The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-16 00:00:00

time of peace was not atimeofrepose to the navy, b manse
from the requirements of our colonies our navy was kept
constantly in a state of activity and efficiency. Alt hough
the country had had much to learn during the late. war,
most of it was previously known to those in authority,
but circumstances over which they could have no con.
trol prevented their carrying out such alterations as were
necessary. For the last 30 years almost every person
who bad been connected with the administration of the
naval affairs of the country had experienced great dim.
culty in making sudden additions to the number of men
in service, and the question now for the consideration of
the house was to provide a substitute for impressment,
which was generally considered objectionable, and ought
not to be put in force. During the past war impressment
had not been resorted to, and the plan adopted for in.
creasing the navy had been successful-12,000 men
having been added to the force in the course of eight or
nine months without impressment or bounty. He hoped
the time would be distant before the country would be
again engaged in hostilities ; but it was the bounden
duty of the Government, nevertheless, to be ready in
cases of emergency. The right hon. hart. said that
France always had kept up a larger fleet than this
country, and that Russia had always had a larger number
of seamen, and he proceeded to read extracts from works
with reference to the naval defences of those two coun-
tries, comparing the facts with those connected with the
state and efficiency of our own navy. It was obvious
to all that there were only at present in this country a
sufficient number of sailors for her Majesty's service
and the mercantile marine, and the consequence was
that when any sudden and increased demand arose for
men in the royal navy, the mercantile marine suffered,
and they were obliged to meet it by offering large holm•
ties, against which the Government could not contend.
The Government proposed to be able to increase the
navy by means of a compulsory service, similar to that
adopted by all countries, except America. During the
past war the marines have been increased to 16,000 men,
which it was proposed not to reduce, and this bill would
only have reference to seamen. It frequently happened
during the late peace that for the protection of out co-
lonies and trade our ships were scattered about all over
the world, and the ports of this country were left with
scarcely a ship to protect them, which it was desirable
should not again happen. It was desirable we should
possess the means of increasing our naval force with
trained seamen with the same facilities as that possessed
by other countries. The resources of the country dur-
ing the past war consisted of the riggers of the dock-
yards, from which under 200 were withdrawn and the
naval coast guard. The whole of the coast guard
force comprised 5,000 men, from which 2,000 were
withdrawn during the war, and were principally eat-
ployed in the Baltic. A number of pensioners were
also enrolled, who did duty on board the harbour ship,
and from these sources the Government,on an emergency,
were only able to call into active service from between
2,500 and 3,000 men. From the coast guard the
greatest number of men could be drawn, and the object
of this measure was to enlarge that force, and to render
it more naval in its character and object. In 1823 or
1824 a coast guard force was organised in Kent and
Sussex for the iioast blockade, and ships for their recep-
tion were stationed-in the Downs. There were, how-
ever, many defects in the organisation of that
force, and considerable expense, more than was
necessary, was entailed on the country in keeping it up,
and in 1830 the force was disbanded. The object of the
present bill was to increase the efficiency of the coast
guard service, and increase volunteering in that depart-
ment, and he proposed by this bill to increase the
number of men and make provision for their earlier
discharge, so as to have at all times a larger reserve
of trained seamen available than had hitherto been
the case. The force he proposed should not exceed
10,000, and which he expected would take some time to
raise. The present rules and regulations would remain
in force with regard to the present coast guard force ;
bat in this act there would be a distinction between the
coast guard and the coast guard volunteers. They
would be entitled to be discharged as seamen, pensioned
as seamen, and in the event of their being called out for
war, their wives and families would be allowed to
occupy their quarters during good behaviour, and
the absence of their husbands. At present most cf the
coast of this country was undefended, and it was con-
sidered that this increased force would be a benefit in
times of peace, in protecting the Revenue, and thereby
make itself almost self-supporting from the increase
that would result to the revenue by the more
efficient prevention of smuggling. He proposed
to station ships of war at the principal ports on
the coast, which would be the head quarters
of the coast guard for the neighbourhood,
and to attach to them the gun-boats recently constructed
as a means of instructing the force, &c., and which could
at any time be used in defence of the country. These
gun-boats stationed at these ports with an efficient force
on board them wculd be an extra defence to the coun-
try. The right hon. baronet then entered into some of
the details of the bill with reference to pensioning the
men, &c., and concluded by moving the second reading
of the bill.

Sir G. GRAHAM concurred in the measure proposed,
believing it would make our navy more efficient. The
protection of this force to the revenue would cause a
sufficient increase with which to defray its expense.
After some remarks from Mr. GROGAN,
Sir F. BARING cordially supported the bill.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ex-
plained that the charge for defraying the expenses of this
force would come before the house next year in the esti-
mates for the Admiralty.
Mr. J. G. PHIL LIMORE supported the bill, and
wished the First Lord of the Admiralty had asked fur
15,000 instead of 10,000 men.
Mr. HADFIELD cautioned the Government against
what they proposed now to do by this bill. He thought
increasing our coast defences to the extent proposed
would create jealousy on the part of foreign Govern-
ments.

Mr. MA.GUIRE supported the bill, and suggested
that two extra dockyards should be added to the pre-
sent numbor, one in Scotland, and the other in the south
of Ireland.

Mr. ROEBUCK supported the bill, believing the best
economy consisted in the country being prepared for war
whenever war might occur.

MILITIA PAY BILL.
On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Col. DUNNE complained of the manner in which the
Irish militia had been disembodied, and asked for equal
justice to Ireland, and for an explai alien of the late dis-
turbance at Nenagh, arising from a disagreement rela-
tive to pay.
Mr. COWAN called the attention of the home to the
present system of billetting soldiers in Scotland.
Mr. F. PEEL Faid that inquiry was making into the
cause of the mutiny at Nenagh, and until it was com-
pleted he thought it would be injudicious for him to
enter into an explanation on the subject. The other
statements of the gallant member had reference to details
that cou'd be better discussed in committee.
Lord NAAS complained that no reasons had as yet
been assigned for the changes in the staff proposed by
this bill. The disturbances connected with the Tipper-
ary Militia had arisen from misapprehension, and he
wished to know who was responsible for the explanation
given to the men of their rights ?
Mr. MAGUIRE asked what steps had been taken by
the Government to do justice to the Tipperary Militia,
and expressed his opinion that the Government ought to
make some atonement for the blunder they had cow-
mated.

Mr. PALK complained of the injustice and hard-
ship inflicted on the militiamen on their disembodiment,
who were left to find their way home with but sd. in
their pockets instead of 14,7.
After some remarks from Colonel FRENCM.,

The house went into committee on this bill.
Clauses 1 and 2 ware, after some verbal amendments,
agreed to.
On clause 3 some discussion arose, which resulted in
a division. The numbers were—
For the clause
Against it
Majority for the clause
The clause was then agreed to.
Clauses 4 to 27 were, after some discussion and amend-
ments, agreed to, and the bill passed through com-
mittee.
The house then resumed.

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