The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-24 00:00:00

THE LOCK-OUT.

Mr. HENNESSY calledattention to the dispute between
the ironmasters and their workmen in North and South
Staffordshire, which he said had originated with the mas-
ters, the men having combined in self-defence. He trusted
the Government were able to give the house an assurance
that the men maintained the same moderate tone that had
hitherto marked their conduct, and that there was some
chance of the matters in difference being referred to arbi-
tration.

Sir G. GREY deprecated discussion on this most deli-
cate subject, and in answer to the inquiries addressed to
him, observed that the high constable of the county had
informed him that the conduct of the men was perfectly
orderly and peaceable. The Government viewed the dis-
pute with feelings of the deepest concern, but they had no
power to interfere, except by friendly advice and counsel,
unless there was a breach of the law. He should rejoice
to hear that the matter had been referred to the abitration
of some impartial persons having the confidence of both
parties.
H 11 FORTIFICATIONS OF CANADA.

The Marquis of HARTINGTON, in proposing a vote of
£811,424, for works and buildings, including £50,000 for
the defence of Quebec, part of a sum of £200,000 for the
defences of Canada, observed that these works were ren-
dered necessary in consequence of the United States having
within the last four years become a great military power.
There was not the slightest expectation entertained by her
Majesty's Government that the United States were contem-
plating an immediate attack; but in the changed circum-
stances of the two countries, there was every reason why
we should do what all continental nations had done, and
put our frontier in a position of security. He explained
that the number of men required to garrison Quebec and
Montreal was 12,000; but that in case of attack it would
be desirable to have at least 35,000, and a further moveable
force of 25,000 to act upon the enemy. Thus the total force
for Montreal and Quebec would amount to 60,000 men ; in
addition to which the colony had 20,000 enrolled volun-
teers. Of course, he did not deem it possible to defend the
whole frontier, but only the more vital points.
Mr. G. P. BENTINCK objected to the proposed vote so
far as the defences of Quebec were concerned. Admitting
that it was the duty of the Imperial Government to defend
Canada against invasion, he thought that in the event of
war with the United States this was not the right mode of
protecting the frontier ; that Canada could only be de-
fended by sea ; and that any attempt to defend her by land
was nothing more than a wasteful expenditure. Moreover,
he regarded the construction of fortifications as more likely
to create irritation and precipitate rather than prevent hos-
tilities. Ironclad gunboats were, no doubt, an essential
part of the scheme of defence, and he called upon the Go-
vernment to give an assurance that those were in prepara-
tion, so that when the fortifications were completed we
should have at least a sufficient force in the lakes to play
their part in the defence of the colony. The hon. member
concluded by moving the omission of the item of £50,000
for commencing the works at Quebec.

General PEEL was utterly opposed to the policy, advo-
cated by some persons, of abandoning the Canadians to
their fate, and seeking some other battle field on which to
avenge their cause. So long as the colonists continued
faithful subjects of the Queen, and were prepared. to de-
fend themselves against aggression, we were bound by
every consideration that could actuate a great nation to
assist them. The value he attached to the vote was that
it was a declaration on the part of the House of Commons,
and therefore of the country, that if Canada were attacked
she would not be left to bear the brunt of the conflict alone.
Mr. B. JOHNSTONE said that if there were to be a war
with America, we ought to be prepared to attack her on
the Pacific coast, where she was most vulnerable, and to
adopt effective measures for the protection of all our
colonies.

Major ANSON was of opinion that for the purpose of
keeping open communications between the several forts
instead of a force of 60,000 men, we must have 100,000
between Quebec and Montreal, and another 100,000 for the
Upper Canadian line of frontier. As to the ability of this
country to protect Canada, the United States would have
hundreds of thousands of veteran troops ready to pour over
the frontier at any moment, and a force of artillery that
we could never think of competing with. If the Canadians
wanted a standing army, let them provide it for themselves
and be content with the maritime and other aid with which
we could furnish them : but we were not called upon by
our honour or any other considerations to fight with our
soldiers in Canada.

Mr. ADDERLEY cordially assented to the vote, and dis-
cussing the probability of a war with the United States
argued that, if any lesson were to be drawn from the un-
doubted sagacity of the Americans themselves in fortifying
their seaboard and frontier, it was to take similar steps in
contemplation of the possibility of a rupture. His only
regret was that the vote was not proposed a year ago ; but
in saying this, he attributed no blame to the Secretary for
the Colonies. It was rather the result of the indifference
or apathy of the Canadians themselves. With, regard to
gunboats on the lakes, it was for Canadians to construct
dockyards, and with such assistance as we could furnish
them, in the shape of artificers and other means, to make
the gunboats that were required.
Lord BURY supported the vote.

Mr. WATKIN did not agree with the policy of the vote
or the vote itself, for it went too far, and yet did not go
far enough. It did not go sufficiently far to inspire confi-
dence in the strength of the British empire, but it went far
enough to excite a feeling of irritation against us. Re-
ferring to the reciprocity treaty and the convention limit-
ing the force on the lakes, he suggested that before asking
for a vote of public money the Government ought to have
entered upon negotiations with the authorities at Washing-
ton for the purpose of effecting a renewal of these arrange-
ments in a modified form.

Mr. HALIBURTON observed that the American people
were too sagacious to wish for or intend war with this
country ; and the Canadians, who had become wiser as
they had become older, had resources for self-defence in a
rigorous climate and a determined population of 3,000,000.
A small body of disciplined British troops would be a use-
ful auxiliary force.
Mr. S. LEFEVRE objected to the vote, because it in-
augurated a new and vicious policy. Canada should be
placed, he thought, in a position to pursue a neutral course
towards the United States and this country.
Lord R. MONTAGU, after discussing the alternative
suggested by Mr. Bentinck, of defending Canada by mari-
time operations, supported the Government plan. -
Mr. C. FORTESCUE said the real question was, whether
or no, after the Canadians had awakened to the duty of
preparing for their own defence, we should refuse to con-
tribute to it, or should aid them in putting the colony in an
attitude to resist an invader.

Sir F. SMITH approved the plan of fortifications pro-
posed 3 rr. bLyoCwattaoinneJe emrvoorie called
s
a
sound
atet wise.e:nnuttileonnd t og htehat, possibilitya‘the
of our defending Canada, and
Americans had the power by several lines of railway to
fling any number of men they pleased upon the southern
bank of the St. Lawrence, and thus to carry on a winter
campaign, our troops would have no chance of long holding
out in those fortifications against such means of aggression
as the Americans possessed. He considered, then, that it
was not the duty of this country to expose its soldiers to
certain destruction. We ought to tell Canada that we saw
no chance of efficiently defending her on her own ground,
and that if she chose to maintain British connection it
would be at the risk of having to protect herself against
American invasion, but that if success crowned our arms
she should be our first object in making a treaty of peace ;
that it was open to her, if she pleased, to establish herself
as an independent republic; or if she thought it more for
her interest and safety to join the American republic itself,
and that whichever of these courses she adopted she should
have in England a friend, protector, and ally to the utmost