The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-03-18 00:00:00

Tfi STOTTIIPBIDGE 013SF13NTEP.

)e made—how much more would they be likely
too canvass a proposition to give her an official
~itle as Ruler over a country with a poi-Mallon
estimated at two hundred millions, dotted with
splendid cities, intersected with railways, water-
ed by great rivers, and teeming with life and
industry. Shall the Queen of England—a title
around which are grouped the illustrious associa-
tions of a thousand years—be linked with a
style giving distincthe recognition to a barbaric
and subject race, while the loyal colonists of the
Dominion of Canada and of the great continent
of Austra'ia are not named? Will the assump-
ion of the dignity of Empress of India add
izrace and lustre to the jewels in the English
Crown ? The question is by no means a trivial
one, nor can anything affecting the honour of
the Crown be an unimportant consideration in a
country so attached to monarchial institutions
as our own.

Mr. Bright, who was in the House of Com-
mons at midnight on Thursday left the House
before the division took place this morning on
the Royal Titles Bill. Mr. Muntz and Mr.
Dixon voted against the bill. Not a single Con-
servative voted against the Government, hut ten
Liberals and seven Howe Rulers voted with the
Ministers, including the Marquis of Lorne. Col.
Carrington, Viscount Macduff, Sir Andrew Lusk,
Sir Robert Peel, Sir F. Perkins, Mr. Ripley, Mr.
Roebuck, the Marquis of Stafford, Mr. Yeaman,
and 9ir G Bowyer. Eighteen Home Rulers
voted .against the bill, as also did Mr. Gladstone,
and most of the uembers of his late administra-
tion. Lord Eleho voted with his party, though
his amendment implies disapproval of the bill.
The Government whip sent out on Thursday
was the strongest and most urgent that has yet
been issued this Session.

THE IRON TRADE.

WOLVERITAINITON, WEDNESDAY.

During the past week no alteration has taken
place in connection with the iron trades of the
district. The scarcity of orders experienced by
manufacturers has caused the mills and forges
to be but partially employed, whilst in some
instances works have been brought to a complete
standstill. On 'Change this afternoon there
was about the usual attendance, and the business
transacted was of a meagre description. It is
;enerally admitted by those well versed in
trade matters, that a great alteration will he
necessary in order to bring back trade to the
district. This, it is hoped,. will in a measure
be accelerated by the formation of the new
Wages Board in connection with the iron trades
of South Staffordshire. The first meeting of
the new Board, the proceedings being of pre-
liminary character, was held this afternoon in
Wolverhampton. The representatives of the
press were not admitted, and at present it is not
known whether the future meetings of the Board
will be open to the members of the press or not.
According to a report, kindly furnished by Mr.
D. Jones, the secretary, it seems that the whole
of the branches, of the iron trade are not
sufficiently represented upon the Board, and
yesterday the meeting was adjourned for a week
in order that the operatives might have an op-
portunity of rectifying the matter. Concerning
the prices of iron, no alteration has been nude,
the quotations, with but slight alterations, re-
maining much the same as those agreed upon
at the last quarterly meeting.