Lords Sitting of 13 March 1896

MARQUESS OF ELY.
Report made from the Lord Chancellor, that the right of John Henry Marquess of Ely to vote at the elections of Representative Peers for Ireland has been established to the satisfaction of the Lord Chancellor; read, and ordered to lie on the Table.
UNIVERSITIES OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ACT, 1877.
Statute made by the Governing Body of Merton College, Oxford, on the 31st day of October 1895, amending Statute III. of the Statutes of that College: Laid be fore the House (pursuant to Act), and to be printed.—[No. 32,]
POST OFFICE CONSOLIDATION BILL [H.L.]
A Bill to consolidate the Acts relating to the Post Office—Was presented by the Duke of Norfolk; read la; to be printed; and to be read 2a on Thursday next.—[No. 33.]

REGIMENTAL COMMANDS.
THE EARL OF STRAFFORDasked the Secretary of State for War whether it was in contemplation to extend the time of the regimental commands in the cavalry, household, and line regiments of Her Majesty's forces from four years to five years, in accordance with the privilege granted in past years in certain exceptionally favoured cases? He asked this question from no private or personal motive, but because the subject was one which occupied anxious attention. During the recess a statement appeared, which was neither contradicted nor confirmed, that the new Commander-in-Chief intended to extend the period from four to five years. The exceptional cases were well known.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNE)said, it was not intended to make any change in the regulations affecting the tenure of regimental commands. These commands were held under the terms of the Royal Warrant, and the period was four years. But the Royal Warrant also laid it down that the Secretary of State might, on the special recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, permit an extension of the term by a period not exceeding two years. The Commander-in-Chief informed him that he attached very great importance to this power of extension, and he was quite convinced that, although it would be most undesirable to use that power indiscriminately, it was essential in the interest of the Army that it should be applied in strictly suitable cases. There were many considerations which led him to that conclusion. Looking at it as a purely military question, it seemed to him obvious that to terminate the connection of a thoroughly efficient commanding officer at the end of the fourth year might in certain cases be most detrimental to the interests of the regiment. Then there were financial considerations which pointed in the same direction. They were all aware that the non-effective charges formed a heavy burden on the finances, and none of them liked to add to that needlessly. It was a very extravagant thing to drive on to the half-pay list prematurely, a colonel who had possibly obtained his promotion at an exceptionally early period, and who was still perfectly fit to discharge his duties. He was, of course, aware that there was another aspect of the case, and that this power of extension, if indiscriminately exercised, might seriously affect promotion. It was evident that if all the lieutenant-colonels were to obtain this exemption the promotion of officers of lower rank would be retarded, and many would be driven out of the Service at 48. He was able to tell the noble Lord that this aspect of the case would not be lost sight of, and whenever a case came up for consideration, they should bear in mind not only the commanding officer, but also the manner in which the extension of his term would affect the prospects of deserving officers of lower

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rank. The regulations would be administered solely in the interests of the efficiency of the Army, and not merely in the interests of any individual. [" Hear, hear!"]

LEEWARD ISLANDS.
THE EARL OF STAMFORD*THE EARL OF STAMFORD rose to move:—
"That the Report to the Colonial Office upon the Finances and Administration of the Colony of the Leeward Islands (1895), be laid upon the Table of the House."
He said that it was nearly three years ago, since he felt it to be his duty to call attention to the troubles in Dominica. At that time the island had few friends, but he was thankful to say it had more friends now, and more influential ones than himself. Since that day many things had happened. Sir R. Hamilton was sent out to inquire into the administration of the island, and his report was issued early in 1894. It dealt with the whole colony of the Leeward Islands, its administration, and finance. A sum of £40,000 was spent on roads and bridges, and of this £30,000 was raised by loan, and £10,000 was raised by the Governor from the Leeward Islands treasury and Crown Agents. It appeared that inaccurate and incomplete records were kept of the expenditure. Here was one term: '' To be accounted for, £2,475 16s. 1d." The report stated that there was a most inadequate return for the outlay. There were bridges that would not fit and stores which were useless; in fact, not more than £10,000 worth of work had been done, and that was all that was to be shown for £40,000. Sir R. Hamilton also reported on the balance-sheet of the island at the end of 1893, that there was nearly £20,000 due to the Leeward Islands Treasury, and nearly £7,000 to the Crown Agents, as well as £35,000 to bondholders. In 1894, the late Colonial Secretary stated in a Dispatch that a considerable proportion of the expenditure on public works had been incurred without the sanction of the Assembly or the Secretary of State. Sir F. Fleming was sent out, and the finances and accounts were found in great confusion, and Mr. Olivier, who was sent out as Auditor
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General, and the present Colonial Secretary, stated that the accounts seemed to have fallen into unintelligible confusion. In the Federal balance-sheet, issued early this year, this strange item appeared under the head of '' Sundry debtors:—Sir W. F. Haynes Smith, K.C.M.G., £2,461 Os. 1d." Whether there was any relation between this and the sum he had already mentioned he did not know, but no doubt the matter would be cleared up. The accounts were being fearlessly gone into, and confidence was being restored. It seemed to him that there was now an earnest and strenuous desire to see things set right again, and to let in light upon the dark places of Leeward Islands finance and maladministration. What was required now was to know who was responsible. Mr. Olivier stated in his farewell address in Antigua, that copies of his report should be sent out for general information. That report Mr. Chamberlain had referred to as being a most interesting and valuable report upon the whole subject. He trusted that Mr. Olivier's report would be made available to Englishmen, and he begged to move that the report should be laid upon the Table of the House. ["Hear!"]
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of SELBORNE)said that it was, unfortunately, quite true, as the noble Lord had stated, that the local administration of the Island of Dominica had, up to a recent period, been distinctly bad. Public works had been undertaken without adequate care, and loans had been raised which had been wasted, and bridge girders were lying on the banks of rivers without any roads having been constructed to lead up to the proposed bridge. It was, therefore, quite true, as the noble Lord had stated, that the general financial control of the Leeward Islands had been most lax, and that it had been necessary to send out a gentleman from the Colonial Office to act as Auditor General, to disentangle the accounts. His Report had not yet been finally presented, and the Secretary of State must first have an opportunity of considering it before deciding whether to present it in whole or in part to Parliament. With reference to the statement that the proceeds of the sale of Crown Lands in Dominica had been

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paid into the Imperial Exchequer, he was afraid that there was some foundation for it, although the exact sums so misapplied were not ascertainable. Those sales, however, had taken place during the last century, and therefore the fault could not be charged against any modern Government. It would be premature to make any statement as to the policy which the Government intended to pursue with regard to the Leeward Islands, but, as had already been stated by Mr. Chamberlain, the Government intended to make proposals which, while adequately safeguarding the interests of the British taxpayer, would give a chance of development to the islands. In these circumstances, he hoped that the noble Earl would withdraw his Motion, and would not renew it until after Easter. ["Hear, hear!"]
THE EARL OF STAMFORDsaid, that after the statement of the noble Earl, he would withdraw his Motion.
Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (Viscount CROSS),in the absence of the PRIME MINISTER, the MARQUESS of SALISBURY), moved:—
"That the evening sitting of the House on Tuesday next, and on all subsequent Tuesdays during the present Session, do commence at half-past Five o'clock, unless the House should other wise order."
Motion agreed to.

DRAINAGE AND IMPROVEMENT OF LANDS (IRELAND) PROVISIONAL ORDER BILL—(No. 35).
Read 1a.
To be printed and referred to the Examiners.

HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES PROVISIONAL ORDER (ABERDEEN) BILL.
Pursuant to the Resolutions of the 4th day of July last, as extended by the Order of the 19th day of August last, respecting Private and Provisional Order
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Confirmation Bills read la; to be printed and referred to the Examiners.—[No. 36.]

MARINE INSURANCE BILL [H.L.]
A Bill for codifying the law relating to] marine insurance, was presented by the Lord Herschell; read 1a, and to be printed.—[No. 37.]
House adjourned at ten minutes before Five o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Eleven o'clock.