The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27 00:00:00

i4P,FABIAI;-.I.PARLIMENT.

in the rioUsu Leytee, Joy 22, Lord Gre2o,ville Adverted
to the or/prem.,' ye state of the atmosp
ds Tir.ursday last during tl2,i, lleca in the House of
r
great debate on the
Easteee Qui,stion ; and he &keit the Lord Chancellor to use
his beduer
Wozins te .ce with his oolleaeues to induce the Board of
, improve the ventilation of the theme.
The 7ord Chancellor sympathized With Lord Granville to
25rte1r1 degree in the blame he had thrown on the ventila-
nea /of the House, and would endeavour to ascertain through
lue medium of the Board of Works whether any improve-
-1120 lit could be made in the ventilation of the House.
Lord Napier and Ettrick, in calling attention to ttiz de.
'lpatch from the Secretary for India to the Governer General,
on the 10th of January last, with respect to the recent
famine in Western and Southern India, and asked for an
estimate of the persons who had perished in the Presidency
Of Madras and the State of Myeere. He thought the
Government were bound to give this information, regard
being had to their own declaration that no man, woman, or
child. should die of starvation, and to the statements that
the mortality had been so dreadful that the fields were
atrewn with human bones.
Lord Crinbrook deeded that there had been any desire to'
tonceal facts, and appeeled to the House whether, as it was
impossible to give kill details, it was desirable to give such
:as were.unrelieble. True, there had been a failure in the
arrangements in Mysore during the early period of the famine,.
and this had been recognised and commented upon by the
Secretary for India. Papers on the subject would, however,
be 'Produced; but he warned their Lordships that they would
&Umiak nothing like an accurate account of what had hap-
Dened. There had been Investigations; but a number of cir-
cumstances had prevented any:really conclusive result being
arrived at, and it the efforts made had not been adequate to
meet the full stress of the famine, the greatness of that
otress must be considered. The difficulty of giving relief
would be understood when it was remembered that, at the
'drat pinch of famine, great numbers of people left their vil-
'Aeries in despair, wandered about the country and disappeared
Irons the paternal care of the Government, which would
otherwise have provided relief for them. At the best he could
only say that the famine had been a terrible one, though
ha rejoiced to know from returns received that day that
there was greater hope for the districts of Madras, Mysore,
and Bombay than there had been at any part of the year,
that the numbers requiring relief were diminishing day by
day, and that if prices went down, as he believed they
would when the harvest was more assured, the Governors
of the different provinces might expect relief from the pres-
ellre they had so long laboured under. .
. The subject then dropped.
On the motion a Lord Morley, the Freshwater Fisk Pro-
, neetion Bill was read a second time. Its object is to establish
,a close time for taking and selling trout and white fish;
the latter to be from the 15th March to the 15th of June. '
The Weights and Measures Bill was also read a second
time, suadthe Roads and Bridges' (Scotland) Bill was passed
through Committee.
Their lordships thee adjourned.
sia the Heviiß or Commosti, Dr. Yenealy gave notice that
'he edit move; as an amendment to Lord Hartington's Reso-
Sutton, that "this House is satisfied with the policy of Her
Majesty's; Plenipotentiaries at Berlin, and now feels called
Ripon to condemn the agitation which encouraged Russia to
:attack the Ottoman Porte, thereby seriously interfering with
the balance of power in Europe and the peace and commerce
' of the world." This notice was received with ironical cheers
from the Liberal benches, but the Ministerialists warmly
cheered a n °Lice given by Mr. D. Plunket that he would move as
an amendment an Address to the Crown thanking her Majesty
for communicating the Berlin Treaty, the protocols, and the
Anglo-Turkish Convention, assuring her Majesty that the
House has learned with deep satisfaction the termination by
the coneluslon of a Treaty with the Great Powers of Europe
Of the war which has of late unhappily prevailed, and ex-
Dreesivig a confident hope that the arrangements now made
stud ivAnctioned by her Majesty's Government will lead to the
Preebrvation of peace, the amelioration of the condition of
112Y;e populations, and the maintenance of the interests of
thia Empire.
Answering a question from Mr. Pnleston as to the disposal
'of the surplus revenue or tribute of Cyprus, the Chancellor
.ef the Exchequer said that the amount of it had not yet been
aseertatned, but whether it would be paid over or treated
as a matter of account between the two Governments was
riot yet settled.
In answer to Mr. E. Jenkins, Colonel Stanley said that the
Ihedian troops stationed there would be on the same footing
as while they were at Malta, and they would not be added
to the permanent strength of the British Army, nor would
the Indian Army be recruited to fill up their places. In
.answer to Sir. Stunts, the Attorney-General said the British
troops at Cyprus would be under the Mutiny Act, which ex-
tended to all Her Majesty's troops everywhere, with the
exception of the Indian Army, which had a Mutiny Act of
its own. Cyprus he added, was not a Crown Colony, upon
which Sir W. Harcourt gave notice that he would ask under
What law the Administrator is to govern the civil and immi-
grant population.
In answer to Sir G. Campbell, who asked what guarantees
would be given for the good government of the Christian
provinces of Turkey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer pointed
out that by the 18th article of the Berlin Treaty an Euro-
Dean Commission was to be appointed, on the decisions of
whlreh the nrovisions for the organization of Eastern Rou-
Melia would depend.
• In answer to Lord It. Montagu, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer said the Government was not prepared to give
an opinion how far the present position of the Russian
troops before Constantinople might be a violation of the
Treaty of San Stefano, but it would be seen from the pro-
tocols that the evacuation of that position was one of the
drat questions brought before the Congress.
In answer to Mr. Otway, the Chancellor of the Exchequer
*aid the Government had not yet formed any opinion on the
question of International Law whether the stipulations of
he Treaty of San Stefano would be binding were not
Modified by the Treaty of Berlin.
In answer to a question from Mr. Rathbone, Colonel
Stanley stated that a War Office circular for the disembodi-
Ment of the First Class Army Militia Reserve had been issued
on Saturday, and under it each man would receive a free
Passage for himself and family, plain clothes, or £1 in lieu of
them, and the balance of the quarter's pay in advance.
Int/hewer to Mr. Serjeant Spinks, Mr. Bourke said tha
!iesntiations for a Commercial Treaty had been commenced
wiA Bulgaria, but had made no progress owing to the
ibaence of the Bulgarian Minister at Berlin.
The souse then resumed committee on the Contagious
miseases (Animals) Act, and made considerable progress.
Taking the Bill up on clause 30 progress was not reported
till claim) 68 had been reached, On clause 65, Sir Charles,
billets moved to report progress. On a division this was
defeated by 166 votes against 16. Upon this Mr. Cham-
berlain moved that the Chairman leave the chair,
A motion which was met by a vehement protest from
Ur. Butt. Mr. Murphy, intervening, suggested pro-
eeeding with the next two clauses, to which there were no
amendments, . and Sir Charles Dilke coinciding in the pro-
Pe?sal, Mr. Chainberlain was induced to withdraw his motion,
lind the Committee accordingly reported progress upon
elates& 86.
The remaining orders being disposed Of, the House
"towered at 'twenty minutes to two o'clock.

In the BIOI7SE OF ' LORDS, July 23, Lord Beaconsfield cora-
raunicated to the House that he had the following Message
from the Crown, under Her Majesty's Sign Manual.
The v.oble earl having handed the Message to Sir W. Rase, ,
the Cnirk of the Parliaments, Sir William carried it to the
• Lord Chancellor.
• _Trie Lord Chancellor then read the Royal Message, which
wws in the following terms
"VICTORIA REGINA. ' • '
"Her Majesty having agreed to a marriage proposed
between His Royal Highness Arthur William Patrick,
Albert, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, Earl of Sussex,
Duke of Saxony, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha,
, And Her Royal Highness Princess Louise Margaret
• Alexandra Victoria Agnes of Prussia, third daughter
of his Royal Highness Prince Friederich Carl Nikolaus
• sf Prussia, has thought fit to communicate it to the
Efouse of Lords. The numerous proofs which the Queen
_has received from the House of Lords of their loyalty to the
-• throne and of their attachment to her person and family
.' leave Her Majesty no doubt of their readiness to concur in
' enabling Her Majesty to make a further provision for his
tont Highness. "V. REGINA."
The-Earl of Beaconsfield: My lords, I shall move that this
graoions Message be taken into consideration on Thursday.
The Epping Forest Bill passed through Committee, and the
.k• unndments to the Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Bill were
reizeived and agreed to.
. Lord Fortescue moved for certain returns respecting En-
towed Schools, and asked the Government to consider the
*SPediency of establishing a system of local provincial
Boards to assist the central authority in providing schools
' for the educational wants of the ceuntity.
,- The Bishop of Exeter expressed his concurrence in Lord
l'ortescue's suggestion, for he thought that while great good
. had been done by the Endowed Schools Commission, the
, efforts had been much marred by the want of efficient
blachinery.
- The Duke of Richmond and Gordon did not oppose the
tnotien for the returns, but he was convinced that the work
' done by the Charity Commissioners was accomplished in
. the most satisfactory manner. Ile suggested a slight altera-
tion in the motion, which, with the proposed alteration,
: VMS agreed to.
' Lord Camperdown put some questions to the Government
; respecting the finances of the island of Cyprus, and ex-
... Dressed an opinion that this country would, under the agree-
, rnent to assume the government of that island, he taking on
'h• erself the responsibility of a large expenditure.
~ Lord Salisbury said that the object of the agreement with
6ne•Porte wee that in case there should be a surplus of
revenue in Cyprus, that surplus should go to the Porte. At
• Present there were no details on the subject which the
' uovernment could lay on the table.
' Lord Granville complained that throughout the proceed-
rill the Government had adopted a system of secrecy, and
. 2,e really doubted whether they had any detailed informa-
' m• 01l respecting Cyprus previous to the cession of the island.
Lord Hammond wished to know whether Lord Salisbury
bad taken any pains to ascertain the actual expense of the
' 4.llrkish administration of Cyprus, and he asked how this
' 'country was to maintain the cost of the naval and military
,i., tstahlishments there.
. • ~. Lord Beaconsfield stated, in reply to the charge, that the
0 .uovernment had maintained a system of secrecy in respect
to • the occupation of Cyprus, that the fact was that the
negotiation was a secret transaction, and therefore could not
be divulged; .but whenever the question came on for dis-
t. Clission, he should be prepared to give valid reasons for that
t Secrecy.
_Lord Cardwell commented on the fact that no assurance
- „_and been given of the cc tuition of the system of slavery in
1 'TM', and after some remarks from the Lord Chancellor
- And other peers, the subject dropped.
In reply to Lord Aberdeen, Lord Salisbury stated that
...143ociations were going on respecting some of the provisions
Me Chefoo Convention concerning opium.
. Their Lordships then adjourned. .
- In the HOUSE OF Commons, a Royal Message, in similar
terms to that sent to the Lords, was communicated by the
' ..._chancellor of the Exchequer, and received with some cheer-
whiCh was renewed when Sir Stafford Northcote gave
~
: , ' ?once that on Thursday next he will move that the House
• '‘,... 'resolve itself into committee to take her Majesty's gracious
. tatement into consideration.
l'. In. answer to Mr. Goschen, Mr. Bourke said it was not
t, htended Ito lay any further papers on the Table relating
. : to the • Anglo. Turkish Convention: and the Chancellor of
h 'on Exchequer, in reply to a further question, said that, be-
sides the covering despatch of Sir A. Layard, there was no
.lesPatch which could at present be laid on the Table.
" '1.2. • Goschen thereupon gave notice that be will ask
`. whether any further despatch will be laid on the Table after
*fi,
_e Debate on Lord Hartington's Resolutions; and Mr.
..
‘ladatone added that he will ask whether the agreement
.‘" between Count Schouvaloff and Lord Salisbury, which he
t ' tfeilUmed had been omitted by accident, would be laid
ore Parliament,
tu answer to a question from Sir William Harcourt, the
t • Attorney-Geneial said that, under the iforeigu Jurisdiction
• 144 t, any power or jurisdiction which the Queen possessed
.. by Treaty out of her dominions would be exercised in
ample a manner as if she had ac.quired it by cession
6r,conquest. In a ceded or conquered country which
"nut laws of ita own thoae laws would remain until
• *,
4.1t4re4, unless they appeared to be contrary to natural
British subjects in Cyprus would have justice
. "nlVinistered to them according to their own, laws,
And the natives of Cyprus passing into other parts of the
' Iterninions of the Sultan would be treated as Turkish sub-
.l
~._,`cts. While the Government of Cyprus continued to be ad-
u "oiatered by Her Majesty, she would have the right to
1 a . 111e_41,4 such laws and ordinances as seemed necessary, but
i
,!,
~rutw othero ulerd"linnaofiteebesttyhoannamcacoes part of
gaol
island
, onild theer
occupied
terms Majesty's oaf ilt
possessions
oe
saCsdeomsns iv
noe
inn:-
' -.Yr. Gladstone drew attention to the Indian Vernacular
`ress Au, and moved an address praying her Majesty
PaniOusly to give directions that all proceedings which might
:nn taken by the authorities under the said Act be reported
aths lieeretary ef State, and laid before Parliament from
,7•, •to time. Mr. O'Donnell proposed an amendment, and
, ..Lnettate followed, resulting in the rejection of the motion
IIW II majority of 56.
'An the Motion. a Mr. laellor, the House resolved to
ilanit on dijageieing ti
Law Act Amenytqwffilsi,tifeNtitatd
-time
~,Nrne other business was disposed of, and the House
witratued at five minutee to two o'clock.

I

ne Hottsti Or COMMONS, July 24, on the motion of Mr.
Ifetkett Denison, it was agreed that the Tripartite Treaty
between Great Britain, Austria, and France, guaranteeing
the independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire, signed
at Paris on 15th April, 1866, be reprinted as a parliamentary
paper. The hon. member said he wished to move also for
any correspondence which took place before or after the con-
clusion of that treaty ; but he was informed that, by the rules
of the Hone, he must bring forward an amended motion for
that purpose.

Mr. Goschen stated that at the request of the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, hb would postpone lus request for fuller in-
formwion on the subject of the Anglo-Turkish Convention
rail Thursday

The House again went into committee on the Contagious
Diseases (Animal.) Bill, and after F eve ral clauses had been
discussed, amended, and agreed to, the Committee pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the postponed clauses, and on
reaching clauze 33 progress was reported, and the House
resumed.

On the report of amendments to the Highways hill, Mr
Paget moved the insertion of a new clause providing that
highway rating should not come into operation in any
county unless the county authority should so direct.
Mr. Sclater-hooth opposed the amendment, which was
negatived.

After several other amendments had been discussed, and
some verbal ones agreed to, the further consideration of the
report was postponed.
The other business was then disposed of, and the House
adjourned.