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

COAST-GUARD SERVICE BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Sir C. WOOD said the present bill was intended to
provide for an adequate reserve of seamen in case of war,
and he wished to avail himself of this opportunity to
state the views of the Government with reference to the
question, because it was essentially necessary that the
House of Commons and the country should be aware of
the necessity there was for providing for a supply of sea-
men, in cases of emergency, and that provision should
be made for that purpose, although it might ultimately
entail an extra expense on the country. The right hon.
baronet proceeded to remark that it was necessary, for
the safety of the country, that a measure of this sort
should be adopted, and he hoped the house and country
would support the Government in carrying it. It had
often been said lately that we bad learnt much during
the late war—(hear, bear)—but he hoped, as regarded
the navy, there had been less for those in authority in
that department to learn than in other departments. A.

' time of peace was not a time ofrepose to the navy, because
from the requirements of our colonies our navy was kept
constantly in a state of activity and efficiency. Although
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 had been connected with the administration of the
naval affairs of the country had experienced great diffi-
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 wouldsbe 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. bart. 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 conrected 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 boun-
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 our 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 em-
ployed in the Baltic. A number of pensioners were
also enrolled, who did duty on board the harbour ship,
and from these sources the Goverimient,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 rinrnba of men could be drawn, and the object
of this measure was to enlarge that force, and is 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 coast 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 (xis° sse, 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
numlser of men and make provision for their earlier
discharge, so as to have at all times a larger reserve
of trained seamen availab'e 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 Vie present coast guard force ;
bnt in this act there would be a distinction between the
coast guard and the coast guard volunteers. They
would be ent.thd 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 instructingthe 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 would be an extra defence to the coun-
try. The right bon, 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. PIIILLIMORE 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. MAGUIRE supported tha bill, and sog,j,estect
that two extra docityerds should be added to the pre-
sent numl3er, one is Scotland, and the other iu the south
of Ireland.

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

MILITIA PAY BILL.

Oz tho motion for going into committee on this bill,

Col. DUNNE complained of the manner in whichthe
Irish militia had been disewbodied, and asked fur equal
justice to Ireland, and for an explaua'iun of the late dis-
turbance at Nenagh, arising from a disagreement rela-

tivc, to pay.
Ar. COWAN e.lled the attention of the house to the
presentsyaern.t billetting_soidicr3 in Scotial.d.

Mr. F. PEEL said thatirquiry was making into the
cause of the mutiny at Nenagh, and until it was com-
pleted ho thought it would be injudicious for him to
enter into an explanation on the subject. The other
statements of the gallant member had rolerence to details
that cou'd be better discussed in eJmmittee.
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 ho
wi,hod to know who was responsible for the explanation
given to the men of their rights ?

Mr. 111A.GUIRE asked what steps had been taken by
the Government to do jns%ice to the Tipperary Militia,
and expressed his opinion that the Government ought to
make some atonement Lr the blunder they had com-
mitted.

Mr. PA.LIC complained of the injustice and hard-
ship inflicted on the militiamen on their disembodiment,
who wero left to find their way home with but sd. in
their pockets instead of 14e.

After some remarks from Colonel FRENCFS,
The house went into committee on this bill.
Clauses 1 and 2 were, 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 44
Majority for the clause —lB

The clawe 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.

GENERAL BOARD OF HEALTH CONTINU-
ANCE BILL.

The house went into committee on this bill.
On clause 1,

Mr. PALK objected. The continuance of this bill
shoul,l be limited to one year certain to insure the intro-
duction of a general measure divested of the objection-
able parts of • the present law, and not as proposed
by this clause for one year and till the end
of the session of Parliament next ensuing. This
was too important a subject to be hastily treated, and he
complained of the late period in the session at which
bills of this kind were introduced and hurried through
the house.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS rose and addressed the house
on the measure, but it being ten minutes to four, the
committee, in accordance with the standing orders of
the house, was adjourned.
The other orders on the paper were then disposed of,
and the house suspended its sittings.

The house resumed at 6 o'clock.
NOTICE OF MOTION.
Mr. KENNEDY gave notice that early next session
he would move for a committee to inquire into the means
by which the time of the Imperial Parliament could be
best economised, and the interests of the integral parts
of these kingdoms may be best secured, and whether
these objects might not be advantageously obtained by
the appointment of separate standing committees, consist-
ing of the representatives of Ireland and Scotland re-
spectively, by whom measures referring to Ireland and
Scotland exclusively should be discussed and reported
upon before legislation had thereon in this house.
BEDFORD CHARITY.
Captain STUART asked a question of the Chancel-
lor of the Exchequer, as to Rhy the sum of 2,3071. ss.
9d., charged on the funds of the Bedford Charity Estates,
should not be wholly or in part paid out of the sum
granted from the civil contingencies fund for the prose-
cution of charity suits
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER slid
ho had made inquiry into the matter, and found that it
would be contrary to the usual practice to charge the
sum to civil contingencies.
VACANCIES IN THE GUARDS.
In reply to Sir J. FERGUSSON,
Mr. PEEL said it was intended to restore the com-
panies of the Guards to their full strength, and to fill up
the captaincy vacancies that may have occurred during
the late war.
• CRIMEAN COMMISSION.
Mr. PALK wished to ask the Under-Secretary for
War what steps the Government intended to take now
14W made their report and
that the Crimean Commikaion