ring Representative Institutions on New Zealand, which will expire early in the next year; and that no obstacle any longer exists to the enjoyment of Representative Institutions by New Zealand; to assure Her Majesty, that the form of these Institutions shall receive our best consideration, and that we trust, with the aid of the additional information which has been obtained since the passing of the Acts in question, to arrive at a decision beneficial to that important Colony ; pending the operation of a previous Act confer- there was an additional reason for embarrassment in the circumstance that they now for the first time took a formal possession of the House in which they were assembled. This event might naturally suggest grave thoughts. If long years had elapsed in the preparation of a building suitable for the councils of the nation, might we not trust that in its permanent character, in the solidity of its fabric, we might recognise a due adaptation to those institutions which had existed for ages in this country, and which, he trusted, would be our protection and our pride for ages yet to come? And further, might it not be observed that while they were constructing the new building, they had not laid the hands of wanton destruction on the old? He thought that no one would Humbly to state to Her Majesty, that we participate in the satisfaction which Her Majesty has been pleased to express in being able to inform us, that the large reductions of Taxes which have taken place of late years have not been attended with a proportionate diminution of the National Income; that we rejoice to learn that, while the reduction of Taxation has tended greatly to the relief and comfort of Her Majesty's sub-regret that they had retained that magnifijects, the Revenue of the past year has been fully adequate to the demands of the Public Service: cent building which led back our thoughts to his duties less thoughtfully because he to past ages, and that no one would pass “Humbly to join with Her Majesty in acknow-minster Hall. Whatever events might went through the venerable area of Westledging, with thankfulness to Almighty God, that tranquillity, good order, and willing obedience to the Laws, continue to prevail generally through out the Country: 66 take place, whatever subjects might be discussed there, he believed that the House of Commons would ever maintain its dignity; and although they did not profess to Humbly to thank Her Majesty for the expres-emulate the splendour of the other House sion of Her opinion that this is a fitting time for calmly considering whether it may not be advisable to make such Amendments in the Act of the late reign, relating to the Representation of the Commons in Parliament, as may be deemed calculated to carry into more complete effect the principles upon which that Law is founded: of Parliament, although their walls were not adorned by pictures representing episodes in the history of the country, they had before them the body of the people, who had the freest access to their discussions; the walls of that House were not adorned with the poetic conceptions of "That we thank Her Majesty for the expres- art, yet he trusted that the history of their sion of the confidence which Her Majesty feels country was not the less present to their that, in any such consideration, we shall firmly minds, and that "Chivalry," and "Justice,' adhere to the acknowledged principles of the and "Religion" would not the less pervade Constitution, by which the Prerogatives of the their counsels. The people of this country Crown, the authority of both Houses of Parlia-ever viewed with great interest, and often ment, and the Rights and Liberties of the People, are equally secured." regarded with great solicitude, the state of our relations with foreign countries, and especially with that great country which MR. BONHAM CARTER rose to second had ever been in the foremost rank in arts the Address. The hon. Member com- as in arms; and that as much on account menced by requesting the considerate in- of the character of the people as on dulgence of the House, remarking that account of their geographical position. when he remembered that of late years England had long ceased to entertain hosthe position which he then occupied had tile feelings towards any country. Her often fallen to the lot of those of greater earnest desire was to see established a experience than himself, and when he con- Government of a permanent character, sidered the great importance of the sub- in accordance with the wishes of the jects which had been submitted to the people, of whatever State it might be, attention of the House in Her Majesty's and of which the principal aim should Speech, he felt he had need of the fullest be the promotion of a peaceful promeasure of their forbearance. Nor could gress in the way of prosperity. Enghe forget that on the present occasion lishmen were naturally proud of their institutions-they were naturally proud of their liberty; but while they would wish to see those institutions adopted as far as they were known, they would force them on none; they would, however, desire to see every where observed the guarantee of individual liberties and popular rights. This he believed to be the unselfish view of every Englishman; but it must not be forgotten that our material interests were also intimately bound up with the interests of foreign States. That confidence was essential to the development of industry, and was the life of capital. Any great sacrifice of capital, whether by the withdrawal of a large portion of the population from industrial pursuits, or by interfering with the channels in which it would naturally flow, or in consequence of events and measures such as those of 1848, was disastrous to the country in which it took place, must always have an effect on neighbouring States, and ultimately most of all upon a commercial country like England, For those reasons, the people of this country heard with great satisfaction the assurance of the continuance of friendly relations with Foreign Powers. God forbid that, in our time, there should be any interruption of the blessings of peace, that had done so much to extend the comforts and multiply the sources of happiness of mankind since the beginning of the century! He believed that no precaution was wanting on the part of any who had a share in the government of this country, or on the part of any man who had the interest of his fellow-countrymen, or, indeed, his fellow-men, at heart, to maintain the continuance of peace and of those relations which conduced so much to its assurance. He ventured, with great confidence, to say that the character which this country should maintain amongst the nations of the world was shortly described by an ancient annalist : "Populus nobilissimus ; quique magnitudinem suam malit justitia tueri, sine cupiditate, sine impotentiâ; quieti secretique; nulla provocant bella; prompta tamen omnibus arma, ac, si res poscat, exercitus. Quiescentibus eadem fama." Fearing none, arrogant to none; and whilst by our insular position we were removed from many of the risks of collision, he hoped that the just weight and authority of this country would ever be exerted in earnest endeavours to arrange differences which might arise among foreign States. Her Majesty had called their attention to a painful subject, which had occupied a large share of public attention, and which, he regretted, they should have to discuss at that time. He would not have ventured to offer any observations on this subject had he not served upon the Committee of last Session for inquiring into our relations with the Kaffir tribes. Papers relating to the disputes and proceedings which had taken place, would hereafter be laid before the House, and this was not therefore the time to discuss the relative merits of different systems, or to impute blame; but he would venture to remark, that with regard to the outbreak at the Cape, he did not think it could be attributed to any act of aggression on the part of the colonists, and that witnesses of all tendencies and of all classes agreed that it was absolutely necessary that this country should thoroughly vindicate its power and authority. Until that was done, and until the close of the war, it was almost premature to discuss what measures should be adopted, or what future arrangements should be entered into with the natives of that colony. Persons who had considered the subject were not surprised that the war was so long prolonged, because they knew that there had existed there a chronic state of hostility-an intermittent fever of war----and that the natives possessed exceedingly great advantages in the nature of the country, and in their mode of warfare. They were not incumbered by the equipments of war, and the nature of the country; vast tracks covered with an impervious and incombustible thicket, facilitated very much their marauding expeditions, whilst it afforded a great protection against the operations of regular troops. being the case, they should not be surprised that it was necessary to send out a large number of additional regiments; and the withdrawal of a large body of troops from this country, combined with other circumstances, fully justified the Government in asking for an increase of the Army. The state of feeling in the country of late years was so manifest that there was no doubt but the House of Commons would approach every question respecting the expenditure of the public money with the closest regard to economy; he thought, indeed, that every Government ought to court a constant and strict supervision. If private individuals, with the most intimate personal interest in That those great undertakings which were so the reduction of taxation had tended greatly numerous in this country, found it impos- to the relief and comfort of the people. He sible entirely to exclude laxity and waste, (Mr. B. Carter) felt that the present state how much more must the Government be of Her Majesty's subjects must afford subject to the same tendencies. He great cause for congratulation—the main thought that the country ought to secure tests of national prosperity were satisfacto itself the most efficient service, and tory; the national barometer was rising; would grudge no reasonable expenditure and though he would not trouble the House for that end. But while he believed that with statistics, he would just mention that in many departments great savings could their exports had materially increased in be effected, he (Mr. Carter) would deprecate the last year; he believed they had ina system of continual demand for general creased to the amount of 3,000,000l. Their reduction, irrespective of special propriety commercial shipping had not failed, in and of the exigencies of the public service. spite of the auguries of the past year and There were some who thought that the the year before last. He found that the highest wisdom was contained in the reite- number of their ships had increased very ration of "the great revenue derivable much. They had now three ships for from thrift;" but the advocates of such a every two that were in existence in 1832. system were unmindful of the equally true They had a ship of 130 tons now for every fact that the parsimony of to-day might ship of 100 tons at that former period, be the burden of the morrow. Her Ma- and a larger amount of tonnage than had jesty had informed the House that mea- ever yet been known. All that afforded sures would be submitted to it for improv- strong evidence that the people of this ing the administration of the law. He country do not want remunerative employbelieved this announcement would be hailed ment. The home market was in a favourwith pleasure throughout the country. He able condition, and satisfied the requirewould not venture to go into the details ments of the manufacturers. That test that had been put before them by his hon. so constantly referred to-the poor-lawFriend the proposer of the Resolution; he did not on this occasion fail them. He would merely remark, that the House in found a great reduction in the amount of dealing with the question must receive en- relief afforded to ablebodied persons. Local couragement from the experiment already observation confirmed his views on this made by the establishment of the County subject; and, without troubling the House Courts. In considering the question, they with details, he would merely say that in a would not only have the aid of able and district which had generally been preeminent men who had been appointed to eminent for wretchedness, namely, the the Commissions of Inquiry, and whose north-eastern suburbs of London, there now opinions would be placed before them; but appeared a great advance in the comforts of also of the able professional Gentlemen the people. Their clothing is betterwho were Members of the House, who their houses are more comfortable-they would, he was certain, afford them every now consume more of the necessaries of possible light that could be required for life-they consume more tea, sugar, and the elucidation of such an intricate sub- animal food. The experience of medical ject. He trusted that the close of the men, whether attending in the districts or Session would see added to their statutes, the hospitals, confirmed these observations, not merely some hundreds of Acts increas- and they noticed the comparative rarity of ing the already overwhelming mass, to be those cases of disease, aggravated by interpreted by a select few, but some dis- want, which had formerly existed. The tinct steps of improvement; and that report of the Registrar General of Births, henceforward they should not cease from a Marriages, and Deaths corroborated, in course of revision of that system of cum- the increase of the two former and debrous proceedings, productive of delay and crease of the latter, these views, and was expense, which had tended so much to un- such as was alone consistent with a state dermine the respect for the machinery of of prosperity. The consequence was, najustice. Her Majesty had graciously inform-turally, an increase of contentment to an ed the House that it gave Her great satisfaction to state that the large reduction of taxes which had taken place of late years had not been attended with a proportionate diminution of the national income, while extent seldom known. Last year saw gathered in the metropolis perhaps the largest assemblage of all classes and of all nations which the world had ever beheld, met together to note and to compare for masses tion to the increase that had taken place in the number of letters that pass through the Post Office. The number of letters passing through the Post Office had risen from 75,000,000 in 1832, in the time of dear postage, to 169,000,000 in 1840; and now to nearly 1,000,000 a-day, for the number in 1851 was 360,500,000. This showed that the people were disposed to take advantage of opportunities placed within their reach, and though, doubtless, it was in a great degree attributable to increased commercial correspondence, and that of the educated classes, he could not believe but that it also showed a great amount of increased acquirement of the whole community, and many now wrote who never wrote before. No person could fail to observe the increase that had taken place in the number and cheapness of useful books in circulation amongst the people. He would venture to read to statement made by a member of a firm which had been most eminently distinguished in supplying works on popular education. Messrs. Chambers of Edinburgh, stated— future efforts the progress of civilisation, and display the noblest trophies of victory, -those of the application of human skill to the physical, intellectual, and he would add, moral, advancement of the welfare of mankind. From that free intercoursefrom that great appeal to the senses and reason of so many millions, he argued the happiest results. He remembered being in the Crystal Palace with upwards of 100,000 people; and no one could observe the content visible in their faces-and nobody could fail to remark the general appearance of comfort among those great -without rejoicing in the prosperity of the country. He now begged to call attention to a subject to which Her Majesty had very properly referred at the close of Her Speech. He believed that when they had every evidence of good order and of contentment, without any sign of agitation, it was the most fitting time to take into consideration the extension of the House a short extract from the the suffrage. Since the passing of the Reform Bill a new generation had arisen to enter into the business of life, and in the time that bad qualified them for the duties of manhood, they had had ample opportunity to perceive the defects in the measure of reform that had been passed at a period of great popular excitement, and undoubtedly with exaggerated expectations, not less from its supporters than its opponents. He believed that this was a most favourable opportunity for remedying those defects, for removing anomalies, and for enlarging the basis of the constitution. Without pretending to auy detailed knowledge of the measures to be now submitted to Parliament, he might express the confident hope that they would embrace a very large amount of intelligence and capacity excluded by the present tests, necessarily rough and imperfect, of that Act, and which could never be more than approximate, for their simple application to so wide a subject. He could not believe that the people of this country had been uselessly occupied for the last twenty years; he could not think that they had been labouring strenuously to raise the standard of education, and to extend it throughout the country, entirely without effect. Not only the good order but the intelligence of the country justified them in taking this serious measure into consideration. He should venture to submit to the House one or two facts in illustration of this subject. He would call atten mainly addressed to classes of a generally humble "As regards our own publications, they are position, and amount to about 10,000,000 sheets per annum. It may be curious for you to know that, in proportion as we go on, we find it necessary to rise in point of style and subject. What we gave ten years ago would not do now, such is the improvement in popular tastes. In twenty years we are conscious of a very great change in this respect. The higher order of workmen, such as foremen, steady journeymen, and people in a from what they were when we began our literary way way of business, are all very different occupation." small Mr. Charles Knight stated "The number of books read in mechanics' institutes and similar societies is multiplied pro- Again, take the number of friendly socie- Naught shall make us rue, And If England to herself prove true." The hon. Gentleman seconded the Address. Question proposed. to show that it possessed the elements of a consideration for the rights of all. sound judgment, and could appreciate the in the maintenance of principles and of trust, and yet that it should long re- our position as a free country, main without participation in the simplest function of government. He would also remind them that a great social question was looming in the distance, and that they had lately an instance of it before them. He referred to the laws that should regulate the relations of the emSIR BENJAMIN HALL: Mr. Speaker, ployer and labourer. We had had a pro- I beg to assure the House that I do not rise minent instance lately before us; and if it at this moment for the purpose of offering was true that there were crude notions any opposition to the Address that has with regard to the laws, natural or artifi- been moved by my hon. Friend the Memcial, which regulate the relation of capital ber for Anglesey; but as I observe that and labour, and that sooner or later such the first paragraph of that Address relates subjects would in some form be submitted to the foreign policy of this country, and for our discussion; surely it would be as great and important changes have taken wise and proper that the tribunal to which place in the Ministry of this country, such questions should be referred should especially in that part of it which relates enjoy the confidence of the people, be- to the administration of our Foreign Afcause their decision must often run counter fairs, I trust I may be excused if I take to the popular prejudice, and therefore it this, the first opportunity the Session afshould be so framed that its decisions fords me, of asking the noble Lord at the would receive a ready acquiescence. He head of the Government to give to us, and would not further enlarge upon the grounds to give to the country, some explanation of which justified their entertainment of such the causes which led to the change to a measure; but he believed that a well- which I have referred; and although I am considered supplement to the Reform Act, perfectly well aware that the course I conceived in the interest of no party, con- am now taking is an unusual one, yet ceded to no agitation, but granted to rea- it is consequent on circumstances which sonable claims, would be well-timed and are of rare occurrence. But we have had appropriate. He would not longer trespass on the House. He felt that he had but inadequately executed the duty he was called on to perform. The page of history yet unturned might chronicle events of the greatest importance. Difficult problems might be submitted for their solution, and at all events the questions which in that Session they were called to deliberate upon were grave and serious. Such questions might embarrass any one; and he could not pretend to give adequate expression to the sentiments which at the present time must press upon every man's mind, as to the duty of gathering round the Throne at the coming time. But he felt no evil forebodings, convinced that Her Majesty might have the fullest reliance on them, for he believed that the stability of the empire had its foundation in the hearts of the people. We, of the Commons (said the hon. Gentleman) know that the stability of the Empire has its foundation in the character of the people: that they will continue to strive earnestly to afford to the other nations of the world an example of consistent and peaceful progress, of regard for liberty and order, and of a just in late years a precedent for the very course I am now adopting; and it is a precedent which must be in the recollection of many of those I now have the honour of addressing. On the 29th of January, 1828, Parliament met after a change that took place in the Administration of this country; and almost immediately after the Address had been moved, the Government was called upon for an explanation of the circumstances that had led to the alteration in the Cabinet; and although an objection was made to give that explanation at that moment, it was not in consequence of the time at which the explanation was asked-but the reason for not giving it was a good and sound oneit was because the individuals who were concerned in it were not present in the House at that moment; and on referring to the debates that took place at that time, you will find that the then Secretary at War (Lord Palmerston) stated that such explanation would not be given until the parties concerned were present. In this instance I believe the parties concerned are present; and in the instance to which I have referred, as soon as the parties concerned |