The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-19 00:00:00

Mr. S. HERBERT—Yes, but tint was a very special

case.
Mr. HILDYARD suggested that the wife and family of
a militiaman, serving abrOad, should not be removable
during the period of his foreign service. He thought that
the expense of maintaining the wife and family ought to
be borne by the Consolidated Fund, and in that case it
would operate as a bounty to induce men to volunteer for
foreign service.
Lord PALMERSTON said it was a mistake to suppose
that a greater number of militiamen were married than of
men serving in the line. He believed that the contrary
was the case. The preference was given to unmarried
men volunteering to go abroad in the militia service.
In reply to nr. HENLEY,
Lord PALMERSTON said ho would propose to substi-
tute " five years" instead of an indefinite period, such as
" (luring the remainder of the war," as the period of ser-
vice for volunteers.
The amendment was then agreed to.
SIBTHORPCoI. moved to leave out the words, "that
such bounties as shall he from time to time fixed by the
Secretary at War," and to insert, "that it should be dis-
tinctly and definitely fixed as the full amount of bounties
to be given to each non-commissioucd officer, drummer,
and private soldier who shall be disposed to volunteer Ilia
services.
Mr. S. HERBERT said he thought it would bo unwise
to fix either the maximum or the minimum of these
boun ties.
Mr. DISRAELI said that he thought that the Govern-
ment ought to be left unfettered in this respect, and, there-
fore, he hoped that his hon. and gallant friend would not
press his amendment.
The amendment was then withdrawn, and the clause
was agreed to.
Clauses 3,4, 5, and 6 were agreed to.
On clause 7,
Col. SIBTHORP moved that the clause be struck out.
Viscount PALMERSTON said that he could not agree
to the motion of the hon and gallant gentleman. He had
no doubt that colonels of militia, like his hon, and gallant
friend, would be quite in their place as colonels of batta-
lions abroad. But inconvenience had been found to arise
when a full colonel of militia was in garrison with a lieu-
tenant-colonel of the line, and, therefore, he had laid it
down as a rule that militia regiments should only bo com-
manded by lieutenant-colonels.
Col. SIBTHORP said he wished to know in what poll'
tion he was to be placed?
Viscount PALMERSTON said that a gentleman of the
rank, influence, and social position of his hon. and gallant
friend, would, he thought, be more beneficially employed
at home than abroad. (Hear, hear.) He should have
every confidence in his gallantry at the head of his regiment
if it went into action, but his services might be more Toe
luable at home. (Hear, hear.)
Col. SIBTHORP said that this opinion of the noble lord
would give but little encouragement to militia officers.
Lord HOTHAM said that he wished to put a question to
the noble lord. It was now intended to send certain militia
regiments to serve in foreign possessions, and there were
many officers in that force who held her Majesty's commis-
sion in the army. In all cases of regimental duty the senior
officer of the militia took the command ; but it was a com-
mon thing fora major in a militia regiment to have su-
perior rank in the army to the lieutnant-colonel. The.,
rule of the service was, that in general duties the officer 01
higher army rank took the command. Her Majesty's Go-
verument had encouraged old officers of the army to enter
the militia; and, after having so encouraged them to serve,
it would be unjust to place them in an inferior position to
that which they would have occupied if they had remained
in full pay in the regular army. He did not wish to cast
any reflection on the militia officers, but he thought that
the position of officers in that force, holding her Majesty's
commission, should be recognised just as if they had re-
mained on full pay. The noble lord concluded by moving
a proviso embodying his proposal.
Lord PALMERSTON apprehended that the proposal of
the noble lord would not be consistent with the established
law and practice of the army. The noble lord (Hotharn)
was aware that all officers in the militia who had been in,
the army must be upon half-pay, and that they could not
accept positions in the militia except upon that condition..
He apprehended, therefore, that, upon that ground, no
such officer could exercise military authority under the
Mutiny Act over any portion of the army that might be
stationed at any foreign garrison. The provisions of the
Mutiny Act would require an entire change if the provito
of the noble lord were adopted. No officer on half-pay
could exercise military authority unless he was upon that.
staff. That, ho (Lord Palmerston) conceived, was of itself
a sufficient reason why the proposal of the noble lord ought
not to be adopted. The arrangements which had been
proposed in the bill were precisely the same as those that
were made with regard to the militia in 1814, and he WO
afraid that any advantages that might arise from the pre-
position would be more than counterbalanced by the incone•
veniences that it would occasion.
Lord HOTHAM would not press his proposal if her Ma'
jesty's Government were not disposed to agree to it-
He begged to observe, however, that the noble lord him'
self had admitted that there was no partiality whatever
between the present state of things and that of 1814. The
arrangements were totally dissimilar. He conceived that
he had simply asked for justice with regard to those half-
pay officers that might serve in the militia at foreign
garrisons.
Col. NORTH submitted that the officers in question
would be placed by the Mutiny Act in exactly the same
position as the officers of the line.
Cul. DUNNE did not apps:ehend that half-pay officers
would suffer much by the omissit.so of the proposal of Lord
Hotham, because he did not thlnk that many half-pay
officers would accept in the militia, a position inferior to
that which they held in the army. (hear, hear.)
After some further observations, the proviso was nevi..
tived.
Clauses 7, 8 and 9 were agreed to.
Clause 10 was omitted.
Clause 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 were agreed to.
Clause 16 was omitted.
Lord LO VAINE moved a clause, the object of which
was to prevent the disembodiment of that portion of *
militia regiment which was not sent abroad.
Mr. S. HERBERT said there was nothing in the ant
tending to such disembodiment.
Mr. BANKES thought that after that explanation the
noble lord might safely withdraw the clause.
Lotd LOVAINE would not press it.
Mr. BANKES moved a proviso, to the effect that net
more than 15,000 militiamen should be sent abroad.
Lord PALMERSTON did not think it was likely thet
so many as 15,000 would be required to be sent out, but he
thought it would be better not to fix any particular limit-
There appeared to be au apprehension, for which there was
no foundation, that the whole of the militia would be Beni
abroad. No limit was fixed in the Militia Act of 1814.
Mr. BANKES said that a limit was fixed by that ft4t;
and that the number was 30,000; and, as he wished to shoo
that the house was not less vigilant than the Parliament (af
1814, he therefore proposed to fix a limit. (Laughter.)
The proviso was negatived.
Mr. FITZROY moved a clause, the object of which was
to make subalterns in the militia of five years' standing
eligible to the rank of captain, without property qualifimy
tion.
Mr. H. HERBERT thought that a standing of three
years ought to he considered sufficient.
Mr. C. BRUCE thought that it would be better to with-
draw the clause.
Lord PALMERSTON said it should be borne in mind
that past service would be counted in the five years, and,
as there had only been 28 days' service in the first year, be
did not think that five years should be considered too long
a probation.
Mr. J. G. SMYTH thought that some retiring alloW•
ance ought to be made to subalterns in the militia.
The bill then passed through committee, and was r(''
ported, and ordered for second reading this day.
THE ANSWER TO THE ADDRESS.
Viscount DRUMLANRIG appeared at the bar, in the
uniform of the Comptroller of the Household, and brought
up her Majesty's gracious answer to the Address : " Your
loyal and dutiful address has afforded me much gratifica-
tion, and I thank you for the assurance of your support to
those measures which I consider necessary for the vigorous
prosecution of the war, and which I trust, with your as-
sistance, and under the blessing of the Almighty, may lead
to the re-establishment of peace Upon a sure and lasting
foundation."

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
In reply to a question from Sir H. WILLOUGHBY,
Lord J. RUSSELL said that it was not the intention of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to make any financial
statement before the recess.
SLIGO BOROUGH.
Mr. WHITESIDE moved fur a copy of the indictment
found at the late assizes for the county of Sligo against
Michael Gethin, Henry Simpson, and James Simpson,
directed by this house to be prosecuted for certain graYa
offences by the AttornerGeneral for Ireland.
After a few words from Sir J. YOUNG, the motion was
withdrawn.

Mr. WHITESIDE obtained leave to bring in a bill t
amend the laws relating to juries in Ireland.
CLERGY RESERVES.
Mr. NAPIER moved for a copy of the Clergy Reserve
Bill, now before the Canadian Parliament.
Ordered.

PRINTING.
Mr. FITZROY moved fora select committee to assist
Mr. Speaker in all matters which relate to the printing
executed by order of this house, and for the purpose of
selecting and arranging for printing returns and papers
presented in pursuance of motions multi by members of this
house :—Mr. Strutt, Sir J. Young, Mr. G. Hamilton, Mr.
J. Greene, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Beckett, Mr. Divett, Mr. Gas•
kell, Mr. Hume, Mr. Vernon Smith, and Mr. Sothoron.
Three to be the quorum.
THE FOREIGN ENLISTMENT BILL.
On the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL, this bill was read a
first time, and ordered to be react a second time to-morrow.
Mr. DlSRAElJl—Concluding that the printed copies of
this bill will be in the hands of hon. members to-morrow
morning, I shall, for the sake of facilitating public business,
not object to the bill being read a second time to morrow
evening ; but, in saying this, I shall be sorry for the noble
lord to conclude that I approve of the measure, as I intend
to offer to its passing my most uncompromising opposition.
(Hear, hear, and Opposition cheers.)
The house adjourned at a quarter past eight.

FALMOUTH, Dec. 18.—The steam-transport No. 132
put in here this morning, a gale with N.N.W. 'wind
prevailing, and thick showers.

BIRTHS.
OF A BON.
On the Eth inst., at Crocken-hill, the wife of the Rev
W. Gardner.

OF A DAUGHTER.
On the 18th inst., at 33, Lowndes-square, the lady of
Sir Henry Bt. John Mildmay, Bart.

MARRIED.
On the IGth inst., at Wilmington Church, N. Hewet-
sou, Esq., of Blackheath park, to Jane, eldest daughtor of
George Russell, Esq., of Wilmington-hall, Kent.
On the 14th inst.. at Holy Trinity Church, Walton, the
Rev. John Wood Kewley, of Wavertree, to Mary Jane,
daughter of Mr. Win. Ashe, of Baines-place, Everton.