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« * reat convict establishment , which cannot easily be ^ rfoTea without a good deal of ^ quiry and preparaturn . With regard to the grievances complained of n the petition refe ? red to by the noble Lord , he denied that they were generally well founded . The trade and commerce of Singapore had increased no less than f ^ H ^' P « 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 lnv in exfstence , on the subject—Mr . Horsma . r jud there was no reason why Singapore should be governed in India . Ceylon is nearer to India , and yet it is 4 ated al a c « Ly . Honff -Kong might as well be . put under India . —Sir Johx Elfhinstoxe described , Trom personal knowledge , the lawless state of the mixed native population of Singapore , and agreed with Mr . Baillie tJaat 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 STAJDE 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 country 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 ; but 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 eig hth 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 . Henijjt admitted that the payment of the 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 . Hott recommended th « redemption of the toll . —Mr . Milnkr Gibson observed that , before that is done , there should bo a committee to ascertain whether it bo worth while to doso . —Mr . Brtiscorc thought the Government ought to express its opinions on the subject . —Lord Ashley said his constituents at Hull wore prepared to pay any money rather than be subject to these duos , —Mr . S . Fitzgerald remarked that the speech of Mr . Ricardo must have satisfied the House that tho question is not simply a legal one , but involves considerations which can beat bo dealt with by a committee ; and he therefore hoped Mr . llicardo would accept the proposal of Mr . Henley . —Lord Hotixam recommonded tho same course , which Mr . Ricardo consented to adopt , Aod . tho . inotioiu-vv . aawithdrawi ) . „_ .,. RicwAnns to mbmbkrs . Sir John Thiblawny moved " That tho receipt of any species of reward by a member in consideration of the exorcise of his influence in that enpuoity is calculated to lower tho dignity and authority of this House , and is a high broach of tho privilege of Parliament . " Ho adverted to a recent inquiry before a com in it too of that House , and urged tho importance of protecting tho JUritlsh Parliament from ovon a suspicion that justice ia sold there to tho highest bidder . —Aftor a pause , Lord Hotham observed that tho subject was ono of manifest
importanc-1 ; and that there was a general belief on the part of th -. "Jt public that practices did take place which it was the dtfjty of the House to endeavour to put a stop to > gir jJ ^ ies Graham did not think any new resolution on the subject necessary . Distinguished members of that Housf , as agents for the colonies , had received pecuniary rew ards 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 . Fitzgerald 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 proncness 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 ; - « £ hat 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 Thelawn y withdrew his motion . 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 Supply 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 \ &th . tenant's compensation ( ireland ) bill . In the House of Commons , Mr . Maouire 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 tho cultivators of the soil . The tenant in Ireland is completely dependent on his landlord , and the law is made an instrumont of oppression and injustice . Tho law , therefore , must bo changed , for it is the root of nil social ovil in Ireland . —Tho motion was seconded by tho O'Donogjhtje , who insisted on tho manifest justice of tho principle of tho bill—that of giving to tenants a legal claim to compensation for improvements , which had increased tho value of tho land . This had become for Ireland a social and political necessity . — Sir John Walsh moved to defer tho second rending of tho bill for six months , and protested against founding a bill on ex parte statements . Tho effect of the mermuro would bo to tako away from tho owner of tho soil nil property in it , by declaring that whatever value is given to it by labour and capital belongs to tho porson 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 boliovod , from personal observation , that tho hold which an . Irish tonant-at-will has on hia land is much stronger than that of an English tenant . 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 fracWnizing'fnHnTi ^ " ^^ would coaac to have any interest in tho soil . —Mr . J . D . Fitzgickald highly approved of tlio bill , though thinking aomo of tho details imperfect . Those , however , would bo for tho Committee to consider . —Lord Palmiciiston differed from Mr . Fitzgerald . Tho moasuro would transfer from tho landlord to tho tonnnt that which both parties know to bo tho proporty of tho former . It would bo n swooping not of ooiiusoation ; bosidofl which , a law retraining tho prooooclinga of parties hnving mutual relation * with each other Is objectionable on principle Ho should therefore vote against
the second reading—The billwas further opposed bv Mr . Hassard , and supported by Mr Caird who tended that the property of the tenant is as much ™ * titled to protection as that of the landlord . —Lord Naa ~ condemned the measure as transgressing the first rulT and rights of property . On the motion of Mr Deasv the debate was adjourned to the 9 th of June , ' and the House adjourned at twenty minutes past five . T / nirsday , April 15 th . BARREL ORGANS . In the House of Lokds , 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 1 IOLYHEAD AND KINGSTOWN ' . Jn answer to a question by Lord Di'noannon Lord CoLCHiiSTEit stated that arrangements were bein ^ ' 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 Malmesbury , 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 and 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 clergj'men 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 tho chief cities to deliver the passports of tho Foreign-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 wero onh- provisional . The whole system of passports is a groat mistake . The French Emperor had attempted to do away with it some years ago , but was defeated by the difficulties made by his own Government . — Karl ( Jkev said the present arrangements prove the inutility of the system . Where is the safeguard , when so many persons are authorized to give certificates to all who ask ? Why not go a step farther , and empower the regular authorities in towns and cities to grant passports at once?—The Karl of Malmiosiukv stated that thev could not be compelled to do it , nnd the funds raised would not support mom than six or . seven agents . —Earl Granviluc believed that anything wlm-U reduces tho system to an absurdity will bo a benefit . Would the new arrangements apply to other countries as well us France?—The Earl of Mai . mkhuuii y roplic . that no other country has ever objuctod to a passport signod by tho Secretary for Foreign Affaire . THIS ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION , The Earl of Derby laid on tho table a bill embodying tho recommendations of the Select Comniiltoo of IHjo on tho Ecclesiastical Commission . Tho bill was rend a first time . Thoir Lordships then adjourned at a quarter past mx . In tho House of Commons , Mr . Si-oonkk announce ( amidst some laughter ) that ho . should postpone ins motion on Mnynooth to that day fortnight . THIS NEW IUUDO K OVKR THIS TIIAMIW . Lord John Mannkks , in answer to Sir > V . l' k » » said ho thought it would not bo advisable to can i « new bridge over tho Thames close by tho House o Parliament Sobastopol Bridge' Tho suggostioni »« a little behind time , now that public attention >* ( l 1 ™ ,, to tho heroism of our countrymen in Imli "\ . ,,, " ,, be bottor to retain tho namo ' West m ins Uir-brK go , I ' being associated with tho place where tho •"' b' 1 ™ 1 " ; " f ties nro performed . When tho Emporor and hn >| wow o , tho . l ) Vonolwvi 8 ltod-thia , cpuiitry _ tl » W . 9 _ y imr 4 _ jUgLi ' " , gravely dobatotl whether the nninon N » l ° ' ' '''" » nnd ' Trafalgar Square' should not bo nlterad . I H ° B ° aonso or tho country prevented tlint being « ' »; ° ' , would ho unwIvlHiiblo to give tho proposed nnino tha now bridge With renpoot to tho question oi ui Ing another bridge norosH tho Tlinmofl , ho could Bim Hint tho Government had no such intuntloii . LIOIITMOUSK 8 . ,, rniinilt Lord ClarkncisPaokt called attention to tho r m inoiloa of superintending tho lights , buoys , nw" »' on tho coasts of Croat Uritnin and Ireland , « " «
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Leader (1850-1860), April 17, 1858, page 364, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2239/page/4/
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