4 MARCH 1865, Page 3

Mr. Bernie on Thursday molied for a committee to inquire

into the armaments of British ironclads, which he said were inefficient. He argued that the 110-pounder Armstrong was a failure, and that we had no guns which would pierce iron-plated ships. The Marquis of Hartington denied that, said that the improved 110-pounder would pierce plates, that experiments were going on, -that it was necessary to be cautious, and that we were as well or better off than other nations. He refused the committee, which was rejected by 57 to 22, the House apparently thinking that whether we have a gun or no, we shall not get one by holding perpetual committees.