The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-24 00:00:00

AMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

•In the HOUSE OF LORDS, May 19, Lord Cranbrook, amid
cheer!, announced the intelligence that bailee) of peace had
been agreed to with Yakoob Khan.
Replying to the Earl of Morley, the AParquis of Salisbury
Said there would be no objection to produce the full text of
the circular issued by M. Waddington in reference to the
Greek frontier.
Lord Stratheden and Campbell called attention to Article
22 of the Treaty of Berlin as it relates to the period during
which the occupation of Bulgaria and East Boumella was
Sanctioned, and moved for correspondence on the subject
between her Majesty's Government and other Powers.
The Marquis of Salisbury admitted that the article was
not free from ambiguity, but an army of occupation could
tot evacuate two provinces as speedily as a tenant could re-
knave from a house. Until he had further considered the
eorrespontle-ce on the subt he hoped it would not be
fenoved for.
Lord Hea,4l-,ton considered that the evacuation might have
een ha,teued.
Lord Granville felt that the Government were in a better
'position to judge whether a too precipitate withdrawal of
troops from perticular districts might have been attended
With danger, and was not inclined to blame- them for put-
ting a liberal construction on the article referred to.
Lard Truro called attention to a return showing the con-
edition as regarded efficiency and strength of the infantry
regiments sent from Eogiand to South Africa in February
last, and mentioned that the state of things as regarded ex-
Verience and physique of the nen-commissioued officers and
Men seat out Ives no satisfactory, it appeartng that, of
4,435 soldiers, 1,535 were under 21 years ot age; ,while 251
'were under 19, and 37 were under 18 The regiments at
home were not strong enough nor was British Army generally
aa large as it should be.
Vicount Hardinge concurred in the observations "as to
the immaturity of many of the men sent to South Africa.
Viscount Bury contended that although many of the
troops were young, the remainder might be regarded as
/Matured soldiers. Ile suggested that the Government
sahould be -allowed to aceept the services of those who,
flaying left the colours, wished to rejoin them.
The Duke of Cambridge thought the Reserve might be
Allowed to volunteer to fill up the strength of short regi-
Tnentis. The short-service system would never give such
experienced soldiers as had been obtained under the longer
system.
After sow farther discussion, in wh'ch Lord Cranbrook
remarked that the return showed that men between the age
of twenty and twenty-five years enjoyed as good health and
fought as well as men five years older, the suaTect dropped.
Some other business having been disposed of, their Lord-
Ships adjourned at ten minutes to eight o'clock.
In the HOUSE OF CoMMONS, the Chancellor the Exchequer
announced, amid much cheering from the Ministerial
benches, that a telegram had been received from the Vice-
roy stating that a baste of peace with the Ameer had been
arrived at.
In answer to Lord E. Fitzmaurice, the O'Conor Don said
be had every reason to believe that his Irish University
Bill would 'be the first order on Wednesday, and if so he
Should certainly move the second reading. Mr. M'Laren
leave notice that he will then move a Resolution condemn-
. mg the Bill as unjust and impolitic, because it proposes to
endow the Witicational institutions of one particular
Church, and appropriate the Irish Church surplus which
i ad been devoted by Parliament to other purposes, and de-
claring, further, that the subject ought not to be dealt with
at so short a notice.
In answer to'Str-C. Mr: E. Stanhope said, that the
subscriptions offered in India for the Four-and•allalf per
Cent. Loan amounted to six crores and 70 lace of rupees, and
the amount allotted was four crores and five lace, at the
average rate of sq.
In answer to Mr. A. Mills, Mr. Bourke stated that her
Majesty's Government had offered Its good offices both to
Chili and Peru with a view to the adjustment of the dif-
ferenees between them.
After some other business the House went into Committee
of Supply on the Civil Service Estimates, and the first 15
votes of Class 111. (Law and Justice) were agreed to.
On the Second Reading of the Budget Bill being moved,
Mr. Newdegate moved a resolution declaring that the
Sense will not accept as binding any treaty engagement
• whicei may limit the control of Parliament over the
finances until full information has been laid before it and
the Haase has had an opportunity of discussing it.
His objece, he said, was to secure for the com-
naercial wisdom and experience of the country the
oPportunity of bringing pressure to bear on the
Government before the Commercial Treaty with France
ai renewed, and, reviewing the history of the ori-
ginal Treaty, he showed how Parliament was almost stir-
Prised into a policy which h•el ever since fettered our fiscal
'Mem. At that time, moreover, there was an expectation
that other nations would reciprocate the changes we then
wade in our tariff, but now the tendency was all in the
direction of a protective policy.
Sir W. Lawson made some observations on the general
foreign policy of the Government, and seconded the resolu-
tiod because he thought tlt would tend to strengthen the
control of Parliament.
After some further discussion, in which Mr. Melver, Mr.
Pease,-and Mr. Hubbard took part,
Mr. Bourke, replying to Mr. Newdegate, said the Govern- •
went would be happy to receive information from members
of Parlfareent and from all commercial bodies which could
aseist them in negotiating the new Treaty. But about the
value of the Treety they had no doubt, and to illustrate its
advantages he quoted the Trade Returns, showing that the
exports had increased from £130,000,000 in 1859 to £1.95,000,000
in 1877. Moreover; the great iucresee had occurred in our
trade with the countries with which we had treaties, while it
bad stood still in the non-treaty countries. lithe French
Treaty were abolished to-morrow, our goods would fall
Under the general tariff, and 20 per cent. additional duty
would immediately be levied on them. The negotiations were
now going on, ana it had been agreed that the present
Treaty shall continue in force for six mouths after the
Dromulgation of the new general French tariff: hut the
Government, though ready to receive any informetion or
edvice, could not assent to this resolution, which would
acetroy all Ministerial responsibility.
The resolution was then withdrawn, and the Bill was read
a second time.
Some other Bills were forwarded a stage, and the House
adjourned at five minutes to two o'clock.

In the HOUSE OF Loans, May 20, Lord Galloway gave
notice that on Monday next he would move a resolution ex-
laressive of the regret of the House that her Majesty's
Government were unprepared with any remedial measures
for our present system of military organisation without a
Preliminary investigation by a committee.
a Viscount Cranbrook Informed the Earl of Carnarvon that
ue had telegraphed to the Governor of Bombay for informa-
tion as to the reported disturbances in the Deccan.
Lord Belmore, in moving the seoond reading of the
Tenant Right (Ireland) Bill, said that it war similar to one
which was introduced in their lordships' House last Session
and was then rejected.
Lord 'Afford moved an amendment that the Bill be read a
second time that day six months.
Lord Longford and Lord Carlingford supported the Bill.
After some remarks from Lord Powerscourt, who sug-
gestedee, that with reference to the Irish Land Act their lord.
'ullas 'would do well to remember a saying of Lord Mel-
bourne, "Leave it alone,"
The Lord Chancellor recommended the House to pass the
second reading of the Bill, though the Government was not
tesPonsible for the measure. 'there had arisen under the
Irish Land Act doubts which, if not solved, might give rise
to much irritation in the minds of both landlords and
eLenants. While some of the Judges of the Civil Bill Courts
load ruled that the Ulster tenant-right applied even where
the farm was held on lease, others maintained that it was
not consistent with the "eternal fitness of thingc " that
such a right should co-exist with a lease The Bill was one
to Cure a cases omiista in the Irish Laud Act; and the
amendment which L ,rd Belmore was to introduee in it would
Prevent it from working injustice as against the laecilord.
In the course of the discussion which followed the Duke
of Argyll opposed the measure as an interference with the
larluable of the Land Act. Lord Inchlquirt thought the Bill
ras unnecessary. Lord Derby, Lord O'ilagan and Lord Bel-
- the withdrawal of the Bill. Lord Annesley,
as one of the landlords who would be 'operated upon" by
talla Bill, strongly protested against it. Lord Granville ex-
Dressed a hope that the Prime Minister would join in recom-
mending Lord Belmore to withdraw the Bill. There being
to respouse to Lord Granville's appeal, the question was
Vats and the motion for the second reading of the Bill was
negatived without a division.
The Duke of Rutland, in asking the First Lord of the
relninxy whether his attention had been drawn to a meeting
of
manufacturers at Huddersfield on the 2nd inst., dilated on
he existing depression in trade and agr,culture, and recom-
Mended the imposition of "moderate duties" on imports
front foreign countries, "the food of the people" to be
exempted from such duties.
been Lord Beaconsfield, in replying, said his attention had not
called to the meeting, though he watched public meet-
. ngB with as keen an eye as, perhaps, any of their lord-
Ships, lie was gratified to find that after what had been said
ea the lordships' House on a recent occasion reciprocity
‘1.1,1a. a remedy for the existing depression seemed to
ya been given up. As he explateed on that occasion
we had no longer any opportmlity of establishing a system
.of reciprocity. There were oily 22 articles in our tariff
r,d vie had 88 commercial treaties, every one of which con-
amed a "most favoured nation "clause, so that if we gave
tinY advantage to any one of the 33 countries with which we
ad those treaties we must instantly grant the like advan-
Llge to the 37 others. Again, 20 of those treatise extended
our colonies. The noble lord continued—
"An immense commerce wouldetherefore be disturbed
aothe
lid destroyed it we suddenly got rid of those treaties. Some
m are for a long term of years—ten 3 eara—others have
leunditiona to be observed in terminating them which it
"Ould not be easy to fulfil. Possibly it might take a quarter
.n_r a century to rid ourselves of all this machinery of com-
mercial treaties founded upon the principle of the favoured
Ntition clause. It is not surprising, after all, that my noble
ertlend should be convinced that reciprocity in the present
71 ate of affairs is not the easy remedy which, unfortu
t:tte,lY, 50 many people throughout the country consider it
e for the manufacturing and commercial distress now
prr.evalent. The meeting at Huddersfield to which my noble
Vend. referred seemed to regard the factory laws as the
neat cause of this evil. Well, my lards, I am not prepared
"Inel elf to change my opinion upon the wisdom, the benefl-
ree, and the national advantage of that great system of
eegislation, commonly called the Factory Acts, without evl.-
anice more convincing than any 3 et produced. that the dile
jinn; in our manufactures is to be ascribed to that diminu-
_ph. of working hours which is believed to add to the efficacy
'',.;idiabour. Considering the great unanimity of opinion
latio„wh.icn your lordships adopted that system of legls-
e., 1 do not suppose your lordships would readily
ee to a change. I do not think my noble friend
linlobq would do so. Well, then, If my noble friend
r'les that reciprocity is a phantom, and if be agrees that
that
not in any legislative increase of the hours of labour
_et a remedy is te be found for the manufacturing and
:fernMerclal distress now existing, what is really the remedy
:Edda the noble lord wishes us to adopt? It is neither more
my legs than the imposiiig upon all foreign articles of what
Cipneble friend calls a moderate duty, but which I shall
"re:, a duty, bacteria I have observed that opinions as to
izet t constitutes moderation differ greatly. I have no idea
egetelf as to what are the moderate duties which my noble
.nd would impose. Well, my lords, this brings us face
;riace with one of the gravest questions that can demand
attention. and is it to be expected that we should
;Inter nPon a discussion of It simply beeause my noble friend
or given notice that he will call attention to a meeting
—nie
a tnantlfaCtureis in Huddersfield on the 2nd of May—
g the object of which is not oven stated If
le_n etinoble lord thinks the time has come for a great
age in the commercial system of the country, let him
eelie notice that he will call atteution to the subject, let
asahave an attendance adequate to the occasion ; whatever
be our opinions, let us have an opportunity of ea,
etnineg them by all that documentary evidence which the
dircenetice of many years has afforded us, aid let us have a ,
ussion worthy of the subject which in the country
gene?
memo allY May be received with content and confidence.
mice" decline on an occasion like the present to enter on
tee,' a discussion. I am glad that by these guerilla
Do7itirks that we have had on two or three_ occasions the
Put 'cal occupied by my noble friend and a numerous
entiy In the country is now clear. It is not a movement
of arP In favour of reciprocity, which in the present state
tee airs is acknowledged to be a phantom. It is not a
noblenluit for increasing the hours of labour, which my
to Preiriend says he will not sanction. It is a movement
what
of oth :!uncts a tariff which shall encounter the hostile tariffs
Thatier countries by equal duties and equal regulations.
tana
this
Is clearly before the country now. The de-
c-
h
oliga, in our commercial system should
knuot before the country completely and clearly.
Let
la not w what is to be the nature of this new tariff. It
aee _ eatiledisfactory to hear that it is to consist o
f what
" c lade, duties because oue man will Con
eonaider ,
' Per cent. a moderate duty an rnooerate" d
another man will
ethethe 6 Per cent. moderate. Let us know clearly
Pare se those who are proposing these changes are pro.
4uots o extend these duties to agriculture and its pr.
The noble lord has reminded me of a remark I made
,11
of 1 re?remer debate, and which I do not snrink from 19137
re,distress which now prevails among different
the ietaFricultural distress, which is so severe, is perhaps
atertb LY instance in which severity cu be traced or
Was
nahted the change in our comirtierclal System which
by thel'de N'aten the prindiple of peoteceion was relinquished
entintry Is my noble friend prepared tepee, to tina
agrieteltatee tn.W' •
rest that protectice Which-fit IliftlitS 11

necessary? us-the discussion which the present distress
has led to, I have heard of schemes for relieving
the pressure on British industry by what are called
import duties; but we have always been told that
Land will be an exception to that protection, and
that no article of agricultural produce is to be
subject to these import duties. I can only protest against
the injustice, if you are to have a protective system,
that, under the plea that it is impossible to tax the food of
the people, the landed interest and e;.l its produce is to be
subjected to unjust treatment. I hope your lordships will
not be induced to enter into a long and desultory discussion
when we have not before us any proposition embodying the
conviction which my noble friend so earnestly entertains.
If he will bring before us the question whether we will give
up the commercial system which was established 85 years
ago. I am sure the House wiil give to so important a sub-
ject, brought forward by a member of the House whom
ell respect so much, that duo consideration which it would
deserve."

A motion of the Duke of Argyll for copies of minutes or
memoranda on the subject of telegraphic communications
with the Government of It-cla was agreed to, after a discus-
POD, and thdr lordships rose shortly before nine o'clock,

The HOUSE oF COMMONS, at the Morning Sitting, was in
committed kr the Mtn time on tEe Army Regulation Bill
from three o'clock until ten minutes to seven, but only two
clausesz-42 and 43—were agreed to. On Clause 44, which
defines punishments, Mr. Hopwood moved to omit flogging,
but after a long discussion the amendment was negatived by
239 to 56. Progress was reported before the clause was
agreed to.
• - - -

-
The Parliamentary Burghs (Scotland), the Dispensaries
(trelano), and the Hares (Ireland) Bills were read a third
time and pasted.
- - - - - - -

At the Evening Sitting, Mr. Dodds called attention to the
unequel incidence and the numerous anomalies of the p.
hate, Legacy, and Succession Duties, and moved a resJla-
Von in favour of abolishing them, anti substituting for
them one uniform duty levied upon the value of the per-
sonal estate of every deceased person.
Mr. J. Barclay, in seconding the motion, dwelt specially
on the expense of colltcting the duties under the present
complicated system, and suggested the total exemption of
small estates under 000.
Mr. Greglry, on the other hand, held that one uniform
duty would lead to fresh anomalies and hardships; but,
admitting that the law was not altogether satisfactory he
moved an amendment in favour of revising the progressive
rates and of affording greater facilities for the alsessment
and settlement of Legacy Duties in future and contiugent
events.
Mr. Goldney seconded the amendment, and Mr. Baxter,
while supporting the resolution, insisted that PArliament
could not stop there, but sooner or later mutt put realty on
the same footing as personal property in regard to these
Succession Duties.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer admitted that the scale
of Probate Duties required readjustment, but maintained that
the mode la which Sir Dodds proposed to effect it would
not be advantageous either to the Exchequer or to those
who had to pay the duties. With regard to the Legacy
Duties, he did not admit the injustice of rules varying
according to the degree of consanguinity, and Mr. Dodds's
plan would be no improvement on the present system. On
the whole, he deprecated the* passing of any resolution at all
on the subject, but of the two propositions before the
House he preferred Mr. Gregory's, which was at least harm-
less.
On a division Mr. Dodds's resolution was negatived by 131
to 59, and Mr. Gregory's amendment was subsequently
carried by 131 to 24.
Some other business was disposed of, and the House
adjourned at a quarter to one.