The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-02-12 00:00:00

SATURDAY, FEB. 12, 1876.

OPENING er-PARLIAIYIE

I 44124'd 4h
I •

AliheAn in the _Haw._
faithful Commons " having been ....Areitiumen.,,, a 0,,,,_ lei,
a a number of um. wepeza..04.4104,41(ar Time soon ap-
p ~iii_aztt,
Lt.heoßplisarA.:oo' LE
NI
LIE:ETNS: t '13;411:
t
t he LordTCEthencellour
EthEenti, by cosmmEaEndc of h. er Majesty,
V dee ItOial speech,' which was as follows :--
"It iuwith,much satisfaction that I again resort to the
a vice and assistance of my Parliament. ,
"My relations with all foreign Powers continue to be Of -a
c dial character. ~
• 'The insurrectionary movement, which, during the last
s months, has been•maintained in the Turkish provinces of
Blnia and Herzegovina, and which the troops of the Sultan
have, tip to the present time, been unable to repress, has
(melted the ettention and interest of the great European
Powers. •I have considered it my duty not to stand aloof from
We efforts now being made by allied and friendly Governments
t bring about a pacification of Ihe disturbed districts, and
1 ave accordingly, while rcspecting the independence of the
P rte, joined in urging on the Sultan the expediency of
1
a opting such ffieasures of administrative reform as may re-
move all reasonable cause of discontent on the part of his
Christian subjects.
I have agreed to purchase, subject to your sanction, the
shares which belonged to the Khedive of Egypt in the Suez
Cenal, and I rely with confidenco on your enabling me to
cdmplete a transaction in which the public interests are
deeply involved.
The rercrentations which I addressed to the Chinese Go-
vernment, as to the attack made in the course of last year on
the expedition sent from Burmah to the Western Provinces of
China, have been received in a friendly spirit. The circum-
stances of that lamentable outrage are now the subject of an
inquiry, in which I have thought it right to request that a
member of my diplomatic service should take part. I await
the result of this inquiry in the firm conviction that it will
be so conducted as to lead to the discovery and punishment
of the offenders.
"Papers on all the above subjects will be laid before you.
" I am deeply thankful for the uninterrupted health which
my dear son, the Prince of Wales, has enjoyed during his
journey through India. The hearty affection with which he
has been received by my Indian subjects of all classes and
races assures me that they are happy under my rule, and
loyal to my throne. At the time that the direct government
of my Indian Empire was transferred to the Crown, no
formal addition was made to the style and titles of the
Sovereign. I have deemed the present a fitting opportunity
for supplying this omission, and a bill upon the subject will
be presented to you.
"The humane and enlightened policy consistently pursued
by this country in putting an end to slavery within her own
dependencies, and in suppressing the slave trade throughout
the world, makes it important that the action of British
national ships in the territorial waters of foreign States
should be in harmony with these great principles. I have,
therefore, given directions for the issue of a Royal Commis-
sion to inquire into all treaty engagements and other inter-
national obligations bearing upon this subject, and all in-
structions from time to time issued to my naval officers, with
a view to ascertain whether any steps ought to be taken to
secure for my ships and their commanders abroad greater
power for the maintenance of the right of personal
liberty.

T,fo.

!1-TA

In)
th,
sla•
firsi.
a CA
Main,
c9nsi
Itruc

"A bill will be laid before you for punishing slave traders
ho are subjects of native Indian princes.

"The affairs of my Colonial Empire, the general pros-
i3rity of which has continued to advance, have received a
irge share of my attention. Papers of importance and
iterest will soon be in your hands, showing the proceedings
lth respect to a conference of. the South African Coloniex
States.

The murder of a high officer of the Straits Settlements
;Mist acting as resident in a neighbouring Malay State, and
ie disorders ensuing on that outrage have demanded the
terference of my troops. I trust that the operations which
eve been ably and energetically conducted, though not
ithout the loss of some valuable lives, have restored order,
od re-established the just influence and authority of this
>untry.

"GENTLEMEN OF THE IfoIIEE OF COMMONS,
, "I have directed the estimates of the year to be prepared
and presented to you without delay.
"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
"Bills for regulating the ultimate tribunal of appeal for
the United Kingdom, and for the amendment of the mer-
chant snipping laws, will be immediately submitted to you.
"Legislation will be proposed relating to the universities
and to primary education.
"Your attention will be called also to the acts relating to
the inclosure of commons, and to a measure for promoting
lomy and efficiency In the
_management of prisons, and

„ the same time effecting a relief of local burtiens.
"Other important measures, as the time of the session
'units, will be introduced to your notice ; and I pray that
,ur deliberations may. under the Divine blessing, result in
Le happiness and contentment of my people,”

As soon as the last sentence had echoed through the House
Le assembly at once rose to their feet, and her Majesty
)sceuding, after a deep courtesy to the assembly, from the

one, tO-ok her place-in the procession, which was formed
the same order in which it had entered, and left the
loll.le, proceeding through the Royal gallery and the other
=Mors to the Victoria Tower whence, amid the strains of
le National Anthem and the Towers
salute of the guard of
lonour, her Majesty toek carriage for the return to Buck-
`.ni Palace.

V(
lions,
Ingham
is
pass.

In the IforsE OF LORDS, shortly after the delivery of the
‘,oyal Speech, some of the newly-created Peers were intro-
'uced and took the Parliamentary Oath and their teats, and

t a subsequent period
Lord' Aberdeen moved an Address to the Crown in answer
to the Royal Speech. In doing so he touched on the chief
passages contained in Her Majesty's Speech, having ex-
pressed, in the first place, satisfaction at the circumstance
that Her Majesty had been able to come down and open Par-
liament in person. With regard to the revolt in the Turkish
Provinces , he thought thaMme interference on the part of
the neighbouring Powers was both expedient and just, and
that the conduct of Austria in the matter was charazterized by
temperance and discretion. He also considered the course pur-
sued by her Majesty's Government satisfactory, believing
that the course adopted would result in a diminution of
present difficulties, and in the establishment of religious
equality. With regard to the purchase of the Suez Canal
Shares, he declared that in his opinion the Government had
acted with vigilance, energy, and promptitude, and he
had no doubt that Parliament would approve the measure,
which the country generally had recognised as wise and
politic. He observed that the cordial reception given to
the Prince of Wales in India was matter for sincere
congratulation. Alluding to the Slave Circular, he said
that the subject to which it related deserved care.
ful examination, and that its legal aspects would be pro-
perly ascertained by a Royal Commission. The condition of
the sierchant Shipping was a matter of great importance to
ngland as a maritime nation, and he considered the present
Moment favourable for satisfactory legislation on the subject,
as the various interests concerned bad had time to regard it
with calmness. After alluding to the, paragraph in the
Queen's Speech relating to the -Universities and te Primary
tducatton, and observing that if the contemplated changes
w.re effected in a moderate spirit they would he received in

favourable manner, he conauded bi moving the Address.

• Lord Ellesmere seconded the motion. With regard to
the insurrection in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he regarded
the policy observed by the British Government as perfectly
lustiftable, and he also approved the purchase of the Suez
Canal shares. He observed with satisfaction that the visit
of the Prince of Wales to India had been a marked success;
and, touching on the Fugitive Slave Circular, he sold he
thought it desirable that, as the law with regard to the
treatment of fugitive slaves was ambiguous, the matter
;should be referred to a Royal Commission. With regard to
!the paragraph in the Royal Speech in relation to the Univer-
'sities, he expressed a hope that any measure having refer-
ence to them would be drawn up in a Conservative spirit,
and that the measure dealing with Primary Education
iwould follow the lines of the Act of 1870.

Lord Granville complimented both toe Mover and Seconder
of the Address for the ability they had displayed in the dis-
charge of the duty assigned to them. After pointing out
what he conceived to be some important omissions in the
list of measures proposed to be submitted to Parliament, he
said it was with pleasure he remarked that the subject of
education was attracting attention, and if the promised
legislation should be well conceived and steadily carried
• through Parliament it would be cause of satisfaction to the
• country. He noticed that the state of the Navy and the ad-
• ministration of the Admiralty were not alluded to in the
Royal Speech, and, as serious charges had been brought
against the First Lord, he thought it would be becoming in
him to wait until the First Lord made his defence before
commenting further on his conduct. He criticized some of
the proceedings of the Government in reference to the pro-
posed Confederation of African States, and, passing to the
course taken in consequence of the insurrection in Herzego-
vina, he asked whether the presentation to the Porte of
Count Andrassy's Note in any way infringed the Treaty of
1816. The purchase of the Suez Canal shares had attracted
very general attention, and though that transaction was
at first received with very general approval, he was not sure
that the feeling of satisfaction was not now a good deal
diminished. However, he felt it would be a great mistake at
present to go into a serious discussion on the question, be-
cause the official documents were not yet before Parlia-
ment ; but ha asked whether, after the conclusion of the
transaction, Parliament should not have been called to-
gether at an earlier period than the present. Possibly the
delay in summoning Parliament was owing to the fact that
Ministers had really no information on the subject to lay
lefore the two Houses, and that circumstance might have
led to the mission of Mr. Cave, which was undoubtedly one
of an unusual character. Alluding to the first Slave Cir-
cular, he remarked upon the general indignation which its
publication had occasioned. He asked whether the reference
to a Royal Commission was for the purpose of creating a
policy for the Government, and concluded by expressing a
hope that the Government would feel that the question could
only be dealt with by the responsible Ministers of the Crown.
Lord Derby began by stating that ho had no doubt that
the Colonial S retary would take a proper opportunity of
eliciting the opinion of Parliament with respect to the Con-
federation of African States, as well as in reference to the
exchange with France of a portion of territory on the coast
of Africa. With regard to China, the British Government
hail insisted on the punishment of the guilty parties engaged
in the attack on Mr. Margary. A'i to the affairs of Turkey,
the British Government, believing that it was not desirable
that the insurrection in Herzegovina should spread to any ex-
tent, had given a general support to Count Andras, y's Note;
but it would be in their power to abstain from any fin Veer
act, if they should think proper, aild the presenta-
tion to that Note constituted no Infringement of the pro-
visions of the Treaty of Paris. In regard to the Suez Canal*
shares, the Government, being of opinion that it would not
be desitablesto allow the French to acquire them, had taken
the opportunity to buy them, and though the transaction
was of an unusual character, yet if Parliament had been
summoned to meet at a much earlier period than the
present there was no doubt there would have been much less
discussion on the Matter than at present, as the purchase
had at the time met with general approval. He denied that
he had ever described the transaction as one of no poli-
tical significance.' All that he had said was that it was
not of the significance attributed, to it by some
persons. In reference to Mr. Cave's mission, he stated its
history was very simple. The Khedive applied to the
British Government for the services of two English gentle.
men experienced financial matters, and Mr. Cave Was
sent out to ascertain what was exactly wanted, being at the
same time instructed to abstain from interfering in any of
the financial schemes so frequently laid before the Khedive.
The first Slave Circular was issued because it was not
thought fair to the officers of the Navy to leave them to Alt
on their own responsibility, and it was subsequently with-
drawn and modified because the Lord Chancellor felt some
doubts as to the law laid down in it.

After some remarks from the Duke of Somerset, the
motion for the Addresss was agreed to, and their lord-
ships adjourned.

At the Evening Sitting of the:HousE or CommoNS after the
new writs had been moved and the new members elected
during the Recess had taken their seats, notices of motion
for the opening Session were given. These were more
numerous than ever—close upon 90—and the process lasted
exactly half an hour.
The Address in answer to Her Majesty's Speech was moved
by Mr. Ridley, who commenced by expressing the feeling of
gratidcation, which he said was universal, at Her Majesty's
presence. Next he remarked on the Prince's visit to India
and the success which had everywhere attended his progress.
After a passing reference to the Colonial policy of the
Government, be discussed the Suez Canal Purchase, pre-
dicting that the searching criticisms to 'which it must
necessarily be subject would result in a verdict of
universal approval With regard to the treatment of
Fugitive Slaves, while warmly supporting the policy
of abolishing slavery, on which the whole country was
agreed, he pointed out that complications might arise in
certain circumstances from the presence of our ships of war
in the ports of countries which insisted on the mainten-
ance of slavery, and that if we had always pushed our prin-
ciples to the extreme we should have bi- en involved in
more than one war. He approved, therefore, the inten-
tion of the Government to appoint a Royal Commissii n
which would ascertain our exact position. He also
approved the attitude which the Government had
taken in reference to the Turkish Question. The
pre Ridley, thought a favourable opportunity for
'
ent
Mr,fl factory Merchant Shipping Bill, and he also
passing a sa s
rejoiced that the attention of Parliament was to be drawn to
Primary Educat!on, as he admitted that in many places the
Agricultural Children Act had been a dead letter. Though
the measures promised were not numerous, Mr. Ridley ex
pected that the Session would be signalised by more im-
portant debates than any of its predecessors of recent years.

0! :.-••
a54-14ug
- nada oohs' e,
•, e. is •ra 01111 op r
-I-7- • •• • A3,-
----- - - - -

teonrtisoineugt.
in the Royal Speech. With regard to , the Suez Canal Pur-
chase, he maintained thafit'mnst he fudged as a political
measure. He congratulated the House on the omission ,of
Ireland fromlhe Royal Speech; and, now that COuntry Wits
pliPeeaceel-stb' liene:viihdicphrohs7erouuells,Edheontruttiset:ad-dal°ingnet-c:7ltym
g It, oat from the rest of the Empire would cease. Though
te eu,e3Cloerevteirnndmiteipt
measuresihad exeetreciseeedtear
kilwigath% tihiaecrheotipedon Inhatnoitt
1
uldfind time to proceed with those domestic ,and social
b*proYemfints which had already gained it so much credit. .
iThe. Marquis oroHartington, -who commenced. by praising
the ability of the speeches of the Mover and the Seconder,
remarked that, though the. topics Mentioned in the Royal
SOeeckwere /post,of them important, on nona of them did
the House- as yet poems` sufficient information to enable it
to pronounce an opinion at present. Dealing first witlithe
suggested topics of legislation, the Marquis expressed a hope
that the constitution of the Final Court of Appeal would be
settled once for all this year; and also, with regard to the
Merchant Shipping Bill, that the Government would
net commit. the error of last year, in underrating
the difficulties of the subject and the public iota-
rt in it. Animadverting next on the omissions
!rpm the Speech, he asked, what had become of the
l' Ration of Rivers Bill, and whether the sanitary policy
d the Government was exhausted by the Consolidation Act
,1 last year. 'With regard to Local Taxation, he repeated
hat the first duty was to improve the system of Local
,overnment. As to the Colonial policy of the Government,
iv which they took so much credit, he denied that it was
ly invention of theirs On the question of the Slave
lrculars, the Warguie said that the -discussions throughout
Le Recess, thohlgh they Might not Elio* much knowledge of
iternational or alunicipal Law, or of the precedents, proved
Lat the country was still as determined as ever to put down
very. The second Circular was clearly contradictory of the
st ; but what, he asked, was the necessity for issuing
Circular at all? He was not, however, prepared to
.eaintain that the second Circular laid down principles in-
consistent with Municipal or International Law, or with In-
structions issuedbefore. A distinction well known even to
the Anti-Slavery Society had always been maintained be-
tween the Slave Trade and domestic slavery, but he blamed
the Government for its inconsistency in that it never with-
drew its second Circular nor had stood by it, inasmuch as it
proposed to refer the whole subject to a Commission. But
all the information could be obtained at once from the
Foreign Office, the Law Officers, and the Admiralty, and he
regarded it, therefore, as a device to obtain time. What the
country desired was, not that our ships of war should be
made refuges for slaves, political refugees, &c. but that our
commanding officers should have full discretion to deal
with each individual case without being bound by invidious
rules. As to the policy of the Government on the Eastern
Question, in his present state of information the Marquis
was not prepared to criticise it adversely ; and he even read
a quotation from a speech of Lord Palmerston which seemed
to show that Statesman would not have objected to the
kind of intervention which was contemplated. Finally,
the Marquis dealt with the Suez Canal transaction, choosing
out of the various interpretations put upon it that of
Lord Derby—that it was intended to render our com-
munication with India more secure, and had no connexion
with the Eastern Question. But neither in war nor in
peace, as he argued at some length, would the acquisition
of any number of shares give us greater security or greater
influence. At any rate, Parliament, he insisted, ought to
have been called together at once. Discussing the financial
aspect of the purchase, he maintained that it was a most
unprofitable affair, and, coupled with the mission of Mr.
gave, which inspired a suspicion that we were being involved
id the Management of Egyptian finance, he pronouaced it to
be a doubtful and dai gerous transaction, which would re-
quire much explanation.
' Mr. Disraeli, who also complimented the Mover and
Seconder of the Address, dismissed very briefly Lord
Hartington's references to the proposed legislation of the
year, remarking that the list would have been longer, but
he was of opinion that both sides had lately got into a bad
habit of filling the Queen's Speech with a mere catalogue of
measures which experience showed could not be carried
But the Government had other measures to propose, and
among them, he assured Lord Hartington, there was a
Rivers Pollution Bill With regard to the first Slave Cir-
cular, Mr. Disraeli frankly admitted that Ministers were re-
sponsible for it, although he had never read it and it was
not prepared to defend it. "It was withdrawn," said
Mr. Disraeli, "and there's an end of it "—at which
there was a general laugh. The second Circular was
prepared by the Cabinet under the opinion of the
Lord Chancellor, and in the judgment of the Govern-
ment it was an accurate declaration of the law
as far as it could possibly be expressed in Instructions. Some
Instructions were necessary to protect our officers from
actions and the country from having to pay compensation.
To keeping these Instructions secret, which had been recom-
mended, Mr. Disraeli professed the strongest objections,
and he vinnicated the appointment of a Royal Commission,
which he believed would give general satisfaction by in-
ducing a full and free discussion of the state of the law
and of our international relations on this subject. With
regard to the Vienna Note, Mr. Disraeli maintained that
we could not have done otherwise than support it. This
he showed by an elaborate examination of all the alter-
native courses, and he also mentioned that the Porte it-
self was anxious, if the Note was to be presented, that
England should join in it. But England remained as
entirely uncommitted and free to act as ever she was. In
justification of the Suez Canal Purchase, Mr. Disraeli spoke
at some length, remarking that this was not the first oeca-
eioh on wnich the British Government had been compelled
to consider the question. Not long ago the proprietary had
taken measures for interrupting the navigation of the
Canal, and only desisted at the last moment, and
under pressure from the Khedive. When the Khedive,
therefore, proposed to part with his shares, it became a
matter of great anxiety to the Governineet in the
interests of the navigation. He entered into a long and
minute history of the negotiations which led to the pur-
chase, showing that the Government had no wish that
the status quo should be dieturbed ; that they had
only 48 hours to decide; and that they had every reason to
believe that but for their interference the Canal would have
fallen entirely into the hands of a foreign company, to
which they had expressed their strong objection in a com-
munication to the French Ambassador. This, he maintained,
placed the transaction above the mere financial or invest-
meet level, and raised it to the rank of " high policy ; "
and even if we were not to receive interest on our four
millions he should have been in favour of the pur-
chase. As to Lord Hartington's distinction between peace
and war, Mr. Disraeli declined altogether to enter
into any speculation as to what England might do in
time of war, although he pointed out the value of the Cabal
in the chain of fortresses between England and India. The
purchase must be contemplated with reference to a time of
peace only, and in time of peace the purchase would un-
doubtedly be a great sectuity. Ile denied altogether the
accuracy of Lord Hartington's financial calculations, but on
Monday this part of the question would be fully gone into.
From every point of view, however, he anticipated confi-
dently that the policy would be ratified by Parliament as it
had been by the country.'

Mr. Gladstone said a few words on the Eastern Question,
generally approving the support given to the Austrian Note,
but warmly condemning the failure to fulfil the promises of
Reform made by the Turkish Government after the Crimean
War, and insisting that Europe would not be content with-
out some greater security than mere prtlmises
Mr. Butler-Johnstone retorted that Mr. Gladstone during
his tenure of office had never remonstrated against Turkey's
4on-fulfilment of her pledges.
After some remarks from Mr, Henry, Mr. Ronayne, Dr.
Ward, Mr. Parnell, and Sir J. H. Scourfield, the motion for
pis Address was agreed to, and the House adjourned.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Wednesday, Feb. 9, Mr. M. W.
BidleY brought up the report ot the Address to her
Majesty.
Mr. G. Bentinck expressed his regret that no allusion had
bean made in the Speech to the state of affairs in the navy,
and hoped the Navy Estimates would be laid before the
House on the earliest possible day.
THE BURIALS QUESTION.

Mr. Osborn Morgan gave notfce that he would withdraw
the bill relating to burials, of which he had given notice
and move on the 3rd March, on the order for going
Into committee of supply, the following resolution :—" That
the parish churchyards of England and Wales having, by
the common law of England, been appropriated to the use
of the entire body of parishioners, it is just and right, while
making provision for the maintenance of order and decency,
to permit the performance over persons not connected with
the Church of England of other burial services than that of
the Church of England, and other ministers than those of
that Church."

Leave was then given for the introduction of a large num-
ber of Bills by the respective members connected with them,
amongst which Bills were the following :

Mr. J. Cowen: In committee of the whole House, to move,
that the chairman be directed to move the House, that leave
be given to bring in a Bill to provide for the election of
boards for granting licences for the sale of intoxicating
drinks

Mr. Dixon: Bill to amend "The Education Act, 1870," by
making obligatory in England and Wales the attendancâ of
children at school and the formation of school boards.

Mr. Macdonald : Bill to amend the law relating to the
liability of employers for injuries negligently caused to per-
sons in their employment.
Sir W. Lawson: In committee of the whole House, to
move. "That the chairman be directed to move the House,
that leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable owners and
occupiers of property in certain districts to prevent the
common sale of intoxicating liquors within such districts."

Mr. Burt: In committee of the whole House to move,
"That the chairman be directed to move the House, that
leave be given to bring in a Bill to extend the provisions of
the Employers and Workmen Act of last session to seamen
whilst they are in British waters."
Dr. Cameron: Bill to abolish the system of proclaiming
banns of marriage presently in force in Scotland, and to make
due provision for the due publication of such banns in Scot-
land.

Mr. W. Egerton : In committee of the whole House, to
move, that the ch.iirman be directed to move the House,
that leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide additional
facilities for the performance of Divine worship according to
the rites and ceremoniss of the Church of England.

Mr. Flelden : Bill for the abolition of lmirisonment for
debt.

R. Smyth : 13111 to prohibit the sale of intoxicating
liquors on Sunday in Ireland.

Mr. Chaplin : Bill relating to the preservation of wild
towL

Dr. Cameron: lircommittee of the whole House, moved,
"That the chairman be.-directed to move the House, that
leave be given to bring in. a .Bill to assimilate the law of
Scotland relating to the granting of licences to sell intoxica-
ting liquors to the law of England."—Agreed to.
Mr. W. 11 Smith moved for the appointment of a select
committee to assist Mr. Speaker in all matters which relate
to the printing executed by order of this House, and for
the purpose of selecting and arranging for printing, returnif
and papers presented in pursuance of motions made by
members of this House :—Mr. S. Walpole, Mr. Henley, Mr.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, The O'Conor Don, Mr Hunt,
Mr. Stansfeld, Mr. Sclater-Booth, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Massey,
Mr. Whitbread, and Mr. W. H. Smith; three to be the
quorum.—Agreed to.

Mr. Cross gave notice that on Thursday he would ask
leave to introduce a Bill to facilitate the improvement of
commons and to amend the Enclosure Acts. rz
The House adjourned at half-past one. yr:-

„anti =Anal, meat supply
as £98,0” 0,001, and -to that -at least 20 per cent.
m - t•btraddeddor.fulh and othec !animal food. Allud-
j
in tattle waste of meat in .this conntry, our defective
co king was not alone to blame. Hot weather caused
en rmous loss fron pntrefaction; andbe suggested that
th plan by which fresh meat Li how brought from
A erica might be ndopted in all large Markets, and even
in rivate butchers' establishments, to keep fresh meat
s et., English farms might now be regarded quite
as much meat-producing as corn producing establish-
m ts, and someidea of the borne production of meat
m
ht be gathered from the fact that nearly 2,600,000
h dof home-grown cattle, 17,000,000 of sheep, . and
3 ,000 pigs were annually slaughtered, the estimated
a ttal value being between £80,000,000 and
£90,000,000. Notwithstanding this large production
It I could be enormously increased were all impedi-
ments swept away. Emphatically repudiating
the suggestions which bad been recently thrown
out by eminent politicians, that the wish of
farmers to impose restrictions on the importa-
tion of foreign cattle arose from any desire
td reintroduce protection for themselves against the
foreign producer, he said that their object was eimply
to shut out the diseases which had proved so disastrous
to British flocks and herds. Insinuations that farmers
desired to hamper trade were libels; the present race
of agriculturists, having accepted the principle of free
trade as cheerfully as any other branch of the com-
munity, desired no protection or monopoly. Free im-
portation of meat, however, must not be confounded
with unchecked importation of disease. In 1874 our
importation of foreign cattle, sheep, and pigs amounted
to 1,068,167 animals, valued at £5,250,000, while in
1875 these figures rose to 1,313,689 animals, valued at
£7,330,420. Of dead meat, including bacon, hams,
&c., the importation amounted to 5,431,542 cwts.,
which, at 60s. per cwt., amounted to £10,491,626.
These large importations, however, formed but a
small proportion of our consumption, for the live ani-
mals were but 4 per cent, of those slaughtered, while
the imported dead meat reached 11 per cent, of the
home supply. Having spoken hopefully of the expe-
riment of bringing over fresh American meat, though
he patriotically questioned its being equal in quality
to our own, he insisted on the advantage of extending
the dead meat trade rather than that in live animals,
seeing that in addition to the risk of importing disease
it had been stated by Mr. Robinson before the parlia-
mentary committee of 1873 that a beast of 12 cwt. lost
on an average during a five days' voyage the enor-
mous weight of 2 cwt., though amply supplied with
food and water. Dealing next with cattle diseases,
he declared that the preponderance of scientific opinion
tended to prove that those scourges pleuro-pneumonia
and foot and mouth disease were of foreign origin;
and, approving generally the stamping out policy, he
urged, as a reason fer adopting every possible means
to keep them in check and prevent their becoming in-
.digenous, the enormous national loss we had .already
sustained. From the cause already referred to this
could not be accurately given, but, calculating on the
basis of one county where more care had been taken
than usual to obtain accurate returns, he estimated
that in the year when disease was most rife our loss
had been £20,000,000, or four times the value of our
Imports. Even foot-and-mouth was a frightful source
of loss from its effect in inducing abortion, barrenness,
and drying up milk, and there was no doubt that
accurate agricultural statistics would demonstrate that
our home loss of supply from disease far exeeeded
what we gained by importation, Touching on cattle
legislation from the time when they were prohibited
in the last century until the throwing open of the
ports in 1846. and our subsequent attempts to deal
with the maladies of animals used for food, he said the
great defect of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act
of 1864 and 1869 was that they put too much power in
the hands of the Privy Council department, and that
power had not been as wisely used as parliament had
a right to expect, the veterinary department of the
Privy Council being, in his opinion, the *cant body.
The provisions that he considered necessary and de-
sirable in the future were as follows :
First. That Orders in Council or enactments should be
imperative, and not permissive, and be applied throughout
the United Kingdom.
Secondly. Adequate inspection, by the appointment of a
sufficient number of itinerant inspectors, who should visit
fairs, markets, ports, to see that local authorities, railway
companies, wharlingers, and shipping agents attended to the
respective duties imposed upon them; a sufficient number
of veterinary surgeons also being appointed to inspect every
animal before being landed.
Thirdly. The universal appointment of local officers, either
farmers or veterinarians, armed with power to enter farms
and order the isolation of diseased animals, and those in
contact with them, and the necessary work of disinfection.'
which should be irremovable until certified to be free from
yo.ffiTcheers oowf itiheresotuotbbreeakreoqfudiriesdeasteo
iguivaenynaontiimeealtso,
sulcrlortchal
disease.
pol,'vief trhtloy.pOronhithbeit outbreak the
oovf
adlisoefaseantylie:winismpaelctwoirtshtoouhtaavne
order. .
Sixthly. On any. mangy being general it shoald be the
imperative duty of the Privy Council to orier the tempo-
rary stoppage of fairs and markets for store stock.
Seventhly. Any animal affected by plenro pneumonia to
be immediately. slaughtered, the -owner receiving three-
fOurths of the nett Ipss on the animal, the remainder of the
herd being immediately isolated for five An
weeks,dinocu-
,.
kited at the expense of the local authority.
Eighth. Cattle dealers to be required to take out a licence,
which should be revoked or suspended in the event of their
being guilty more than once of the violation of any Order in
Council. _
Ninth. No restriction on the import or export of cattle
from Ireland or the British islands so long as they were tree
from disease; but on any disease being reported, to exist,
such animals to be inspected before leaving. '
Tenth. All vessels used for the importation of animals to
be certified by the Board of Trade as possessing the necessary
convenience and ventilation, and regulations for efficient
cleansing and disinfecting such vessels to be issued and.
rigorously enforced.
Eleventh. All foreign animals to be landed at a specified
port, sent to a separate market, and branded or marked:
and finally, a proper quarantine to be established for store
cattle arriving from the unscheduled countries, where they
should be kept seven days. If any disease occurred in that
time, the whole to be slaughtered with the least possible
delay. Cattle from a country where disease exista to be kept
twenty-eight days in quarantine; any exhibiting disease to
be slaughtered and the rest inoculated. In all matters re-
lating to cattle Ireland should be recognised as an integral
part of the United Kingdom.
In conclusion, Mr. Howard contended that large as
was our present home production of meat, it might be
largely increased if tenant farmers had adequate
security for embarking in the soil the increased capital
required for the purpose. On these texts he made an
elaborate attack on the Agricultural Holdings Act,
which did not, he said, provide this security.
A. discussion followed, in which Mr. Mechi, Mr.
Nield, Mr. Croeskill, Mr. Mitchell, and other mem-
bers spoke, chiefly in commendation of the paper, and
Mr. C. S. Reed, M.P., who was warmly rec,ived on
rising, said that in the main he agreed with the
views of Mr. Howard, and he maintained that he cattle
disease was one imported and not engendered in this
"country.