CONSIDERATION. (Hansard, 6 August 1859)

§ SIR JOSEPH PAXTON

said, that he entertained some strong objections to this Bill, as he feared, that it would not accomplish the object which the Government had in view; namely, on the ground that its provisions were uncertain and unintelligible, and could not be readily understood by the seamen. He also thought the attempt to induce the merchant seamen to form a reserve force would be more likely to be successful if they relaxed the severity of the Articles of War, and offered inducements to officers of the merchant service to enter the reserve force along with the men. He had had some little experience in organizing bodies of men. During the Crimean war he had organized a body of 4,500 men in a very short period; but when it was proposed that the men should be placed under the Articles of War, they declined to join the Army Works Corps, though they stated 1093 that they would have no objection to be brought under the Articles of War in the case of actual service in the field. Much confidence, too, had been imparted to the artizans by the fact of their being accompanied by engineers and other persons in a higher position than those with whom they had usually been associated. Entertaining very strong opinions that the Bill would fail in producing the results which were expected, he regretted much that the Government had not consented to make the alterations to which he had referred.

§ LORD CLARENCE PAGET

said, he could not but admit that the Articles of War were very old-fashioned, and a good many of them were never acted upon, but the propriety of revising those articles had been considered by the former Board of Admiralty, and was under the consideration of the present Board. The question of inviting officers of the merchant service to join the reserve force was one of great importance and ought to receive due consideration. Such a measure would, however, be attended with very considerable additional expense. Of this he assured his hon. Friend, that in the event of any emergency, the Government would rely on the merchant service, not only to provide seamen, but also good officers.