The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-11 00:00:00

THE MILITIA.

Sir J. Y. BULLER presented a petition from the
inhabitants of Staleybridge, praying the House to take
no steps for the enrolment of the militia.
CORN-LAWS.

Mr. FOX MAULE presented a petition from the in-
habitants of Aberdeen approving of the present measures
of her Majesty's Government, and praying for a total
and immediate repeal of the corn-laws.
Mr. FERRAND presented petitions from Bradford
and several other places in Yorkshire praying for pro-
tection to labour by passing the Ten Hours' Factory Bill.
Mr. ESCOTT presented a petition from Broadway,
Somersetshire, approving of the measures of her Ma-
jesty's Government respecting corn.
Lord J. RUSSELL presented a petition from the in-
habitant, of London, signed by 64,000 persons, praying
for a total and immediate repeal of the corn laws, and in
favour of free trade generally. •
NEW WRIT.

Mr. YOUNG moved • for a writ for the city o f
Westminster, in the room of Captain Rous—(llear)
who had accepted the office of a Lord of the Ad-
iral ty.—(Grea t laughter.)
Colonel SIBTLIORI? moved for a return of all per-
sons who held Government situations of over 500/. a-
year, since the year 1795.—(Much laughter.)
CORN-LAWS.

Mr. BRIGHT presented petitions from Gainsborough,
from several parishes in Yorkshire, from Hawick, in
Scotland, from Nutsford, Darlington, and a number of
other places, preying for a total and immediate repeal of
the corn-laws.

INDIAN CORN.
Mr. F. FRENCH asked the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer at what port in Ireland it wa• intended to dis-
embark the Indian corn, which he understood the Go-
vernment had in their possession? He would also ask the
Secretary of State whether there was any truth in
the reports which had been circulated in
some of the Irish newspapers, to the effect
that the Poor-law Commissioners had taken
upon themselves to exercise a power vested in them, and
had dismissed the guardians of two poor law unions ii
Ireland ?
Sir J. GRAHAM had not had an opportunity of
making the proper inquiry upon the subject.
PUBLIC WORKS.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in
answer to a question put to him by an Hon. Member,
stated that the amount applicable to the purposes
of public works was 300,0001. for Great Britain.
Upon this sum a demand might be made
in aid of the public works in Ireland. But,
independent of that sum, there was placed under
the management of the Board of Works (Ireland) a fur-
ther sum of 60,000/. There was also the sum of 57,0001.
remaining in hand applicable to public works in Ireland.
THE TARIFFS OF THE BRITISH COLONIES.
Mr. HUME moved that an hurniile address be pre-
sented to her Majesty, that she will be pleased to direct
copies of the existing tariffs and commercial regulations
or each of the British colonies and 'possessions to be laid
before this House, in the same manner as the tariffs and
commercial regulations of Europe and America have
been laid before the House. That there be laid before
this House copies of the existing tariffs and com-
mercial regulations of British India and the depen-
dencies thereof, on exports and imports, in the same
manner as those laid before:the House of the European
and American States. It was highly important that the
House should be in possession of ~this information in
order that they might perceive how great a burden the
colonies were to this country, and that they might take
measures to relieve themselves of much of the expense.
Dr. BOWRING seconded the motion, but he could
not do so without bearing his testimony to the great
talent which these returns evinced in their compiler,
who he believed was Mr. M'Gregor, of the Board of
Trade.
Lord SEYMOUR was understood to differ from the
Hon. Member for Bolton. The returns, in his opinion,
a ere dull romances, and full of inaccuracies.
Sir G. CLERK could only say that if this Noble Lord
would point out the inaccuracies, he would take care to
have them corrected.
Mr. lIUME denied .that the returns were dull ro-
mances, and declared that they were of great service to -
the country.
Lord SEYMOUR (as we understood) expressed his
dissent from the Hon. Member for Montrose.
Mr. HUME rose to explain. He said that it would
be very unfair to reject ten or twelve documents because
there might be an error in one of 'them.
Mr. AGLIONBY concurred with this remark. He
thought it was hard to attack the documents in that man
ner. If there were any serious doubts as to their correctness
they ought to be referred to a Select Committee. He
felt great pleasure in finding this motion before the
House, and in finding that it had been seen. led. He
was glad to sea Hon. Members turning their attention to
the affairs of our colonies, which had been too long neg-
lected. Government had not turned sufficient attention
to their commercial interest, and that was the reason
why they had always been a burthen to the mother-
country.—(Hear.) He was convinced that if a proper
course were adopted with regard to our colonies, they
would become an, assistance instead of a burden.
Sir G GREY said that if these documents contained
valuable information, he thought that the Members had
not sufficient access to them; and he would, therefore,
propose that they should be referred to the consideration
of the Printing Committee, with a view to their greater
dissemination.
• After a few remarks fromSl.r R. H. INGLIS,