POSTSCRIPT.
Barn Houses of Parliament sat last night, but little besides formal business was done in the House of Lords.
In the House of Commons, Mr. GREGORY moved for a Select Com- mittee to inquire into the circumstances attending the termination by the Postmaster-General of the postal contract with the Royal At- lantic Steam Navigation Company. He reviewed at great length the transactions which had taken place between the Government and the company, and contended that the company had been very harshly dealt with by the Government, particularly in terminating the con- tract when they were in a position to fulfil its conditions. In reference to the Irish members be defended them from the imputations that had been thrown out against them, to the effect that they could have been influenced by the Government if it had granted a renewal of the subsidy. Lord Jona Russzu took that opportunity of defending the Irish members from the calumny cast upon them, as there was not the slightest foundation for it. He declined entering into the merits of the question, as the Government did not intend opposing the motion, and the matter would be fully considered before the committee. He hoped if the committee found that a wrong had been done to the com-
pany, they would propose means to rectify it. M i
Mr. BAXTER contended that the Postmaster-General had only done
his duty in cancelling the contract, for the company never had been in a condition to carry it out. Having referred to the ships in detail, and the reports that had been made on their failings and defects, he stigmatized the company as a "commercial sham," and an "insolvent and bubble company." He supported the motion for the committee, for he felt that as a mark of respect to Ireland, the fullest inquiry ought to be made in order to show that the Irish people had been deceived as to the means and stability of the company.
Sir HUGH CAIRNS protested against the hon. member applying the terms he had to a company that was not present to defend. itself. It was well known that the gentlemen connected with the company were very wealthy and capable of raising any amount of money they re- quired. lf the hon. member knew that, it was unfair for him to make such a statement as he had, and, if he did not know it, it was unfor- tunate that he had not taken some pains to learn it, particularly when he had been so zealous in gathering rumours against the interests of that company. He then proceeded to contradict nearly all the asser- tions made by Mr. Baxter, and contended that they were in a position tocarry out the contract when it was cancelled. Mr. GLADSTONE defended the course which the Postmaster-General had pursued, with the concurrence of the Government, and contended that the company had not been harshly treated.
The discussion was continued for a considerable time by other hon. members, without throwing any new light upon the question, and the motion was then agreed to.
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