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Colonist, Issue 60, 18 May 1858, Page 3

Latest English and foreign News.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—Fub. 15.

Punishment of the •■■ - MuTiNEERsi-nrThe Earl of Ellenborough called attention to the announcement, received by the last telegram;; that I^o sepoy mufinews had been executed in a single day. Since the taking of Delhi it was*computed that similar executions had .takeir pi-ice, on the average, at a rate of five or six per. diem. He enquired whether any instructions oia this point had been sent out by the Home Government; and'suggestrd that some penalty short of death might be enacted equally effectual to suppress or punish the mutineers in Bengal.—Earl. Granville stated that no instructions on this point had been transmitted from this country, the' entire discretion beiiig left to Lord Canning a,!)d the Council of Calcutta ... "! "' ■;•:'.;"' -' ! ';■• HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Feb. 15. r- \ Government of India.—Mr. Roebuck resumed the debate on ; the India government. He observed that the question .before them presented a twofold aspect; first, as to.the best [ system that could. be devised for the government of India; and secondly, whether the present time was opportune for attempting to legislate on this subject. India, be remarked;; could not be-governed bn the same principles as other, i colonies, since the elements of a/represßutatiye \ system wei;e ji'terly wanting. : Looking at the conditions to be fulfilled, he concurred in, the conclusion that the double governmetit must be abolished, inasmuch as it rendered all respousii biliiy to Parliament altogether fallacious, but at the same time pointed out several imperfections iv the details of the measure introduced by Lord Palmerston. On , the question of time, he saw no objection to' the present moment, believing that while such interest was attached to the subject in this country, there was no excitemenfc calculated.to interfere with a deliberate discussion' and settlement of the measure.—Mr. Duff supported the bill.—Mr. Whit'esidk,referred to the debate that had taken place in 1853 tin1- the East India Company's Charter, citing at considerable length opinions highly favorable, to the existing system from various members of the present Cabinet.—Mr. Lowe denied that any serious or fundamental change was, contemplated in the governmental system of India. He described the practical operation of the administrative mechanism as di.itriinfietl between the Court of Directors and the Board of control, contending that the functions of the former body had become almost illusory, and its very, existence might be obliterated without leaving any visible, chasm in the official organization. The Company really exercised no check upon the Government^ but simply operated as a clog. Its interference, impotent for any active services, was powerful only iii creating delays. The Indian administration would be much invigorated if carried on iv the name of the Sovereign.—Mr. Libdell opposed the measure, on the ground that it transferred the government of India to commissioners, destroying the only independent, element in, the existing system of administration.—-Mr. Slaney believed that the hast India Company was incompetent to develop properly the vast opportunities afforded in our Eastern empire.-—Mr. Crawford supported the ; amendment. Inquiry, lie; argued, ought to precede legislation.—Sir 11. Rawlinson1* illus- . tri||d the de]uys-and complication o|-th<e double 7 f-goy| f r.bjngnt system by, describing 'sornje^of the cumßroui processes through which, he ~stated > every despatch or transaction had to pass before reaching its. destination or being put in train for completion. So fair from considering- the measure ill-timedj it would, in lias opinion, be received with satisfaction- by the Europeans in India, and produce a useful effect among the natives.—Sir J. Walsh maintained that the double government system, with all its complications, was better than a single and autocratic authority.—-Mr. A..-Mills consented to the introduction of-the bill, which was also approved by Mr. Wyld.-—A. pause occurring, the Speakeb read the motion and amendment, and was in the act of putting the question, when Mr. Danby Seymour rose, and observed that all the speaking seemed to be on one side, scarcely three members having said anything against the bill during .that night's debate. He added some further comments upon the cumbrous machinery of the present system.—-Mr 'Adams, remarked that the opponents of the bill had remained silent, wailing to hear what reasons could be assigned in its support. Nonesuch, he submitted, had yet been advanced, nor any just grounds shewn for destroying the East India Company.—-Mr. Eliott also opposed to, bill.—Colonel Sykes moved the adjournment of the debate. His motion was carried by a majority, and the House adjourned till February 16. :-. . •■■.'.