NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Saturday, August 7, 1852.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 732, 7 August 1852, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Saturday, August 7, 1852.

In Saturday's Spectator we stated that our English files, per Samarang, extended to the end of March. We have since had j time to look over the London journals to the 24th March, and We place before our readers a general summary of the news contained in them. The mother-country was in a state of great excitement, proceeding from widely different causes. The downfall of the Russell administration, and the inauguration of the Derby ministry had filled the Peelite, Free Trade, and Whig-ra"dical party with dread of a return to Protection, which the long declared views of the several members of Government did not tend to diminish. As a consequence, large meetings had been held in the manufacturing districts, and in many of the larger cities and towns, at which resolutions were passed, praying Parliament to set the matter finally at rest by pressing from those in power a declaration not to attempt to alter the existing order of things. This was evidently the course which the Free Traders had resolved to pursue, though in order not seriously to affect the interests of the country, and to save the Earl of Derby's administration from great perplexity, the Commons were passing the estimates for the current year in a fair and liberal spirit. The possibility of invasion, another ground of excitement, was bringing forth opinions from ' those best qualified to judge of the readiest means of defence to be employed in case of such a calamity occurring ; and the papers seem fully occupied in discussing the question, and advocating the enrolment of the militia, together with the formation of volunteer rifle corps. Lord John Russell had promised assistance in guns and ammunition to such bodies ; but Lord Derby has signified that his government would not sanction any assistance of the sort, though he stated that he should be happy to hear of the formation of rifle corps, and that the whole subject was under the serious consideration of the Commander-in-Chief. One result of all this discussion would appear to be great alterations in the dress and arms of the regulars ; the soldiers will be relieved from their strait jackets and iron tight collars, and in all possibility a more suitable colour for dress than glaring scarlet be fixed upon. A rifle, of a new and simple construction, is spoken of as worthy to replace the musket, and a large addition to this arm of the service, by a change of weapon, will most assuredly take place. It is also recommended to arm and drill the police of England, so as to make them as effective in time of danger as those of Ireland; and Lord Derby has intimated his intention of introducing'a militia bill, one which would doubtless answer the purpose, and meet with a better reception than that proposed by Lord John Russell. The Channel Fleet and guard-ships would be rendered as effective as possible by the employment of steam frigates, and the fortifications along the coasts placed in a formidable state of preparation. Volunteering was in great favour, and rifle and other corps were being established throughout the kingdom. The proposed increase of men for the army had sent forth the recruiting sergeants, and efforts were being made, at all the sea ports to obtain hands for the navy. The other' cause of excitement is the more than probable chance of a general election, the house being apparently kept together solely with a view of passing 1 such measures as cannot well be dispensed ,with. Indeed, the London Observer of March 21st gives a list of members who will probably be returned for the various counties and boroughs, &c. ' There

•will be a fierce struggle between protection and free trade, but the latter is sure of a majority, and thus will -be settled a question which has tended to unhinge all confidence of the manufacturing and commercial interests for the last few years. | Trade was brisk, but there was an increasing desire manifested throughout Great Britain for emigration, and Australia and these islands appear to be creating a perfect 'mania. The Irish Exodus still continues as strong as ever, and the Irish race appear bent on removing in a body to the land of their choice, America. Europe continues to send forth ominous sounds, which foretell a coming storm. ,France, or rather Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, — for the mind of liberty, equality, fraternity, France is trodden down by the iron heels of armed men, seems bent on making the Rhine her frontier, and on crushing Belgium j and the Prince President, in conjunction with Russia and Austria, has sent a threatening note to the free states of Switzerland, ordering the expulsion of all refugees, and menacing destruction if the mandate be not complied with. Switzerland looks to England and America for support in this crisis ; but who may calculate the effects of the first gun fired in anger by any of the great powers. A war, the like of which has never yet been seen on the globe, would follow, — the fair fields of Europe would be overrun, her cities destroyed, her cottages laid waste, and her people slaughtered like grass before the mower. The iron despotism of the Continent must march onward — there is no safety in timidity, or looking back ; and we fear that England — the happy home of our fathers — will have to stand the brunt of the struggle against brutal oppression, or yield to become the abode of men deprived of the natural rights of humanity. But we must refer our readers for further particulars to our columns.

♦ As Monday next is the last "day appointed, under the provisions of the Provincial Councils Ordinance, for receiving the claims of persons desirous of voting at the election of members for the Provincial Council, we recommend those who have not qualified themselves to lose no time in Registering.