camera on the prisoners, who at times are kept waiting for some minutes in that position. The officer commanding the firing party is then directed by the Provost Marshal to give the order to fire at the moment when he exposes his plate. So far no satisfactory negative has been obtained, and the experiments are likely to be continued. These proceedings take place before a crowd of mixed nationalities, and cannot fail to have a demoralizing effect on both soldiers and spectators." I am quite sure that the noble Lord opposite, and all your Lordships who have heard or read these statements, will agree with me that the proceedings attributed to the Provost Marshal are very outrageous, and deserve serious reprobation. Although I think it very unlikely that the noble Lord will be able to give me any positive information on the subject just now, I earnestly trust that my noble Friend will make inquiry without delay into the truth of these allegations, so that if they are inaccurate, the character of this officer may be cleared, as I trust it will; but if, unhappily, they turn out to be correct, that measures may be taken not only to put a stop to those proceedings, but to mark in a most signal manner the sentiments of Her Majesty's Government with regard to them. There is one other matter to which I wish to refer. One would gather from those statements that a considerable number of persons are, at the present time, being tried by court martial and executed in Burmah. I will venture to suggest to the noble Lord opposite that he should very seriously consider to what extent there is legal warrant for trying persons within Her Majesty's Dominions who are not under the Mutiny Acts. Burmah has now been annexed, and is a part of Her Majesty's Dominions. I do not wish to express a positive opinion on that subject at present; but it is, I think, worthy of the careful consideration of Her Majesty's Government.. THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Lord HARRIS): My Lords, in reply to the noble Marquess opposite (the Marquess of Ripon), I have to say i that Her Majesty's Government have read with the greatest concern the account of The Times Correspondent at Mandalay with respect to these executions, and the manner in which they have been conducted. We have no information, however, at the present The Marquess of Ripon moment, which will enable us to say whether these accounts are varnished or not. The noble Lord the Secretary of State for India, recognizing the concern which no doubt the public feel alike with the Government on this question, has despatched telegrams to Lord Dufferin and Mr. Bernard requesting information upon the matter, and asking that a strict and searching inquiry be made into the matter. As soon as this information is obtained, I shall have great pleasure in informing the noble Marquess. With respect to what he has stated as to court martials being held in Burmah, I would deprecate any discussion at the present moment, and until we have further information about them. THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY suggested that, as Papers were about to be presented on the subject of Burmah, it would be as well that they should be accompanied with a map of the country. LORD HARRIS said, he would make inquiries as to that. SIR WILLIAM ROSE, K.C.B., LATE RESOLUTION. THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY : My Lords, I rise to perform a sorrowful duty. It is to move "That this House is deeply sensible of the loss which they have sustained by the death of Sir William Rose, K.C.B., the late Clerk of the just sense which they entertain of the zeal, Parliaments, and think it right to record the abilities, diligence, and integrity with which he executed his important duties in that and other offices in the service of this House during a period of 50 years." My Lords, I have but little to add to the terms of the Motion. The loss of Sir William Rose has been regretted, I think, by all in this House. There are very few of us who have been here long enough to remember the time when Sir William Rose was not at this Table. His manner and kindness to all the Members of this House are well known. He was laborious and careful and exact in his duties. He possessed a profound knowledge of the precedents of this House, and of our customary law; and he was able to render services to the Members of this House in that capacity which we specially require. Owing to 185 Sir William Rose, K. C.B., {January 22, 1886} late Clerk of the Parliaments. 186 the fact that our Speaker does not possess authority over us, and that the disposal of all Order in this House is immediately the work of the House itself, an authority like that, able and willing to furnish us with guidance, was of inestimable value. My Lords, I feel that I am only expressing the opinion entertained by all Peers in this House, on whichever side of the House they may sit, of the deep loss we have sustained by the death of Sir William Rose. THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY: My Lords, my noble Friend (Earl Granville) alluded last night in a touching manner to the loss we have experienced by the death of Sir William Rose. I only rise for the purpose of saying how heartily I concur in every word that has fallen from the noble Marquess. I have known Sir William Rose for very many years, both in his public and private capacity; and anyone more obliging, more attentive to his duties, or more anxious to assist everyone to obtain information, I think none of us have ever known. The House has sustained a very severe loss by the death of Sir William Rose, and I am sure that noble Lords will concur in every word that has fallen from the noble Marquess. I beg to second the Motion. Moved to resolve, "That this House is deeply sensible of the loss which they have sustained by the death of Sir William Rose, K.C.B., the late Clerk of the Parliaments, and think it right to record the just sense which they entertain of the zeal, ability, diligence, and integrity with which he executed his important duties in that and other offices in the service of this House during a period of 50 years."-(The Marquess of Salisbury.) THE EARL OF LIMERICK said, he desired, on behalf of the younger and private Members of the House, to express their deep sense of the assistance which was invariably so kindly and constantly rendered to them by Sir William Rose. Motion agreed to, nemine dissentiente. House adjourned at a quarter before Five o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter past Four o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Friday, 22nd January, 1886. -- MINUTES.] PUBLIC BILLS - Resolutions in Committee-Ordered-First Reading-Church of Scotland [6]; Licensing Laws Amendment (Local Control) [35]; Burial Law Amendment [45]; Spirits in Bond (Great Britain and Ireland) * [52]; Oaths [64]; Liquor Traffic Local Veto (Scotland) * [72]. Ordered-First Reading - Land Law (Ireland) Act (1881) Amendment* [1]; County Government (Ireland) * [2]; Police Forces Enfranchisement * [3]; Church Patronage [4]; Poor Law Guardians (Ireland) * [5]; Public Health Acts (Improvement Expenses)* [7]; Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers Expenses) (Ireland) * [8]; Municipal Franchise (Ireland) [9]; Labourers (Ireland) Acts Amendment [10]; Tenure of Town Houses (Ireland) [11]; National School Teachers (Ireland) * [12]; Registration of Voters (Ireland) [13]; University Education (Ireland) * [14]; Salmon Fisheries (Ireland) * [15]; Butter Substitutes* [16]; Crofters (Scotland) [17]; Technical Education (Ireland) * [18]; Housing of Working Classes in Towns (Ireland) [19]; Municipal Boundaries (Dublin) * [201; Rates (Dublin) [21]; Private Bill Legislation [22]; Boundaries of Towns (Ireland) *[23]; Parliamentary Elections (Polls)*[24]: Representation of the People Act (1884) Extension* [25]; Copyhold Enfranchisement* [26]; Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sunday [27]; Police Constables' Pensions [28]; Fishery Piers and Harbours (Ireland) * [29]; Trees (Ireland) * [30]; Metropolitan Board of Works (Fire Brigade Expenses) [31]; Tobacco (Ireland) * [32]; Contagious Diseases Acts Repeal* [33]; Metropolitan Board of Works (Water Supply, &c.) [34]; Fairs and Markets (Tolls) (Ireland) [36]; Quarter Sessions (Boroughs) [37]; Tenure of Land (Scotland) * [38]; Probation of First Offenders [39]; Port and Harbour Authorities [40]; Land Purchase Facilities [41]; Sites for Schools, &c. (Ireland) [42]; Landlord's Right of Distress Abolition [43]; Metropolitan Board of Works (Theatres, &c.) [44]; Explosive Substances Act (1883) Amendment * [46]; Bankruptcy (Ireland)* [47]; Land (Highlands and Islands) * [48]; Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister [49]; Marriages (Nonconformist Chapels) [50]; Beer Adulteration [51]; Allotments and Small Holdings [53]; Church Boards [51]; Mining Leases [55]; Shop Hours Regulation * [56]; Allotments [57]; Game Laws Amendment [58] Beer Adulteration (No. 2) * [59]; Employers' Liability Act (1880) Amendment* [60]; Tithe Rent-Charge (Extraordinary) Amendment [61]; Marriages (Hours of Solemnisation) [62]; Tithe Rent - Charge (Extraordinary) Redemption [63]; Tithe Rent-Charge Amendment* [65]; Beer Adulteration (No. 3) *[66]; Workhouse Children' * * * * * * * BURMAH-MILITARY EXECUTIONS- [67]; Turbary Mountain Grazing and Sea * QUESTIONS. 'ARMY-THE TESTING OF SIDE ARMS. COLONEL SALIS-SCHWABE asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether sidearms, more especially Cavalry swords, used to be and are now subjected to a test by a viewer or official of the Ordnance Department before issue, and whether each Cavalry sword or other sidearm used to be and is marked, so that the viewer who passed it fit for use can be identified; and, whether several sidearms, especially Cavalry swords, have, within the last three years, been found, after issue to Her Majesty's troops, to be unable to stand the test which they should have undergone before issue; and, if that be the case, whether the viewers or officials of the Ordnance Department who passed such sidearms are still employed in the public service? DR. CAMERON asked the Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been called to the following paragraph contained in a telegraphic despatch dated Mandalay, January 19th, published in The Times of the 21st inst. : "The ghastly scenes which constantly recur in executions carried out by the Provost Marshal constitute grave public scandals. The Provost Marshal, who is an ardent amateur photographer, is desirous of securing views of the persons executed at the precise moment when they are struck by the bullets. To secure this result, after the orders, 'Ready,' 'Present,' have been given to the firing party, the Provost Marshal fixes his camera on the prisoners, who at times are kept waiting for some minutes in that position. The officer commanding the firing party is then directed by the Provost when he exposes his plate; Marshal to give the order to fire at the moment and, whether in view of The Times correspondent's declaration that obtained the experiments are likely to be con"So far no satisfactory negatives having been tinued," he will telegraph to the authorities in India calling their attention to the allegation with a view, if it be found to be true, to the immediate suppression of the practice and the prosecution of the Provost Marshal? MR. JUSTIN HUNTLY M‘CARTHY asked the Secretary of State for War, If there is any truth in the following statement from The Times of January 21st, respecting certain executions in Burmah: in executions carried out by the Provost Mar- THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. W. H. SMITH): All sidearms, including Cavalry swords, are and have been subjected to a test by a viewer before issue to troops; and every arm so tested is marked in such a manner that the viewer by whom it has been passed can be identified. No sidearms have been found within the last three years unable to withstand, after issue to the troops, the tests to which they should have been and were subjected before issue. It is, however, to be observed that a far more severe test of fitness than that hitherto adopted officially has recently been applied to sidearms in the possession of SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL: There the troops; and, I may add, the future is an urgent question arising out of this standard of efficiency at the time of issue-namely, whether at the present time will be regulated by this more stringent questions of life and death in Upper trial. Burmah are under the control of the Chief Civil Authority (Mr. Bernard) or whether the military authorities are allowed to exercise any sort of uncontrolled martial law? THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL): I am not quite certain whether the Civil Authorities in Upper Burmah have hitherto superseded the Military Authorities; but when Mr. Bernard went up to Mandalay, in the absence of General Prendergast, on the expedition to Bhamo, I was then under the impression that Civil government had recommenced, in Mandalay at any rate. But since Mr. Bernard's departure from Mandalay and General Prendergast's return, I am not quite sure what would be the precise relation between the Civil Authorities and the Military Authorities. If the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Sir George Campbell) will repeat the Question on Monday I will try to ascertain in the meantime. In reply to the hon. Members for Glasgow and Newry, I may say I am not surprised that both hon. Members should have thought it their duty to put Questions on the very grave and startling information which for two days running has been given to the public by The Times Correspondent at Mandalay. I cannot bring myself to believe that any officer wearing the Queen's uniform would have allowed himself to perpetrate actions which really would have disgraced the officers of King Theebaw. I cannot bring myself to believe that there is any portion of truth in this announcement; but when the announcement of the proceedings of the Provost Marshal at Mandalay appeared in The Times of to-day, I thought it my duty to telegraph to the Viceroy to ascertain the exact foundation for these serious allegations. And I did more than that-I departed, I believe, from the established practice. In order that no time might be lost, I sent a similar telegram direct to the Chief Commissioner at Mandalay. I trust most earnestly that it may turn out that these allegations are not well founded; but I have instructed the Chief Commissioner at Mandalay, on my own authority, that if, in any degree, these allegations are true, the gravest and most immediate action must be taken against the officer concerned. DR. CAMERON: I shall in a few days ask if any reply has been received by the noble Lord. INDIA (FINANCE, &c.)-INCOME TAX. MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN asked the Secretary of State for India, Whether it is true that the Financial Minister for India has proposed, with the approval of the Viceroy, a graduated Income or License Tax; and, if so, whether the Government has offered any objection to this proposal? THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL): I have some difficulty in answering the Question of the right hon. Gentleman. I do not quite know what he precisely means by a graduated Income Tax. As far as I can gather, he has been careful to leave not only his opponents, but also his possible Colleagues, in a state of the utmost uncertainty on this point; and, therefore, I can only answer his Question by telling him what the Indian Income Tax proposed by the Government is, and leave him to draw his own conclusions as to whether it comes up to his own idea of a graduated Income Tax. The draft Bill of the Government of India, which has now passed through two stages in the Legislative Council, provides that non-agricultural incomes shall be taxed, and the sources are classified under four heads offices, profits of Companies, interest on securities, and other sources. The rate of Income Tax is five pice a rupee, which, I believe, in English money is a little under d. in 1s. 6d., on incomes of 2,000 rupees per annum and upwards; and, roughly, 4 pice on incomes under 2,000 rupees. There are certain exceptions—namely, incomes derived from land or agriculture, charities, soldiers with pay under 500 rupees a month, Government officials with salaries under 100 rupees a month, also all persons with a total income of less than 500 rupees per annum. In cases of incomes derived under the fourth head of "other sources," incomes under 2,000 rupees per annum are assessed in six grades, rising from 500 rupees to 2,000 rupees. The approval of the Secretary of State in Council has been given to the Bill. This is all the information I can give to the right hon. Gentleman, and upon that, no doubt, he will form his own conclusions. MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN: The noble Lord has not answered the last portion of the Question. BURMAH-THE CHINESE GOVERN- LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL: Of course, the Indian Budget has not come before the Government as a whole; but the approval of the Secretary of State in Council has been given to the Bill, the heads of which I have stated to the House. CHINA THE REPORTED LOAN. MR. M'LAREN asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can give any information respecting the truth of the rumours that a Chinese Loan is being negotiated by a foreign syndicate in Germany for the construction of Railways in China; whether any inducements have been offered by Her Majesty's Government to the Chinese Government to raise their loans for public works in the London Money Market; and, whether Her Majesty's Government have taken any steps to secure for British manufacturers all contracts for Railway material required by China? MR. M'LAREN asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any representations have been made by the Chinese Government to Her Majesty's Government respecting the annexation of Burmah? THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BOURKE): I have to say that Her Majesty's Government are in communication with the Government of China with respect to Burmese affairs. The time has not yet arrived when it is thought advisable, in the interests of the public, that those communications should be made known. IRELAND " BOYCOTTING "—ALLEGED MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON gave Notice that he would ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is true, as stated on the occasion of a deputation to Lord Salisbury, that a boycotted woman in Ireland was held down by her neigh and, if true, whether any persons have been arrested for the outrage? THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE) said, that this statement referred to a very horrible and serious outrage if it really occurred. He had no doubt that if it had occurred it had already come under the cognizance of the authorities in Ireland. He had taken steps to make inquiries, and had no doubt his hon. Friend would get the information he sought. THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BOURKE): We have heard the rumour referred to by the hon. Mem-bours, while a dog gnawed her legs; ber; but we have no means of knowing whether any loan will be brought out by the Syndicate in question. The attention of Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Pekin has, however, been called to the subject. It would be altogether contrary to the usual practice of the British Government to interfere with the manner in which the Government of China may see fit to raise loans. Her Majesty's Government will, if the occasion arises, be ready to give such assistance as they can properly afford in support of British manufacturing and commercial interests in China; but they could not take the steps suggested in the third clause of the hon. Member's Question. MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON said, he would repeat the Question on Monday. MR. HEALY: I beg to give Notice that when this Question is asked I shall ask the Home Secretary, Whether his attention has been called to the action of an English lady who tied a little child, aged two, to a chair before a fire and slowly roasted her to death? PARLIAMENT BUSINESS OF THE PUBLIC BILLS. MR. JOSEPH COWEN drew attention to the fact that, at the close of the debate on the Address, the introduction of Bills would occupy some three hours; and he asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the debate could be. |