The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-01-26 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HOTSII Or LORDS, January 21, Lord Ripon called
attention to the Report of the Select Committee of last
Sossioa on Conservancy Boards, and observed that the issue
was so important that he felt that he had no reason to
apologise for bringing the subject under consideration. He
referred to the evils in different parts of the country occa-
sioned by the prevalence of floods, which he attributed in a
great measure to the improvement in subsoil draining and
conceiving that urgent measures ought to be adopted to
check the evils produced by the floods, he asked the Duke
of Richmond whether it was the intention of the Govern-
ment to introduce in the present Session a Bill founded on
the recommendations contained in the Report.

Lord Huntley made some observations on the subject of
rating for the purpose of defraying the expense ot drainage
works, and suggested that Commissioners should be ap-
poiuted by the Government to inquire into the different
cases.

After some observations from Lord Longford and Lord
Sandwich,
The Duke of Riohmond and Gordon admitted that the
question was one of considerable importance and magni-
tude, and al the subject-matter of the Report was under
consideration, he expressed a hope that the Government
would be able to deal at least with part of the subject before
the end of the Session.

After further remarks from some other Peers, the subject
dropped.

The Select ComMittee on Intemperance was nominated,
and their Lordships adjourned.
In the HousE OF Commoss, in answer to Mr. W. E.
Forster, Mr. Lowther confirmed the intelligence from the
Cape printed in the newspapers, and stated that the Govern-
ment had decided to send out another regiment.

The bringing up of the report of the Address in answer to
the Speech from the Throne gave rise to a short conversa-
tion, commenced by Mr. Bentinck, who dissented from the
doctrine laid down by Mr. Gladstone on Thuraday night
that Russia is justified in extending the limits of the terms
on wh•ch she insisted before the war began, and expressed a
conviction that if Russia should push her claims to-such a
point as to endanger the pe,tce of Europe, lier Majesty's
Government would be supported by the vast majority of the
House and the country in maintaining the rights and honour
of the Empire.
Sir G. Bowyer, however, while not taking the same view
as Mr. Bentinck of Russia's right as a belligerent to increase
her terms, was of opinion that if the Czar used his victory
with moderation we might anticipate a peaceful and
durable solution of the Eastern Question.

Mr. W. Cartwright and Mr. W. E. Forster joined in re-
gretting the determination of the Government not to pro-
duce any papers at present explaining the attitude of
Greece; and Mr. Dillwyn asked whether there was any
truth in the report that Her Majestyhas written to the
Czar.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied that this was a
question which ought not to be put without notice, and he
was generally cheered in deprecating discussion at a
moment when the Government must necessarily maintain
a strict reserve. At present they were unaware what the
Russian terms were, though he was able to say that the
statement of them in that morning's papeis was not correct.
After this the Report was agreed to without further com-
ment, and the Address was ordered to be presented in the
usual way.

The first Order of the Day was the Union Justices
(Ireland) Bill, the object of which is to allow Justices of the
Peace to be elected by Unions in Ireland. The second
reading was moved by Mr. O'Sullivan, and Mr. W. John-
ston moved its rejection in the unusual form that it be
read a second time that day seven months. A preliminary
objection was taken to considering the Bill on the ground
that the Bill had not been printed, and a motion was made
to adjourn it, but this having been defeated by 223 to 62,
the Debate proceeded, and in the end the Second Reading
was negatived by 138 to 38.

_ _
A debate followed on the Bill prohibiting the sale of in-
toxicating liquors on Sunday in Ireland, the second reading
of which was proposed by The O'Conor Don, and agreed to.

On the motion- of Sir H. D. Wolff the House Occupiers'
Disqualification Removal Bill was also read a second time.
Sir C. Adderley brought in a Bill to amend the law relat-
ing to Merchant Seamen, the chief points of which are to
include seamen within the scope of the Employers and Work-
men Act as long as they remain on shore, and to consolidate
and strengthen in some respects the Discipline

-
Bills were also brought in by Mr. llerschell to abolish the
action for Breach of Promise of Marriage and by Air.
Hutchinson to amend the Law of Libel: and the House
adjourned at five minutes to 12 o'clock.

In the Houss OF LORDS, Jan. 22, Earl Beauchamp brought
up her Majesty's reply to the Address in answer to the
Queen's Speech. The Royal Message was as follows :—" I
have received with much satisfaction your loyal and dutiful
address. Your assurance that the measures which will be
submitted to you will receive your earnest consideration
affords me sincere gratification, and you may rely with con-
fidence upon my cordial co-operation in every effort to im-
prove the welfare and security of my people."
In reply to a question of Earl Fortescue, the Duke of
Richmond and Gordon said a plan had been prepared and
was in possession of the Office of Works by which the block
at Hyde-park-corner could be removed, but it would cost
so much to carry it out that at present the Government
were not prepared to recommend Parliament to adopt it.
The Earl of Derby was among the few peers present during
the brief sitting of their Lordships.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS several notices of motion were
given.

Sir G. Douglas asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether he was prepared to propose any means by which
the public might be protected from a recurrence of the in-
juries to person and property to which they had been so
much exposed in consequence of the great increase in the
number of useless dogs throughout the country.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer : The hon member will
understand that I have nothing to do with the protection of
the public in this matter bej oud seeing that the Dog Tax is
properly enforced. I have no doubt from information I
have received that the Dog Tax is not so strictly collected
as it should be. I am in communication with the Board of
Inland Revenue on the subject, with the view of better mea-
sures being adopted for that purpose, which I hope will
prove effective.
In answer to a question from Mr. O'Reilley, Lord G.
Hamilton said he had nothing to add to the explanations
which he gave last Session as to the occupation of Quettah.
Mr. Childers begged to ask the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, with reference to the despatch front Lord Derby
to Mr. Layard of the 25th of Deekmber, 1877 (No 7 of
Papers, Turkey, No. 2, 1878), instructing him to bear in
mind a communication made by him to the Sultan in July,
1877, whether there would be any objection to lay upon the
table papers on that subject ; and whether, when or soon
before Iter Majesty's Government thus " sounded " the
Porte in July, 1877, as to "possible terms of peace," and
preimised that their good offices should be exerted to secures
lor Turkey the most favourable terms possible, any com-
munication had passed between Her Majesty's Govern-
ment and the neutral Powers or Russia as to the possible
terms of peace on the side of Russia; and, if so, whether
the views of the Powers and of Russia at that period would
be communicated to Parliament.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer: With reference to the
first question of the right hon. gentleman I have to state
that the substance, and, indeed, the entire effect of the
communication to Mr. Lay ard on the 28th of July is given in
the despatch which he has quoted. With respect to his
second question I have to state that certain communications
did pass at the time indicated between Her Majesty's Go-
vernment and other Powers, but they were of a confidential
character, and, therefore, it is not possible to lay them
before Parliament. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Childers: Was Russia one of the other Powers?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer: Yes. I may take this
opportunity of referring to a matter to which 1 desire to
call the attention of the House. The hon. member for
Swansea put a question to me on Monday, of which he
had not given notice previously, with regard to a statement
which appeared in the newspapers with reference to
a communication said to have been made by Her Majesty to
the Emperor of Russia. I was not then prepared to answer
such a question put without notice, but I will now state to
the House exactly what occurred. It was thus :—Her
Majesty, having received from the Sultan a direct personal
appeal, sent by the advice of her Ministers the following
telegram to the Emperor of Russia :
"I have received a airect appeal from the Sultan, which I
cannot leave without an answer. Knowing that you are sin-
cerely desirous of peace, I do not hesitate to communicate this
fact to you in the hope that you may accelerate the
negotiations for the conclusion of fen armistice which may
lead to an honourable peace."

The reading of this letter was received with cheering
from both sides, which was renewed when the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, in answer to Mr. Dillwyn, who
wished for information as to the answer which had been re-
turned to this communication, replied that though the
Ministry thought it right to lay betore Parliament the
Queen's letter written on their advice, they did not think
themselves under the same obligation with regard to com-
munications which were strictly personal.

- Replying to Mr. Hanbury, Mr. - Bourke said there was no
authentic information at the Foreign Office that a strong
Russian force was advancing on Gallipoli, but they had a
report that the Russians were advancing in that direction,
though his present information did not enable him to assert
that the report was well founded.

Lord G. Hamilton moved for a Select Committee to in-
quire into and report as to the expediency of constructing
public works in India with money raised on loan. After an
interesting retrospect of the system and principles on
which public works have been constructed since the com-
mencement of Lord Dalhousie's Viceroyalty, he referred to
the pressure recently brought on the Government to con-
struct schemes of irrigation at the public cost, and showed
the speculative character of the calculations on which
they were based by the examples of the Godavery, the
Madras, and the Orissa irrigation. On the whole he regarded
the agitation as barely honest while these facts were sup-
pressed, and he much regretted the countenance which had
been given to it by Mr. Bright. But in order to put an end
to this interminable controversy the Government desired
that it should be referred to a Select Committee, before
which the advocates of these schemes could state their
views. With regard to the amendment of which Mr.
Fawoett had given notioe, to include within the scope of
the Committee a general inquiry into the best means of pre-
venting famines, eze., the Government would oppose it,
because it would prevent any Report being agreed to this
Session.

Mr. Fawcett, regarding the order of reference as too
vague, moved as an amendment that the Committee inquire
into the best means of preventing the recurrence or mitiga-
ting the intensity of famines in India, and also whether by
greater economy, especially with regard to military and
other charges under the control of the home autho:ities,
fund for the relief of famines may not be provided without
subjecting the people of India to such burdensome taxation,
as will be imposed on them by the contemplated increase in
the Salt Duty
Mr. Bright objected to both motion and amendment, be-
lieving that there was little use in either. Why, he asked,
not live a Committee for the special purpose of ascertain-
ing from the best evidence how it was that, after a hundred
years' possession of India, we had got no further than to
find ourselves paralysed by a drought, when we knew
that there was plenty of water in the country, except
at a particular season and in particular districts. The
right hon. gentleman also commented on the meddling and
mismanagement of the Indian Government, and reiterated
his well-known views in favour of irrigation works, as the
one effectual means of providing against the recurrence of
famines.

After some observations from Sir G. Campbell, Mr. 0..
Duff, and Sir G. Balfour, Lord G. Hamilton intimated his
willingness to amend his motion by extending the inquiry
both to "financial results" and to " the prevention of
famine ;" and Mr. Fawcett assenting, the motion so altered
was agreed to.

The Parliamentary sections (retropolls) and the Parlia-
mentary Franchise (Ireland) Bill weie read a second time ;
and the House adjourned at five minutes to eight o'clock.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Jan. 23, on the motion of Sir
W. 11. Dyke anew writ was ordered for the county of Perth,
In the room of the late Sir W. Stirling-Maxwell.
Mr. Harrison moved the second reading of the Public
Parks (Scotland) Bill, to enable public bodies in the country
to acquire lands for the purposes of public parks.

Mr. Biggar said he opposed the Bill last year, but would
not object to its going into Committee this year, when he
hoped it would be amended.

The Lord Advocate said the principle of the Bill was ft
very useful one, but some of its provisions might be im-
proved in Committee. The Bill was read a second time.

Sir G. Balfour moved the second reading of the Hypothec
(Scotland) (No. 2) Bill ; but Mr. Lowther objected that only
that morning this Bill had been substituted for the one of
which notice had been given.
The Speaker intimated that this objection was fatal.
Sir C. Balfour thereupon moved the second reading of the
Hypothec Bill, No. 1.
The Speaker said that could not be done, but the hon.
baronet might move that the order should be discharged,
and ask leave to introduce another Bill.

The motion was made accordingly, and the order was dis-
charged.

Toe House went into Committee upon the Sale of Intoxi

eating Liquors on Sunday (Ireland) BM, Sir X. Selwin.
Ibbetson iu the chair; the preamble was postponed, pre-
grass was reported. and the lions* resumed.

The House went into Committee on the Parliamentary
Ilectious (Metropolis) Bill, on the motion of Sir C. Duke;
the Bill passed through Committee, and the House resumed.
This concluded the orders of the day, and the House ad-
journed at ten minutes before one o'clock.