The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-06-13 00:00:00

INTOXICATING LIQUORS BILL.

The House then went into committee on the Licensing
pill, resuming at Clause 11. Clause 12, which repeals the
~..ompulsory obligation to endorse convictions on licences
and leave:, it optional with the magistrates, was strongly
resisted by Sir 1, ,:oldsmid and others, lad it was ultimately
carried by 345 to M. The remaining clauses of the bill, with
the exception of Clause 21, which was struck out, were
agreed to without lunch controversy Some time
was subsequently occupied by the consideration of
a number of new clauses moved by various mem-
bers, but only two were accepted—one to make adulteration
an offence to be endorsed on the Licence, and the other to
provide for the transfer of Licences so forfeited without
disqualification of the premises. Two new clauses were
added at the instance of the Home Secretary, one of which
provides for the opening of rural houses earlier in the
morning during harvest time.

The Lord Chance Hot thought the bill would have a beue-
floial effect, but suinteatoti Vint the opinions of tho Common
Lsw Jadges should bo ti.keil with regard to its provisions.

The bill was read a second time.
CHLECIT PaTr.ONAGE (SCOILaIiD) BILL.

the House having resolved into Committee on the Church
Patronage (Scotland) Bill,
Lord Camperdown, on the third clause, said that he could
not understand how the removal of Patronage from the ,
patron to the communicants could strengthen the Total-
Belied Church in Scotland, because, instead of enlarging, it
restricted the Establishment, for practically the Patronage
was now in the hands of the congregation at large. lie,
therefore, proposed to add to the electoral body the •' rate-
paying parishioners."
Lord Rosebery opposed the proposed amendment, but
Lord Grey said he felt a strong objection to allow the par-
taking of the rite of the Sacrament to be made a test in any
matter, and he considered the provision in the bill likely to
have a bail effect, because it would throw a dangerous power
into the halals of those who would settle the roll of com-
municant. Ile approved the proposal to give the elective
power to the ratepayers. and he might prefer to have it con-
ferred on the School Board.
The Duke of Argyll pointed out that the proposal to giv
the election of the minister to the ratepayeni was a revolu-
tionary proposal, for there has been nothing like it in the
whole history of the Church of Scotland. It would be a
fatal measure to any organized society to introduce into it,
; and confer important powers on, persons not belonging to
; It; and there would be no security that ratepayers belong-
ing to other communions would refrain from presenting bad
men as ministers merely to disgust the Church. The pulpit
In Scotland was the centre of intellectual and religious
life ; and it would be a matter of vital responsibility to place
the election of ministers in the hands of men who might not
be Christian. at all At the same time, he deemed it expedient
, to include in the elective body a very large number of per-
sons, who, though not communicants, were steady adherents
of the Church and regular attendants at its services. He
' earnestly and cordially supported the bill, for though it
might be that Free Churches would ultimately prevail, yet as
long as Established Churehea existed, we ought to deal
honestly by them and legislate for their good.
After remarks front Lord Selkirk. Lout Airlie, Lord
, Huntley, Lord Granville, and Lord Lauderdale,
The Duke of Richmond said that the General Assemblyhad
by an overwhelming majority resolved that it was expedient
, to deal with this subject in the manner proposed by the
; Government Baring expressed gratitude to the l'uke of
; Argyll for the great aid rendered hint in bringing forward
the measure, he referred to the various amendments placed
on the paper of the House, and as he could agree to none,
with the exception of the proposal of the Duke of Argyll to
add the "congregation "to the "communicants "to form the
elective body, he trusted that a division on one would be
taken as deciding the fate of the rest.

After seine further dismissimL Lord Camperdown's amend.
went was negatived.

_
Lord Napier and Ettrick then proposed that the beritors
Should be included in the constituent body.

The amendment was negatived, and seine othe amend-
ments having been disposed of, Woe um passed through
Committee.

THE INDIA COUNCILS BILL.

The India Councils BM was then considered is Committee
and the different clauses were agreed to.