanding the troops, and he could not find
that any complaint had been made to bear out the charges
brought forward by Sir J. Hay.
Mr H. SEYMOUR considered the statement of Lord
Hartington most unsatisfactory, as his official information
was totally inconsistent with the authentic intelligence
conveyed by the last mail.
Mr B, COCHRANE deprecated the action of the Go-
vernment in having, without the knowledge or consent of
Parliament, undertaken an expedition to Central Africa, for
an unattainable and inglorious object.
Lord A. CHURCHILL acquitted the Government of
all culpable negligence in the matter.
Mr LIDDELL supported, and Mr CHICHESTER-
FO R ESCUE opposed,'the motion.
Sir J. PAKINGTON asked for an explanation of the
delay that had taken place in carrying out the promise
given by Mr Cardwell last month that he would send out
transports at once to bring home the troops, and that not
more than the normal number would be left at Cape Coast
Castle.
Lord C. PAGET declared that as soon as the Admiralty
had been informed by the War Department of the number
of troops to be brought home they had aivortised for trans-
ports. A fine sailing-ship of 1,400 tons was in preparation
for the purpose, and 11,M.5. Gladiator would start to-
morrow to bring back the troops to Cape de Verd.
General PEEL said that if he were in office he would
not have permitted the troops to go to the gold coast in the
rainy season, no matter what representations might have
been made by the governor of the station, or any one else.
Mr CARD WELL vindicated the part which the
Colonial-office had taken in the matter, and contended that
the expedition had been furnished with all necessary medi-
cal stores and comforts.
Mr CORRY did not think the statement of the Secretary
to the Admiralty had at all tended to mend matters.
Mr DENMAN opposed, and Sir G. ELPHINSTONE sup-
ported, the motion.
Lerd PALM ER STON said—We have heard it stated
in the coune of the debate more than once, that this is not a
party question. (Ironical cheers on the Ministerial benches.)
Now I should like to know what name you are to give to a
motion which imputes censure to the Government. (Hear,
hear.) The real censure has been withdrawn from the reso-
lution, but the censure has not been withdrawn from the
spirit and meaning of it. (Cheers and counter cheers.) It is
no doubt a vote of censure to the Government generally.
The right hon. and gallant officer (Gen. Peel), indeed, com-
plained that he was anxious to censure somebody, but that
he did not know who to censure. (A laugh.) He said be
wanted to know upon whom justly to threw the blame
which he thought belonged to some one. I contend that
the statements which have been made by my noble friend
and my right hon. friend show that, at all events, the asser-
tion contained in the resolution that the governor had not
adequately provided for the accommodation of these troops
is utterly at variance with the truth. (Laughter, and cries
of Oh, oh, on the Opposition benches.) Why, it has been
over and over again proved by documents that every pre-
caution was taken to provide the troops with shelter, and
that they did obtain that shelter, notwithstanding the acci.
dent which deprived them of the use of the buildings on
which the Government might have reckoned. It has been
shown, too, that the medical arrangements were as good as
possible, and that every effort was made to supply the troops
with distilled water. It is very easy to conduct a debate by
repeating assertions which have been disproved—(Oh,
oh)—to keep saying you have proved your case, when
it has utterly broken down and been crushed. (Cheers.)
We are ready to join in an expression of regret at the
loss of life which has unfortunately occurred ; and if
the hon. and gallant officer had moved a resolution saying
that the house lamented the lees of life which had been
occasioned, not by a war against the Bing of Ashantee,
but by the preparations for seech a war, and had followed it
up by the expression of a :elope that in future matters might
be so arranged—(loud, ironical cheers and laughter from the
Opposition beneees, during which the remainder of the
noble lord's sentence was lost.) I hope the house will not
Zee to a resolution not founded in truth. (Oh, oh.) If
wed. bad actually taken place, it would have originated
111 I)°lieY not emanating from those who occupy these
benches, but
emanating from the Government of Lord
vDeerrnbraye)nentsa. evthuiethdoheass been followed up by successive Go-
wen man say that the governor ought
to have given up these ref_zeieinthisehousemwhotw dilelatehay?
I am pure there is not e.
that he ought. (Cheers.) But then it is said that we ought
to have known things Which could not be known, and which,
although they did happen, were in great measure provided
et
that hasn g
against by the precautions taken,
As to the losses which
greatlyp er
07_
egd-
" Oh,
aerated, (Cries of
actually occurred, I conteonhclpt,h)eyizaeuz
by my noble friend the Under• Secretary for War ; and the
casualties wholly unconnected with e
returns show the great art whlivcheihiatehheent7esaisers,o:artiica:seii
niy:loibxhievky,:nationohcwhdpe
will be carried
Proper these troops were engaged.
this house too well to think they
unsupported assertions that have been made.
precau-
tion, they have been told, and it is proved, that every pre-
cheers.) As to the want of foresight and
caution was taken and every provision was made which it
was possible to make, and in point of fact, the loss has been
greatly exaggerated. It was not greater than ought to
be expected in circumstances of that kind. The right
honourable baronet said he had been a member of the
Crimean committee, and that this expedition reminded
him of that disaster, (No, no.) I beg pardon. It was the
hon. and gallant gentleman. It might have been pardon-
able from the right hon. baronet, for he is only a yeoman,
but it is unpardonable on the part of a general who ought
to know what military arrangements should be. (Oh, oh,
and cheers.) Well then, sir, I can only say that this is
undoubtedly a censure upon the Government—(Opposition
cheers)—and the right hon. gentleman oppcsite, like a
greyhound in the leash, is anxious to start on his legs
and support the assertions which have been made so often,
But I trust, sir, this house will take a most serious view
of this matter. (Cheers and counter-cheers.) No doubt
these questions involve censideratione of a most serious
kind. (Ilea; hoar.) It is, 1 will sey, an embarrassing
position for a Government to be in when they find that
by a long course of policy, the country has been embarked
in a particular course of action which cannot be adequately
followed without great loss of life. All that a Government
can do under these circumstances is to act to the best of
their judgment in following out that line of policy in
which, to a certain degree, the honour and character of
the country are involved—to hire every moans in their
power to render the enforcement of their obligations as
little attended as possible with unnecessary loss of life.
(Cheers.) It was thought that the best troops to employ
in this country were men of colour whom we had in the