The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-27 00:00:00

SUPPLY.

Mr. HUME inquired whether the Right Honourable
Baronet the Chttneellor of the Exeh( quer was prepared,
before going into a Committee of Suppiv, to state to the
House in what way he proposed to provide for the defi-
ciency of 3,000,004 ?
The CHAN CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
did not at prrsell L propose to make any statement on
that subject.
The House then went into Committee, Mr. Bernal in
the chair.

Mr. WARD said he must now ask the Committee to
give bite a farther vote on account, under three differ-
ent heals, of the estimates for the service of the navy
during the present year. Ho did not propose to take
the whole estimate in any of them, but only a portion of
each, and to leave the remaining balance for subsequent
discussion. The first vote he moved was, that. a further
sum of 300,000 L be granted to her Majesty to defray the
charge of the wages of seamen and marines, the number
being already agreed to.
Mr. HUME wished to know whether, after the evi-
dence which had been taken before the Select Committee
on Public Expenditure, the Government had adopted
any measures to reduce the expenditure in the depart-
ment of the navy, which was now nearly double the
amount it had been in former years. His own individual
opinion was that thcre was ample room for a great
change and greater economy, without any injury to the
public service. Had the Government taken any mea-
sures for these necessary reforms, or did they intend to
wait until the Select Committee made its report.
Mr. WARD replied that, without anticipating what
the report of the Committee might be, the Government
had token every opportunity of effecting every practical
economy in the department of the public service with
which he was connected. Hired men in the dock-
yards, whose terms of service had expired, had been
parted with; and, from the introduction of steam sawing
machinery, and by other modes, the naval estimates for
the ensuing year would be reduced by no less a sum
than 600,0001.

Captain EIARRIS said he had a suggestion to make,
which he admitted was not one of economy, but still of
great public importance. It was, that first class line-of-
battle ships should be fitted and sent out to foreign sta-
tions, instead of the class of men of war now employed
in this branch of the service. At present there was in
the West ladia station one of the very worst ships, the
Wellesby, on the station. She was a dull sailer, and
wholly unfit to be so employed. The French had on
the station five or six heavy frigates; and in case a war
should break out (of which there was a chance in 1839
and 1840, when he was serving on board the Win-
chester on that station), the Wellesley would not be a
watch for any one of those frigates; whereas, if such a
ship as the Vstng lard, under Lord Dundonald, was sent
out, she could manage any three of those frigates.
Again, he found the Hastings, with the flag of Sir
Francis Collier, had been sent out to the East India
station, though wholly unfit to compete with the ships
sent out by foreign powers. He thought it would
be prudent and wise for the Goverment to fit out for
foreign service a better class of ships than were now
sent out.

Admiral DUNDAS said, the great object of the
Admiralty was to wear out their old ships ; but they
were now sen►ling out vessels which would be quite ready
to meet any oppo'ing force.

-
Capt. PECHELL expressed a hope that, if he ab-
staint.d now from bringing forward the claims of the
commanders, lieutenants, and two other classes in the
naval service, he should not be met on a future occasion
by the as:ertion that he had omitted to avail himself of
the fitting opportunity. He only now abstained in order
that he might not interpose any obstacle in the course of
her Majesty's Government.
Mr. S. HERBERT understood that the three heads of
estimatez, under which the Honourable Gentleman (Mr.
Ward) proposed to take votes on account, were first for
the wages of seamen and marines, next for stores, and
lastly, for half-pay. Was that so?
Mr. WARD replied in the affirmative.
Mr. HUME drew the attention of the Committee to
the case of the assistant-surgeons of the navy. These
gentleuien were required to have a higher qualification
inthalleeogrefour(s
,branchesurgeonsin London
ono
science
rin
than eitiie r
the Edinburgh
ceottualidnerde citunierea'geand of 2yse tytehaersse
Wgeerteit
plaeene d wohno mb
oussrtd haveshp
among a parcel of youthe, who eere midshipmen or
mares. Seen being the fact, the Committee would not
be surprised to hear that a week ago Sir William Bur-
nett, the physician-general, had not a single candidate
aeocufetiarosefslyismtfraeondt-euricageon in the navy;
s e:sirteal
rueoensttta,
fur the w
tdh;eaaansptipt
thiim
mtihemneengletcot
ocofmaeclafuosre-
now made for five successive years, that assistant-sur-
geons should be allowed to mess with the lieutenants.
It was said there was no room to admit an assistant-sur-
geon, and yet he understood that engineers were so ac-
commodated to the exclusion of the medical man.
Captain BERKELEY said that the Admiralty did its
utmost to secure the best medical advice fur the men in
the service, and he had never before heard of there
being the slightest difficulty in finding candidates for
the uffice (-)f assistant-surgeon. It would be impos-
sible to provide for them, however, in the ward-room
without interfering with the working the guns and with
the discipline of the ship; and still further was it
im-
possible to provide the assistant-surgeon with a
cabin. Bes.sides this, the greatest injury would be done
to the service if the assistant-surgeon was put over the
heads of the mates, who were his superior officers.