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

THE MILITIA BILL.
Lord PANMURE having moved the second reading
of this bill,
The Marquis of SALISBURY said he wished to ask
the noble lord whether he meant to hold out any induce-
ments to soldiers in the militia to enlist into the line.
It appeared to him (the Marquis of Salisbury) that it was
very desirable to encourage that enlistment as far as
possible.
The Duke of RICHMOND also thought that every
reasonable encouragement ought to be given to enlist-
ment from the milltea into the line, if any considerable
addition to our present military force should be required.
He wished to take that opportunity of suggesting to the
noble lord the Secretary for War, the expediency of giving
to the commanders of militia regiments the power of re-
engaging the services of militia, even before the period
of their present enli-tment should have expired. If the
men whose period of enlistment would terminate in a
few months were to receive 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 bad toexpress a hopethat if the govern-
ment were prepared to encourage enlistment from the
militia into the line, militia officers would feel it their
fluty to promote that object to the utmost of their
power. (Hear, hear.)
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,
tiat they are disposed to give every possible encourage-
ment to enlistment from the militia into the lire. 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 Commander-in-Chief and
I have arranged t hat any militiaman who has been six
months with his regiment should be allowed to enter the
line without hang 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 ju,t,
to the commanders of regiments, and I should
endeavour to discountenance such a proceeding. We
now require as many troops as possible for her Majesty'.
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 Commander in-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 cmeiderabits addition to our military force would
this means be obtained. With reference to the ques-
tion of tha noble duke, I have to state that I must look
to the previ-ions 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-entst reelitiarnen before their period of ser-
vice has expired. I entirely agree with him, however,
that when men go to draw their bounty, shortly before
the terrninatien of their engagement with the state, their
officers might find a very c invenient opportunity for ob-
taining a renewal of that engagement ; and if 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.)
Tee Duke of CIIVIBRIDGE 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-
opt the country ; and I cannot too strongly impress on
all colonels of militia regiments the importance of their
encouragement in this matter. Circumeta' cos of a
grave nature have just celled 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 ueless it has considerable
reserves on which it can draw from time to time—(hear,
hear)—and more especially while engazed in a climate
with which it is peculiarly difficult for European troops
to contend. At the same time I have the greatest con-
fidence in the exertions which will be made by this
country to meet this criia. (Hear, hs-ar.)
The Duke of BUCCLEUGH said he fully concurred
in all that had falen from the illustrious duke, and as
far a+ it was in his power he should give every encou-
ragement to vdun.earing into the line.
The hill was then read a second time.
The Fraudulent Trustees Bill went through commit.
tee. and was read a third time.
Toe Trustees Rs lief Bent through committee. The
clauses with some -light amen !meats were agreed to.
The Transfer of Real Estate Simplificition B ll was
read a second time on the motion of Lord St. LEONARDS,
who briefly and obscurely exulained the objects of the
bill, which Lord Campbell appeared to understand, anti
of which he expressed his approbation.
The County Courts /111 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, as 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 Superannuation Act Amendment Bill was read a 1
.second time and their lordships adjourned. I

CLOTHING OF TROOPS (INDIA).
Mr. DUNLOP, in the absence of Lord Adolphus
Vane, asked the Secretary for War whether the tro cps
that bad been sent out to India had been provided with
clothing suitable to the climate to which they would be
exposed ; if so, whether he would have any objection to
state what provision had been male on the subject.
Sir J. RAMSDEN replied that Government bad
taken every means to promote the health and comfort of
the troops. He would read, with the permission of the
house, the list of articles issued to the troops on their
arrival in India, in addition to the ordinary supply of
necessaries which they had in this ci)untry. They were
as follows :—For the cavalry, four white jackets each,
six pairs of white overalls, two pairs of Settringee over-
alls, six shirts, four pairs of cotton socks, and one pair
of white braces. For foot soldiers, four white jackets,
one pair of English summer trousers, five pairs of white
trouser,, five white shirts, two check shirts, and one
pair of white braces. Those articles were not supplied
in this country, but formed a part of the soldiers' neces-
saries on his arrival in India, and were made of material
made on the spot and best suited to the climate. During
his stay in India, China, Ceylon, and other hot stations
he was provided with a tunic and shell jacket in alternate
years, and in the year in which the to is was not issued
the difference in the value of the two articles was paid
to the soldier, to be expended, under the authority of
the officer commanding, for his benefit in any articles
suited to the climate for the station. In aiditi in to
these the troops now going out to China and India had
been provided with white cotton hemlet and forage cap
cover. In fact, the Government had taken every pre-
caution to maintain the health and comfort of the
troops.