The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-05 00:00:00

SURVEY OF THE NORTMERN SEAS.

In reply to Mr. WYLD,
Lord PALMERSTON said that the Lords of the Admi
ralty would have no objection to furnish ships for a portion
of the survey, but they would not undertake to supply ves-
sels for the whole of the survey that was proposed.
_ TRANSPORT SERVICE.

- .a. • a. •
Mr. LINDSAY moved fora select committee to inquire
into the organization and management of those branches of
the Admiralty, War Office, India Office, and Emigra-
tion Board, by which the business of transporting,
by means of shipping, troops, convicts, emigrants,
materials of war, stores, and any' other similar ser-
vices, is now performed, with a view of adopting
some uniform system by which such services may be
economically and efficiently conducted under the authority
of one consolidated and responsible department
He said he understood there would be no opposition-to his
motion. By the present system they had different depart-
ments of Government comreting for ships, and when there
were rumours ci war with Russia there was no responsible
department of Government to attend to the important ques-
tion of the transport of troops. The transport of soldiers to
the Crimea in one year cost £5,000,000, and the whole cost
no less than 15,000,000. (Hear, hear.) The
Duke of Newcastle suggested that the Minister
of War should be responsible for the transport of troops,
and in 1851 a transport board was organised ; but that board
was not established permanently. In consequence of want
of proper organisation, at the breaking out of the war, our
men were dying for want of food. When the transport
board came into operation, the expense of vessels em-
ployed in the transport service was considerably re-
duced, which showed the benefit of proper
organisation in a matter of this description.
Raving referred to the present defective mode that prevailed
in reference to procuring vessels for the conveyance of
troops, the hon. member said that the sending
out to India and bringing home of eaoh soldier
cost the country £4O 18s. Mr. Wood, a gentle-
man of considerable knowledge in respect to this subject,
asserted that the cost could be reduced to £25 per head.
Other competent authorities had stated that the cost could
be considerably diminished. An organisation that would
effect that object would be of advantage at the present time,
when the number of troops it would be necessary to send to
India would be so much larger than previously. Ho con-
tended that the most practical means of dealing with the
subject would be to revive the emigration office, which
would discharge their functions so effectually, and the ma-
chinery of which was still in existence. That board might
be presided over by the Minister of War or by the First
Lord of the Admiralty,
ment. as might be arranged by Govern-

Lord C. PAGET said it was not the intention of the
Government to offer any opposition to the motion bit
he thought the hon. member would find difficulties
in the working of the Emigration board which he proposed
to revise. He believed that at the present time
there was a proper understanding between the War-
office and the Admiralty on the subject, at least he had
heard no complaints at the latter with respect to the for-
mer. lie suggested that the hon. member should leave
out the words from "performed" to the end of the motion.
After a few words from Mr. Baillie, Sir H. Willoughby,
Sir C. Napier, Sir J. Elphinston, and other hon. members,
Sir J. PAKINGTON said he did not think this was a
proper time to enter on the discussion of this subject. The
only question really before them was whether there
was not ample ground for inquiry into the sub-
ject. As far as he was concerned, he considered
there were the strongest reasons fersuacnhy2iinniqupririov,eanmedntthiant
it would be productive of benefit, as
the system of transport would lead to a corresponding im-
provement in the condition of the troops, who sometimes
were exposed to inconvenience and delay.
Mr. LINDSAY consented to the omission proposed by
the noble Lord (Lord C. Paget,)
The motion was then agreed. to.
CIV IL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS.
Mr. COCHRANE moved that, for the future the Civil
Service Commissioners shall publish, with their annual
report, all the examination Papers Submitted to candidates ;
specifying the proportion in which the maximum of
marks assigned to each branch of knowledge is
divided among the questions contained in each paper.
The hon. gentleman contended that the only other country
where competitive examinations prevailed was China, and
he quoted the opinions of Sir John Bowring and Lord
Monteagle against the present system. He quoted some of
the questions which candidates were required to answer in
the examination of persons applying for Government
situations, which excited much amusement.
The CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER said that
the examination was not retrospective, and therefore could
not inflict any hardship on thesis who had previously been in
the public service. It should be remembered there was a great
jobbing interest in this country, of which members of Par-
liament might unwittingly be made the instruments, and it
was necessary to guard against such a result. This was an
object of the establishment of the competitive examination,
and he was happy to sa), since that establishment several
gentlemen had entered into the civil service who were an
honour to that service. He objected to the motion on
other grounds.

(LEFT SPEAKING.)