Star.
London, England, 1830-02-20 00:00:00

prostrate at the feet of Russia ; for, though she might be allowed a
few years more of feverish existence, her power. as an independent
state was gone. He did not blame the government for not plunging
the country into a war, but if we were to be in peace, he would say,
let us have the establishments and economy of peace. The army
estimates for the year 1830 amounted to 8,123,1121. His honour•
able fkiend had said that this was less than the sum granted in the
year 1792; but, however It might appear on the first view, a
of the revenue of the country during the two periods
Ztitiltrissi:lw that the reduction wasmore in appearance than reality.
It was said that the defence of the country ought to be kept up.
So he said too ; but not at such an enormous expense. The army
establishment 'of this country, at 90,000 men, with all its mann-
ries of half-pay and pensions, cost as much as the whole army of
France, amounting to 150,000 men. It was the duty of every
man to suggest the best mode of reducing this establishment to the
lowest possible degree. He should, therefore, propose a plan which
would be found beneficial to a considerable degree, and quite
consistent with the service. In the reduction of military force,
the first point of observation was Ireland, where, if the accounts
of the restoration of tranquillity by the operation of that mes-
sure which would immortalize the Duke of Wellington be true,
perfect harmony prevali, most of the existing force ought
to be cut off. He had heard it stated that the neighbourhood of
Dublin was more peaceable than that of London. t appeared to
him, therefore, that 10,000 men would suffice for Ireland, instead
of 18,800—which would give a saving of 8,800 men. lie would
also abolish the depot companies, as an establishment attended
with great expense, and having a tendency to impair the ef-
ficiency and discipline of the army. He would next look to the
colonies, and there reduce the force very considerably. The
lonian Islands ought to be given up altogether, if they did not,
as it was at first said they would pay their own expences. At
all events the force in them might be safely diminished by 1,300 or
1,400 men. In Malta, he should suggest the reduction of 800
or 900 men, so also in the Cape of Good Hope and other Cola'
eyes, where the force now kept up was much too large. The
whole army establishment of the United States of America, as voted
by Congress last year, was only 6,000 men ; and this force pro.
tected an extent of country as large as Europe. The Americans re-
lied upon a more constitutional force—their militia. With respect
to Canada and New Brunswick, he should advise the depending
more upon the militia, as in those places there was already a militia
of 140,000 men, and precisely the same description of troops that the
United States would bring against them, if they were disposed—a
thing very improbable—to make an incursion into Canada.—
It would be better also to recruit the ranks of the regulars in
Canada, from those used to the climate, the liquors, &c. of
the country, than from perfect strangers. He also advised
enlisting men for limited services, instead of for life, as more
just towards the individual soldiers. Upon the whole of
these estimates, he must say that he expected to find much
larger reductions. The house ought to consider well before they
passed them. He had heard of notices of motions for the repeal of
the malt tax ; he should advise the moving for this repeal before
the supplies were granted, for if government got the money, they
would not care a fig fora repeal of taxes. He had a very high
respect for the present government. He knew of no set of men whom
he would wish to see in their plaves, and if he thought that any
measure in this house would have the effect of putting
them out of office, he should be s!ow to give it his support.
But the time had gone by when ministers would resign be-
cause there was a majority tgainst them in this house • and
perhaps, if the truth rem avowed, they would not he displeased
at being left in a minority upon the subject of reduct:cn.
Ministers were plagued, upon all hands, by the members of
both houses, for this and that place for their relations, and it was
difficult to refuse them. A good division in this house would take
a great deal of that trouble off their hands, by showing the world
that the House of Commons were in eatnest for reform. He firmly
believed now that ministers had not gone so far with reductions as
they at first intended. Finding division in the enemy's camp, they
have taken advantage of it, and go on now that it seems as fez as
ever from being healed. He would ask the right hon. gentlemen op-
posite, whether they meant to apply the excess of revenue to the re-
duction of taxation, for in any other way an excess would be of no
use to the country, as it would be absurd to talk of a sinking fund
under present circumstances. He could only say that, if the Duke
of Welliagton consented to a salutary reduction of taxation, he
would receive the support of a great majority in this house, and
make his name immortal in this country. The hon. member said he
had an amendment to propose upon the original motion. He wished
to give government their own terms but only for three months—
and in the mean time, it might be seen what ultimate reductions
could be made. lie then moved, " That the chairman be directed
to report to the house, that it is the opinion of this committee that a
select committee be appointed forthwith, to consider what further
reductions might be made in the military establishments of this
country, in order to the reduction of taxation, and the giving such
other relief as the country requires."