The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-05 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HousE or LOEDS, Feb. 28, the Protection of Persons
and Property (Ireland) Bill was brought up from the
Commons and read a tlrst time.
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Lord Kimberley, replying to Lords Cadogan ancl
brook, said said that all the information received by the
Colonial Office with reference to the lamentable event in
the Transvaal had been communicated to the public Press.
He said be feared there could be no doubt of the death of
Sir G. Colley, and he paid a feeling tribute to Sir George as
a most able and energetic officer.
The Bankruptcy Law Amendment Bill, introduced by
Earl Cairns, was read a second time, the Lord Chancellor
promising a more complete Government measure on the
same subject.
Lord Spencer, replying to the Duke of Somerset, said that
some of the lectures formerly delivered at the School of
Mines i Jermyn-street were now given in South Kensington
in azcordance with the recommendation of the Duke of
Devonshire's Commission, and because of the want of accom-
modation for them in Jermyn-street ; but there was no in-
tention of giving up the lectures for working men.
Their Lordships adjourned at twenty-five minutes to six
o'clock.
In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, the Speaker informed the
House that the condition of "urgency" had come to an
end.
Mr. O'Shea asked the Secretary of State for War whether
98 women and 222 children, the wives and families of
the men of the,lsth Hussars, 2nd Battalion 60th, 83rd and
92nd Regiments, now serving in South Africa, arrived
from India in the Jtemna on the 22nd inst., and were in great
destitution, the majority having no home, and at present
subsisting on alms chiefly subscribed by officers in the
Army, themselves a poorly-paid class of public servants ;
and whether Her Majesty's Government had any intention
of organizing a system outside the Poor Law for the relief
of distress in the families of soldiers in active service, in
'view of the fact that the wives of the latter are, by the
circumstance of the case, deprived when the troops are
despatched to the seat of war from India of the advantages
of their husband's hire pay and the allowances for children
In that country, and when the troops are despatched from
Great Britain and Ireland of their only way of earning
wages—namely, as laundresses to the officers and men of
ftheir husbands' regiments.
Mr. Childers said : In reply to my hon. and gallant friend,
I have to state that immediately on the arrival of the
Jumna orders were given for sending to their homes the
wives and families of the soldiers who have gone to South
Africa, but that those who did not wish to go to their
homes should be accommodated in their depot barracks at
Shorncliffe, Aberdeen, and Winchester. The families of
the 83rd, whose depot is at Belfast, were allowed to remain
in barracks at Portsmouth. They were granted fuel,
lights, and the usual separation allowances, but in con-
sideration of the sudden separation from their husbands,
who had no time to make arrangements for remittances, and
in anticipation of them, I ordered that special advances
should be maw; to all these fabillies, so that every non-com-
missioned officer's wife will receive 9d. a day, every private's
7d.., and 4d. for each child, from the date of their landing.
In answer to the second question I_ gen only now say that I
will give my best attention to the question, which is by no
Means an easy one. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Childers, answering questions from Colonel Stanley
and Sir M. Hicks-Beach, said that no further news had been
received from the Transvaal since the telegrams which had
been sent to the newspapers in the morning. Sir E.
Wood, he said, had succeeded to Sir Cl. Colley as Com-
mander-in-Chief, and Governor of Natal, and, he thought,
as High-Commissioner in South-East Africa, but he asked to
defer until Tuesday stating the nature of the initiatory
Measures he had been engaged all day in taking for certain
other arrangements.
In answer to questions from Mr. Bourke and Sir H. Wolff,
War C. Dilke gave detailed information of the steps taken to
krecure the carrying out of the unfulfilled portions of the
Treaty of Berlin.
Lord Hertington said Mr. Gladstone was most anxious to
introduce the Irish Land Bill at the earliest possible
moment, as it was from that measure, rather than from
any repressive legislation, that a permanent improve-
tient in the condition of Ireland was to be expected.
It would not, however, conduce to calm discussion
for repressive and remedial measures to be under
'discussion concurrently. The Government had come
to the conclusion that time would be saved if the
Mouse continued for a further period to devote itself
exclusively to the reace Preservation (Ireland) Bill, and the
business of Supply, to which five or six days' sittings must
be devoted before March 21st. The Home Secretary, in the
absence of Mr. Forster, would therefore to-day ask leave to
introduce the former Bill, and call upon the House to vote
urgency for its consideration. At intervals, as opportunity
offered, Committee of Supply woiltd be interposed.
In reply to Mr. Gorst, the Speake said " urgency " would
Slot apply to Supply and the Mutiny Bills, unless the House
uDecially ordered it.
In reply to an appeal from Lord Ilartington on behalf of
11r. Childers, who he said, was anxious to make his state-
Mont on the Army who,
at once and would engage not
to take a money vote for a fortnight, Sir R. Cross, Colonel
Barns, and Sir H. Havelock Allan withdrew their prelimi-
nary motions, but the Irish members met the appeal with
ones of " No !" and, in reply to Lord Percy, lord Hartington
aaid the proper opportunity to discuss the arrangement would
be when a motion was made to adjourn the debate on the
-Arms Bill; and, in reply to Mr. Caine, he said that if urganey
were voted, he should be in favour of meeting at twelve
c'elock on Ash Wednesday. In answer to Mr. WCarthy, he
Said it was not possible now to name a day for the Land
In answer to Mr. Board and others, Mr. Chamberlain said
he would not move the second reading of the Thames
Rives Bill to-day, but would give ample notice before
bringihg it on.
On the motion to go into Committee of Supply on the
41-rniy Estimates,
The remainder of the evening was mainly devoted to
Motions moved on the Order for Sunply by Mr. O'Donnell
id Mr. li‘Coan. The former_was defeated by 85 to 18. The
i.scussion had lasted for sev4.7al hours, when ;IA half-past
twelve Mr. James protested against the manner fit which the
evening had been wasted and Mr. Childers' important state-
Ment thrown over. Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Sexton objected
4trengly to this censure, and the House then went into Corn-
mittee of Supply pro forma.
Some other business was disposed of, and the House ad-
-I`3llrned at twenty-five minutes to one o'clock.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, March 1, Lord Enfield, replying
to Lord Lansdowne, said the Government of India were to
exorcise their discretion as to the time at which the British
~..'OOPs were to be withdrawn from Pishin. Quetta not being
4u Afghanistan, no change was intended with regard to its
occupation by British troops.
Lord Kimberley read the most recent official telegrams
'rout which he said it would be perceived the loss was not so
great., as was at first feared. He also said the following are
fe reinforcements which will be sent :—Six infantry regi-
"'ents at once • drafts in addition to 1,500 men already
ordered • cavalf:y, two regiments to be at once prepared. Sir
X Wood' was asked whether he could support another regi-
rnent of cavalry and a battery of artillery, either field
..or horse; also if he required transport animals;
80, mules would be sent from South America.
orther volunteers will be asked from the Reserve, pre-
ference being given to six or seven years' service men. I
Y add that volunteers are coming forward well already.
"i„▪ Lf P. Roberts is appointed to all offices held by the
nle Sir G. Colley—viz., Governor of Natal, Governor
01 the Transvaal, and High Commissioner for South-
Africa. Sir H. Robinson, pending Sir F.
Roberts's arrival, is High Commissioner for all South
Africa. Sir E. Wood is Governor of Natal; and Mr.
Mitchell, Colonial Secretary, acts as Deputy-Governor.
Ihere is one word which should like to be allowed to say
before I sit down. Your lordships will have seen the ad-
Inirable accounts which have appeared in the newspapers.
is impossible not to admire the enterprise and courage
Which. have been shovrn by correspondents, and we must all
',eel greatly indebted to these gentlemen. While, however,
▪ make this acknowledgment, I hope I shall not be mis-
nlideretood if I say that these gentlemen ought to be ex-
tremely careful, while they give us information, not to
communicate anything with regard to future movements
Which may be of advantage to our opponents. In the pre-
tat condition of rapid communication everything can be
in South Africa in the course of two hours. I am
we may look to these gentlemen to exercise a wise
eeretion in this respect.
The b
posaim nice of Cambridge said that it was of the greatest_
pa,"4l3_,Consequenee that, while correspondents of news
'mould give as full information as possible, they
reo,l" Ilse great caution, as otherwise the results might be
snsr owl. He concurred most entirely in the remarks
tc'e oy the noble earl. Everybody would acknowledge
admirable way in which those gentlemen discharged
Z'ilr duties. He would make only one observation on the
th aews which had been received. He deeply deplored
e death of Sir George Colley, who had died in the per-
-4).l:Mance of his duty to his Queen. Everybody would feel
"gat the country had sustained a serious loss. (Hear, hear.)
Iu
answer to Earl Cadogan, the 'Earl of Kimberley said
in Sir H. Robinson would be High Commissioner in South-
..Thic Africa as well as occupying his present office until the
—"wal of Sir F. Roberts.

second reading of the Protection of Person and Pro-
in rieiand Bill was moved by Lord Spencer and
nded by Lord Beaconsfield, who attributed, amongst
causes, the present state of Ireland to organised
ration. He was sorry that the Bill had not been brought
sooner, and that its progress had been so long delayed in
ther place; but he trusted their Lordships would give it
11' ready sanction, and that its provisions would be exer-
„4-4„ed with moderation and mercy, but at the same time
-1,41 firmness by Her Majesty's Government.
thAfter remarks by Lords Granville, Midleton, and Inchiquin,
Bill was read a second time, and the final stage fixed for
nednesday.
•The other orders having been disposed of, their Lordships
adkourned at twenty minutes past seven.
La the HOoss OF COMMONS, Mr. Childers. in answer to
41testio11 from Colonel Stanley, read the telegrams re-
'ved from Natal in the course of the day. After reading
X. Childers, while bearing testimony to the vain-
character of the information furnished by the news-
riztars, m,ade an appeal to them to consider before pub-
g
tain
• thoir telegrams whether they might not con-
4, hints ae to contemplated movements which would be
3 uriona. With regard to the future, he said the Govern-
.6,eauat had decie?ed to appoint Sir F. Roberts to succeed Sir G.
not from the smallest want of confidence in Sir E.
syr7Q„,,, but because, considering the large force which
shortly be in South Africa, it was thought
veastrable that the supreme command should he in
° hands of an officer in the position of Sir F. Roberts. He
ise-ii‘',„er stated that on Monday it had been determined to
three infantry regiments, one from Bombay, one from
and one from Bermuda, all of which would arrive
"I..imurban from the 23rd to the 30th, and that it
been determined to send three more infantry
TVents from Malta and Gibraltar, which would arri,ve
walewhere about the end of the month. Sir 'E,
had been asked whether he desired mules and 'other
of transport to be sent to him, and whether he
ed 2nore cavalry or artillery, Over and above these
ireiniLorcernents• further drafts were being sent out to the
tt[4tlyeoo f Arrav tsalready at the seat of war. These drafts consisted
Reserve men who had been called up, and
/ohllact come tp very well.
ti answer to Mr. W. H. Smith, Mr. Trevelyan said that
rttln nander a the detached squadron would not land
the ~0 serve with ths Naval Brigade except by orders from
tralty.
Lawson asked whether orders had been sent that
Y in the Tranevaal anould not advance until the
bans— °t the negotiations witix the Boers had become
wt.
conders said it was impossible or the Government
eutly with their duty to make any statements as to
tioC'et.lanaunications with the Boer leaders or the instruc-
aet ir G. Colley, especially as owing to his death it was
LoZsan... how far those commuvications had gone.
zacho having asked whether we had any army in the
kon,„;aat.,., Mr. Childers replied that Laing 's :sek and
rrospect were in Natal, but wifortunately we had
ij'.ons in the Transvaal.
Ilktrrge. neY having been voted by 393 to 37, Sir William.
re,keaort asked leave to bring in a Bill to amend the lae,
tie AZ! to the carrying and possession of arms in Ireland.
essktry bit WaB Purely an Arms Bill, and was rendered ne -
ken Y the outrages and crimes committed by armed
Vision:4l-ring the winter months. Explaining the pro-
Possei of the Bill he said it would make the
arms and ammunition illegal i die-
oonuitr„„,'''`4trced by the Lord Lieutenant, except under
It will* the proclamation would lay down.
those ,-,„„_...'"‘kar to search by day the persons and houses of
and -eked of the possession of arms, also to prohibit
entiet,;-""m ti,,e importation and sale of arms. The prose'
there In imder khe Act would be by summary procedure, but
inazim„ast be a aosident magistrate on the Bench, and the
Iritheur Permit, would be three months' imprisonment,
fore- hard or labou4 Finally, he said, the Act would be in five •
years.
In the
/hail tuacussten thab followed Mr. O'Donnell and several
Inezabers oPposed th,e motion for the.introduction of the
At one o'cl
of the debate° k Mr. Sexton, moved the adjournment
e ~ h
Lord Hartinsto*
seemed v Lir nbjecthag to it, remarked that there
- ous. .Pry uttle material for continuing the debate, and,
r
d found,i"
bers
_very little to say abont the grounds on which the
was Platifted. 11r. M'Carthy replied that the often-
..., speech of the some g„,eretary was the cause Of this.

The adjournment was negatived by 202 to 21, and Mr.
Lalor rose, presumably to make another motion for adjourn-
ment, when the Speaker, interrupting him, said he gathered
the sense of the House to be that the question be now put.
At this there was much cheering, and the Marquis of
Hartington at once moved "That the question be now put."
On a division, this was carried by 209 to 22, and leave was
then given to introduce the Bill by 196 to 26.
The first reading was carried on a third division by 188 to
26, and the second reading was axed for Wednesday.
The House adjourned at a quarter past two o'clock.

In the HOUSE OF Loans, on March 2, their lordships met
at half-past ten o'clock. In the absence of the Lord Chan-
cellor, Earl Redesdale took his seat on the woolsack.
Earl Spencer moved the third reading of the Protection of
Person and Property (Ireland) BilL
The Motion was agreed to, and the Bill was then passed.
The sitting was then suspended Until five o'clock,
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The day being Ash Wednesday,
.their lordships formed in
procession, and went to Westminster Abbey. The House
has not met on Ash Wfdnesday since 1862. Consequently,
the ceremonial provided for that occasion has not been gone
through for N years. The procession was headed by two
Queen's marshals.