The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-01 00:00:00

SINKING FUND.

On the motion of Mr. HUM E, the following, returns were or-
dered.--Return of the several amounts which were appropriated
in each year since the passing of the Act of 17S0 (Mr. Pitt's
Act), to the creation or support of a Sinking Fund, with the
authority for creating and appropriating the same; exhibiting
from year to year the capital and interest thereon; also, state-
ment of the amounts of capital and interest which from year
to year were applied out of the said Sinking Fund to the pub-
licserviee ; stating for what particular service, with the autho-
rities for applying the gime, up to the period of the final ex-
tinction of the Sinking Fund.

Mr. P. S. BUTLER moved for returns of the sums of
money demanded by the clerks of the peace in the different
counties and counties of cities in Ireland, to remunerate them
for their additional services under the new Arms Act. Of the
SUM of money approved of by the different grand juries of
Ireland for thvt purpose. Of the number of arms registered
in each county. Of the sums of money demanded and allowed
as above to the different clerks of petty sessions under the
above Act.—Agreed to.
Mr. FRENCH moved for several returns relating to new
workhouses in Ireland and the Poor-law Commissioners. The
Hon. Gentleman spoke at some length of the disproportion
between the appointment of Englishmen to variuus offices in
England and Ireland.
Sir J. GRAHAM said he had no objection to the motion
but he would suggest that it should not include the names of all
the Irish paupers who had been removed from England to Ire-
land.
Sir B. PEEL was sorry that the Hon. Gentleman had again
adverted to the injustice done to Irishmen with regard to va-
rious offices which he had mentioned. He thought there was
no ground whatever for his observations. If preference were
likely to be be shown anywhere, it was, as he thought, in the
diplomatic appointments; yet, what was the fact? The repre-
sentatives in this country, in the United States, in China, at
Constantinople, at St. Petersburgh, and at Paris, were all
Irishmen.—( eer, hear.) Thus again. The Comman-
der of the Forces both in this country and in India,
was an Irishman. He thought there could not be
more conclusive proofs that there was no intention whatever to
do injustice to Ireland. The Hon. Gentleman, however, might
depend upon it that the Government would not be influenced
in their appointments by observations like those with which he
had accompanied his motion.—( Hear, hear.)
The motion was then agreed to.

Mr. BROTHERTON-must move the adjournment of the
House. He would not trust to the chance of another Irish
debate to-night.—( A laugh.)
POOR-LAWS (IRELAND).
Sir D. NORREYS assured the Hon. Member that his
motion wa; not opposed by the Government. He moved for
a Select Committee on poor. laws in Ireland ; and an in-
struction to the Committee relative to valuations for local
taxation in Ireland.

Mr. F. SHAW was sorry that the Government had con-
sented to the Committee. In two-thirds of the unions in
Ireland, the law was working well—in the other third, in
consequence of persons agitating against the law, it was not, per-
haps working so well, but the appointment of this Committee
would be comsidered in Ireland as a prelude to the repeal of
the law.

Mr. FRENCH denied that he had ever agitated against the
law. He had never opened his mouth on the subject of the
poor-law, except in that House.
Mr. BELLEW believed the law had, on the whole, worked
satisfactorily, end wished to know to what objects the Com-
mittee were to direct their attention.

Mr. BROTHERTON moved that the debate be adjourned.
Sir R. FEEL, before the question was put, thought that,
in order to do away with any misconception which might
arise in Ireland from the consent of the Government to the
appointment of this Committee, it was necessary that he
should distinctly state that it was the opinion of the
Government that the poor. law in Ireland ought to be strictly
maintained in its whole integrity. —(Cheers. ) They had done
all they could to maintain it by the civil power, and by having
recourse to military power where that was necessary. If they
acceded to the appointment of this Committee, it was not with
any intention of defeating the working of the law; but seeing
that there were objections made ;„o it, which they considered
unfounded, and seeing that the law had worked well in many
parts, he thought that either party might be reconciled to it
by inquiry. It was not always wise to compel obedience to
the law by force, if by granting inquiry it could be proved to
those who were opposed to the law that the working of it
was advantageous.— (Cheers.) The object of the Govern-
ment
ment in acceding to the appointment of the Committee was not
to disparage, but to fortity the poor-law.
Col. CONOLLY thought the alterations made in the law
last year would work well, and he was backed in that opinion
by the Luke of Leinster. He besought the Hon. Baronet to
postpone his motion for twelve months, in order to see how
those alterations would work.

Mr. V. STUART advised the postponement of the motion
until neat session.

Mr. FRENCH hoped the motion for adjourning the debate
would be withdrawn.

The motion for adjourning the debate was then withdrawn,
and the Committee was agreed to.
Mr. AGLIONBY moved for the appointment of a Com-
mittee to inquire into the state of New Zealand, consisting of
the following Members:—Lord Francis Egerton, Viscount
Howick, Mr. Lascelles, Mr. George W. Hope, Mr. Robert
Clive, Mr. Hawes, Sir R. H. highs, Viscount Ebrington, Mr.
Charteris, Sir John Hanmer, Mr. Milnes, Viscount Jocelyn,
Mr. Roebuck, and Mr. Wilson Patten.
Mr. M. O'FERR ALL objected to the mode in which the
Committee had been appointed as improper and unusual.
After a few words from Lord STANLEY and Mr. AGLIONBY
in explanation, the Members of the Committee were appointed,
the orders of the day were disposed of, and the House adjourned
at Half-past One o'Clock.

DETENTION OF THE OVERLAND MAIL.
The following is posted at Lloyd's :
" General Post-office, April 30, 1844.
"The Overland mail, via Marseilles, is detained. Letters
in time till the 6th of May."