The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-08-25 00:00:00

THE SUEZ CANAL.

In reply to Sir S. Northcote, Mr. Gladstone said there
were no negotiations in progress with M. de Lesseps or the
Suez Canal Company respecting the improvement of the
transit by the canal, or the formation of a second canal; and
the Government had no desire for a very early resumption
of the negotiations. They hoped that the representatives
of the trading interests of this and other countries would
communicate their views to the authorities of the Canal
Company.
THE PIGEON SHOOTING BILL

Mr. Anderson gave notice that it was his intention nest
session to reintroduce his Bill for the Amendment of the
Cruelty to Animals Acts.

SUPPLY.
On the order for considering the Report of the Committee
of Supply, sir J. Hay called attention to the evidence given
before the Joint Committee on the Channel Tunnel by Lord
Wolseley and Admiral Rice, concerning the defenceless state
of the country, more especially as regarded the insufficiency
of ironclads and guns.
The discussion was continued by Sir E. J. Reed, Sir G.
Balfour, Sir 11. Holland, and the Secretary to the Admiralty.
A division was taken against the Report, but was defeated
by 99 to 12.

A Motion of Mr. Healy to reduce the expenses of the Chief
Secretary's office by the amount of the Chief Secretary's
salary was rejected by 97 to 12.
A Motion to reduce the Vote for the Local Government
Board of Ireland by ZOO, the salary of the inspector of the
Donegal Workhouse, was negatived by 75 to 13.
- - - -

On the resolution relating to the vote for martial law Mr.
Maxwell-Heron called attention to the finding of the court-
martial in the case of his brother, the commander of the
Clyde, and urged that the court in condtmning him had
been guilty of an error of judgment. Reviewing the evi-
dence given before the court, he contended that it was both
untrustworthy and uncorroborated, and appealed to the
justice and clemency of the Government to grant a recon-
sideration of the case.
Sir John Bay and Colonel Alesanderilhaving warmly joined
In this appeal, Mr. Campbell-Bannerman declined to regard
the [louse as a court of review, and defended the course
taken in, the Admiralty in the matter.
The report of Supply was completed, and the Appropria-
tion Bill was read a first time.
The House adjourned at a quarter to three o'clock.

In the HOuSE OF LORDS, Aug. 21, the Corrupt Practices
(Suspension of Elections) Bill was read a second time.
The second reading of the Parliamentary Registration
(Ireland) Bill was moved by Lord Carlingford.
Lord Kilmorey protested against the growing practice of
sending important Bills to that House at the end of the
Session.
Lord Granville pointed out that in the other House no ob-
jection had been urged against either the principle or the
details of the measure.
Lord Salisbury remarked that the grounds for rejecting
the Bill Is ere strong.
A division was taken resulting in the rejection of the Bill
by 62 to 32.
Lord Dalhousie having moved the second reading of the
Local Government (Scotland) Bill a discussion ensued.
Lord Salisbury had no prejudice against the principles of
the Bill, but contended that it was neither for the interests
of the country nor respectful to Scotlar d that such a measure
should be passed in this hurried manner.
Their lordships divided, and threw out the Bill by 46
to 31.
The Tramways and Public Companies (Ireland) Bill, and
the Public Works Loans Bill were read a second time; the
Labourers (Ireland) Bill passed through committee; and
the Patents for Inventions Bill and several other measures
were read a third time and passed.
At a few minutes to eight their lordships adjourned dur-
ing pleasure to await the return of the Agricultural Bills
from the Commons.

In the HCIISE OP COMMONS a new writ was ordered for the
election of a member for Rutland in the room of the Right
Hon. G. Noel, resigned.
Mr. Gladstone, answering questions from Sir G. Campbell
and Sir M. Ricks-Beach, stated that the Government had
abandoned all hope of passing the Criminal Appeal Bill, and
the Bill was therefore withdrawn.
In reply to Sir M. Ricks-Beach, Mr. Ashley said the
Government had received official information that Cetewayo
Is located in the Reserve Territory; and Mr. Gladstone
stated that instructions had ben or would be immediately
sent out to prevent his making use of the Reserve Territory
as a basis of military operations.

THE RESULTS OF THE SESSION.
On the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill,
Sir S. Northcote took the opportunity of making some
remarks on the legislation of the session and the general
position of the country. Reminding the House that it had
sat in 17 out of the last 19 months, and that during the last
few months the sittings had been very prolonged, he pointed
out that notwithstanding the assistance of the New Rules the
legislatives results had been very limited,for out of 11 measures
mentioned in the Queen's Speech Shad been abandoned. This
result he attributed in a great measure to the want of proper
management of business and economy of time, and to the
sudden introduction of uncalled•for measures like the Affir-
mation Bill, the scotch ',peal Government Bill, and the
Irish Registration ThU. in regard to the foreign and
colonial IA itions of the country, Parliament, he said, was
separating under circumstances of considerable anxiety.
The House did not know what the real intentions of
the Government were in regard to Egypt or the Suez
Canal, and in South Africa and India there was a
group of questions which must excite great uneasiness.
The reticence of the Government as to events In Mada-
gascar created an impression that there was something
wrong behind, and it was quite impossible to accept Mr
Glatistones contention that information could not be given
until the papers were published, In Afghanistan it was evi.
dent that the policy of abstentation was being abandoned,
and that we were now making ourselves masters of the
foreign policy of the country. With regard to India, he
said that, though favourable to the introduction of natives
into tne public employment, he held that the feelings of the
Europeans in India must be considered, and overhaste would
retard the aim all had in view.
Mr. Gladstone explained that there were thirteen measures
propounded in the Speech from the Throne, and that five of
the number had been passed during the Session, and he
maintained that, with the exception of the London Go-
vernment Bill, which it was impossible for Ministers
to undertake, those five measures were of a more
weighty and important character than those which
had not been passed. Replying next to the criticisms
of Sir Stafford on the Foreign and Colonial .policy of
the Government, he reiterated his formerly expressed views
relating to Egypt and the Suez Canal. As to Afghanistan,
the Government had found it broken to pieces. They had
done something towards its restoration, and the state of
that country would in future depend on the power and
capacity of its own people, and not on any foreign tyranny.
In reference to Madagascar he said now, as he
said at first, that though there were matters which
ought to be frankly and calmly discussed between the two
Governments, nothing had occurred. so far as his ludgment
went, to disturb the mines of many—and he thanked God
they were many—of those who set a high value on the
alliance hetween France and England. At the same time he
protested against the manner in which questions had been
addressed to Ministeis in the House as constituting a serious
danger.
The Debate was protracted until ten minutes to eleven
o'clock, when the second reading was agreed to without
division.