The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-28 00:00:00

WINE.

On the motion of Mr. CRAUFORD, the following re-
turn was ordered :—Account of the quantity of foreign.
wine cleared for consumption, and the number of tests-
made for ascertainment of the duty, between Jan. 1 and
April 3, 1862, both days inclusive.
NEW WRITS.

On the motion of Mr. BRAND, writs were ordered to
issue for the election of a burgess to serve in Parliament
for the borough of Lambeth, in the room of Mr. Roupell,
who Las resigned, and for Oldham, which had been ren-
dered vacant by the retirement of Mr. Fog.
PURCHASE OF COMMISSIONS IN THE ARMY.
Sir DE L. EVANS gave notice that he should move a
resolution to the effect that it would be desirable to abolish
the system of the purchase of commissions in the army.

FORTIFIPATIONS IN PLYMOUTH SOUND.
Mr. BENTINCK asked the Secretary of State for War
whether it was true that an artificial island was being con-
structed in Plymouth Sound, by sinking stones, for
building on it a fort similar to those which are under con-
struction at Sr,ithead.

Sir G. LEWIS said that it was intended to construct a
fort behind the breakwater at Plymouth, and that the plan
adopted was in accordance with the recommendations of the
Defence Committee.

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AND THE
MEETING OF THE HOUSE.
In reply to Mr. SOTHERN ESTCOURT, and subsequently
to Major EDWARDS,

. Sir G. GREY said that it was proposed by the Govern.-
ment that the house should meet on Thursday
next, the day of the opening of the Exhibition.
If the Exhibition were opened at 1 o'clock, the
house could assemble at 5 o'clock, but the course
which would be ultimately adopted would be stated on
Wednesday next. As regarded the committees, he did not
think that they would meet on Thursday, considering that
hon. members would feel a desire to be present at the open-
ing of the Exhibition.
CUSTOMS INLAND REVENUE BILL.

On the order of the day for the second reading c this

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
understood the right hon. gentleman the member for Bucks,
(Mr. Disraeli) was under the impression that the bill would
not be proceeded with this evening, and that being the case
the Government were not desirous of proceeding with the
second reading that evening.
Sir S. NORT H COT E said that his right hon, friend
the member for Bucks did not intend to oppose the bill,
but he certainly was under the impression that it
would not be brought forward this evening. His right
hon. friend intended to make some observations on the
financial positionof the country on the second reading of the
bill, and in reference to the remarks recently made at Maiil-•
cheater by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Laughter.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
under the circumstances he would postpone the second
reading of the bill.
MILITARY ORGANISATION.
_ _

On the motion for going into Committee of Supply,
Gen. PEEL asked the Secretary of State for War if any
decision had been arrived at in regard to the "reserved
fund," to which the attention of Parliament is especially
called in the report of the committee on military organisa-
tion. The hon. and gallant member urged some objections
to the creat on of the fund on constitutional grounds,
but at the same time he did not go to the
extent of wishing for an abolition of the
system of purchase of commissions in the army. lie wished
to draw the attention of the house to the subject, but would
not make any motion in reference to it.

Sir G. LEWIS said that no doubt a great constitutional
objection might be raised to the existence of a fund not
voted by Parliament, and at the disposal of the War-office,
arising out of the sale of commissions. He believed
however, that no one objected to the mode of its applica—
tion. A full return in reference to the subject had been
laid on the table last year, and another would be ready for
presentation to the house, as he believed, on Thursday neat.
He believed that on investigation it would be found that this
fund was generally advantageous to the public service, and
it was established for the purpose of removing restrictions
in the purchase of commissions in the army. Jae assured
the hon. and gallant member (General Peel) that his
observations should receive the attentive consideration of
the Government.

rin
Sir DE LACY EVANS thanked the hon. and gallant
member this subject forward,
expressed e r
in the opinions which he
expressed.
and em (General
his Peel) for bringing
concurrence
Lord 110THAM considered that the explanation of the
Secretary of War was unsatisfactory, and condemned the
reticency displayed by War Ministers generally in affording
information as to the application of this fund.
The subject then dropped.
OFFICER • OF LOCAL ARMIES IN INDIA.

Colonel SYKES called the attention of the house to
certain hardships connected with the position of officers Of
the local armies of: India who were liable to be re-
moved, against their consent, from the regiments
to which they belong, and to be sent to any station.
for the performance of general duty. He wished to be in-
formed whether any compensation would be granted to
officers so taken from their regiments and sent to general
duty, for the :
and, ent al, troop, or company
command
allowances
of regimental,
whether compensation
would be given to officers who have subscribed to regi-
mental retiring funds, in the full confidence of their sub-
scriptions being returned to them on their own retirement ;
and, whether the East India Company's late European Ar-
tillery and Engineers had become integral portions of the
Royal regiments of Artillery and Engineers respectively,
with the advantages of seniority, succession, augmenta-
tion, /cc.
Sir C. WOOD said that it was necessary that the Indian
army sh-uld be reduced, and expressed substantially hit
previous statements on this question.
[Luz anulsiq