turn from those pursuits to enter into the | the Committee was to be composed. The Army. The question of recruiting would noble Lord who, he understood, was to be very properly considered by the Com- be President, Lord Airey-there was, mittee. He ought not to detain their perhaps, no harm in mentioning the Lordships; but with regard to the name-was an experienced soldier, who attacks which had been made upon him, would never forget the absence of a Rehe might observe that as they had been serve in the Crimean War. He (Vismade by both sides upon exactly oppo- count Cardwell) had confidence in Lord site grounds they could not be right, Airey, and he was sure the day would and he did not think that he was alto- never come when that gallant soldier gether wrong. would forget the absolute necessity of a Reserve when the Army was in the field. In Lord Airey's hands the fate of the inquiry was safe. He hoped and believed that it was intended to make this inquiry, not superficial, but complete; and except upon the supposition that it was to be a complete inquiry he should be fearful of the result, for he knew the prejudices with which an inquiry of this kind had to contend. With these few final words, he commended the Committee to the approval of their LORD DORCHESTER said, if the nomination of a Committee took five weeks, the question was, indeed, a difficult one to decide, and the difficulties of searching into it must be far greater than there was any reason to suppose. An eminent General had been sent for to preside over this Committee; but he was ordered by the civil power-the Secretary of State-entirely unknown to the illustrious Duke (the Duke of Cambridge), to a mixed command in South Africa. If rumour was correct, the Com-Lordships. mittee was to be composed of men who were committed to the present system, and who, therefore, would not be likely to report against it. He thought it necessary that the names of the Committee should be speedily known. LORD WAVENEY said, one of the points which it would be necessary for the Committee to inquire into was the subject of recruiting in agricultural districts. He had the honour of commanding an agricultural brigade of Artillery for 25 years, and he could say that at present the men were superior in intelligence and physical development to those whom he first received into the ranks. There was an improved disposition as to binding themselves with regard to the Reserve; but as to volunteering for the war in South Africa, the Return he had to make was nil. He hoped the Committee would go fully into the question of recruiting. The point was how to retain the old soldier in the Service. Above all things, he trusted the Committee would consider what was the enormous friction of a great war machine, and how soon a campaign in the field frittered away the best of the strength of the Army. VISCOUNT CARDWELL said, much had been stated with regard to the Committee being entirely a military one, and that it would leave out a large part of what ought to be included. He had no such apprehension. He knew by whom Viscount Cranbrook | House adjourned at a quarter before Eight o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Monday, 16th June, 1879. MINUTES.]--SUPPLY-considered in Committee * QUESTIONS. [39]. CYPRUS-THE ORDINANCES. QUESTION. SIR CHARLES W. DILKE asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will re-consider his determination not to print as Parlia mentary Papers even those of the Cyprus Ordinances, which are as peculiar in their nature as the following-namely, the Ordinance of 1879, giving power to the Cyprus Government to exile persons without trial; the Ordinance of 1878, prohibiting the sale of land in Cyprus to all persons not British or Turkish subjects; and the Ordinance of 1879, raising special taxation on all lands left uncultivated, and forfeiting unclaimed lands to the Government? MR. BOURKE, in reply, said, he would place in the Library of the House Copies of the Ordinances referred to by the hon. Baronet; but he did not propose to lay them on the Table. IRELAND-THE FISHERIES OF SLIGO MAJOR O'BEIRNE asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If it would not be desirable to hold an investigation into but with regard to what we propose to do, I have some little difficulty on account of the course of Business. It is essential that we should make that Statement soon, and obtain the authority of the House for the issue of what will be necessary for next year of the Public Works Loan. If we do not obtain that authority early in July, there will be serious difficulty, because there will be no funds to carry on the works. I hope, therefore, we may be able next weeksay on Thursday week-to bring forward that proposal, and I shall connect it with the Public Works Loan Bill now before the House, trusting to introduce into that Bill a clause to give us the necessary powers. MR. CHAMBERLAIN asked, If the Government intended to withdraw the Public Works Loan Bill now before the House? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: No; the Bill I now refer to is the annual Bill authorizing the advances of the Commissioners. the manner in which the fisheries of the If MR. J. LOWTHER: Sir, I have not yet been able to get a full Report. the Question is repeated, I shall be able to say more in a few days. I find an inquiry has been held into the matter by three Inspectors; so that the name of Mr. Brady ought only to be mentioned in conjunction with that of his colleagues. PETITION OF MR. WILLIAM TAYLER SIR FREDERICK HALLI DAY.-QUESTIONS. MR. STAVELEY HILL asked the Under Secretary of State for India, with reference to a Petition presented to the House in February last by Mr. William Tayler, to which the attention of the House is to be called on the 1st proximo by the honourable Member for South Warwickshire, and in which the conduct of Sir Frederick Halliday, formerly Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, is seriously impugned, Whether any statement of the case has been submitted to the Secretary of State by Sir Frederick Halliday; and, if so, whether there will be LOCAL FINANCE - ANNUAL STATE- any objection to lay such statement upon MENT-THE PUBLIC WORKS LOAN BILL.-QUESTIONS. MR. PELL asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, When Her Majesty's Government desire to make the Annual Statement on Local Finance which it was understood would be considered at the same time as the Budget? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: Sir, my hon. Friend asks when we "desire" to make the Statement to which he refers in his Question. We desire, of course, to make it as soon as possible; the Table of the House? SIR EARDLEY WILMOT asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the statement of Sir Frederick Halliday, referred to by the honourable and learned Member for Staffordshire, is a reply to the Petition of Mr. William Tayler, presented in February last to this House; or, whether it is a reply of some standing to memorials presented by Mr. Tayler to successive Secretaries of State, and especially to a Memorial addressed by him to the Duke of Argyll in 1868? MR. E. STANHOPE: Sir, it is true that a statement has been prepared by Sir Frederick Halliday, at my request, in view of the debate to be brought on by my hon. Friend the Member for South Warwickshire. It refers to a number of official documents contained in many volumes at the India Office. The question of producing that statement, or the official documents generally, is one of great difficulty. On the one hand, Sir Frederick Halliday, after many years of useful public service in India, has been exposed to violent attacks in several pamphlets, and I venture to express my respect for the forbearance which he has displayed, knowing that he could only defend himself by official documents. But, on the other hand, no public matter is involved, the Motion of the hon. Member for South Warwickshire raises no such question; and, therefore, my noble Friend does not, upon the whole, consider himself justified, either in producing the statement or the Papers generally, or in putting the country to the great expense of printing them. NORTHERN BORNEO - CESSION OF TERRITORY.-QUESTIONS. MR. W. E. FORSTER asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the cession of territory in Northern Borneo to a British Trading Company would, if approved by Her Majesty's Government, involve any responsibility on the part of this country; and, if so, what responsibility? MR. BOURKE: "Sir, the approval of this proposed cession would not, as far as we know, involve any responsibility on the part of this country other than the general responsibility which devolves on Her Majesty's Government of affording protection to British subjects in all parts of the world, so far as circumstances permit. But Her Majesty's Government have not at present given any such approval. MR. W. E. FORSTER: Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House, why the approval of Her Majesty's Government is asked, if there is no responsibility incurred? MR. BOURKE: That is a Question rather for the persons who ask for the approval, than for Her Majesty's Go vernment. FUND (IRE REPRODUCTIVE LOAN LORD FRANCIS CONYNGHAM asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If it is true that several cases have lately occurred in Clare County, where, default having been made by fishermen in the repayment of an instalment of money borrowed by them from the Irish Reproductive Loan Fund, they have been forced by legal process not only to repay the sums remaining undischarged, but also to pay over again the instalments which they had already paid before default? MR. J. LOWTHER: Sir, I do not find that the matters have proceeded to the extremity the noble Lord's Question seems to indicate; but there were some difficulties of a legal character with regard to these loans. The Board of Works have been asked to report on the matter, and arrangements have been made which I hope will obviate all difficulties in the future. IRELAND-VOTE FOR CHIEF SECRE TARY'S OFFICE.-QUESTION. MAJOR O'BEIRNE asked the Secretary to the Treasury, When Vote 35, Class 2, Chief Secretary for Ireland's Offices, will be taken? SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON: I feel that I can give no very definite answer to the Question of the hon. and gallant Member. The Vote will be taken as soon as we are able to fix a day Class 2 will be taken when we have disfor commencing with Irish Votes, and posed of Votes in Class 1. JAMAICA-COOLIES.-QUESTION. MR. MACDONALD asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If his attention has been directed to a paragraph in the "New York Times," dated 30th May, which stated that a ship had arrived at Kingston, Jamaica, to carry back Coolies who had been serving under an indenture for employers in the parish of Charleston, and who, during the time of their servitude, had deposited large sums of money in the hands of the immigration agent for safe keeping: whether, on asking for it, they were told he could not pay it to them, and they were thereby defrauded; if it be true that the Governor of Jamaica refused to give protection to the immigrants in the matter, though the Chief Justice had stated they were entitled to be paid; and, further, if they have been paid? MR. WHITWELL asked, if Mr. Lascelles was acting as Consul General? MR. BOURKE: He will perform the same functions which he performed before. I cannot understand that his position will be in any way different from that which Mr. Vivian's has been. LEGISLATION.-QUESTION. SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH: Sir, the hon. Member has been good enough to send me the article in The New York Times upon which this Question is based. I had heard reports that THE RAILWAY COMMISSION BILL— a sub-immigration agent in Jamaica had improperly received money, by himself. or his son, from the Coolies for whom he was responsible; but I knew nothing of the other statements quoted from the article, and I have at once directed the Governor to supply me with a full report on the subject. EGYPT-MR. VIVIAN-THE PAPERS. QUESTIONS. MR. OTWAY asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Mr. Vivian has been recalled from his post as Consul General in Egypt; and, if so, for what reason; whether Mr. Adams has been appointed to succeed Mr. Vivian; and, when the Papers relating to Egyptian matters will be laid upon the Table of the House? MR. BOURKE: No, Sir; Mr. Vivian has not been recalled from his post. Mr. Vivian has been permitted to come home for a short time on private affairs -affairs strictly of a private character but it is not likely that Mr. Vivian's return to Egypt will be delayed beyond a few weeks. With regard to the next Question, Mr. Adams has not been appointed to succeed Mr. Vivian; but Mr. Lascelles, who for some time discharged Mr. Vivian's duties when he was absent for a short time, will again discharge the duties now. With regard to the Papers on Egyptian affairs, Her Majesty's Government have considered the subject very carefully, and are most anxious to produce them; but they are of opinion, under existing circumstances, that it would not be to the public interest to do so at the present moment. MR. OTWAY asked when they would be produced? MR. BOURKE: It depends on the communications now going on, when the Papers can be produced. The circumstances, I need not say, are not altogether in the control of Her Majesty's Government. MR. MONK asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he is prepared to name a day on which he will ask leave to introduce the proposed Railway Commission Bill? VISCOUNT SANDON, in reply, said, he was not surprised at the anxiety manifested by the hon. Gentleman; but, in the present state of Public Business, it was impossible to name a day. It would be impossible, however, for Her Majesty's Government to allow the powers of the Royal Commission to lapse this year; and he was as anxious as the hon. Gentleman was to bring in the Bill; but he could not name a day. VICTORIA-THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.-QUESTION. MR. A. MILLS asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, When his despatch to Lord Normanby, relating to the differences between the two Houses of the Legislature of the Colony of Victoria, will be laid upon the Table of the House; and, whether any further Correspondence has taken place on the subject since that already presented to Par| liament ? SIR MICHAEL HICKS - BEACH: Sir, the despatch to Lord Normanby should reach Melbourne in about 10 days from this time, and I propose shortly after that date to present it, together with other Correspondence on the subject, to Parliament. NAVY-COALING AT ST. VINCENT'S. QUESTION. COLONEL BERESFORD asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, How many tons of coal were supplied to the Transports at St. Vincent for the voyage to the Cape, at what price per ton it was supplied, and how many days each Transport was delayed in order to obtain the necessary quantity? 1915 Ireland-Forcible Dispersion (COMMONS} of a Meeting at Cookstown. 1916 MR. W. H. SMITH: Sir, I stated, in reply to the Question of the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. T. Brassey), both how many tons of coal were supplied to the transports, and how long each vessel was occupied in coaling, and I think my hon. and gallant Friend will hardly wish me to repeat that statement; but the price at which the coal was supplied-the entire cost-was 28s. a-ton in two cases, 30s. in the case of 10 ships, and 32s. in the case of two other ships. COLONEL STANLEY: Sir, I cannot say whether the men are suffering from Cyprus fever, because some of the men have suffered from fever contracted on the West Coast of Africa. SOUTH AFRICA—THE ZULU WAR—THE FIGHT AT RORKE'S DRIFT. QUESTION. MR. STACPOOLE asked the Secretary of State for War, If an order was issued by his or any other authority, that in consideration of the gallantry displayed by the non-commissioned CRIMINAL CODE BILL-MEMORANDUM officers and privates at Rorke's Drift, OF THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE. QUESTIONS. the issue of one flannel shirt and one pair of trousers to each man, in compensation for damage done to their clothing, COLONEL STANLEY: Sir, so far as I can understand, such an order was issued by the General Officer commanding the troops for the issue to the men of a flannel shirt and one pair of trousers, in compensation for damage done to the clothing. Whether regard was had to it as a reward for gallantry or not I cannot say. MR. HERSCHELL asked Mr. At-is sanctioned ? torney General, Whether he has received a memorandum from the Lord Chief Justice containing comments and suggestions in relation to the Criminal Code Bill, and, whether he will lay a Copy of the same upon the Table of the House? THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir JOHN HOLKER), in reply, said, he had received the Memorandum from the Lord Chief Justice in relation to the Criminal Code Bill, and he would be happy to lay it on the Table of the House. MR. ASSHETON CROSS said, he had that day laid on the Table of the House the Report of the Commissioners in relation to the Code. MR. WHEELHOUSE asked, If it was intended to print the Report? MR. ASSHETON CROSS: Certainly. ARMY-THE 42ND REGIMENT. QUESTIONS. MR. H. SAMUELSON asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the 42nd Regiment is still suffering from the effects of the Cyprus fever; and, whether it is about to be brought home before the usual time in consequence of the ill-health of the men? COLONEL STANLEY: Sir, the report of the health of the men of the 42nd Highlanders was not altogether satisfactory, and as there was likely to be a certain amount of fever at Gibraltar, it was thought expedient that this regiment should not be left there. MR. H. SAMUELSON: Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman please answer the first part of my Question? ARMY-BEARDS.-QUESTION. MR. STACPOOLE asked the Secretary of State for War, If he sees any objection to permit all ranks of the Army to wear their beards, in accordance with the example set by Field Marshal H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, H.S.H. the Prince of Saxe-Weimar, commanding the Southern District, and by the officers and men of the Royal Navy? COLONEL STANLEY: Šir, I do not presume, looking at all the bearded faces round me, to express an opinion whether any alleviation would be desirable or not; but, as a matter of fact, while beards are allowed to be worn where there are any sanitary reasons-climate or otherwise-the Queen's Regulations say that troops at home shall not wear beards, and from that there is no reason to depart. MR. STACPOOLE gave Notice that on going into Committee on the Army Estimates he should call attention to the subject. IRELAND-FORCIBLE DISPERSION OF QUESTIONS. MR. CALLAN asked the Chief Secre tary for Ireland, Whether his attention |