The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-04-02 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMEW.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, March 28, the Consolidated Fund
kill was read a second time, and the Standing Orders hav-
ing been dispensed with, passed its remaining stages.
Lord Spencer informed Lord Monteagle that the re-
mainder of the evidence taken by the Commission on the
Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act, 1870, was in the
hands of the printers, and expected to be circulated on the
31st inst.
After a few remarks from Lord Dunsany, who complained
of the constitution of the Commission, their Lordships
adjourned.
In the HeusE OF COMMONS, in answer to various questions
aa to the state of affairs in the Transvaal and Basutoland,
Mr. Grant Duff said it was hoped that the Royal Commission
Would get to work as soon as possible, but at present all the
despatches were telegraphic, and it was not possible to lay
any relating to the general subject on the table. The
Colonial Office had no information as to the ill-treatment of
the loyal Boers and English, and he gave no credence to the
statement. Neither had the Government any information as
to a modification of terms of peace offered to the Basutos,
but the report of six hours' fighting was correct.
In answer to Mr. Onslow, Lord Hartington said the India
(Mice had received no statement that General Hume had
Moved troops from Candahar ces sanitary and humane
grounds. The Ameer had despatched 1,000 cavalry to Can-
dahar, which would arrive in twelve days, and 4,000 infantry,
Which would be four days longer on the march.
Mr. 0. Morgan having moved the second reading of the
Army Discipline and Regulation Bill, Colonel Stanley, on
behalf of the Opposition, said they would not oppose it, but
the Government must take the responsibility of the course
they were pursuing in regard to the abolition of flogging.
After discussion, in which the new rules of punishment
Were severely criticised, the second reading was agreed to.
Mr. Harcourt then moved his resolution, calling for such
an amendment of the Highways Act of 1878 as will charge a
Part of the maintenance of main roads on other funds than
the county rate. Premising that the whole burden of
the local rate was imposed on less than one-third of the
Whole property of the county, and admitting that
Instice had been partially done in regard to the police
rate, he explained that his proposal was to throw
the whole of the expenses of the main roads on the county
rates, and that a moiety of the charge should be contributed
by the Treasury. In support of his motion he went at length
into the statistics of urban and rural districts, showing that
While the urban population was as 13 to if: compared with
the rural, and the horses and vehicles as 7 to 1, the contri-
butions of the rural districts to the maintenance of the
roads exceeded those of towns by a considerable sum. More-
over, he contended that the main roads were constructed
originally for State purposes, and it was unjust, therefore,
to lay on one class of property the whole burden caused by-
the abolition of turnpikes.
Mr. It. Paget, in seconding the motion, pointed out that
the disturnpiking of the main roads had thrown a burden of
half a million on the local rates, and, deprecating all expe-
dients of delay, he insisted that Mr. Harcourt's was the
Only just mode of remedying the grievance.
Mr. I. W. Pease moved a counter resolution calling for the
amendment of these portions of the Highways Act of 1878
Which relate to main roads. While admitting the grievance
azid sympathizing with the object of the motion, he thought
the principle of dipping into the Imperial pocket for a
remedy altogether wrong, and argued that its practical
,Operation would afford very little relief to the farmer in the
long run. There were many anomalies in the Highways Act,
but they would not be fairly met by this proposaL
Mr Walrond supported the motion.
Lord E. Fitzmaurice, speaking on the other side, enlarged
0,11 the shortcomings of the Highways Act and objected to
LaYing the Exchequer under contribution, on the ground
that it would sap the foundation of local self-government
and stimulate extravagant administration.
Sir B. Leighton pointed out that the charge for roads by
the first statute on the subject of William and Mary was laid
en Personal as well as real estate. The disturnpiking of main
a_lt°ads had seriously increased local burdens, for while the
tolls cost the farmer about a twopenny rate, the present
Intern cost him a sixpenny rate.
Mr. Dodson sympathised with the objects of the motion,
out obje Aed altogether to the principle of dipping into the
Dockets of the State for an expenditure which might be in-
That the system of grants in aid had brought about
increased expenditure he showed from the experience of
the Police grants, which, while they had relieved the
rates by is. had thrown a burden of 2s. 6d. on the lrn-
trial taxes. As to placing this charge on a particular tax,
~.. Was difficult to find a fitting and convenient subject for
" The present system of local grants required careful
consideration both as to their manner and objects, and the
Government desired to keep their hands perfectly free to
:teal with the subject in that comprehensive manner whizh
called for. They had hoped to deal with it this Session,
4t that was now impossible. Under these \circumstances,
be could not assent to the motion, and if a division were
Laken the Government would support Mr. Pease's amend-
ment
Alter some observations from Mr. Sclater-Booth, Mr.
Aogers, Sir G. Goldney, and Mr. Rathbone,
Mr. Gladstone, while not binding the Government on this
Point, expressed an opinion that the subject must be dealt
Witb on the responsibility of the Government. The
nffistance of all these complaints he understood to be
that personal property entirely escaped contributions to
Which it was undoubtedly liable. But the most un-
Ihttisfactory mode of dealing with the difficulty was
Y the system of subventions, which ultimately found
their way into the pockets of the landlord, and half
of which undoubtedly were paid by labour and not by land
7e Personal property. The subject, therefore, ought to be
alt with on a large scale and by an adjustment of taxation
betvveen real and personal property. The motion, he pointed
• Was vague, blind, and hoodwinking, and suggested no
11ole of meeting the difficulty. The Government had been
Idesirous. of dealing with the question of county government,
• e difficulty of which had been greatly increased by the
IMbvention system; but, though nothing could be done this
Session, it was high time to bring the haphazard system to
an end.
Sir IL Lopes remarked that if twcimillions had been given
IT the Local rates, the relief was more than balanced by the
w charges which had been imposed on them by highway
ePates, education rates, and sanitary rates He reminded the
rinie Minister that Sir It. Peel and Lord 3. Russell were the
St
to propose subventions, hut if they were objected to he
onld suggest handing over the carriage duty or the dog-tax
to the local authorities.
lAe fter 31r. Harcourt had replied, the House divided, and
t 2, motion was negatived by the narrow majority of 14-159
with much
announcement of the numbers was received
Much cheering from the Conservative benches. The
amendment of Mr. Pease was then agreed to.
The House adjourned at twenty minutes past one o'clock

In the HOUSE OP LoEns, March 29, the Royal assent was
given, by Commission, to several Bills.
Viscount Cranbrook said that a telegram had appeared in
he papers by which it would appear that during the
arnaistice our garrison at Potchefstroom had been attacked
bY the Boers and 18 of our men killed and 90 wounded. He
Wished to know whether her Majesty's Government had any
official knowledge on the subject.
The Earl of Kimberley replied that his noble friend the
zecretary for War had received this telegram from Sir E.
Wood
"March 23 —Fort Arniel, 12 noon.— Winsloe surrendered
Fotchefstroom on the 21st, before my mule wagons, which
!.,eft Mount Prospect the 7th, had traversed the distance
400 miles. Terms, all honours of war, retaining private
'weapons and property ; guns and rifles surrendered, but
narcrautTition for both to be handed to Brand for custody
'4!:!'lling war, after which to be returned to us. Garrison not
LO serve during the hostilities at present existing. Garrison
flow marching via Kronstadt on Natal."
He was in possession of no information beyond what was
contained in the telegram He had conferred with the
Secretary for War, but they were not yet in possession of
sailicient information to guide Her Majesty's Government
as to the reply to be sent to Sir Evelyn Wood.
Earl Cairns asked, could the noble earl say whether there
'lad been any fighting or any loss of life?
The Earl of Kimberley said that the Government had no
information as to any fighting on the occasion of the
Urrender at Potchefstroom, but he conjectured that the
tosses mentioned in the newspaper telegrams referred to the
losses during the whole progress of the siege.
L• ord Spencer, answering a question put by Lord Lans-
nwne, explained the intentions of the Privy Council as
I'o the orders relative to foot-and-mouth disease, which
Z,xlaire on the list instant. The temporary order pro-
11.1c.iting public and private sales if fat cattle in England
d 8 Wales except by licence would not be renewed. The
r,regulating sales in the great metropolitan cattle market
tlie slaughter of animals brought to that market would
a!e,,,eyved till the 13th of October next. The order prevent-
'„,.,Lne Moving of certain animals from England into
TelrLand would be renewed for a month, with modifications.
ar_s order as to infected areas would be renewed; but the
would be diminished to the size of a Petty Sessions
isto''K 11011. The Regulations to prevent infection by imported
would be rendered still more stringent.
Their lordships adjourned at a quarter to six o'clock.
b.
_the HOUSE OF COMMONS, several hours were occupied
Of !I•debate on the Thames River Bill, the second reading
Which was moved by Mr. Ashley.
BA
kr, •
„ tchie moved as an amendment to the second read-
at the character and objects of the Bill are such as to
to
etitute it a measure of public policy which ought not
D dealt with by any private Bill.
.After a long discussion, in which Mr. Ashley, Baron de
oth, Mr. Alderman Lawrence, Sir S. Northcote, and
to her hon. members took part, Mr. Chamberlain consented
rn Withdraw the Bill, and to reintroduce it as a public
—eastu.e.
..t]Sjr. Gorst gave notice that on the earliest day possible he
Move a resolution declaring that, in the opinion of the
1 e Her Majesty's Government were not justified in
b "s`Dg war on the Boers for attaining the objects effected
the peace just concluded.
In answer to a question from Sir J. Hay, Mr. Childers read
e telegram received from Sir E. Wood in reference to the
'▪ tirrender of Potchefstroom on the 21st, and added that a
cltiestion might arise whether the news of the prolongation
cl the armistice could have reached there; but on that and
Sr points necessary to be considered before an answer
CoUld be sent to Sir E. Wood he could at present give no
°Dinion.

l? Stafford Northcote suggested that it would he neces-
lOY to take into account whether the news would arrive
cker going through the Orange Free State, and Mr.
.11ilders replied that was one of the points he was consider-
14g.

THE DECIMAL SYSTEM.
„Mr. bake rose to move that, in the opinion of the House,
introduction of a decimal system of coinage, weights
Measures ought not to be longer delayed. After
40ticing the various Committees which had considered the
4h/ect,Hr. Dilke went on to say—The Commission which
rePorted on this subject had reported practically in
it --4 r of this system, and it was a great comfort to
rQS! Ladvocates to think that the coinage of this country
heat be easily changed iato the decimal system with
inconvenience The pound sterling would be re-
a. the unit, the florin would be retained, and the
oVrthing, which was the 960th of a pound, would be the
ti7ooth instead. This change, it would be admitted, would
~ah exceedingly slight one, and it would not interfere with
bayhaelferown, which was a useful and handsome coin. The
ela: °Lob the whole, would not be against the poorer
annth Ale did not wish to see any class robbed as against
er, class, but in the change proposed the loss would
the , ell the consumer, but on the dealer. He thought
e.cirnal coinage had now arrived at a distinct,
' Latiized state. The whole of the evidence collected on
eots subject was distinctly in favour of one course, and that
raZse he proposed to adopt if the House approved of his
(awl?. The proposal was that a Dill should be introduced
with the subject next Session. With regard to the
of bl of weights and measures, there was a great diversity
laacLop.°Ptijonni°h• The more radical course was the proposed
of the metric system pure and simple as it exists
iraceA a i
r over the whole of Europe. This would mmensely
tir. e commercial transactions with every country in
by Pe- There wasthe half and half system recommended
hi behtlemen of considerable experience and by a commis-
, r
.which was appointed. This system proposed the re-
•,Zion of the yard, blit the introduction of a measure of
3 l 7 Yards in place of the present inconvenient mile, which
measures yrds,
thorelt alai; pop r osed to do away with the 60 or
of corn in use in different parts of the
,ell:etry at the present moment. It proposed to abolish all
puoeoi. awle tiointroduce the measure now in use
Liver-
might
th light ihention that their trade with countries
than e metric system increased more
Vail. rapidly
-
7.lth countries where the system did not pre
system also pointed out that, while the metric
in
the Might be learnt by children nine months,
tat'resebt sYstem required two years and ten months.
dimeght be said that the common people would have no
lEtty in learning that system, but it must be reinerii7
aarvecl anehat education had made and was still snaking rapid
duce(' *" in
this country. That system had been intro-
the s into almost every country in Europe. and also into
that outh American Republic, where it could not be said
geh,.!.t very high average of education and general intelli•
whe'„t Tasted, Mr. Locke, the eminent English engineer,
cieei"„, le was constructing railways in France used the
urat sYstem both in paying the workmen and in respect
tee, e finer and more delicate parts of machinery ; and the
xnuil:rbY which he bore on the subject was, that it took
It workmen in France only froq4a kAtnight to a
;.11l_xe 09. th to master the decimal and metri6 sysTelL '1V111:'
o
Locke ads found the decimal system so convenient that
Int he returned to England and coramenced making rail-

Fitt:

ways here he used that system first, and converted his
• calculations back into the English standards afterwards.
Our scientific men had not used anything but the metrical
system for the last 40 years; and the great accuracy now
acquired in mechanical work, such as the casting of guns
and the like, was only to be obtained by the use of the
decimal system. Sir William Armstrong, B. Whitworth, and
Sir Thomas Fairbairn—almost the greatest possible autho-
rities on a subject of that sort—might be cited in favour of
that system. Again, one of the most strenuous upholders of
the decimal system, either as to value or to weights, was
the late Sir Rowland Hill, the author of the penny post
reform. The actual saving of clerical labour which would
attend the change would be very considerable. He thought
that clerks in England were badly paid, and he should be
sorry to do anything which would injure them. But
though the saving of labour effected by the introduction of
machinery had been very great, employers had nevertheless
generally found their labour bills much increased. In
fact, the moment they gave facilities for increased produc-
tion, and made things simpler and clearer. although they
might cause some little temporary suffering and incon-
venience, yet they inevitably increased the demand enor-
mously in a very short period. By the adoption of
the decimal system calculations would be rendered vastly
simpler and ersier, and the consequent saving of time that
would thereby be effected would not only be one-third or
one-half, as some authorities estimated, but far larger.
Several important bodies of commercial men, including the
Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Association of
Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom, had con-
sidered the question, and had passed resolutions in favour
of the adoption of the decimal system. As far as the diffi-
culty of introducing the system into this country was con-
cerned, he could only say that the difficulty was one
which had been grappled with successfully in ether
countries. It had been adopted, for instance, in France,
Holland, and Portugal, and the case of Holland was very
similar to this country. The Dutch, while adopting the
system, had retained Dutch words as the names of the
divisions in their coinage, which might be very well done in
this country. The question was, in his view, one of great
importance to the commercial and agricultural classes, and
it was clear that in other countries in which it had been
adopted the classes in question had found great convenience
from the use of the system. In fact, the evidence he had
adduced showed that this view was held, and that the com-
mercial classes, at any rate, wished the settlement of the
question not to be delayed any longer than was absolutely
necessary by reason of the pressure of other business more
important to the nation. One great reason for the commer-
cial classes approving the proposal was that it was a measure
of free trade, and one which would afford much greater
facilities for commerc3 than existed under the present
system. The metrical system was now used by nearly two-
thirds of the population of the world, and the fact that we
did scot use it drove a considerable amount of commerce
from our shores. There would, no doubt, be some trouble
n introducing a new system in this country, but it would
not be anything like so great as was apprehended. The
trouble he regarded as a mere bugbear. They had, no
doubt, many good things which foreign nations had not.
They had free trade and their vast supply of coal, and,
besides, they had great national energy, but they had not
the good thing of which he spoke, and of which foreign
nations were possessed. He trusted that the Government
would look beyond the popularity of the moment, and
take this question in hand. He admitted that it would
do some harm to any Government that took it up and
carried it out, for the simple reason that it would give
trouble, and because some people were satisfied with the
existing system • and a great many others would be dissatis-
fied with any change whatever. But of this he was sure,
that it would not be the least or the meanest achievement of
a Liberal Government to tackle this sublect, one which was
advocated by every commercial body in the United Kingdom,
and give their earnest attention to a grave and important
question. (Hear, hear.)
- - - - •- • -

Mr. Stevenson opposed the motion, maintaining that Lord
Overstone's report had knocked the decimal system on the
head, and that though it might be valuable for scientific
purposes, our present system, for the calculations of the
market and the business of ordinary life, was much more
useful. . .

Mr. Anderson' while approving of the decimal system,
thought the unit should not be so high as the pound, and
moved as an amendment that a Select Committee be ap-
pointed.
Mr. Hubbard held that no reason had been shown to in
duce the House to pursue what had been shown to be an
ignis fatuus. Though the decimal system might be useful
for multiplization, it did not lend itself so easily to combina-
tion and division.

Mr. Chamberlain, after dwelling on the unpractical char-
acter of the resolution, which suggested no definite substi-
tute for the present system, pointed out that the change,
whenever effected would be a revolution, and would be
enormously costly. Moreover, taking the £1 as
the unit, the expense of the change in the petty
cash transactions of the country would fall on the
poorer classes. It ought not to be made, therefore, without
a real popular demand from outside, and no evidence had
been given that the great bulk of the population was pre-
pared for the decimal system either of coinage or weights or
measures.

Mr. Dilke intimated that he would not press his motion,
but would accept Mr. Anderson's amendment, and after some
observations from Mr. Gladstone, this was negatived by 108
to 28.
A discussion followed on the Patronage of Benefices in the
Church of England, in which Mr. Gladstone and 6ir R. Cross
took part.
' •

The House adjourned at ten minutes past one o'clock.