The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-06-30 00:00:00

THE CORRUPT PRACTICES BILL.

The House was occupied all the afternoon in Committee
"on Clause 6 of the Corrupt Practices Bill, which defines
'What expenditure shall be deemed illegal practice.
On the sub-section relating to the travelling expenses of
oters, Mr. Stanton proposed to allow voters to be conveyed
10 tie poll at the expense of the candidates if resident more
than three miles from a polling-place.
Yhe Attorney-Oeneral objected, and in the end the pro-
POes.l was negatived by 163 to 68.
On the sub-section which prohibits any payment to an
elector for the use of a house, land, &c., for the exhibition
et addresses, lags, etc., Mr. Shell proposed to leave out the
limiting words "to an elector," but on a division the Com-
znittee declined to do this by 239 to 66; and an amendment
13Y Mr. Lewis, to omit the sub-section prohibiting the hiring
Of committee-reoms beyond the number allowed in the first
schedule, was negatived by 214 to 122.
Mr. Cowen next moved an addition to the clause, pro-
hibiting the lending or borrowing of private carriages to
Convey voters to the poll, but before any decision was arrived
at on the voint the Committee adjourned.
At the 'Evening Sitting the House was counted out before
anY htu.'atees was done. - -

IRISH REPRODUCTIVE LOAN FUND ACT (1874)
AMENDMENT BILL.
In the HotISB OF COMMONS, June 27, Mr. O'Kelly, in
moving the second reading of the above Bill, said it made no
change in the principle of the existing law, and was
only intended to confer on local bodies the power of utilising
the residue of a charitable fund given to certain Irish
aounties many years ago, and guarantees were provided
that it should never be expended except on woilis of public

, tolonel King. Harman moved the adjournment of the
e 1) •te, on the ground that the Bill had only been placed in
liands of the members an hour before the House met.
„The Bill proposed to place the money in the hands of Town
l'onimissioners : and he objected to that, as thnt course, he
!eared, would divert the benefit to be obtained from the
4tultds from the counties to the towns.
Altar some discussion, the amendment was withdrawn.
Mr. Treveican said any person who had examined the
Ittkte of the Reproductive Loan Fund could not have failed
tc2,hatie raised in his own mind the questions which were
~.'utvett in the Bill, and to consider how they should be solved.
„LE the measure had been one which dealt with £lOO,OOO,
,•
niight have hesitated in allowing it to pass; but the
.t was a small one, being something under £lO,OOO. It
a,mi,which had been lying by for a time, and could not
ftillalrilless the Bill, or a similar measure, was passed.
Eider those circumstances, the sum being so small in itself,
, 4nd the general desire of the counties, as he understood,
eing in favour of the Bill, the Government were prepared
'0 accept the second reading.
Mr. Gibson admitted that the Bill did not deal with a very
extensive matter, or create any extensive change. He
st,hailld not oppose the second reading of the Bill ; but he
kaought the class to whom the benefits of the fund were to
" given might be well extended.
°After a few remarks from Mr. A. Moore and Mr.
SuniVan, the Bill was read a second time.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBI BILL.

Ar-r. Anderson, who was down to move the second reading
• this Bill, the object of which was to abolish the power of
41413risonment for debt in England moved that the order for
4econd reading be discharged. He pointed out that the
abolition of imprisonment for debt in Scotland had proved
r'Y beneficial, and that he desired to see the law extended
England • but inasmuch as he desired to give the clauses
• Sir bichhad been inserted in the Bankruptcy Bill to deal with
the matter a fair trial he did not propose to move the second
reading.
Mr. Chamberlaia said the feeling of the English people
:es not favourable to the abolition of all imprisonment for
ebt, and there was a difference of opinion upon it even in
'Scotland.
hr. Whitley said the abolition of imprisonment for debt
We'uld almost ruin small traders.
br, Cameron said the matter was one which did affect
Z!ctlancl, because the Scotch taxpayers were called upon to
▪ a portion of the expenses of the cost of maintenance of
debtors. '
The order for the second reading was then discharged.

1,434 r. Anderson moved the secend reading of the Banking
..12" (Scotland) Bill, which, after some discussion was with.