The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-24 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS-THIS DAY.

Their Lordships met this morning at 11 o'clock, Lord
REDESDALB presiding in the absence of the Lord Chan-
cellor.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Abergavenny and Monmouth Railway Bill and
British Railway (Additional Powers) Bill were severally
read a second time.
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
—Elliott's Trust Estate ; Winchcombe Roads ; Mold and
and Denbigh Junction (Deviations, Sto._); Glasgow New
North Road and Carnarvonshire Railway ; Wrex-
ham, Mold, and Connah Quay ; Stoneham and Nails-
worth Railway ; Tottenham and Hampstead Junction
(Deviations) Railway ; Bishop's Castle Railway (Exten-
sion to Craven Arms, &c.); Wrexham and Minera Rail-
way ; Newcastle-upon-Ti ne Improvement •, South Nor-
thumberland Railway ' • Torquay Gas ; Glasgow City
Union Railway ; Aberdeenshire Roads ; Port Glasgow
Police and Water ; South Devon Railway ; Scarborough
and Whitby Railway, &c.

A petition presented by Lord LYTTELTON, in favour
of an increase of the episcopate, gave rise to a discussion,
in thn course of which the Archbishop of CANTERBURY ex-
pressed his regret that the Government had exhibited so
much opposition to the prayer of the petition.
Earl RUSSELL vindicated the conduct of the Govern-
ment, and pointed to the creation of the sees of Ripon and
Manchester in proof that they had given the best and fullest
consideration to the subject.
The Eail of SHAFTESBURY hoped their lordships
would first consider the rights of the people to the utmost
development of the parochial system, for which some funds
were far more needed than for an increased number of
bishops.
The Bishop of OXFORD contended that the creation of
three new bishoprics, which was all that was asked for,
would give a stimulus to the development of the parochial
system. He would guarantee that the funds would be
readily forthcoming if that were all the difficulty the
Government felt in the matter.
After some remarks from Lords Chichester and Harrowby
and the Bishop of London, the subject dropped.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY stated, in answer
to Lord Ebury, that he, in common with his right rev.
brethren, had no objection to the appointment of a royal
commission to inquire into the revision of the Lectionary ;
but with respect to the alteration of the Burial Service,
that he thought would be an injudicious proceeding.
The Constabulary Force (Ireland) Bill was read a second
time.

The Fortifications (Provision for Expenses) Bill, the
Malt Duly Bill, and other measures passed through com-

mitteo.

Several bills were also read a seecncl time ; others were
read a third time and passed ; and their lordships then
Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.

The SPEAKER took the chair at twenty minutes past 12.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The amendments to the following bills were considered
and agreed to :—Caledonian Railway (Balerno Branch),
Southampton CtTrporation, Barnstaple Roads, Belfast New
Streets, Cheltenham Water, Crays Gas, General Terminus
and Glasgow Harbour and Caledonian Railway Companies,
Inverness and Perth Junction, and Inverness and Aber-
deen Junction Railway Companies, and Sutherland Rail-
way.
____

- HYDE PARK GATE ESTATE BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
BAGENALSTOWN AND WEXFORD RAILWAY

the Government in relation to the naval reserves. He did
not consider the present state of things at all satisfactory.
A reduction had been made in the number of n, and the
noble lord the Secretary of the Admiralty (L C. Paget)
had announced that a still further reduct would not
improbably take place. In 1863 the navy est ates provided
for 10,000 men on shore, and likewi, 00 coastguard
volunteers, and there were also 10,000 lines on shore.
By the estimates of this year, however, the latter were
reduced to 9,000, and the coastguard volunteers to
7,750. Then, again, at the beginning of the present
year the reserve of men disposable for the force was
reduced from 4,400 to 1,500. These reductions appeared
very considerable, especially when it was borne in mind
that the reduction in the fleet this year amounted to only
one thousand men. It was the opinion of the late Sir J.
Graham that the marines should be increased to a force of
20,000 men, never to bo diminished, and he stated at the
same time that he had seen with pain the reduction of 1,000
men. There had been a reduction of 300 men in the coast-
guard force ashore this year, although it did not quite
appear; and he (Mr. Corry) thought a reduction .of this
force more objectionable than that of the marines. The
expense of the coastguard service, both afloat and ashore,
in 1863, when it numbered 10,000 men, was only £79,045.
He found by a return that the value of property saved by
this service was something like £40,000, and the number of
lives 4,000 ; so that the value of the property saved during
the past six years was very little short of the entire cost of
the force. All the evidence before the Royal commission
went to show that the reserve was to provide for the first
exigency of war ; but there was this difficulty, that it could
not be called out without an order in council. At present
both the regular and irregular reserves were many thou-
sands below the number recommended by the Royal com-
mission, and he did not think the increase made in the
former compensated for the reduction made in the latter.
He trusted that next year he would not have to complain
of a further reduction in the coastguard and marines.
Lord C. PAGET admitted that many officers had given
evidence before the commission recommending an increase
rather than a decrease in the number of marines ; and he had
nohesitation in saying that the burden of his own arguments
was to the same effect. But very important changes had
taken place during the 6 or 7 years that elapsed since that
commission had sat; and they had now a very different class
of men from those who served at the former period. With
regard to the petty officers, there would never be any
difficulty in selecting a sufficient number from the con-
tinuous service men, of whom the reserve force was chiefly
composed. His right hon. friend opposite must be aware
that it was not ndessary to keep a force of 5,000 coast-
guards simple for the protection of the revenue, as
snuggling was almost a thing of the past. The naval re-
serve now consisted of 18,000 men, and the coastguard vo-
lunteers numbered 6,000 more ; so that they had in these
two forces a second navy, for he did not belieVe the navy
proper at this moment exceeded 20,000 men. It• was also
important to. bear in mind that they were paying more at-
tention in the selection of their seamen, and what they were
losing in numbers they were gaining in skill. By an act
passed two years ago they could send the coastguard volun-
teers anywhere; but before that time they could not exceed
the limit of 300 miles. The marines were kept in just suffi-
cient exercise to preserve their sea habits, without which
they would be useless on board ship. The number of the
coastguard was being reduced, but the hon. gentleman was
greatly mistaken as to the means that wore employed. Tho
fact was, a careful medical examination had been made, and
though he admitted the number of old men was decreased,
the coastguard was really increasing in efficiency.