The Sun.
London, England, 1837-06-02 00:00:00

... 34
81
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Ayes
Noes

Majority
NATIONAL EDUCATION.

Mr. BORTH WICK then rose to move for leave to
bring in a Bill for establishing a system of National Edu-
cation. After referring to the systems pursued on the
Continent, the Hon. Gentleman went on to say that the
one which prevailed in Scotland was more akin to the plan
which it was his intention to propose. His wish was to
afford to all classes, and at a cheap rate, moral and religious
instruction in all branches of education. He would not
further intrude than to ask leave to bring in his Bill.
Mr. A. TREVOR seconded the motion,

On the question being put,
Mr. E WART said he should divide the House, and
move the previous question, thinking the Bill narrow, sec-
tarian, and impolitic.
Mr. GILLON should also oppose it, as sectarian in its
principle.
Mr. O'CONNELL said that the Bill was a money Bill,
and he apprehended there was a technical objection to pro-
ceed otherwise than by a resolution, preparatory to mov-
ing for leave.
The SPEAKER said that if the money were to be de-
rived from the Consolidated Fund, it would no doubt be the
more regular course to proceed by resolution ; but the
Hon. Gentlemen might obtain leave to bring in the Bill,
but could not proceed further without a resolution of the
House.

Mr. BORTHWICK should be equally ready to take
the preliminary step of a resolution.

The SPEAKER said that as the Bill would involve a
grant of money on a large scale it would be better to pro-
ceed by resolutien.
Mr. STEWART thought a resolution of the House
ought to precede any measure which might be proposed.
Mr. FORBES could not omit that opportunity of re-
turning his thanks to the Hon. Member (Mr. Borthwick)
for having brought forward the measure.
Mr. ROEBUCK could only characterise the Bill as a
scheme, and not an artful one, to throw power into the
hands of the members of the Established Church.
After a few words from Mr. G. Price, Mr. Borthwick,
Mr2Wakley, and the Speaker,
Mr. BORTHWICK said that he certainly could not
take any other step but by resolution.—( Here the Hon.
Member was interrupted by loud cries of " Divide," in the
midst of which we understood him to propose the with-
drawal of his original motion.)
Mr. HAWES should object to the withdrawal of the
Bill, and should take the sense of the House upon it.
Mr. BORTH WICK hoped that no such unfair advan-
tage would be taken of him.
Mr. LAW rose, and moved that the House do adjourn.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, when the num-
hers appeared—

Ayes
Noes

36
34

Majority for the amendment —2
The House then adjourned at a Quarter past Nine
o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS, JUNE 1.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack
at Five o'Clock.

The Bishop of CARLISLE presented petitions in
favour of Church-rates, from places in Lincolnshire.
Earl GREY presented a petition in favour of the York
and Durham Railway, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Lord SEFTON presented a petition from Preston, in
favour of the Irish Municipal Bill.
The Duke of WELLINGTON presented a petition
in favour of Church-rates.

Lord SKELMERSDALE presented petitions to the
same effect from places in Wilts and Lancashire.

Lord DUNCANNON laid on the table the Third Re-
port of the Irish Poor Law Commission.
The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from
Ross and Cromarty, in favour of the Prison Discipline Bill.

Mr. BERNAL and other Members of the House of Com-
mons brought up the Great North of England, Clarence, and
Hartlepool Junction Railway Bill, and several other Bills.
On the motion of Lord SHAFTESBURY the Rayley
Estate Bill was read a third time and passed.

On the motion of the same NOBLE LORD several other
Bills were also advanced a stage.
The Bishop of WINCHESTER presented a petition
against the abolition of Church-rates from places in Gla-
morgan. . _ .

The Marquis of BUTE presented a petition from the
General Assembly of Scotland, in favour of the Bill for the
better observance of the Sabbath.

The Bishop of GLOUCESTER presented a petition
in favour of Church-rates, from a place in Gloucester.
Lord BROUGHAM presented petitions against Church
rates, from Highgate, Dartford, from Stratford St. Mary
in Suffolk, and other places.
The Duke of RU TL AND presented a petition from the
Agricultural Society of the county of Leicester, against
any alteration in the Corn-laws.
The Earl of RIPON then moved for an address to the
Crown for copies of a letter from the Secretary of the
Governor of Van Diemen's Land to Colonel Arthur,
dated Oct. 10, 1836. This letter he (Lord Ripon) be-
lieved, referred to the actual condition of the penal
settlements in that country, and it was important to know
how far the mode of punishment there had been relaxed.
It was also important to learn the condition of the free
settlers there, the numbers of which had increased
to a very great extent of late years. It was clear
that the state of the colony had been greatly altered
in consequence of this, and increased the difficulty of go-
verning the country in the anomalous state in which it was—
composed as its inhabitants were of convicts and free settlers,
the children of convicts being also free settlers. The docu-
ment he moved for would throw a light upon the subject.
The Noble Lord then read several statistical documents to
show the increase, during the last ten years, of the popula-
tion of the country, and of the land under cultivation ; also
to show the increasing export of wool from that country to
this ; of manufactures there ; also of the shipping interest and
the fisheries ; the state of education too had been considerably
improved ; there was also an increase in the means for reli-
gious instruction, which kept pace with the increasing popu-
lation—this did great credit to the exertions of Govern-
ment. The documents also showed a decrease of crime,
as well in reference to offences against the person
as against property, this might be owing to the improve-
ment of the police ; but it was also owing to the improve-
ments of the state of society there. He would now refer
to an individual under whose superintendence these
improvements had taken place ; he alluded to Colonel Ar-
thur, who had exhibited great ability in the execution of
his duty—that officer had been an object of much abuse in
the colony, but he (Lord Ripon) thought he might quote him
as a judicious and a humane governor of the colony. The
Noble Lord concluded by moving for the despatch.
Lord GLENELG said that he had no objection to the
production of the document. He agreed with the Noble
Earl that there was no subject more interesting than
the state of these colonies, and also that the government of
them was a matter of great difficulty. Whatever Colonel
Arthur had done, he was sure he had done with the best
motives ; he was therefore happy to have the opportunity
of adding his testimony to that of the Noble Lord, as to
the ability and zeal which Colonel Arthur had displayed in
the government of the colony. All the charges which
had been made against him he had triumphantly refuted.
He would say no more than that in reference to his conduct,
he would repeat that he was glad to have the opportunity
of expressing his approbation of the conduct of that officer.