The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

to a very great extent, the instalments had been
punctually and regularly paid. Owing to the dis-
.;ress which hid existed during the last two yro the
time had, however, been extended fur the payment of
the instalments.
Mr. HUDSON wished to know whether th - ad-
vance of the present sum would not be attended with
much greater risk than grants made at any former
period.
Mr. BARCLAY tendered his most cordial thanks
to the Government for their kindness in coming for-
ward to assist the colony. He would remind the
House that the West India islands had contributed
a large sum of money towards the relief of the
destitute in Ireland last year. Interchanges of
this kind were equally honourable to both par-
ties, and would form, he believed, the best link
between the colonies and the mother country. With
respect to the question put by the Hon. Member for
Sunderland (Mr. Hudson), he did not think that
there was any risk attending the advance of this
money to the island, because he believed that the
revenues of the islands were never in a more pros-
perous condition, owing to the prosperous state of the
labouring population.
The vote was then agreed to.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
rose to move a vote of 200,0001. for the purpose of the
emigration of free labourers to the islands of Trinidad
and Guiana. He believed that all were aware of the
importance attached to the emigration of free labourers
to the West Indies on the coast of Africa, and the
object of this vote was to further that emigration, and
to defray the expenditure that had already taken place,
which he believed was about 166,0004
Mr. BARCLAY said, it might perhaps apptehaer
un-
grateful on his part, but he felt bound to e
Go-
vernmentll
that the loan would not enable thet island to
compete with those colonies where free-labour
was produced. This loan was the only sugar
measure that
Government could introduce for the
her Majesty's
benefit of the colonies, but he:hoped the House would
not labour under the impression that temporary ex-
pedients of this nature were calculated to improve
the condition of the colonies.
quite convinced that they would
nevera int aal nl
any
events
enable
he
wtheay c olonies to compete with
slave- growing states ; and he, therefore, trueted that
the time was not far diStant when the
,House
would condescend to take into its seriou'i con-
sideration the present deplorable state of
the colonies. How was it that the colonists could
not raise this money upon their own security ? Why,
simply because an impression prevailed that the
colonies were to be left to their fate, aid were never
more to be taken under the fostering care of that House.
The House should not think that it was doing an act
of great generosity in voting this grant.
Mr. HUME agreed, with a great portion of the
Hon. Gentleman's address, but particularly with that
portion of it in which he stated that the colonies
had been greatly injured by the mismanagement
of the Colonial-office ; but he rose to
oppose the grant on other grounds, and he should
divide upon it. By the rules of the House no money
should be spent by the Government without the
consent of the House, except in cases of extreme
emergency, like that for which the 5,0001.
was voted ; but since 1844, the Colonial-office
had entered into negotiations with the colo-
nies by which the House had been pledged to
vote large sums of money for their use. For instance,
when the Court of Policy of Trinidad desired to raise a
loan and could not do so, the Colonial-office stepped
into their aid, and pledged the House to in-
demnify them. It was utterly fallacious—it was
a perfect delusion to suppose that, as these
Colonies were situated at present they would
even be enabled to repay is. of any sum
that might be lent to them. There was a
time when they could have done so, but their credit
was now gone, and such: was the deplorable financial
condition of the colony, that the Government had
-been compelled to curtail their expenses by reducing
the emoluments of their servants. Therefore, if they
advanced the money, they might as well do so as
a grant, for none of it would ever be repaid.
Tine Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Gladstone),
was not lesss culpable than any of his predecessors
for he sanctioned the emigration of coolies at an ex-
pense which he pledged this country to defray by
loan. He (Ar. Hume) wished to see the colonies
left to their own management, and free from the in-
fluence of the Colonial Office ; let them employ
whom they liked, pass what laws they liked, and
pay what salaries they liked; do not interfere
with them, but make them responsible to the
mother country. He, therefore, begged to move
that the grant be postponed until the report of the
Committee on Oirsn.t Indian Affairs was before the
Hcuse, and they were informed of the intentions of
the Government respecting them.
Mr. GLADSTONE confessed that the repayment
of the money would be questionable, and agreed
with the lion. Gentleman that as a matter of economy
the best way to bring that about was to leave matters
to the transaction of the colonists themselves.—
♦ (Hear.) Whatever gratitude the West Indian
Islands owed for the aid afforded by the Government,
or whatever responsibility attached to it, neither he
nor Lord Stanley were to blame, as it was not afforded
during the time they held office.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that it was perfectly correct that the present propo-
sition did not originate with the late Government,
but they adopted the measure for the immigration of
the coolies into the West Indies, out of which the
necessity for the present loan originated.
Sir R. H. INGLIS said that whatever might be
the opinion, with respect to the recent equilization of
the duty on sugar had been productive of the greatest
of evils to the West Indian colonies. Notwithstand-
ing the injuries the colonists had sustained, he believed
that they still entertained the best feelings towards the
mother country, and he thought that the House would
be only acting right in agreeing to advance the sums
which were required the purpose of mitigating the evils
under which the colonies were at present suffering
He trusted that there would be no opposition to this
grant. lithe colonies were compelled to pay all their
expenses, they would cease to look upon this country
in a parental light.
Mr. ROBINSON thought that the House of
Commons ought not to be called upon to vote
200,0001. for the purpose of emigration before it had
the report of the Emigration Committee. For aught
they knew the report of that Committee might be
against any further emigration to these colonies, and
on such doubt it was rather too bad to take out of

the pockets of the hard working people of this
country so large a sum as 200,000/.
Mr. HUME called upon the Government to post-
pone this vote for a short time in order to enable the
House to have before it the report of the 'West India
Committee.

Mr. WILSON thought there was very little
chance of the report of the West India Committee
being laid on the table of the House for some weeks.

to come.

Mr. HERRIES supported the grant, and was
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
(THIS I)AY.)
AFTERNOON SITTING.
At the re-assembling of the delegates this afternoon,
there were only twenty-four present; Mr. Dixon, the
newly elected chairman, presided.
The first business was the election of a person to take
money at the gallery entrance, and also the election of
as
t ea
ht
Zu et
h. taat klelril. John Ask. ilh received ebleveend
ealeccoredmaundieClaetglOante,
The CHAIRMAN said he had '
at
Aa meeting Finance
of6oopersons held at Swindon (Wilts).
Committee, an Agitation Committee, to
superintend the holding of meetings in the London
district, and tocazange as to the attendance of delegates
then t theepec,
Captain
to I.
'BittEt: General Business Committee, were
at
end (eDrit bi °rin ) , who had been appointed
to attend the Assembly, in
invitationo sent to that effect, here
abcycothrdeanlereishweithon
statement, but spoke in
ruse and proceeded to make
to him, several
su low a tone of voice that scaracel
oa wdurd was audible.
On a vote of thanks being proposed
delegates objected, observing that ti't sweas
when not a sentence of the captain's absurd to do so
s,,eech was clear!
understood, whereupone y
red to explain the substance of
Dr. mwo uL offered
Mr. O'Brien's communication, which was to the follow.
ing effect:—That the condition of Ireland was such that
the Government of this country had commenced a ruth-
less prosecution against the best and bravest of her ser-
vants, who were now entirely in their hands and would be
dealt with in the most cruel and blood-thirsty manner.
Chat Mr. O'Brien had consulted his own lawyer as to
the effect of the Convention Act, and was informed that,
under exsiting circumstances, it would not be prudent for
the Confederation to send delegates to that assembly.
That he was of opinion that very great danger
might result, not only to Ireland but to this
country, provided they did not carry on their
aagitation h the effect of distracting the
active would have gitation with firmness and prudence ; and that an
' its whole strength upon unhappy
Government throwing
aarlitioll of their common enemy, and present the
Ireland. He (Dr. M'Douall) entirely agreed with the
~pinion of Captain O'Brien, for he believed that the
Government wished nothing better than that the as-
sembly should cease their agitatbn, and allow them to
concentrate their powers on Ireland.
A vote of thanks was then carried with great una-
nimity.
A DELCATE said he sincerely believed that it was not
The ens
the intention
to be taken u
under the operation
el Gov
tax of the Convention Act.
Government to bring that Assembly
.e public.
sai said, the next most important business
p by the Assembly was to consider some
mode whereby thei
etdrhettnrireedings might be properly and
fatAthfmulolytiocrwyeaYs
Barnsley, that the Assembly
seconded by Mr. sH,,;"ived by- Mr. CAMPBELL and
should enter into tidliaial;yrna:n g erne n t
with
procepedispers, to . secure a full and
the proprietors
of some: one of the
correct report of the
A good deal of discussitoungs.
enaued, during which