The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-03-27 00:00:00

AUSTRALASIA

From Auckland accounts are down to the middle of
October last. On September 19, the members of the
Church of England had a meeting relative to the Christian
wants of the population, when the chair was taken by the
Lord Bishop of New Zealand. The Bishop read a pasto-
ral letter, having for its object the collection of materials
for the adjustment of a systematic form of Church govern-
ment for the diocese of New Zealand.
The middle and northern islands of the New Zealand
group—both sides of Cook's Strait—have been visited
with a series of violent shocks of earthquake, extending
over a wide range of country and through a considerable
number of days. Though devastating to house and other
property, they have providentially been restrained from
much destruction of life. Only one family—Barrack-ser-
geant Lovel and his son and daughter, both children—are
reported as sufferers. The intelligence was brought to
Singapore by the Clara, which arrived there with letters
from New Zealand, and papers to the 15th of November,
before the mail was despatched.
The Hobart Town Courier, of November 27, announces
the loss of the Colonial Government brig " Governor
Philip," on the passage from Sydney to Hobart Town,
when sixteen lives were lost. The brig left Sydney on
October 21, having on board eighty-five persons, includ-
ing forty Crown prisoners. The accident occurred on a
reef extending to the eastward of Gull Island ; in a few
hours after striking the brig went to pieces. Lieutenant
Griffiths, H.M. 96th Regiment was drowned in attempting
place in 4F,AlirofwepetminDrrs..kn2cked. d.own the
but were induced to go below on Lieutenant Griffiths
pledging his honour they should be saved. The survivors
endured great suffering whilst on Gull Island, the ladies
and children being almost denuded of clothing. The
rescued were eye-witnesses of the loss of others, to whom
they could render no assistance.

Mr. GLADSTONE said it was not his intention to move any
amendment in conformity with what had fallen from him on a
former evening with respect to conditional legislation. His
reason for not persevering was this. He was friendly to a
repeal of the navigation laws in such a manner as that the
measure should not fall as a heavy blow upon the shipping in-
terest, and, therefore, it was that he had suggested legislating
so as to give power to her Majesty's government to extend the
benefits of free trade with us to those nations who might be
willing to extend its benefits in return to us. He had since
then, however, ascertained that the shipowners were unwilling
to accept of any compromise—that they resolved to oppose
any alteration of the existing laws—and he, therefore, felt it
useless to proceed. He would state, however, the nature of
his plan, which would have been this. He would have divided
the whole maritime trade of the empire into two parts—the
foreign trade on the one hand, and the coasting and colonial
trade on the other. To any foreign nation which might then
ask for a share of our foreign trade he would concede it on
their conceding also a share of their foreign trade to us ; and
be would pursue a similar course as regarded our domestic
trade. He would then have proposed to deal with the colonial
trade without reference to what foreign nations might be dis-
posed to do ; and he would also endeavour to repeal the duty on
BrltivrevuJir.y.ery other impost which pressed unfairly on the
disposed to favour the sukgesfictinkfha-zovernment was not
and as it appeared to be the wish of both parties to come to a
decision upon the extreme points of the question, he could
hope but for little support for his proposition, and would not,
therefore, waste the time of the house in fruitless discussions.
Preferring as he did the government proposition to the pre-
sent system, he would vote for it in committee.
The house then went into committee.
Mr. BOUVERIE then moved, as an amendment, that the se:
veral restrictions and prohibitions in the aforesaid acts shall be
in full force till it shall be declared by her Majesty's order in
council that British ships are not subjected in such foreign
country to the like several restrictions or prohibitions as to
the voyages in which they may engage, or as to the goods
which they may import into, of export from, any such foreign
country. Provided further, with respect to the restrictions
and prohibitions in the aforesaid acts as to the goods R hich
the ships of any foreign country may import into or export
from any British possession, her Majesty, by her order in
council, may direct that the whole, or any part, of such restric-
tions or prohibitions shall cease to be in full force as to the
ships of any foreign country, although the like restrictions and
prohibitions, as to the goods which any British ship may im-
port into or export from any possession of such' foreign coun-
try, shall not in all respects have been removed.
The speakers upon this proposition were Mr. J. Wilson, Mr.
Gladstone, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Labouchere,
Mr. Herries, Mr. Ald. Thomson, and Mr. Wawn. On a divi-
sion the proviso was negatived by a majority of 117, the num-
bers 15 to 132. On clause 11 being put, enacting "that no
goods should he carried coastwise from one part of the United
Kingdom to the other except in British ships," but providing
also that this should not extend to prevent the carriage coast-
wise of goods in foreign vessels arriving from or departing for
parts beyond the seas, a debate ensued--
Mr. GLADSTONE moving the omission of the clause, and the
introduction of the following .
"That it shall be lawful for her majesty in council, upon an
address or joint address from the legislative council, or coun- RENEWAL OF THE ARMISTICE.—The Danish Govern-
cil and assembly, or proper legislative authority of our British
possessions, praying her to authorise the conveyance of goons
ment have, at the urgent solicitation of the English and
French cabinets, agreed to pro Long the armistice from
or passengers to any other part of such possessions, to direct
that such conveyance shall take place in such way as her ma- month to month. This fact was communicated officially
jesty shall think fit." to the Assembly on the 16th instant. The Bavarian
On a division, the amendment was negatived by a majority troops, order-oti to Schleswig by the COntral Bower, have,
of 54, the numbers 104 to 151. On arriving at clause 16, which in consequence, been commanded to halt until they re-
lays down the refutations to be observed in navigating ships ceive further instructions.
to entitle them t 6 be registered as British, Mr. ALEXANDER
HASTIE moved the omission of the proviso requiring such A REBEL. -At the battle of Moodkee a European sere_
ships to be navigated by crews composed of at least three- ing in the Sikh army was surrounded at the capture of
fourths British seamen. A discussion ensued, at the tenpins- one of the enem 's guns. He lifted up his hands and
tion of which the committee divided : ayes, 53; noes, 1971
cried, " Spare me ' for lam one of the old 44th." He
majprity against the amendment, 144. On arriving at clause
19, Mr. DISRAELI moved that the chairman report progress, was immedlately shot down. This circumstance corre-
and in doing so, made a fierce attack on Mr. Gladstone and sponds with a report that there are three men of that regi-
Mr. Labouchere, which having been repelled by the hon. mem- ment with a detachment of Affghans in the Sikh wrap on
bers in question, the house resumed and adjourned. the Jhelum.

FRANCE.
A Paris journal states, that " there exists an intention
on the part of the ouvriers to get up some demonstration
which shall exclusively have for its object a testimony to-
wards the English, for encouragement of French industry
during the late embarrassment."

The following protest, said to have been drawn up by,
M. Lamennaise, received 80 signatures up to Wednesday
night :—" We have protested by our vote, we have pro-
tested by our abstaining, and we persist in abstaining, be-
cause we de not wish to participate in the passing of a law
which is a flagrant violation of a national right and of the
Constitution." During the sanction at the National As-
sembly, on Wednesday, the minority held a separate
meeting in the old hall of the Chamber, to deliberate on
what course they should adopt under the circumstances.
Some were for violent measures, while others were dis-
posed to return to their duty as representatives. The lat-
ter advice was adopted. Napoleon Bonaparte was to leave
for Madrid on Friday. Marshal Bugeaud arrived at
Gremth on the 19th. Princess Belgioso embarked at
Maiseilles on the 17th for Genoa.