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•364 THE LEADER. [No. 421, April jj^J.85...
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motion
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Imperial Parliament. ^""^ Monday, April ...
a great convict establishment , which cannot easily be removed without a good deal of inquiry and preparation . " With regard to the grievances complained of in the petition referred to by the noble Lord , he denied that they ¦ were generally well founded . The trade and commerce of Singapore had increased no less than seventy-five per cent , within the last six years , and that he held to be a sufficient refutation of the complaints generally made by the petitioners . He hoped the noble Lord would be satisfied with this explanation , without going further , or pressing for any correspondence , if there were said
any in existence , on the subject . —Mr . Horsman there was no reason why Singapore should be governed in India . Ceylon is nearer to India , and yet it is treated as a colony . Hong-Kong might as well be put under India . —Sir John Elphinstone described , from personal knowledge , the lawless state of the mixed native population of Singapore , and agreed with Mr . Baillie ttiat the placing of the settlement under the Colonial Office would impose a very great burden on this country . Mr . Mangles thought no such transfer should be made till the opinion of the Indian Government has been ascertained . —The motion was agreed to .
THE STADE DUES . Mr . Ricardo rose to move that an humble address be presented to her Majesty , respectfully representing the injurv to British commerce inflicted by the tax levied by Hanover on merchandize and shipping ascending the river Elbe , under the denomination of the State dues , and praying that her Majesty will be pleased to give directions to her Ministers to give notice of the termination of the treaty between the United Kingdom and Hanover , of the 22 nd of July , 1844 , according to the terms of the eighth article of that treaty . He observed : —" The great falling off which has recently taken place in our exports renders this a question _ of great importance . Last year , our trade with the city of Hamburg was upwards of 13 , 000 , 000 ? ., and , about
twenty miles above that city , stands the little town of Stade , where all vessels , except Hanoverian , are required to bring to , and submit to a duty of 3 per cent , ad valorem , but which amounts to a much larger per centage on the produce of this country , before it is allowed to proceed to Hamburg to discharge its cargo . From a statement which he held in his hand , he found that on a cargo which went from Hull to Hamburg the toll varied from 66 per cent , to 168 per cent , upon the freight of the goods . Another inconvenience is that the British merchant is required to carry two sets of papers , and show papers which he is not required to do in any other countrv of Europe , and the ship is not even then allowed to return home without the leave of Hanover . Then , again , Hanover has made a political engine of the tax ,
for it . has lately joined the Zollverein ; and , -while the tax is remitted in favour of other ports , it is retained in the case of Hamburg . It was said by some that the question is one which concerns Hanover and Hamburg rather than Hanover and England ; hut he maintained that such is not the case , since we send annually 13 , 000 , 000 ? . of goods to Hamburg , and the tax is the means of subjecting British commerce to delays , vexations , and annoyances ; while there is no pretence for its maintenance upon the score of services rendered in return , since Hanover does not contribute one single farthing towards keeping the navigation open . " The eighth clause of the treaty of 1844 seemed to contemplate that a time would arrive when the people of England would no longer tolerate such a tyranny . —The motion was seconded by Mr . Bramley-Moore ,
Mr . Henlet admitted that the payment of tlie tax is a grievance ; but the legality of the impost , which Mr . Ricardo and Mr . Moore had questioned , is surrounded by considerable difficulties . The most prudent course would bo to have the question investigated by a committee of that House . The Government would consent to the adoption of that course . —Lord Palmerston disapproved of the proposed course , and thought the Government ought to investigate the case with the assistance of its law officers , and afterwards propose the course it meant to adopt . ^ Mr . Clay and Mr . Hutt recommended th « redemption of the toll . —Mr . Milner Gibson observed
that , before that is done , there should be a committee to ascertain whether it be worth while to do so . —Mr . Bitiscois thought the Government ought to express its opinions on the subject . —Lord Ashley said his constituents at Hull were prepared to pay any money rather than be subject to these dues . —Mr . S . Fitzgerald remarked that the speech of Mr . Ricardo must have satisfied the House that the question is not simply a legal one , but involves considerations which can best bo dealt with by a committee ; and ho therefore hoped Mr . Ricardo would accept the proposal of Mr . Henley . —Lord Hotiiam recommended the anmo course , which Mr . Ricardo consented to adopt , and the motion was withdrawn .
•364 The Leader. [No. 421, April Jj^J.85...
• 364 THE LEADER . [ No . 421 , April jj ^ J . 858 .
Motion
motion
REWARDS TO MICMUBRS . Sir John Trhlawny moved " That the receipt of any species of reward by a member in consideration of the exercise of his influence in that capacity is calculated to lower the dignity and authority of this House , and is a high broach of the prlvilugo of Parliament . " Ho adverted to a recent inquiry before a committed of that Houao , and urged tho importance of protect ing the British Parliament from oven a suspicion that justice is sold there to the highest bidder . — -After a pause , Lord Hotham observed that tho subject was ono of manifest
importance ; and that there was a general belief on the part of the public that practices did take place which it was the duty of the House to endeavour to put a stop to . Sir James Graham did not think any new resolution on the subject necessary . Distinguished members of that House , as agents for the colonies , had received pecuniary rewards for their influence . Mr . Burke had acted in this capacity , and so had Mr . Roebuck ; but he must admit that the payment of money diminishes the worth of the advocacy . —Mr . J . D . Fitzgeralx > recommended that the matter should be allowed to stand on the old existing law of Parliament . —Mr . Mellor likewise advised the -withdrawal of the resolution . —Mr . Mangles pointed out the evil effect upon the people of India of any act which might lead them to believe that their own proneness to corruption
was shared by the ruling classes in this country . — Mr . W . J . Fox could not coincide with those who recommended the withdrawal of the resolution . —Mr . Bright , on the other hand , opposed the motion , contending that there was no case for a new resolution , which might involve honest members in difficulty . — Mr . Walpole was of opinion that no new rule is necessary ; that the old rule is better left as it is , since new words , tying up that rule , might hamper the House . The duties of members who are of the legal profession are well defined and well understood , and he asserted with confidence that no new rule is required in their case . —Lord Palmerston entirely agreed with those who consider that the present law of Parliament , which is known and understood , is sufficient for its purpose , and thought the resolution objectionable on account of its vagueness . —Sir John Trelawny withdrew his
JURIES IN IRELAND . Mr . J . D . Fitzgerald obtained leave to bring in a bill to consolidate and amend the laws relating to juries in Ireland .
ENLISTMENT OF KROOMEN . Mr . Lowe , in moving an address for copies of all instructions for the engagement of natives of Africa in the Indian service , and a return of the alterations in the annual Mutiny Act which such engagements would render necessary , referred to certain statements in the House of Lords relative to the enlistment of Kroomen for service in India . — Mr . Baillie assented to the motion , and added other papers . —Lord Palmerston was of opinion that a black
corps would be extremely useful in India ; but care should be taken to prevent any indirect encouragement of the slave trade . —The Chancellor of the Exchequer defended the conduct of the Government , and said that he had received the most contradictory statements relative to the qualities of Kroomen . —General Thompson said that the Kroomen are such indifferent riflemen that when they fire a shot they turn their heads and run away . —The motion as amended was then agreed to .
The report of the Committee of S upply was brought up , and agreed to . The Customs Duties Bill was read a third time , and passed . The House adjourned at a few minutes to ten o ' clock
Wednesday , April 14 < A . tenant ' s compensation ( ireland ) dill . In the House of Commons , Mr . Maguirk moved the second reading of this bill , and observed that the question is not merely Irish , but Imperial . The insecurity of land tenure gives a sense of insecurity to the cultivators of the soil . The tenant in Ireland is completely dependent on bis landlord , and the law is made an instrument of oppression and injustice . The law , therefore , must be changed , for it is the root of all social evil in Ireland . —The motion was seconded by the O'Donooiiue , who insisted on tho manifest justice of the principle of the bill—that of giving to tenants a legal claim to compensation for improvements , which had
increased tho value of the land . This had become for Ireland a social and political necessity . — Sir John Walsh moved to defer tho second reading of the bill for six months , and protested against founding a bill on exparte statements . The effect of tlio measure would be to take away from the owner of tho soil all property in it , by declaring that whatever value is given to it by labour and capital belongs to tho person who bestows tho labour and capital ; so that in time landlords would no longer exist in Ireland , a more rent-chargo being substituted for ownership . Ho believed , from personal observation , that tho hold which an Irish tonant-at-will lias on Ilia land is much stronger than that of an English tonant . Tho war between landlord and tenant in
Ireland had arisen from tho dosiro of tho latter to subdivide lands—a remnant of tho old pernicious habit of fractionizing-frtrma ;_ and ,- . if * tho-bill-pa 8 aed , ^ thqJandlorcl would coaso to have any interest in tho soil .- —Mr . J . D . Fitzgerald highly approved of tho bill , though thinking some of tho details imperfect . Thoso , however , would bo for tho Committoo to consider . —Lord Palmkkbton dlffbrod from Mr . Fitzgerald . Tho moasuro would transfer , from tho landlord to tho tenant that which both parties know to bo tho property of tho former . It would bo a sweeping act of confiscation ; bosides which , a law restraining thu proceedings of jmrtlctj having mutual relations with each other is objoctionablo on principle . Ho should therefore vote against
the second reading . —The bill was further opposed hv Mr . Hassard , and supported b y Mr . Caird , who con tended that the property of the tenant is as much en titled to protection as that of the landlord . Lord Naas condemned the measure as transgressing the first rules and rights of property . On the motion of Mr . Deasv the debate was adjourned to the 9 th of Juno , and the House adjourned at twenty minutes past five . Thursday , April 15 t / i . BARREL ORGANS . In the House of Lords , the Marquis of "Westmeatii laid upon the table a bill for the suppression of barrel organs and other nuisances in the streets of the metropolis , and gave notice that on Tuesday he would present a petition from four hundred inhabitants of Belgravia on the subject . THE MAILS BETWEEN HOLYHEAD AND KINGSTOWN * . In answer to a question by Lord Dungannon , Lord Colchester stated that arrangements were being made for shortening the time of conveying the mails between Holyhead and Kingstown . A contract had been drawn up between the Government and the railroad and steampacket companies , but had not yet been signed . PASSPORTS . The Earl of Malmesbuky , in presenting the . correspondence between the English and French Governments on the subject of passports , described the circumstances that had occasioned it . After the attempt on the life of the Emperor , the French Government withdrew the permission given to French Consuls anrl agents to sign passports for English subjects travelling in France . This , however , had been unjustly complained of , as it was only fair that strangers should travel with a passport of the country to which they belong . The plan adopted by the English Government of granting Foreignoffice passports on the certificate of a banker or magistrate was found insufficient , and it had been proposed that they should issue passports independently of the
Foreignoffice . But there was no statute by which they were bound to perform such a duty . To meet the difficulty , the Government proposed to increase the number of persons from whom certificates of identity could be obtained , on which application to the Foreign-office could be made . In addition to magistrates and bankers , as at present , all clergymen of different Christian denominations , physicians , surgeons , solicitors , and notaries , would be authorized to certify the identity of persons wishing to obtain passports . He thought it impossible that in any part of England a person could be of such obscure condition as not to be able to apply to some one in the seven or eight classes authorized to give a certificate . Agents would be appointed in the chief cities to deliver the passports of the Fureign-office ; and the Government proposed to reduce the cost of those documents to 2 s .
The Earl of Clarendon said that the regulations of the late Government were only provisional . The whole system of passports is a great mistake . The French Emperor had attempted to do away with it some yeare ago , but was defeated by the difficulties made by his own Government . —Earl Gre y said the present arrangements prove tho inutility of the system . Where is the safeguard , when so many persons are authorized to give certificates to nil who ask ? "Why not yo a step further , and empower the regular authorities in towns and cities to grant passports at once?—The Karl of Maukksbuby stated that thev could not be co mpelled to do it , and the
funds raised would not support more than or seven agents . —Earl Guanvillk believed that anything which reduces tho system to an absurdity will bo a benefit . Would tho now arrangements apply to other countries as well as Franco?—Tho Kurl of Mai . mksuuby rcpliethat no other country lias cvor objected to n passport signed by tho Secretary for Foreign A flairs .
THE ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION . Tho Earl of DicRBYlaid on tho table a bill embodying tho recommendations of the Select Commiitoo of 18 J 0 on tho Ecclesiastical Commission . The bill was read a first time . . Their Lordships thon adjourned at a quartor pnst six . In tho Houais of Commons , Mr . Spoonicu nnnounwt ( amidst some laughter ) that ho should postpone nu motion on Maynooth to that day fortnight . TIJJ 5 HKW MUDOU . OVER T 1 IK TIIAMKS . Lord John Mannkks , in answer to Sir \\ . * «• " V '' J . JU 4 U u \ n * . ri JiiJLWW * mvo , *•* i » . « ww ~ - -- .. ¦ to
said he thought it would not bo advisable cnn u > now bridge over tho Thamos close by tho »<» l !) 0 " Parliament Sobastopol Bridgo . ' Tho suggestioni > little behind timo , now that public attention is «> ' <*| to tho heroism of our countrymen in India , it wo bo bettor to rotain tho name Wostininstor-brii go , u » being associated with tho place whoro tho LotfWlau \«<> tio « nro performed . When tho Emperor mid I ""! ' ™ " tho French visitotl this country three yearn nffo , « ' , j ^ voly ~ doteeT 3 ~ vliTtli 6 ^^ and Trafalgar Squnro' should not bo nltored . 1 « o b aonso of tho country provontod tlint being doiio ; " » would ho uniulvianblo to give tho proposed n «»» tho now bridge . With respect to tho quostioii oi » ' ¦ ing anothnr bridge noross tho Thames , ho could tlmt tho Govorninont hnd no siioh intontlon .
lighthouses . t Lord CLARicNorcPAaicr called attention to tho prow morion of superintending tho lights , buoys , «>" 1 l ) ° " " , on tlio coants of Grout Britain and Ireland , onu to
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), April 17, 1858, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_17041858/page/4/
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