LATEST ENGLISH NEWS. [From the Melbourne Argus]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 818, 4 June 1853, Page 3

LATEST ENGLISH NEWS. [From the Melbourne Argus ]

The Harbinger, the first of the new line to Australia, established by the General Screw Steam Navigation Company, (as mentioned in our last,) arrived yesterday. She sailed from Southampton on 10th Februry, and reached the Cape on the 21st March, While there, the Queen of tiia South, belonging to the Cape line of the same Company, arrived, bringing news to the 14th February, which the Harbinger has brought on. Parliament met on 10th February. The news in reference to these colonies is of course the most interesting to our renders, and that, we are happy to say, is the best we have received for years, as will be seen by the follow* iug report of the proceedings in Parliament, by the London correspondent of the Cape Town Mail. "On the 13th February, Lord John Russell announced that transportatiou to the Australian colonies was to be immediately discontinued, and* he intimated that the whole system of convict transportation was to be abolished. '1 his decision,' he observed, ' gave additional importance to the great question of the education of tbe,people — because, in proposing measures, to supersede tbe punishment of transportation, and in devising other means to deter men from crime, it becomes, if possible, the more necessary thaf we should implant in their minds motives sufficiently strong to induce them to avoid crime altogether.* Does not this remarkable declaration show clearly that convict transportation has been^ regarrfpd as a substitute for- national education ? Ignorance breeding crime, tbe only question, wa»

whether to remove the ignorance or the criminals. The latter alternative has been hitherto adopted, partly, no doubt, through, indolence and thoughtlessness ; bat mainly, I suspect, because the ruling classes in this country have been averse to the education of the people. The Cape colonists, in rejecting the convicts, were in reality doing no small service to the people of Great Britain, by compelling the Government to attend to the * great question * of national education. The Cape Mail's correspondent adds the following remarks: — " The other measures announced by Lord John Russell as composing the ministerial programme for the session were — the concession to the Canadians of the power of disposing of their clergy reserves, with a due regard to the interests of the present holders, — a pilotage bill and other measures for the benefit of the shipping interest — the removal of the Jewish disabilities, proposals with regard to education, both in England and in Scotland, and also relative to Cambridge and Oxford universities, — and some measures of law reform, among which an amendment of the ' law ■of landlord and tenant ' in Ireland, is particularly specified. Neither the land nor the sea forces are to be increased in number of men, but some addition will be made to the estimates for both, probably for ship-building, fortifications, and other improvements of the. national defences. The Parliamentary Reform Bill is deferred, as was expected, till the beginning of next session, when " it will be the imperative duty of the Government to introduce a measure upon this important subject. " On the whole this declaration of Ministerial policy has been favorably received. It is generally admitted that, in view of the state of affairs on the continent, it will be better to avoid at present the violent party agitation which is sure to be excited by any proposal for representative reform. The other subjects mentioned are quite sufficient to occupy the session, especially when it is considered that many other questions are sure to be mooted by independent members, and 'to excite discussion. Mr. Disraeli, for example, has already announced his intention of putting a question which must be rather embarrassing to (he Government. Sir Charles Wood, President of the India Board and Cabinet Minister, was so injudicious, in addressing his constituents at Halifax, as to make some remarks likely to be exceedingly offensive to the French Emperor, —and the more offensive because perfectly true. He said that ' such a despotism never prevailed in Europe, even in the time of Napoleon the First. Tbe press v.as gagged ; liberty suppressed ; no man allowed to speak bis opinion ; the neighbouring country of Belgium forced to gag her press ; no press in Europe free but ours, which thank God be cannot gag ; and hence his hatred -of our press that it alone dared to speak tbe truth.' This was said, it appears from the context, not out of any particular ill will to Louis Napoleon, but in order to make tbe apparent consequences of universal suffrage in France, a means of deterring the electors of Halifax from asking for large representative reforms in this country. But whatever the intention, there is no doubt that the remarks, coming from a person in Sir Charles Wood's position, were most improper. What would be said if a French Minister, in addressing a public meeting, were to make use of similar expressions in regard to an English Sovereign, whose character or measures he might happen to disapprove ? Mr. Disraeli, •eeing his advantage, has given notice that he will, this evening, ask whether these words are correctly reported, — adding significantly, — ' because I thick it necessary that we should have an answer to that question before we come to a vole relating to our arms.' Thus the Government, if Sir Charle* Wood is to remain a member of it, will be placed in an awkward predicament. Either Sir Charles must disavow his words — or he must eat them, and apologise ignorainiously to Louis Napoleon — or else the nation trill feel that the first act of this extraordinarily able and experienced ministry has been to place tbe Government needlessly in a position of personal hostility to the jealous and revengeful despot who temporarily occupies the throne of France. The insult was the more unwarrantable, inasmuch as Louis Napoleon has hitherto carefully forborne to ssy or do anything which could be regarded as offensive to the Government or people of this country. It[may be that he secretly meditates hostile doings, and it is well to be on our guard ; but who, in private life, would wilfully provoke a civil-spoken man, merely because be was known to have shown himself a dangerous and lawless character in his conduct towards other persons?" *' Mr. Disraeli's course is evidently a mere party mancsuvre, and will do him no good, though it may damage his opponents. Tbe most curious part of the business perhaps is that Sir Charles Wood is the friend of Mr. Cobden, and was the chairman of his committee at tbe last election for the West Riding. We have now to see whether Mr. Cobden will remain true to bis peace principles and- sacrifice his friend, or vice versa, Mr. Disraeli' 3 motion is a twoedged sword, cutting every way it turns. •* The Liberal journals, with two or three exceptions (among which the Nonconformist and tbo Leeds Mercury are the most notable), have been delivering a hot and heavy fire into Mr. Cobden and his little phalanx of friends, for their folly in proposing to act on tbe supposition that Louis Napoleon is not at all likely to attack this country, — and, that, in short, the present apprehension is as unreasonable as that which prevailed at one time during Louis Philippe's reign. Tbe papers which support the Ministry — and in particular the Tikes, Morning Chronicle, the Globe t the Spectator, and the Examiner, — «• especially indignant T/ith Mr. Cobden for bis ill-timed enunciation of peace principles. And lo ! poor Sir Charles Wood, catching the warlike fever, has managed in his excitement to ran the vessel of state against the identical rock which Mr. Cobden had pointed oat. Next time, probably, be will follow his cool-headed friend's advice. "It is clear to me, however, that one reason why less apprehension of a French invasion is felt in Manchester than in' London, is because Manchester is further off from France ; not that tbe Manchester people think themselves safer on that account but that the distance from the son ct o" danger has an effect on their minds, of which they are themselves unconscious. In like manner, a different feeling no donbt occaxioDally exists in your colony, in the eastern an 1

western provinces, in regard to the grounds for apprehending a Kafir war. " Thus Lord Mount-Edgecumbe has written to the Times a letter in which he states that he has never met a Frenchman who did not when pressed, confess his desire 'to have revenge for the events of the last war.' And furthermore he hai received positive information, which cannot be doubted, that they (the French) ate striviug to the very utmost to increase their naval force in every manner, and tbat arrangements have been officially decided upon to continue year after year similar exertions.' ' I cannot,' bis lordship adds, * give my authority, but trust that I shall be believed when I say that this information may be most thoroughly relied upon.' Under these circumstances Lord Mount-Edge-cumbe declares that although he is a conservative, and considers several of the appointments in the new Ministry to be of a dangerous character, he will nevertheless ' put every other consideration aside,' and support the Government, if they will provide adequately for the national defences. Lord Mount-Edgecumbe'a splendid mansion in Plymouth Sound would be a tempting mark for the French Paixhans, in case of a war ; so to avoid such a result he is even willing, as the least of two evils, to support a Liberal Ministry. His correspondent is probably a French Legitimist; and there is no doubt that tbe French Legitimists, Orleanists, and Republicans are, naturally enough, doing everything in their power to bring about a war between Great Britain and the French Empire, with the expectation that it will lead to the overthrow of Louis Napoleon, '* The outbreak in Milan has been completely suppressed. Three of the insurgents have been shot, and eight hanged. The rising, if such it can be called, is said to have been stimulated by Mazzini, who bad taken up his abode in Switzerland for the purpose, in the Italian Canton of Ticino, It is strange tbat he should have been betrayed into such an ill-advised proceeding, when failure was almost a matter of certainty. But exiles are apt to be thus misled, by their own ardent hopes and wishes, into desperate enterprises. "No other intelligence of importance has been received from abroad since the departure of the Harbinger. "A prospectus has just appeared of the 'Atlantic and Pacific Junction Company,' whose object is to accomplish the great work that was first proposed more than a century and a half ago, — namely, to cut ** ship canal through the Isthmus of Panama. Tbe projector of the enterprise is Sir Charles Fox, of tbe firm of Fox, Henderson, aud Co. He first sent out an experienced engineer, whose report is so favorable that one is induced to wonder that the work has not been undertaken before. The distance between | tbe ' tidal influences' of the two oceans is only thirty miles, and the tide ascends a rirer on one side for eighteen miles. The highest ground to be cut through is only 150 feet above the mean level of the two seas. There is an excellent harbour at each proposed terminus. The material to be excavated consists of alluvial deposit, clay, gravel, and sandstone rock, the latter^*"lying most advantageously for removal." The canal is to be 150 feet wide, 30 feet deep, and without locks. The legislature of New Granada has granted 200,000 acres of land to facilitate the work. The capital required is £15,000,000, of which two millions will be employed in paying interest to the shareholders on their advances during the five years which the wsrk will occupy. Lord Wharncliffe is chairman of the provisional committee, which comprises many eminent mercantile names." The Duke of Northumberland and the Marquis of Londonderry had been elected Knights of the Garter.

The Army. — Important Notice. — A notice was yesterday posted at the Horse Guards, under the bead of " Encouragement to Soldiers." It is stated that by her Majesty's warrant, it is provided that commissions are to be given to deserving non-commissioned officers recommended by their colonels. In appointments to the cavalry, a sum of £150 will be granted as an outfit ; and in the appointments to the infantry, a sum of £100 as an outfit. Ail sergeants, corporals, and privates are also to be allowed a gratuity for length of service or good conduct : a sergeant to have £15, a .corporal £10, and a private £5, They will also'be allowed a progressire pay per day over and above the usual pay. It was stated in a note that several regiments of cavalry at present offer an opportunity for recruits joining from the age of 16 to 25. Since the alteration of the standard of height, many young men joined the line. — Times, 22nd January. The yellow fever had been brought to England by the Parana. No less than thirty cases had occurred on board, and several persons had died. The vessel had been placed in quarantine. Consols closed on the 13th February, at 99f to 99^ both for money and account. Extensive copper mines had been discovered in Belgium, and new lead mines in Wales. The localities of the latter were Esgairgadfacb and Rhydtalog. The Morning Herald of the " 14th February, mentions that £30,000 Jn gold bad been sent to Australia, by the Lady M'Naugkten, and £237,681 by the steamer Harbinger ; £70,000 being the preliminary capital of the London Chartered Bank of Australia, and £30,000 for the Great Nugget Vein Company. • Mr. George Hudson, M. P., bad purchased the Merlin Park estate, Galway, and was about to work the marble quarries on a most extensive scale. He had also engaged very largely in mining speculations in that country. Orders had been issued by the Government to place Tilbury- Fort in a good state^of defence, and a full company of artillery was ordered to be quartered there. The Government were about to sanction the formation of volunteer corps throughout the country, and camps of instruction were to be formed in the summer. The various towns on the south coast of Eogland were forming rifle corps. Trade in Manchester, and the manufacturing districts generally, was still good. The Glasgow Advertiser puts forth a claim for the originality of Ericson's caloric invention, on behalf of a Hey. Mr. Stirling, who got a vessel fitted up 30 years ago on the same principle, bat the scheme was abandoned on account of the working parts yielding to the enormous heat. It is to hoped that -the advance of science will be tile to overcome this obstacle, if it real!)

exists. No invention of modern times is of greater importance to these colonies than that of Captain Ericson, and we look forward with great anxiety and great hope to its triumphant success. Lochlin House, Argyllshire, the seat of Archibald Campbell, Esq., had been burnt to the j ground. The size of the building and the exteut of the fire may be estimated by the fact stated, that flames were at the same moment issuing from two or three hundred windows. The house was partially insured. Sir Harry Smith had taken command of the Western District^ and held his first levee at Portsmouth. Captain Smith, at present aiJe-de- | camp to Major-General Yorke, had been appointed aide-de-camp to Sir Harry Smith. The British Colonial Bauk and Loan Company have issued a circular to their shareholders giving the particulars of about 20,000 acres of land, and also town allotments, &c, held by them in New South Wales, together with 120 acres of land witbia two miles of Melbourne, Victoria. —Times.

Pembroke Dockyard Fortifications. — The various woiks now in course of construction for the defenceof 'Milford Haven and the Dockyard at Pater are steadily progressing under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Victor and his corps of Engineers. Thorn Island, at the entrance of the haven, will be strongly fortified, the works thereon mounting guns which will command and sweep the approaches to the baven. The battery or fort at the west end of the dockyard is undergoing alterations consequent upon the change in its artillery from the 24-pounder guns, at present mounted, to others of 32-pound calibre. The embrasures are being widened to admit the latter guns, and it is likewise contemplated to place 8 and 10 inch guns at the angles. When these alterations are carried out, the battery will prove a very formidable means of defence. It is rumoured that a large fort for the protection of this important naval arsenal on the land side will shorty be erected. — Times, February 10.