The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-03-13 00:00:00

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CANADA AND CHINA.

In the HousE OF LORDS, March 8, Lord Harrowby
called attention to the proposals which had been
recently made by the Dominion of Canada for the
establishment of a line of steamers from Vancouver to
Japan and Hong Kong. He described the Canadian
Pacific Railway, which had its termini at Quebec and
Vancouver, as one of the marvels of the time. It was
3000 miles in length. and 20 millions of money had
been spent on it. By its means the journey from
Liverpool to the Pacific might be accomplished in from
13 to 15 days, and it would furnish to this country an
alternative route to Japan, China, and India, the laud
portion of which would be entirely through British
territory. It was intended that the steamers should
be first-class, and steam 15 knots an hour. The build-
ing of such boats in these times of depression would
be of great benefit to a large number of artificers. He
urged that this was a case in which her Majesty's
Government ought to stretch a point for the encourage-
ment of Colonial enterprise and for objects of great
importance to the Empire. He did not doubt the good
feeling in the matter of the Secretary for the Colonies,
but he thought an expression of opinion by their lord-
ships' House might assist that noble lord in his com-
munications with departments of the Government
which, as well as the Colonial Office, had a voice in
this matter. He asked whether her Majesty's Govern'.
ment had accepted the proposals recently made
in reference to the proposed line of stestninre:
Lord Granville, individually and RS Colonial
Secretary, would be glad if it was found prac-
ticable to carry out the measure proposed by the
Canadian Dominion; but the matter did not rest with
the Colonial Office alone; it concerned the Treasury,
the 'War Office, the Admiralty, and the Post 01E01;
The late Administration had appointed a Departmental
Committee, the "prima facie" opinion of which was
not, he feared, favourable to the scheme, but in conse-
quence of the change of Government the Committee
had suspended its sittings. At the request of the pre- '
sent Government it had, however, renewed its inquiry, I
and its report when drawn up would receive the most
careful consideration of the Government, and an
answer would be given to the Dominion without delay.
The Drill Grounds Bill passed through Committee.
Their lordships rose at ten minutes to five o'clock.
THE DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER BILL.

In the Housu OF COMMONS, Sir William Harcourt, in
the absence of Mr. Gladstone from indisposition, said
it was not the intention of the Government to extend
its obligations by taking up the Deceased Wife's Sister
Bill.

TRE CROFTERS.

On the second reading of the Crofters Bill being
moved, Mr. Ramsay moved an amendment recommend-
ing that provision should be made for assisting the
voluntary emigration of families from the islands on
the West Coast of Scotland.—Sir H. Maxwell, who
seconded the amendment, maintained that the bill as ic
stood would confer benefits which were only illusory,
and, while repudiating the suggestion that the de..
population of the Highlands and Islands was due so the
action of the landlords, advocated a system of State-
aided and directed emigration as being most calculated
to effect the objects aimed at in the J.
H. Macdonald regretted that the recommenda-
tions of the Royal Commission had not been
imported into the bill, and, in the course of an ex-
haustive examination of the difficulties of the crofter
question, contended that the bill would not effectually
remedy existing grievances or bring about the results
which were anticipated. He deprecated the parsi-
monious policy which the Government were pursuing,
and advocated legislation which would promote emigra-
tion, education, and would encourage the people to take
up other industries.—Mr. Macfarlane complained of the
restrictions and omissions of the bill, and hoped that
adequate amendments would be introduced in com-
mittee. He objected to emigration, and insisted that
the only proper means of mitigating the evils of the
congested districts was by giving the people land
at fair rents and with fixity of tenure. The
Lord Advocate replied in detail to the ob-
jections of Mr. J. H. Macdonald and others,
and explained at length the provisions of the bill,
which he denied would be ineffectual as alleged. He
drew attention to the difficulties of proposing the
expenditure of pablic -noney for the benefit of a
particular class, but mentioned that a clause would be
introduced in committee to enable the Government to
make grants for improving the fishing industry. He
pointed out that the question of emigration did not
apply to Scotland only, and agreed that education com•
bined with facilities fer locomotion would materially
r elieve he congested districts without the adoption of
a system of State-directed emigra-eon.-7M:. G. liaiteur,
in a maiden speech, hoped the bill woirld he ameeded
and added to so as to bring it more. ia accord with the
recommendeiops of the Royal Commission; and Mr.
Fraser-Mackintosh characterised it as a " lawyers'
bill," which would fail to remedy the grievances
complained of.—Mr. Baird also criticised the bill.—
The Marquis of Stafford thought the bill a fair
one and capable of amendment in committee.—Mr. J.
P. Robertson agreed with those who thought the bill
inadequate, and pointed out various subjects on which
he maintaine I it ought to have followed the report of
the Royal Commission more closely.—Dr. Macdoread
spoke, and Mr. M. Stewart gave a general assent to the
bill, while desiring to see certain amendments intro-
duced in committee.—Mr. Trevelyan, in reply, dis-
cussed seriatim the various objections which had been
raised to the bill, and complained that neither of the
late law officers for Scotland had offered any con-
structive assistance in settling it. He argued that
emigration, even if it were possible to vote public
money for the purpose, would not remedy the griev-
ances of the crofters, and repeated that the objects of
the bill were to secure fixity of tenure, certainty
of rent, compensation for improvements, and more land
for cultivation.—Mr. A. J. Balfour denied that it was
the duty of the late law officers for Scotland to offer
assistance in the preparation of the bill. He contended
that fair rents and fixity of tenure would fail to secure
the benefits respected, and, while declining to oppose
the bill, maintained that the condition of the crofters
would not be improved by a fundamental alteration in
the land laws.—Mr. Ramsay then withdrew his amend-
ment, and the bill was read a second time.
The Glebe Loans (Ireland) Acts Continuance Bill
passed through Committee.
Some other bills were advanced a stage, and the
House adiotuned at twelve minutes to one o'clock.

THE ARBITRATION BILL.
In the HOUSE :OF LORDS, March 9, Lord iframwell
moved the second reading of the Arbitration Bill, which
he described as a consolidation measure, drawn by
Mr. J. Macdonell, a gentleman well known in the
Courts of Law.—The Lord Chancellor, while acceding
to the second reading, suggested that the bill should be
referred to a Select Committee.—The bill was read a
second time.

LEGAL BILLS.
Lord Bramwell, in moving the second revling of the
Justices' Jurisdiction Bill, explained that its object
was to enable justices to send for trial at quarter
sessions instead of at assizes trivial cases of burglary.
—The Lord Chancellor approved the object of the
measure.—The bill was read a second time.
Lord Bramwell moved the second reading of the Law
of Evidence Bill, which had for its object to allow
persons charged with offences to give evidence at their
trial, and also to allow the wives of such persons to be

witnesses at the end of their husbands.—Lord Esher
believed that prisopers suffered no disadvantage from
not being allowed to give evidence and that they would
be placed at very great disadvantage by being allowed
to do so, as they would be liable to cross-examination,
not only in respect of the offence with which they were
charged, but as to their previous character.—Lord
Monkswell was opposed to the principle of preventing
an innocent prisoner from giving evidence proving his
innocence in order to screen a guilty one from the
chance of convicting himself on cross-examina-
tion.—Lord Milltown argued that if a prisoner could
give evidence, and did not, the obvious inference would
be that he was guilty. Again, if this bill passed there
would be the danger of an innocent man being con-
victed by means of a skilful cross-examination.—Lord
Cranbrook and Lord Fitzgerald supported the second
reading.—The Lord Chancellor was of opinion that
there had been a gradual but steady advance of public
opinion in the direction of this bill, and he did not
believe that the tendency of the measure would be
adverse to innocent prisoners.—The bill was read a
second time.
The Drill Grounds Bill was read a third time and
passed.