ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 227, 11 July 1846, Page 76

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

The Ministerial Measures. — A friend who mixes much in business with the farmers in different parts of this country, informs us that the feeling of the farmers, generally, is by no means unfavourable to the measures proposed by Sir R. Peel. Their desire is that the repeal should be immediate, instead of at the end of three years, because they would then be able to effect an immediate arrangement with their landlords in respect to rent and other matters. The appeal of Mr. Cobden, supported as it is by the opinions of Lord John Russell, Lord Grey, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Gladstone, and others, in favour of an immediate abolition of the Corn Laws, thus meets the views of the agriculturists, and we hope that it will be boldly carried out. Many of the landlords, however, will no doubt oppose immediate repeal, in order to postpone any alteration which might affect their pecuniary interests, and Sir Robert, unless powerfully backed by the opinion of the country, will probably give way on this point to the influence of the landed gentry. The ministerial plans appear to have had very little effect on the corn and cattle brought to market. At the Taunton great market, on Saturday, there was no depreciating circumstance perceptible in the sales effected ; and the same was the case at Exeter on Friday. Fat cattle, in both places, brought quite as high a price as usual. — Plymouth Journal. The Right Honourable the Earl of Lincoln had been appointed Secretary for Ireland; consequently his seat in the House of Commons for the south division of the county of Nottingham was vacant, and a new writ had been issued.

The Metropolis and the Corn Laws. — The Protectionists are clamouring for an appeal to the country upon the question of Free Trade ; and happy are we to find in them such a growing respect for public opinion. As regards the metropolis, their challenge is being answered by anticipation; for never in the history of political movements has there been such a spontaneous and extensive expression of opinion as that now elicited by Sir Robert Peel's measure, and the threatened opposition of the " landed interest," as they call themselves, as has occurred during the past week in the efforts of all classes. We understand that on Saturday the city of London petition for the " total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws " had been signed by upwards of 50,000 persons, embracing amongst them the most wealthy and influential of the merchants, bankers, warehousemen, &c. It is also ascertained that the petitions from the metropolitan boroughs to the same effect (most of which have larger populations than the city of London) are yet more numerously signed, by from 5.000 to 25,000, exhibiting in the aggregate no less than 400,000 petitioners. If this be the case, and our opponents design to carry out their expressed intention of fighting the League with their own weapons, they had better be up and doing. At a recent meeting in the county Cavan an alarming unanimity of opinion prevailed upon the prospect of famine in that part of Ireland. A Roman Catholic priest, the Rev. Mr. Duff ; an Episcopalian Protestant clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Winning ; and a Presbyterian preacher, the Rev. Mr. Dixon, all agreed in declaring, that in two months there were thousands of people in that district who would be without the means of subsistence.

Gladstone on Colonial Railways. — The most important business that has been transacted by Mr. Gladstone, since his accession to office, relates to colonial railways. On the 16th instant a number of gentlemen connected with railway projects, for the colonies waited upon Mr. Gladstone, by invitation, to state their views respecting the best method of regulating railway legislation in the colonies, and to learn the intentions of Government on that head. The same

parties were assembled, our readers will recollect, by Lord Stanley for a similar purpose, on the Ist of December last. Or, more properly speaking, they were assembled to hear his lordship •prescribe regulations for all colonial railways. These regulations were exceedingly objectionable ; and accordingly strong representations against them were made by several gentlemen, apparently with little effect. On Friday last, Mr. Gladstone, by a few questions, elicited the opinions of the deputations, and then intimated his own views. He did not think it expedient, he said, to attempt to dictate regulations to so many and so various countries, as, what might be easily practicable and advantageous in one, might be the reverse in another. At the same time, he considered it his duty to impart to the Legislature of each colony the benefit of this country's experience. He, therefore, proposed to address to the Governors of all the colonies a circular despatch, containing recommendatory suggestions. The draft of this despatch Mr. Gladstone read to his visitors ; it is a lucid communication, evincing a comprehensive acquaintance with the state of the colonies, and appears well calculated to serve as a guide to correct legislation. Its leading suggestions are as follows : — That ten per cent, shall be paid up on the capital to be employed previously to any colonial railway bill receiving the royal assent in this country ; that provision shall be made for the conveyance of the royal mails, and for the transit of troops, police, ordance stores, &c. ; that where electric telegraphs are put up, the management of them shall be under the control of Government ; that a revision of tolls shall be made periodically on the basis of a seven years' average and fifteen per cent, maximum profit; that the State shall have the option of purchasing, at the end of twenty-five years, at the rate of twenty-five years of the current receipts of the company. Some other clauses relate to the inspection of accounts, provision for the public safety, and the notices required to be given in the colony. Mr. Gladstone evinced anxiety to impress on the minds of the deputations that it was his desire to give the freest scope to individual enterprise, and to leave matters, as much as possible, between the capitalists of this country and the Legislatures of the colonies. At the close of the conference, Sir John Rae Reid, on behalf of all the gentlemen present, expressed his hearty concurrence in the views of the Colonial Minister. These were not mere words of compliment. The assent given by the deputations was sincere, cordial, and unreserved. The contrast was remarkable, as it was gratifying, between Downing Street on the 16th instant, and Downing Street on the Ist of December, 1845. — Colonial Gazette, Jan. 21. The Daily News makes a remarkable announcement — " It gives us very great pleasure to hear that the associated mill-owners of Manchester propose, on Sir Robert Peel's measure becoming law, to reduce the hours of factory labour from twelve to eleven. We earnestly hope that this judicious and well-timed proposal will be carried into effect, and that the example will be promptly, followed throughout the manufacturing districts." An imperial ukase, issued on the Ist of September last, subjects the Israelites of the Russian Empire to a fresh tax, the produce of which will be devoted to the establishment of Jewish Churches : the tax is to be levied upon the wax candles lighted on Saturdays and other feast days. The subjoined notification has been stuck up in all the principal churches in Paris : — " At the request of the Roman Catholic bishops of England, expressed to the Archbishop of Paris by the Bishop of Melipotamus (Dr. Wiseman), prayers will be offered up to God during eight days, reckoning from the present day, on the occasion of the immaculate conception of the blessed Virgin Mary, for the entire return of the English nation to the Catholic, apostolic, and Roman faith."

Warlike Preparations. — The colonels of militia have been ordered to furnish an immediate return of the officers of their respective regiments, with a view of superseding those that are inefficient, and supplying their place with young men. This has already created a great stir in Ireland, and we are told that the colonels are already beset by claimants for the vacancies which will necessarily be made. Portsmouth Defences. — The engineers are still busily employed strengthening the land and sea fortifications of both Portsmouth and Portsea. All the embrasures (a considerable number) which have at different times been stopped up along the lines and ramparts of these towns have been reopened, and, where guns can be placed with advantage, new ones made. On the ravelin, in advance of the King's bastion, on the Portsmouth lines, six new embrasures are now being formed, and six guns of heavy calibre (32 and 68-pounders) are to be mounted forthwith. As this ravelin commands obliquely the entrance of the harbour, it will add considerably to the sea defence, and will likewise strengthen the town fortifications. The works at Blockhouse Fort are progressing rapidly, the barrack for the artillery being nearly finished.

Fortifications at Sheerness. — The alterations of the old fortifications, so as to mount from sixty to seventy guns of the largest calibre, which have been impeded for some time, owing to the experiments recently instituted at Woolwich as to the best mode of pivoting the carriages for the guns, to determine whether or not they are to be secured to the masonry, are about to be recommenced with vigour ; the result of these experiments being in favour of fixing the platforms by pivots to the masonry, which must necessarily be strong to bear the recoil of such enormous guns as are now intended to be placed on all our fortifications. The excavations for the masonry on which the several traversing platforms are to rest, are now being bedded with concrete, and the greater part of the stones are already hewn, and ready to lay down.

Exports from Port Phillip. — The export of wool from Melbourne, during the present season (March 23), for England, is set down at 16,722 bales; which at 250 lbs. each, gives 4,180,500 lbs.; and reckoning at the very low average of £15 per bale, gives the amount in sterling value at £250,830 ; or, at Is. 6d. per lb., £313,537. This amount had actually sailed for the mother country. The William Wise, Flora, and Royal George, were all loading for London, on the 24th ultimo, their principal cargo being wool. — Australian Journal, April 2.

Health of Sir. George Gipps. — The [health of the Governor of New South Wales has lately been much impaired. His Excellency was to Sail for England early this month. ; Messrs. G. and W. Ormond, of Bond Street, have received orders to supply 45,000 sets of accoutrements to the Board of Ordnance, for the use of the militia. The order is to be completed without delay.