The Sun.
London, England, 1841-03-06 00:00:00

had been formerly allotted to them. It had, therefore.,
been thought proper to make such a❑ addition to the
contingent allowances as mig,ht enable them to meet
their increased expences. 'lle consequence was that
there was a small increase in almost every battalion in
our service. The next charge to which he w:.hed to
call the attention of the House was in the item entitled

tie proportion of men wanted to be completed. Last
year the sum amounted to 40,000/., and in the present
year it would only amount to 20,0001. The reason
was that the number of effectives this year approached
more nearly to the establishment than on any former oc-
casion ; and he had some doubt whether be might not have
made a further reduction on that head. He would next
come to the good conduct pay, on which he was sure
every one would be glad to know there was an in-
crease. The fact was, however, that that system for
which the service was indebted to the Noble Lord who
preceded him (Mr. Macaulay), would not be fully
developed until the year 1843, as it would not come
sooner into full effect. Every soldier who had enlisted
since 1836 was entitled for the present to have an op-
tion between pay and the good conduct pay. Tho
barge last year for the good conduct pay amounted to
car 8,000/., and it was this year 9,312/., showing an
increase of more than 1,300/. Under the head of fo-
raging, and the money allowances and cantingent ex-
penses of regimental officers abrcad, there was a con-
siderable increase. The item amounted last year to
045.000/., and it would be raised this year to 270,000/.
He should observe, that the estimates which he was
presenting for the year which elapsed, between the 31st
of March, 1841, and the 31st of March, 180., were
founded on the actual expenditure of tl e year which
had elapsed, between the 31st of March, 1839, and the
31st of March, 1840. During that year the expendi-
ture had been considerably increased, particularly in
Canada, in Nova Scotia, in the Australian Colonies,
and the Cape of Good Hope. That increase had been
caused in Canada and Nova Scotia by a considerable
augmentation of forces. In Australia and the Cope of
Good Hope it had originated in a great rise in pro-i-
-sions. In Australia prices were such as could only be
produced by a scarcity. It had, therefore, been neces-
sary to incur additional expenses in these possessions ;
but the House would observe with pleasure that there
had been a reduction under the aced of Jamaica.
They would learn with still greater pleasure, that the
reduction arose from a restoration of good feeling, which
had induced that Colony to pay the expenses of its Go-
vernment from its own resources.—(Hear, hear.) Last
year he had been obliged to defray his expenses out of
the Army Estimates of this country. The next charge
to which he wished to called the attention of Parlia-
ment arose from an innovation, but an innovation Mitch
he was incline] to consider very valuable—it was the
charge for Savings Banks. In all the cases which had
come under the Authorities at the War-office, it ap-
peared that the formation of these banks had been at
tended with the most beneficial effects. Tho system had
been introduced by his Noble Friend the late Secretary
at War, who on that, as on every other subject, had
shown himself a friend to the service. He had to pro-
pose a vote of 500/. for the interest on deposits` In this
country such a system would not henceforward be much
required, for there were everywhere banks established
of which soldiers could avail themselves as well as any
other class. Neither would they be required for such
Colonies as Australia, where the system of Savings'
Banks was also fully established, and where the interest
on money was very high. But these banks would be
found a most valuable resource for that part of our army
who were scattered over different distant possessions,
whore similar institutions did not exist, and in which
the soldiers would be induced, without them, to squander
their money in frivolous pursuits. They could now
lay up their money in those countries in a manner
useful to themselves and beneficial to the service.
Under the head of regimental contingencies there was no
increase, but rather a slight decrease. In the charge
for the transport of regiments, in the United Kingdom,
there was an increase of 4,000/. or 5,000/., which was
almost entirely to bo attribut d to the use of railways
on such occasions ; and he was sure that the increase
would not be regretted, as it was accompanied with a
saving of time which in military movements was more
than an equivalent for a saving of money. The next
charge which presented any novelty was for a sum of
395/, to the Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital. That
sum would not be annually required. It was intended
that the annual grant should be only 50/., which would
be allowed for rent ; and the sum now required would
be for arrears under that head since the Ist of July, 1833.
The Hospital had been found to be a most useful insti-
tution, as it stood on ground which belonged to the Crown,
the officers wished that a grant of it might be made to
the members of the service. The Government thought
it advisable not to accede to that request, but they
offered a yearly grant of 50/. as an equivalent. In the
recruiting department there was a diminution in the
present estimates. The charge under that head
amounted to 119,000/. ; and it would this year amount
only to 103,000/. The reasons for the reduction wore
that the army had been largely recruited list year, and
that there was an omission of 8,1371. glace last year,
•for the maintenance of recruits and their marching
expenses, until they should have joined their regiments.
On closer inspection, it had been fouad that the charge
was unwarrantable, and that the recruits received pay
sqrom the moment they were recruited, and as their
marching expenses
.were otherwise provided for, they
had no claim to any additional grant. He would next
come to the vote for the battalion in Canada. 10,0001.
had been voted last year under that head, and
of that sum nothing had as yet been expended.
He proposed an additional sum for that pur
pose of 15,000/. which, with the previous 10,000/.
would enable him to meet the whole charge.
The object of that battalion was to form in Canada a
corps of men so sil uated, and of so high a character,
that no differences of the high wages and other tempta-
tions offered by the United Stator, and the facilities
presented of passing the border, should induce them to
desert. The whole force was to be composed of na-
tional treops, who had seen fourteen years' service.
Ten years' service in the Royal Canadian Regiment was
to entitle a man to a pension ; and he had the strongest
reason for believing that they would be easily able to
fill up the battalion on those terms. Tho only addi-
tional charge to the country, would be ono penny per
day to each soldier. They would each receive fifteen
pence a day, as all would be entitled to additional pay
for length of service ; for that each man would be en-

titled Co one and twopence a day. Every man, rank and
file of that battalion, would receive 15d. a day, so that
one penny a day per man would be the only additional
charge to the country. The whcle of that, however,
would not be an additional bunt= to the country, for
they would save the expense of having to transfer a
battalion every three years from the West Indies to
Canada ; and of having every three years to transfer a
battalion from Canada to this country. He believed
they were forming a corps, which, for respectability of
character and of station, would be quite unequalled ;
every private soldier in which woul I wear two badges
for good conduct, and would be iu the receipt of 151.
a day. Great privile ;es would also to allowed this
corps in respect of wives and chil Iren. 'l' cvelve women
for every 100 men would be allowed rations, instead of
six, as was the case with other regiments ; ar.d he
thought, when they considered the respectability of the
corps, and the great advantages which it would enjoy,
that there would be no reason to apprehend desertions
from it. He had given the subject his most anxious con-
,dderatior. He was aware that objections might be
urged against the plan, but he believed that on
the whole it would be found to be the hest system that
could be devised. He was again under the necessity
of proposing a sum 15,000/. for the service at St. Ha.
lona. They were not to imagine that he had been
inattentive to the subject since last }ear, but the House
must be aware that three had been reasons for his in-
action. Shortly after the matter had been brought
forward in that House last year a frigate commanded
by a Viench Prince of the lllood, had visited that
island on an impartial mission, and of course the House
must be aware that it would have bean exceedingly
Improper to withdraw any portion of the regular troops
during his visit. Since that time other circumstances
had occurred to which it would be needless for him to
advert, which had rendered it undesirable that any
diminution should take place in the military establish-
ment of that
hioalwanedve.r,
their
ijwoivrmmoesett, It was wutaketh°thieutensatiho
jnecotf
into
e
serious consideration, and he trusted
that next year ho might be able to announce
that a reduction had been made. Tae total sum re-
quired for the effective service last year was 4,503,000/. ;
on this year the amount would be reduced to
.1,443,000/. from which 93,000/., borne by the
East India Company, was to be deducted ; so that the
actual amount would be reduced to
3.110,774/. for this
year. Lint year
the sum required' amcunted to
3,111,8701., showing
a decrease this year of nearly
and Allowances, for which
attent;on was the Stiff Pay
vac of 51,153/. The
10,000/. The next item t, o which he should draw th, it
he shoull this year propose,
,a(_
to
~,95
..,
81 so that
vote last year had arnoun cI. 5
this year there was a reduction in that item ,
e, ,ro
was
an
of 0/.
1,80
In the article of staff' contingence!, there
in-
crease this year of 3,000/. Last year
the vote had beau
qame causes
for 53,0001, and this year it amounted to 56,000/.
This increase was owing to precisely the .
which had occasioned an increase in the regimental
contingencies. It had taken place in the "me Colo-
nies, and was attributable to precisely analogous causes.
The estimates under that head were made up for the next
year fi-otn the accounts of the last year. There was
an increase on the staff charges of the present year, oc-
casioned by the increased advantages given to medical
officers, in accordance with the recommendations of the
Naval and Military Commission. Had it not been for
that alteration, the staff charges of this year, as com-
pared with those of last year, would have exhibited a
slight diminution. The vote for the expenses of the
Public Departments amounted this year to 79,7141. ;
lost year it had amounted only to 60,146/. This in.
crease was owing partly to the abolition of fees on mili-
tary commissions, in
dation of the Navaaelcoardnadneemiwiiiitahrythecorememomismsioenn:
and in which recommendation ho cordially concur-
red, The stun formerly reee.o ed from this source