The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-15 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-MONDAY.

The LORD CHIaCEILOR took 1,44 seat on the wonia..,k at

five o'clock.
The Earl of CARNARVON called the attention of their
lordships to the present relations of the colonies with this
country, and moved for copies of correspondence between
the Government and the Governor-General of Canada and
the Government of the Australian colonies on the re-
duction of the military force stationed in those colonies.
The noble earl then at some length proceeded to comment
upon the desirability of maintaining the best feeling in
tho colonies with respect to the mother country, and observed
that, with respect to the formation of a council for the
colonies, similar to that of the Indian Council, with a view
of affording the Secretary of State for the Colonies more as-
sistance, ho doubted whether much good would arise, asthere
was no clear analogy between the colonial empire and India.
Although it was just rossiblo some additional information
might be gathered, yet the tendency of the appointment of
the Council would be to occasion dis-ati,faction and ultimate
mischief. It was said the colonies were now in a position
to tako care of themselves, but he could not believe
that the time bad yet arrived when they could
take care of themselves. He asked the Government not to
do any thing that would interfere with the pros; erit7 of Aus-
tralia, as if they did, the commerce with that great colony
would suffer iu a great degree. The noble lord then urged
on the Government the necessity of keeping up an adequate
reserve of troops in Canada, as the withdrawal of trofips
would be looked upon as an abandonment of the colonies
altogether.
Earl GRANVILLE, having defended himself from
attacks which had recently been made on him relative to the
subject of emigration, and the state of affairs in New Zea-
land, avowed that he did not approve of the idea of holding
a conference on colonial questions, and in that opinion be
had the support of the Governors of Canada, Tasmania,
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Aus-
tralia. He justified the withdrawal of the troops on the
ground that it was the duty of the Government to concen-
trate the army at home, and throw the burden of self-de-
fence upon those groat and free countries themselves.

The motion was withdrawn, and their lordships adjourned.

HO USE OF COMMON S.-MONDAY.

The SPEAKER took the chair at five minutes to four

o'clock.

THE ADDRESS TO THE TIViONE.

Lord OTUO FITZGERALD, who appeared in Windsor
uniform, brought up the reply of her Majesty tho Queen,
which was read at tho bar of the House.

EQUALIZATION OF POOR RATES.

Mr.%GOSCHEN gave notice of his intention on Friday
next to introduce a bill for equalising poor rates throughout
the metropolis ; and on Monday next to appoint a select com-
mittee to report whether it was expedient that the charges now
imposed upon occupiers of rateable property should be
divided between o►►ners and occupiers.

TELE(RAPHIO COMMUNICATION WITH EAST

INDIA.

Mr. GREGORY gave notice that on an early day after
Easter he should call the attention of the House to the state
of telegraphic. communication with our dependencies in the