The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-11 00:00:00

MR. ROBERTS'S TARGET.

In reply to Sir R. PEEL,
Lord C. PAGET said that every opportunity would be
afforded for testing the merits of this target.

THE ROYAL ATLAN CIC STEAM NAVIGATION

COMPANY.

Mr. KER asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether,
as a select committee had been appointed and was now sit-
ting to inquire into the circumstances attending the termi-
nation by the Postmaster-General of the postal contract
with the Royal Atlantic Steam Navigation Company, it
could be correctly stated that the subsidy had been with-
drawn, and that the contract would not bc renewed, under
any circumstances, by her Majesty's Government?
Lord PALMERSTON said that, as had bee:a intimated
by the Post-office authorities, the contract in question had
terminated. However, he was not prepared to say what
might result from the report of the committee.

THE HUNGARIAN ADDRESS TO THE EMPEROR

OF AUSTRIA.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE asked the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs if it was true that the English Ambassador
at Vienna recommended the Emperor of Austria not to
receive the Hungarian Address, agreed to by the Diet at
Pesth, unless such address fully recognised his sovereignty
and title as King of Hungary ; and, if so, whether the
British Ambassador was acting under instructions from the
Government at home ? _ _

Lord PALMERSTON, in the absence of Lord J. Rus-
sell, said there was not the slightest foundation for any
such report as that alluded to by the hon. member.
CRIMINAL LAW BANKRUPTCY, &e., BILL.

Mr, HADFIELD asked the Attorney-General, when it
was intended to proceed with the consolidation of the Cri-
minal Law Bill, offences against the Person Bill, and the
Bankruptcy and Insolvency Bill (Lords Amendments).

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that it was pro-
posed to proceed with the Offences against the Person
Bill on Thursday next, when ample time would be afforded
for discussing the clause that remained to be considered.
The other bills would also be brought forward on Thurs-
day.

BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY BILL.
In reply to Lord Honum,

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that on Monday

next he would state the course which the Government
proposed to pursue with reference to the amendments in-
troduced by the Lords in the Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Bill.

NATIONAL EDUCATION.
On the motion for going into committee of supply on
education estimates,-
Sir J. PAKINGTON called the attention of the bons°
to the report of the education commission, and inquired if
it had yet been decided by her Majesty's Government
to
what extent they intend to adopt the recommendations in
that report. He drew attention in detail to the contents of
the report, and eulogised in the highest terms the ability
and industry displayed by the members of the committee.
The right hon. gentleman, who was very imperfectly
heard, proceeded to contend that the existing system which
was in operation for 20 years, although it might have
effected some benefit, was proved to be inadequate
to the requirements for national education. With re-
spect to the recommendation of the commissioners in
favour of county rates for the purposes of national
education, he argued that the principle of parochial rating
which he had previously advocated was preferable, and that
ite adoption would be attended with practical advantages.
He maintained that the wisest and most economical course
Which Parliament could pursue was to provide liberally for
the education of the humbler classes, which would have
the effect of training the juvenile population and preventing
them falling into crime, the consequences of which were
even more costly to the country. (Hear, hear.) He did
not object to voting money for the promotion of
science and art, but he certainly was opposed to
such grant being accompanied by a diminution in the
amount voted for providing elementary education. After
some general observations, he said that he did not propose
to press on the Government Mlle immediate adoption of the
recommendations of the commission, but he did not think
it unreasonable to ask them to consider the report, with a
view to further legislation on this most important subject,
and that in the next session they will be prepared to deal
with it in a comprehensive manner, (Hear, hear.)

Mr. HEN], r, curred in some of the opinions ex-
pr:ssed by tis i,ht honourable friend (Sir John
Pakington) the same time perceived some
practical difficulties in carrying out his views in reference
to this subject. He condemned the report as not giving a
decided opinion on the part of the commissioners. He
illustrated the position by citing some of the passages re-
lating to the question of secular education and religious
education, as well as to the question of assisting local efforts
by the grants of public money.
[LEFT SPEAKING.]