The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-21 00:00:00

THE CLOTHING FACTORY AT PIMLICO.

Colonel DICKSON, after pointing out how very serious
a matter it was to find the Government obstinately bent

on upholding the Irish constabulary force in its present authentic information that there were on the muster-roll
form ; and, after denying that the constabulary had any- 157,000 men, of whom 138,000 might be considered effective.
thing to do with the discovery of the perpetrators of the Lord LOVAINE explained that what he said was that
murder of Mr. Fitzgerald, proceeded to call, the atten- the arms of the volunteers were a source of danger. The
tion of the Secretary of State for war to the fact, that volunteers could not act as military men in case of riot, but
the clothing made up at the factory at Pimlico had not if there were soldiers present they could. He would not
been subjected to the same inspection as that supplied trouble the committee to divide, but would merely enter his
by contract ; and to other matters connected with that esta- protest against what he considered an unnecessary piece of
blishment. The factory at Pimlico cost the country £70,000 extravagance, and would leave it to those gentlemen who
a year ; while the amount of work which it turned out was were always anxious for economy with regard to the regu-
only valued at £060,00. Nevertheless it exercised a most lar army to justify themselves in voting so large a sum for
injurious effect upon the private clothing establishments, 170,000 men who were not soldiers in time of peace, and
without which it would be impossible for the Government could be converted into soldiers only in time of war.
to get on in case of a war. And he was the more justified in The amendment was then withdrawn, and the vote
awakening attention to its influence by the statement now agreed to.
current that the clothing for the Canada militia was going On the vote of £55,847 for enrolled pensioners and army
to be made up there, end that the Government were like- reserve force,
wise about to manufacture for the volunteers. i Colonel DUNNE asked what was the nature of the latter
Sir G. C. LEWIS could not understand how the gallant body.
officer made out the factory at Pimlico to cost £70,000; he Sir Cr, LEWIS said the reserve force received a sort of
estimated its cost at no more than £8,400. [Col. DICKSON , retaining fee, and attended a certain number of drills in the
—I take your own figures.] Well, at all events, the vote year.
had been agreed to, and there was an end of the matter. Col. NORTH said it was a very useful force.
(A laugh.) However, he had no objection to the clothing In reply to Lord W. GRAHAM,
/
made up in the factory being inspected in the same manner Sir G. LEWIS said there was a stoppage from the sol-
es that manufactured by contractors. dier's pay for washing sheets, He was rather opposed to
YARMOUTH ROADSTEADS. those small stoppages,
but the present one involved a con-
Sir H. STRACEY called attention to the defenceless !Adorable sum in the aggregate, and did not press heavily on
state of Yarmouth roadsteads, and to the necessity of their the individuals who paid it.
ibeing fully protected from attack by sea. The hon, baronet The vote was agreed to.