The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-17 00:00:00

ILARBOUR PAY.

, .._ &_ Per day. Per annum.
_ - .1
s. d. £ s. d.
Ist Rate
This pay to be eventually that of the Ist Class.
Ist Class 2d Rate
3d Rate
{4th Rate 4 4
2d Class This pay to be eventually that of the 2d Class.
sth Rate 3 11
3d Class 3 6
This pay to be eventually that of the 3d Class.
{ 6th Rate

COAST-GuARD.---The committee have come to the
conclusion that it would be inexpedient to alter in any
material respect the present constitution of this force, so
far as it is connected with the naval service. This force
should only be embarked under a requisition from
the Admiralty, having the approval of her Majesty,
any part of the force not required, or fit to embark, to
be available as a coast artillery. The committee recom-
mend an addition of 500 men to this branch.

MEASURES FOR MANNING THE FLEET IN EMER-
GENCY.—The committee state that they have anxiously
considered the means of effecting this important object
without having recourse to impressment. They advert
to the operation of the registry of merchant seamen, and
remark that fishermen, lightermen, and others liable to
impressment, have not yet been brought within the
working of the registry system, although forming a large
portion of the maritime population. They suggest that
local investigation into this point should be instituted.
ROYAL NAVAL COAST VOLUNTEERS.—With regard to
the formation of a coast militia as a part of a naval re-
serve, they recommend that such a desirable force should
"ge""er;tabtished upon smAneklowclos.prinoiple to the re-
sent enrolment of volunteers for the land militia. They
consider that about 5,000 or 6,000 men, or such addi-
tional number as her Majesty's Government shall deter-
mine, might without much difficulty be so raised chiefly
through the instrumentality of the coast guard. On
some parts of the coast the disposition to volunteer may
probably be found less favourable than on others ; but,
under a system wholly voluntary, it does not appear
essential that the numbers in each district should be
equal ; this might be regulated to some extent Py the
portion of men which could be conveniently trained at
particular coast-guard stations.
MANNING CLAUSES IN MERCHANT SEAMEN'S ACT.—
The committee allude to the complaints of the merchant
shipowners of the existing restriction as to the propor-
tion of British and foreign seamen forming their crews,
and remark that they could not but regard any proposal
for the abandonment of those restrictions without serious
apprehensions of its effect upon the naval power of the
country.
GREENWICH HOSPITAL.—The committee recommend
that in all cases reference should be had to the character
of the men previous to their admission to this establish-
ment ; and they call the attention of the Admiralty to
certain suggestions made by the governor of the institu-
tion for improving its internal management.

AMOUNT OF FORCE TO BE RETAINED IN ENGLAND.—
The committee submit the expediency of maintaining
the navy in commission at such a numerical force as,
independently of the Channel squadron, will admit of
10,000 seamen and boys, exclusive of officers, being re-
tained in England for the protection of the ports and
coasts of the United Kingdom, and suggest that 1,000
additional Marines should also be kept at home for the
same purpose. They consider that the sudden fluctua-
tions to which the naval force has heretofore been sub-
ject ought to be prevented.
_ .

CONCLUSION. —The committee express their concur-
rence in the opinion of previous committees of the House
of Commons with regard to the policy of relying upon
our naval power as the right arm of our strength, and
conclude by indulging in a sanguine hope " that the
various measures which we have recommended will sub •
stantially promote the welfare of the seamen and the
efficiency of the naval service, thereby establishing our
maritime power on a more solid and secure foundation."