The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1880-03-16 00:00:00

Imperial farliamrnt.

In the House of Comons on illonday, Mr Cross having
II 'se,' Mr. Anderson to consider the advisability of
snaking a special inqiury into the fatal loiler explosion at
Glasgow, Sir Stafford Northcote intimated to the House
that Parliament would be dissolved at Easter, and would
reassemble at the beginning of May. The right hon.
gentleman explained that it had not been in the power of
the Government to come to • decision earlier, as the
condition of Ireland had rendered it necessary for them
to take measures of relief for which the sanction of
Parliament was necessary, and also to make further
provision for the distressed districts. This had now been
done, and as • matter of convenience it was better to have
the election( in the spring than in the autumn, and under
those circumstances her Majesty hail been advised to
dissolve Parliament at Easter. (Applause.) The Budget
would be introduced on Thursday. As to the vacant seats,
it would be impossible to pass a Bill for their disposal
before Easter, but he conceived it would be possible to
amend the Parliamentary Elections Act.
In the Committee of Supply, Mr. NV. 11. Smith brought
forward the Navy Estimates. The actual ordinary expen-
diture, irrespective of the Vote of Credit for the South
African transport ser, ice, would have been about
L 10,5450,000, which was s imewhat below the expenditure
of 15711. The number of men to he voted was 58,P110, of
whom 111A3 were blue j ickets. The right hon. gentleman
stated that desertions were becoming more rare in the
navy, both among men and boys, and the waste was
steadily diminishing. 1 !sere had lseen a gradual improve-
ment in the respectab:lity. character, and condition of
British sailors, than wt ins there was not • liner set of men
in existence. After a (hort discussion, the votes for the
number of men were in eed, and votes on account for the
expenditure were taken.
In the House of Lords on Tuesday, Lord Bury
announced that in conserpience of legal and other difficul-
ties arising out of the forthcoming general election, the
authorities at the War-office had demons' it sulvisable to
postpone the proposed volunteer review on Easter Monday;
but they would be ready to afford facilities for it to be
held at Whitsuntide. —The Settled Land Bill and Con-
veyancing and Law of Property Bill passed through cons.
niittee, and were ordered to be printed.—A conversation
subsequently arose on the subject of private executions,
and Lord I loughton proposed • motion to the effect that it
was advisable that other than official persons should be
present at intra-mural executions. Lois' I !ranbrook con-
tended that the presence of the chaplain, gaoler, and
officials, together with the subsequent inquest, supplied
all the publicity that was needed.
In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer said he thought it probable that the write
would issue on the 24th. Lord G. Ifsunilton informed Mr.
Paget that the veterinary reports showed that the sheep
rot only occurred after very wet summers. Lord Sandon
Informed Mr. Baxter that the application of continuous
lirakes by railway eompanies had not made much progress
In the House of Commons, on Thursday, a sharp con-
versation arose from • question put by Mr. Mundella, as
to why the information relating to the cost of conveying
the Indian troops to Malta hail been withheld. Odonel
Stanley replied that the accounts hail been referred back
to India for verification. Mr. Mundelle orotested against
this delay ; and Mr. Childers pointed out that it was
impossible to discuss the relation of English and Indian
finance without the return in question. In reply to Mr.
Goschen, Mr. Cross said that there must be a mutual
understanding and bargain with the water companies
before any terms of purchase could be arranged.