6 AUGUST 1853, Page 10

POSTSCRIPT.

SATURDAY.

The second reading of the India Bill in the House of Lords last night, which passed without debate on the merits of the bill, was politically The second reading of the India Bill in the House of Lords last night, which passed without debate on the merits of the bill, was politically distinguished by the express neutrality of the Opposition, and by a mas- terly and amusing speech from Lord Ellenborough on the general neces- sity of a more trenchant measure to cut up the Court of Directors root and branch.

Earl GRANVILLE'S introductory speech was a more concise and level resume of several statements which introduced the successive stages of

the measure in the House of Commons. Then came Lord MALMESBURY;

who lamented that Lord Derby was absent, [because he has the gout,] but said that if he had been present he had made up his mind to utter nothing either in praise or blame of the measure, but " to wash their hands of all the consequences of this bill." Lord Malmesbury complained bitterly of the delay in bringing up the bill, and described Sir Charles Wood as " five months in a state of incubation." It was physically impossible for any party except the Government to collect a sufficient number of Peers to discuss the question.

The Earl of ABERDEEN was provoked to express his grave indignation at the inexplicable course taken by a man "in the position of the noble Earl." Did be think it constitutional, did he think it respectful to the House, to take that course—" a course," continued Lord Aberdeen, "such as I never before knew followed before your Lordships "—but which

might be convenient, although not respectful. As to delay, the bill could

hardly have been prepared in less time ; and there were important matters which necessarily preceded it. Instead of a slothful session, he believed public business had never been more forward. Lord Malmesbury had no excuse for not pronouncing an opinion ; but the'fact was, that when he came to explain what he meant bydiscussion, "it seems to be that he has not had time to call persons together to vote." [Lord Malmesbury's "position," before he got promoted to the Foreign Office, was that of "whipper-in" to Lord Derby.] With high compliments to Lord Ellen- borough, Lord Aberdeen hoped that very able expositor of Indian policy would not follow the example of Lord Malmesbury—" one better followed in the breach than in the observance."

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH reminded Lord Malmesbury, that there had been ample opportunity for discussing almost every question con- nected with India in that House—Lord Ellenborough himself, as he had been reminded by Lord Granville, having spoken no fewer than sixteen times, and thus having 'already made his speech on the bill clause by clause. Lord Malmesbury was "not justified in throwing off from him- self all the responsibility which attaches to the passing of this measure." Lord Ellenborough compendiously described the system which the bill es- tablishes, and partly renews, as containing something good and something bad. "But, at the same time, I think that the greatest part of what is be

is not new, and that what is new is not bad." Generally, it is an improve- ment on the present system. He made merry at the expense of the self- mutilation imposed on the Court of Directors, and objected to the continuance of the Court of Proprietors as a constituency. What would a farmer do in a similar case. " Would he, if he were in-his senses, continue to breed from a stock which always gave a bad breed ? Would he, if he were asked to sell

instead of breeding, retain in his farmyard the three oldest, most diseased, and-incapable beasts of the lot, such as ought to have no place in a farmer's establishment, and which certainly should have no place in a Government con- cern ?" He touched on the power of the Directors to recall the Governor-Gene- ral. " The Bible says, ' No man can serve two masters' ; but the Government says the Governor-General of India shall serve two masters, and that too

without the condition which is said in the Scriptures to attach to the service of one of them—namely, that of despising him." (Cheers and laughter.) He concluded with an impressive warning lest the change should gradually sap the constitution of India, and act like that Indian poison " which gra- dually wastes away the body, but never betrays its presence but by the slow decay of every faculty." (Chem.)

Several Peers bore a part in the remainder of the debate. Lord MONT- 'EAGLE took up an Indian Reform position ; the Duke of ARGYLL did duty in defence of the Government; Lord Asirsinerosi threw his segis over the East India Company ; the Bishop of OXFORD treated of the moral aspects of the measure ; and Lord WHARNCLIFFE looked upon it as temporary.

Earl GRANVILLE replied, and the bill was read a second time without a division.

The Combination of Workmen Bill was withdrawn, on the motion for the second reading. Lord TRURO denied that there was any difference of opinion as to the construction of the law ; and the Loan CHANCELLOR thought the bill would only mislead the working men. The. Earl of HARDWICHE said, the very events of the time—the frequent strikes-- showed that the bill was not needed : if it passed, masters must combine for their own protection. Under these circumstances, Lord Kismuee withdrew the bill.

When the House of Commons met for the evening sitting, Mr. F. Holtz attempted a "count out " ; but the cry of" Division ! " soon brought an accession of numbers, and the attempt failed.

The South Sea and other Annuities Dissentients Bill passed through Committee. Opposition was given at the outset by Sir Frrznerr KELLY ; who made a speech against the project before he allowed the House to go into Committee. There was a good deal of verbal opposition to the clauses, but no division.

' Various votes were disposed of in Committee of Supply. Mr. Diana= strongly opposed the vote of 35,0001. towards defraying the expense of constructing an embankment and public roadway between Battersea and Vauxhall Bridges. We have been told that population and property go together; yet here was the populous and wealthy county of Middlesex asking for money to build bridges and make embankments ! Something should be done to put a stop to this system of granting public money for local purposes. Sir WiLisesi MOLESWORTH entirely agreed with many of Mr. Disraeli's observations : but it must be remembered that there is no municipal body in the Metropolis having power to raise rates for these purposes, and the inhabitants cannot be rated without some principle of representation. That Government are considering. But he approved of the principle that great Metropolitan works should be paid tbr by the Metropolis itself. Mr. DISRAELI insisted that the late Government "gave no encouragement for these projects." Whereupon Sir Witszass Mesas- won= produced an act of last sessions "to hasten the completion of the Thames Embankment," passed on the responsibility of Lord John Man- ners, then Chief Commissioner of Works, and of Mr. Disraeli, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer. This silenced Mr. Disraeli, and left the opposition to Colonel Sizrlionr. On a division, .the vote was carried by 94 to 27.

There was no division on any of the other votes agreed to.

Mr. ADDBBLKY asked whether her Majesty had delegated to the Go- vernor of New Zealind such power respecting the sale of land as author- ized his proclamation of the 9th March 1853, whereby the scale of land- prices guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Victoria, chap. 86, was set aside, and the powers given by the 15th and 16th Victoria, chap. 72, to the new Legislature, were anticipated by the Governor alone, and an un- limited extent of territory was set up to public auction at 5s, per aere Mr. PEEL stated that no information had. reached the Colonial Office of any proclamation having been issued by Sir Gecage. Grey as to the price of land. The act of last year conferred on the General Assembly of New Zealand the power of regulating the sale of lands, and till the General Assembly made other provisions the Governor was -to regulate the sale of land. Soon after that act passed, instructions. were sent to Sir George Grey to issue such regulations as he might think requisite with reference to the sale of land. That, it might be presumed, was the authority for any proclamation issued by Sir George Grey.

Sir JAMES GnanAis, in reply to a question, stated that additional naval force, under Admiral Pellew, has been ordered, and, by anticipation, has proceeded to the Chinese seas.

The motion for the issue of a new writ,for notorious Canterbury,,which has been a long time before the House, was last night negatived without a division.

The House of Lords, sitting as a Committee for Privileges, has rejected the claim of the Earl of Crawford to the Dukedom of Montrose ; holding that the original title had been " extinguished," and could not be claimed, even_ virtually, by succession.