The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-16 00:00:00

LONDON, TI .0 it SWAY EVENING, JULY 16, 1857.

REPRESENTATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN
COLONIES IN PARLIAMENT.

sent right to self-taxation were continued and
prestrwd inviolate.
Mr. G. F..LESLIE seconded the reFolution.
In reply to a queston by Mr. Furlong,
Mr. DE SALTS said he tho.lght the colonial tepre-
senta ives in the Imperial Parliament ought to l'e
precluded from voting on any question of supply,
because if the English members of the Imper al
Parliament were not to tax the colonies, it wai
clear the colonial members in the Imperial Paraa-
ment ought not to t ix the mother country.
Mr. FURLONG, whilst agreeing that it was exceed-
ingly tle4rable- that the colonies should be repre-
sentNl in the British Parliament, doubted if the
scheme could be carried into practice. He believed
that col )nial securities would be rendered. more
-valuable by a Close connection with the mother coun-
try; but there was scarcely a que3t!on came before
Parliament in which t ixation was not either directly
or indirectly involved. It would impair the useful-
ness of the members' for the colonies if their votes
were to be constantly rejected whenever a question
affecting taxation was b o ight forward.
Mr. WESTGARTH said the Australian colonies, and
he spoke especially of Victoria, did not wish for the
franchise. He-had resided in Victoria 17 years, and
coull not chaige his memory with any expression
of public opinion That deserved to be treated as
public opinion upon the subject. What the colonies
had been contending for up to the last twu or three
years was not representation in the British Parlia-
ment, but the management of their own local affairs.
It wAsr quite absurd to suppo,e that the colonies
would identify themselves in anyway with imperial
taxation, or with the national .dent; or, on the
other hand, yield to thexiMperild. Par)iament any
control over their own taxation.

A numerous meeting of the General Association
for the Australian Colonies was held yes' erclay at
the London Tavern, Wm. Chas. Wentworth, Esq ,
late a member of the Legislative Council of New
South Wales, in the chair. Amongst the gentle-
men present were—Sir C. Nicholson, late
_Speaker
of the Legislative Council of New South Wales ;
Woe. Wentgarth, Esq., President of Chamber of
Commerce, Melbourne ; Sir Wm. M'Arthur, mem-
ber of the Legislative Council of New South Wales;
John Dutton, Esq., South Australia; T. S. Mort,
Esq., member of the Legislative Council of New
South Wales ; T. D. Elder, Esq., South Australia;
F. Furlong, Esq., Victoria • G. F.. Leslie, Esq.,
-chairman of the Peel River dompany C. Hughes,
Wm. sane de Sails, Esq., P.
Esq., Moreton Bay ;
W. Flower, Esq., and James A. Youl, E•q.
The meeting was to consider a memorial to the
Right Honourable Henry Labouchere, Secretary
of State for the Colonies, requesting that he
would be pleased in the cabinet deliberations on
the forthcoming Reform Bill, to place before her
Slajesty's Ministers tee strong claims of the colo-
nies to some share of representation in the impe-'
vial legislature.
Before, however, entering upon this businees,9
Sir WILLIAM NPARTHIIR directed the attention
of the meeting to the unsatisfactory nature of the
performance of the Australian postal service, and
intimated his opinibn that it wes.incumbent on the
association to interfere, in order to prevent the Se-
cret ary o Itt hefreltliefferrteiftlerft ether contract,
as he proposed to do, for two years.
the CHAIRMAN then called upon Mr. De Sells,
who had originated the subject for the considera-
tion of which this meeting was held, to propound
his views to the meeting.
Mr. DE SALIS said that her Majesty's Ministers
having pledged themselves to meet Parliament
next session with.a new reform bill, would have to
decide what unimportant boroughs should be- dis-
franchised, and to what more important communi-
ties they would transfer the franchise so to be
taken away. Now, in his opinion, no communi-
ties bad such claims as the Australian colonies. It
was not true that the boon of self-government, in
the true sense of the term, had been conceded to
those colonies. On small matters, on subjects of
done stir: import, they were permitted to legislate
freely for themselves ; but there were other sub-
jects of far greater importance than 'mere parish
politicse-questions affecting the property of their
merchants, the lives and librties of the people,tho
honour and integrity of the colonies—respecting
which they were not allowed even to express- an
opinion. He asked whether that was a system of
self-government with which men of the Anglo-
&exult race were likely to be contented ? The
amount of shipping clear d out of the Australian
ports in the year 1855 was not less than 1,576,311
tons. Tne valise of the exports of Australia for 1854
was :—From New South Wales, 4,060,126/. ; from
Victoria, 11,061,5441. ; from Van
Diemen's Land,
1,433,021/. ; from South Aus relies 1,322,8221.: and
from Western Au tralia, 36,2451., making a total
of 17,903,7581. In the same year the gold export
of Australia was only 8,644,5291., but during the
last year it bad reached nearly 13,000,0001. He
was not overstepping the mark. when he stated
that the exports of Australia now amounted to
13,060,000 e He would take them, however, at
the same rate as for the year 1854—namely,
17,903,7581. The total exports of the whole United
Kingdom in 1799, according to M'Culloch,
amounted to 18,556,891/. In other words, in 0 e
year 1854 the exports of Australia were nearly
equal to the English exports of 1799, and he had
no doubt that the exports for the year exceeded
that amount. Wi.,11 regard to the export of gold,
they knew what influence that exercised not only
in this country, but iu France, at Antwerp, at
Leipsie, and at Hatuburg. 'The amount of the gold
export was at present 13,000,0001., and no douly,
it excieed the attention not only of the capitalist
but- of the sovereigns of Europe, and exercessd
sensible effect upon the value of the public secu- ( From the Times Correspondent.)
rities alike of England and of the whol • Continent. PUNJAB, MAY 28.
He thought, therefore, he was perfectly justified It is difficult to know what to write ; certainly
in saying that the Australi in colonies exercised a not for lack of matter ; it requires but aaman with
more sensible influence upon the commerce of the eyes, ears, and understanding to write volumes,
world, and throtegh that open the destinies of man- for in truth we in India are at this moment wit-
kind, thandid England at thetime shefirst acquired- -nessineiiie of the greatest crises that the civilised
that boon of self-government which had so recently portion of the human race has ever passed through.
been conceded to Australia. Then there was the Under these circumstances the difficulty is to know
large extent of the territory which these colonies what not to write—to discard whatever is local and
occepied ;the area over which theyepread amounted accidental, and yet to present a lively picture of
to nearly two-thirds of the extent of our Indian the st:uggle which the English made in May, 1857,
empire, apart from which there was also the when, as by an earthquake, their power was shaken
fact patent to all that in time our race and to its centre. I know- I write with Bombay 11
empire must extend over the whole of the days ahead of me. The advance on Delhi, which
vast continent which constituted Australia now is future, will be past and recorded before this
Proper. The population did not come very letter quits India. Knowing all this, assuming
far behind some other states of Europe, which not that, as regards the main features of this rebellion,
only occupied an independent position, but exer- 3-on are in advance of your correspondent, I wilt
cised some political influence.; he might instance state bre fly what I have seen in the Punjab and
thekingdomsofS9.xonyand Greece. Well, occupying North-Western Provinces for the last eventful
this important position iu the world, wan Australia fortnight.
for ever to be debarred from all voice on questions The news burst on India like a thunderclap that
which concerned her most nearly. The answer the native regimsnts at Meerut and Delhi had mu-
given t a that question by the public of this coun- tinied, murdered their officers, massacred all the
try would depend very much upon the manner in English inhabitants of Delhi, placed the King of
which it was put. If they asked too large a share Delhi on the throne, and threat
ued the empire.
in imperial representation, they would prejudice All this happened on the 11th of May On the
their cause ; but if they a lee I for a mill number 13th it was known by'telegraph to Europeans only
of seats cody, the feeling of this country WAS so throughout India—l say to Europeans only, fur
favourable to the colonies that it would not be re- immediately the post was stopped, and ani embargo
fused. To prevent the possibility of mistake they placed on all native correspondence. It is not los,
held it to be a fundamental principle that whatever much to say that the telegraph saved India._ W
act might he pa,sel by the Imperial legislature con- ther or not the report is true that the oflsthhes • y
ferring upon the colonies represent :five rights, was the date fixed for a general rising of h
eP°Y
that same act ought to contain a clause affirming regiments and massacre of all Europeans int eßen-
that no parliamentary privileges thereby granted gal Presidencycannot be known yet—perhaps never
were in any way to affect the right of self-taxation. will be known. If true, and certainly the rumour
He would lay down one further principle—that appeared with strange coincidence at places far
none of the colonies of England, the inhabitants of apart, the 3d Cavalry spoilt all by beginning on the
which were not of Anglo Saxon descent should 11th at Delhi, In a moment the news was flashed
have any claim to the high privilege of Imperial to Lahore and Peshawur, to AllahabadandCalcutta.
representation. That principle, if adopted, would to Bombay and Madras and all British India was
do away wall all claim to representation on behalf on the alert.
of the West Indian colonies, on behalf of the Afri- You will understand that for one station where
can colonies, on behalf of the Mauritius, and also on there is a European regiment•the,e are half-a-dozen
behalf of our Indian empire. It would, in short, only guarded solely by native troops. The whole Bengal
leave the Canadas and the Australias to be dealt army had become for the moment untrustworthy.
with. He found that Canada West had a popula- The first impulse of the Europeans, however, was
tion of 999,000. He would give it two members. something better than that ot mere self-preserva-
Canada East hal a population of 890,000. To it tion. The civil authorities in the Punjab called at
also Le would concede two members. Nova Scotia "once on the population. I hope the remnant of
had a population of 300,000. He would give it young India, if it exists ill the new Rouse of Cone-
one member. New Brunswick lod only a popula. moos will unlearn some speeches when they hear
tion of 200,000 ; and the population of Newfound- that the Punjab population has responded to a man.
land and Prince Edward Island being very small, The Sirdars and Jagheerdars—" the indulged aris-
he would lump the three places together, and they locrecy," to use a phrase of the covenant—have
ought to be content with one representative ; that offered men and arms, and the offer has been ac-
would make six members for the Canadas.Coming cepted ; the villagers have seize fugitive mutineers
to the Australian colonies, he would give New South an I brought them to the civil authorities. The
Wales two representatives, Victoria two, and Van common people in the roads are careful to evince
Dieeian's Land and South Australia one each. He towards Europeans a demeanour more respectful
would give six representatives for the Australian than their ordinary respect ;in the important cities
colonies and six for the Canada', making a of Jullundher and Hoshiarpur the district officer
total of twelve. The claims of New Zea- was received by the people wi:h enthusiasm ; the
laud and Western Australia he would have ranks of the irregular army are thrown open, and
to be considered when they had a larger population recruits flock in crowds to be sworn in. I missed
than they had at present. He might be asked what four servants in the morning, and beard in the
the colonies had to gain by being represented in evening that they were soldiers of the State. Every
the Imperial parliament ? First, it would obviate officer has provided for his district ; in two days
the differences which, in the course of time, it was the whole offensive and defensive resources at his
only reasonable to expect might arise between the disposal were brought into action. Provision was
mother country and her colonies if they had no made to increase our police and irregulars; provi-
legitimate representatives iu this country. There sion was made for a last struggle of Europeans if
was another advantage. They would do away with the worst came to the worst. The Government was
that indirect system of representation the effects of not idle. Before the native troops had heard of the
which they had had reason on so many occasions to massacre at Delhi they were summoned to their
deplore. The fact was, there was only one several parade grounds at Lahore and Peshawar,
Australian who had a seat in Parliament, and that and in the presence of English artillery disarmed.
was the hon. member for Salisbury, (Mr. Marsh). Native chiefs who have been well treated in the
There were geralecnen who had taken up colonial day of triumph have been called upon to aid us
questions merely for the sake of having their voices in the day of trial. Not one has flinched. A
heard within the wall's of St. Stephen's, who had moveable column of. Europeans and Punjab
not studied those questions, and had only brought Irregulars was ordered to assemble at Jhelum, to
them forward to show themselves off before the pounce at once on any spot where sedition showed
English public. These gentlemen had done the itself. Such were the energetic efforts made in
colonies great injury by pretending to represent three days—the 16tb,•17th, and 18th—days which
them when they were utterly incapable of doing so. will not soon be forgot' en by Englishmen in the
There was at.celler matter on which Imperial Punjab. On the 19th it began to be apparent that
representation would be of great use to the colonies, the crisis as regarded these provinces waspast. -We
and that was finance. The younger a country the were ready, the people were with us to a man, and
more it was in want of moneys Ca-
pitalists were a the mutinceers were cowed•
cautious set, and, rightly or wrongly, the nearer When once it was dear that the Punjab was not
they found a country connected with England, the a source of danger, it became equally clear that it
more disposed they were to lend it on good terms. was a mine of strength. The .Thesum column, corns
There was another point perhaps more important posed of Europeans and Punjabis, is advancing to
still—emigrationand the supply of labour. He join the force which, under Gen. Anson, is even
held that a
close connexion with England, now on its way to Delhi. I beleve that there, as
through representation in the Imperial legislature, elsewhere, the cris is over, and that it remains only
would induce a great flow of emigration. He to exact a fearful retribution, and then to set our
concluded by moving that a memorial be presented house in order. If we areever caught steeping again
by the association to the Right Hon. Henry Lebow- we deserve the fats which now we have, if we have,
there, Secretary of Stet e for the Colonies requesting just escaped.
that he would to pltaeed, in the cabinet del'bera- In the Punjab Sir John Lawrence has been worth
tions on the forthcoming reform bill, to represent to 5,000 European soldiers. Everywhere his voice has
her Majesty's ministers the strong claims of the been heard; every act of his has been full of vigour
colonies to some share ot representation in the and prompt wisdom; and be has shown as th re-
Imperial legislature ; but at the same time express- sult of his administration a loyal people, eager to
ing to'Mr. Labouchere that the colonies could not join the Government in the suppression of a mili-
accept parliamentary representation.unless the pre- tart' iebellion. It is the essence of the Punjab ad-

'The CHAIRMAN concurred with Mr. Westgarth
that there had b: en no expression of opinon on the
part of the colonies that would warrant the associa-
tion in moving the Minister by a resolution of this
nature. Parliament had, in fact, actually c)nceded
all th At they had eve required, and all they could
re .sonab!y requ're. BA ,after all, what would
this parliamentary r..presentatiou amount to ? His
hon friend asked fur. six members fur Australia.
What would six met be in an assembly of 656? What
influence would they possess iii the deliberations of
so large a body ? What were the subjects in which
the colonists t4ok an interest that were likely to be
submitted to imperial legislation ? The only sub-
jects were those of self-defence, tariffs, and trade;
but the crieslion of protection had been fully
settle d, and the policy of monopolising the colonial
markets abandoned for ever. With regard to the
defence of her colonies in time of war, England
watt as strongly committed as a nation could be to
provide armaments for this purpose, and that with-
out requiring taxes from theta. •It was a principle
of honour with her, and a principle of common
sense ; for the instant she ceased to defend her out-
lying colonies and dependencies, they would say,
" we will have nothing to do with your quarrels."
Thus t Le colonies so undefended wou'd be no longer
compromised by her war. They had nothing to
gain by this imperial i epresentation ; on the cm-
trary, they had much to lose, because, according to
the constitutional principle, representaion carried
with it t',e right of taxation. But observe what
an anomalous and disgraceful position the repre-
sentatives of the colonies would occupy in the
House of Commons if they werenot allowed to vote
*upon this, or give their opinion upon that ; if they
were to be told by the Speaker--"
Representatives
for the colonies; into the lobbies ; out of the way.
Representatives of the colonies, enter again." Who
would occupy such a position as that ? Fortunately
the colonies were now in possession of the right of
self-government. Let them stick to it. They had
been 30 years and upwards in obtaining it. Do
Lot let them now throw it away.
Mr. DE SALIS, in reply, stated that, as the meet-
ing were not likely to be unanimous in affirming
his resolution, he should withdraw it.
The resolution was then withdrawn by consent,
and the 'mating sepa,ra' ed.

THE INDIAN ARMY IN TUE PUNJAB.

ministration to have good: subordit a e officers.
England has no bettlr rep.res,nta:ives than those
men
In
Oude,who again,,inthe 5
lax fortnig‘it, have lo tee I the
greatest possible danger in the face, met it, quellel
it, and, believe, turned it coo p rofi,.
POliCref cEtizmeainssiLdedri,erss'irpowtr,
his appeared iu the 6 Hy.
Lawrence. With that wonderful gift of governing
natives—indeed ,ofgovern ingt rat:m—which Srt Henry
posse a .s—he has reduced that province, iutimat-dy
conneJted as it is with the native regular at my, full
as it is of all the elements of rebellion ; he has re-
duced it to loyalty by preCautions, by firmne=s, by
a speech, and some presents. The 711/ Oude fan-
try was mutinous ; Sir Henry di-banded then.
Previous to the discovery of this mutiny the soldiers
of the 7th proposed flagrant acts to the 48th Native
Infantry, quartered at Lucknow. A.nalive officer
of the 48th had the intriguers arrested and delivered
them up to justice. I have told. you how Sir Henry
dealt with the mutineers, whose mutiny consisted
rather in grumbling than any overt act. But he
did not forget the other side of justice. Tie held
an open Durbar, and denounced in soldierly lan-
guage the foul deeds of the miscreants at Delhi,
whose iniquities had just been hoard of. He pointed
out as a contrast to the traitorous mutineers those,
brave soldiers who had at once met suggestions of
rebellion by arresting the. suggestors. On these
officers and soldiers he conferred presents in the
sight of all men ; ycur readers can scarcely tell how
such pres, R's and such words so bes-owed.steal the
hearts of Asiatics. The province of Oude is newly
conquered, it is denuded of English soldiers • but
the province of Oude is Safe, for the 48th dative
Infantry will hold it against all comers so long as
Sir Henry Lawrence is to the fore.