ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 57, 13 October 1855, Page 4

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM.

The following is. Mr. Layard's motion, to be discussed on Friday, June 22d, with the amendments to he proposed by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton and Mr. Vincent Scully : —

Mr. Layard — Administrative Reform — That this House views with deep and increasing concern the state of the nation, and is of opinion that the manner in which merit and efficiency have been sacrificed in public appointments to party and family influences, and to a blind adherence to routine, has given rise to great misfortunes, and threatens to bring discredit upon the national character, and to involve the country in grave disasters. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, as an amendment to Mr. Layard's motion on administrative reform, to move — That this Housl recommends to the earliest attention of her Majesty's Ministers the necessity of a careful revision of i our various official establishments, with a view to simplify - tn( i facilitate the transaction of public business, and, by instituting judicious tests of merit, as well as by removing obstructions toits fair promotion and legitimate rewards, to secure to the services of the State the largest available proportion of the energy and intelligence for which the people of this country are distinguished. Mr. Vincent Scully — Administrative Reform — That a humble address he presented to her Majesty, thanking her Majesty for her most gracious order in Council, of the 2 1st day of May last, by which certain persons were directed to examine into and certify the qualifications of all young men proposed to he appointed to junior situations in any department of the civil service ; and praying that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to modify such order, by directing the examination to be an open one, and held in public, and that the examiners do have regard to superior qualifications and merit; and praying also that a similar order, or orders, in Council be issued as to the military, naval, diplomatic, and consular services, with the view to secure the greater efficiency in all departments of the public service.

A letter from Hanover states that M. Andre Luyssenaer, who established the submarine telegraph between Scheveningen, in Holland, and Orfordness, in England, is about to lay down another line from the coast of Hanover to England, having already obtained an authorization from the Hanoverian. Government to that effect.

Letters from New York state that the rush of American travellers eastward this season is unexampled, steamers and sailing vessels for Europe taking out full complements at every trip.

We are very sorry to hear of the death of Admiral Boxer, C.8., which took place at Balaclava, from cholera". Admiral Boxer's death promotes Captain Peter Richards, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, to flag rank, and places another good service pension at Sir Charles Wood's disposal.

Thb Eabl of Haebowby..— The Earl of Harrowby is a real accession to the Palmerston Government. It is not stated whether his appointment to be Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is accompanied by a seat in the Cabinet ; hut if his colleagues perceive their true interest, they will admit him to their most intimate councils. Ho man could more happily aud more fitly represent the public at large. Originally a Tory in politics, "serious" in matters of religion, the Lord Sandon of that day was expected to limit his range of public action by party and sectarian views : but lus lifo has entirely contradicted that supposition. Although nothing has occurred to deprive him of the title to Conservative, or to diminish the confidence in his religious earnestness, Lord Harrowby has been found to be generous towards political opponents, moderate in the practical application of lus views, the re/erse of bigoted in matters of religion, anxious for the improvement of the people, prepared to trust them, and, in short, representing that now considerable Mo-party which is formed out of the flower of all our many severed parties. Lord Harrowby unites tltc suffrages .of the highest in rank and most Conservative in opinion, aud of the largest numbers and most popular circles. His judgment is not the worst for being warmed by a good shore of strong feeling where right and justico are concerned. A man of greater "talent" might have been added to the Government without bringing to it such a real accession of respect and influence as the addition of Lord Harrowby. — Spectator.