The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-07 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESEERDAY.)
THE MILITIA BILL.
Lord PANMURE having moved the second reading
of this bill,
The Marquis of SALISBURY )aid be wished to ask
the noble lord whether he meant to hold out any induce.
meats soldiers in the militia to enlist into the line.
It appeared to him (the Marquis of Salisbury) that it was
very desirable to enceuraoe that enlistrout as far as
possible.
The Duke of RICHMOND also thought that every
reasonable encouragement ought to he given to ealist-
went from the militia into the line, if any considerable
addition to our present military force should be reqaired.
lie wished to take that opportunity of suggesting to the
noble lord the Secretary for War, the expediency cf giving
to the commanders of militia regiments the power of re-
engaging the services of militia, even before the period
of their present enlistment should have expired. If the
men whose period of enlistment would terminate in a
few months were to re !eive in the meantime the bounty
due to them, a very favourable opportunity would be
afforded for securing their services for a further term.
In conclusion, he had to express ahope that if the govern-
ment were prepared to encourage enlistment from the
militia into the line, militia officers would feel it their
duty to promote that object to the utmost of their
power. (Hear, bear.)
Lord PANMURE said—l have no hesitation in stat-
ing that I have heard with gratification the announce-
ment made by the noble marquis and by the noble duke,
who are themselves connected with militia regiments,
that they are disposed to give every possible encourage-
ment to enlistment from the militia into the line. That
enlistment is most desirable at a period like the present,
when we must all wish that as many trained soldiers as
possible should enter the regular military service of the
country. The noble duke the Ceininanderein-Chief and
I have arranged that any militiaman who has been six
months with his regiment should be allowed to enter the
line without being called upon to pay back the militia
bounty. It is manifest, however, that it is not
desirable that mere recruits should pass from
the militia to the line. That would not be just
to the commanders of regiments, and I should
endeavour to discountenance each a proceeding. We
now require as many troops as possible for her Majesty's
service, in order to fill up vacancies in regiments that
have gone out to the East, and for the attainment of
that object, in addition to the usual machinery for re-
cruiting, the Commanclerin-Chief has given orders to
the permanent staff of the militia to assist in their
various districts the recruiting parties for the regular
army. I have no doubt but as the harvest draws to a
close a considerable addition to our military force would
by this means be obtained. With reference to the ques-
tion of the noble duke, I have to state that I must look
to the provisions of the militia law before I can under-
take to decide whether it would be necessary to pass a
new act for the purpose of enabling the colonels of
militia to re-enlist m.litiamen before their period of ser-
vice has expired. I entirely agree with him, however,
that when men go t ) draw their bounty, shortly before
the termination of their engagement with the state, their
officers might find a very c invenient opportunity for ob-
taining a renewal of that engagement ; and it I should
require any new powers to enable commanding officers
to avail themselves of that opportunity I shall not hesi-
tate to apply to Parliament for those powers. (Hear.)
The Duke of CAMBRIDGE said—l do not think
there can be two opinions upon the point that the militia
forms one of the mainstays of the army in a time of
emergency and war. The militia officers must always
have great influence over their men ; and it is gratifying
to hear colonels of militia regiments express themselves
so warmly as the noble marquis and the noble duke
have done this evening in favour of the enlistment of
their men into the line. (Hear, hear.) I trust the
same feeling will pervade all the militia officers through-
out the country ; and I cannot too strongly impress on
all colonels of militia regiments the importance of their
encouragement in this matter. Cacurnsta-ces of a
grave nature have jest coiled a considerable portion of
her Majesty's forces out of Europe, and it becomes our
duty to provide for the drain thus created. No army in
the field can be really efficient unless it has considerable
reserves on which it can draw from time to time—(hear,
hear)—and more especially while engaeed in a climate
with which it is peculiarly difficult for European troops
to contend. At the same time I have the greatest con-
fidence iu the exertions which be made by this
country to meet this crisis. (Hear, hear.)
The Duke of BUCCLEUGEI said he fully concurred
in all that had fallen from the illustrious duke, and as
far as it was in his power he should give every encou-
ragement to volun'eering into the line.
The bill was then read a second time. •
The Fraudulent Trustees Bill went through commit
tee. and was read a third tine.
The Trustees Relief Bent through committee. The
&awes with some slight amendments were agreed to.
The Transfer of Real Estate Simplification Bill was
real a second time on the motion of Lord St. LEONARDS,
who briefly and obscurely explained the objects of the
bill, which Lord Campbell appeared to understand, and
of which be expressed hie approbation.
The County Courts Bill was reed a second time.
The Court of Session (Scotland) Bill was also read a
second time.
The Charitable Trusts Bill was read a second time.
The Reformatory School Bill was read a second time
and passed, am was also the Industrial Schools Bill.
The Parochial Schoolmasters (Scotland) Bill was read
a third time.
The Canada and New Brunswick Boundaries Bill went
through committee.
The Reformatory Schools (Scotland) Bill was read a
second time.
The Superannuatien Act Amendment Bill was read a
second time and their lordships adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY.)
INDIAN BUDGET.

Mr. CHEETHA.M asked the Pre-ident of the Board
of Control on what day he intended to bring forward
the Indian bu,lget ?
Mr. VERNON SMITH said it would he brought on
as soon as certain urgent business was disposes' of.