The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 24, 1863.

late the production of cotton and to facilitate its transport to
the seaboard. Those exertions had been continued, but it
was found that the gins sent out from Manchester did not
answer. The right hon gentleman next showed that the
consumption of British salt had largely increased in
the natives allowing their prejudices to be overcome and
admitting that clean salt was much better than dirty salt.
Now, what had been done with reference to the debt of
India ? That debt was reduced during the last year by about
£1,000,000, but beyond that he had issued a notice in refer-
ence to debentures which became payable, £5,000,000 in
October, and £3,000,000, stating that it was considered de-
sirable to create India stock at a lower rate of interest than
the present, and offer to the holders of those debentures to
convert them into a new stock at 4 per cent over a period of
25 years. He hoped the debt would be wiped off to a consi-
derable extent by the conversion of debentures into stock, but
if his offer were not accepted he would still be in a position
from the surplus revenue to pay off a considerable amount,
for the policy of maintaining large cash balances in India had
been entirely denounced. He hoped that his statement on the
position and finances of India had proved satisfactory to the
committee, and he attributed the general employment and
improved condition of the people of India, the peace, con-
tentment, and loyalty which pervaded from one end of the
country to the other, to those measures which had passed
the Legislature, and received the sanction and approval f
the Home Government. The right hon. gentleman con-
cluded by formally submitting his resolutions.

Colonel SYKES descanted upon the high rate of mor •
tality among the European troops in India, and advocated
the redaction of the force, and the employment of a larger
number of native troops.

Mr. GREGSON complimented the Chief Secretary on
the satisfactory statement he had made, but complained of
the excessive duty levied on salt, which was equal to 1,700
per cent. on the invoice price of the article.
Mr. VANSITTART also observed that the statement
was one for congratulation to the Indian Government, who
had, mainly owing to Mr. Laing's policy, got the country
out of a condition of chronic insolvency to one of compara-
tive prosperity. He hoped they would not again reduce
our military force to such an extent as to endanger the
safety of our countrymen who were scattered over so vast
a territory.
Mr. BAZLEY trusted that the measures which were
being adopted to stimulate the growth ot cotton in India
would prove successful.
Mr. Kinnaird, Mr. Buxton, and Mr. Ayrton having also
addressed the committee,
Sir C. WOOD briefly replied, and the resolutions were
agreed to.

BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Mr. C. FORTESCUE explained the reasons for intro
clueing the measure and the objects contemplated by it,
adding (.etails of the condition of the colony, and its pro-
gress, and the character of the population. He looked for-
ward, he said, to the time w hen British Columbia would
be most valuable to this country.
Mr. WYLD said that the success of the colonies of British
Columbia and Vancouver's Island had not been as great as
it would have been under better management and a better
constitution. The Hudson's Bay Company had exercised
too much influence over the Colonial-office ; and, as an in-
stance of it, of the 15 members given by the present consti-
tution to Vancouver's Island 12 were the nominees of the
company. (Hear.) In the two colonies of British Columbia
and Vancouver's Island the population, instead of increas-
ing, had decreased. The total population was 12,000, and
it was proved that although large numbers went temporarily
to search for gold, they did not become settlers and colonists.
The number of defaulters among public officials was very
great, and the amount of their defalcations was enormous.
There was a strong feeling in, favour of the Sovereign of
these realms ; but the people saw a. better Government
under the United States in neighbouring territory, and far
less corruption. (Hear, hear.) He gave credit to the Duke
of Newcastle for the attempt to form a road to the Pacific,
with telegraphic communication, but he should like to see
that project carried out independently, and not through the
intervention of the Hudson's Bay Company, by whom the
interests of the colony had always been sacrificed. The
telegraph line would pass through territory occupied by
hostile tribes, and he was afraid that the Colonial-office, by
granting land to the new company who were to stand in
the place of the Hudson's Bay Company, would involve this
country in a war as expensive as the Caffre War.
Mr. AYTOUN objected to the bill en the grounds that
it conferred enormous powers upon the Crown, and that it
formed part of a great scheme of the Colonial 'Secretary for
an intercolonial railway, which was a wild project that
would affect the interests of the taxpayers of this country.
The house then went into committee upon the bill, the
clauses of which were agreed to, except the fourth, which
was negatived.
The Partnership Law Amendment Bill was read a third
time and passed.
Colonel DICKSON called attention to Mr. Bateman's re-
port on the river Shannon. and moved for copy of reports
made by the Inspector of Fisheries and by Mr. Forsythe,
C.E., to the Commissioners of Public Works.
Mr. PEEL did not object, and the motion was agreed to.
Colonel DUNNE called attention to the report of the
Committee on Holyhead Harbour, and moved that the re-
commendations made in the report be adopted.
Mr. M. GIBSON said that, as yet, the Government had
had no opportunity of considering the evidence taken by
the committee, and of judging whether it bore out their re-
commendations. He admitted the present landing accom-
modation was insufficient, but he could not allow that the
Government were bound to do anything more than provide
for the landing of the mails.
Atter some conversation, the motion was negatived with-
out a division.
The house adjourned at one o'clock.