The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-04-03 00:00:00

NEW WRIT.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, on the motion of Mr.
A. Morley, a new writ was ordered for the election of
a member for Halifax, in the room of Mr. Stansfeld,
who has accepted the office of President of the Local
Government Board.
THE PENNY POSTAGE.

Mr. Henniker Heaton moved a resolution declaring
that the time had arrived for the Government of this
country to open negotiations with other Governments
with a view to the establishment of a universal inter-
national penny-postage system. The motion haring been
seconded by Mr. H. G. Reid,
Mr. J. Hutton proposed an amendment restricting
the action of the Government to take the necessary
steps with a view to the establishment of a penny.
postage system throughout the British Empire. Advert-
ing to the differential rates of postage now in force
between the mother country and the Colonies, he
stated that great commercial houses, in order to
avoid these rates, sent their letters to Italy and Ger-
many, where they could be posted at a greatly reduced
cost.

Mr. Mather, in seconding the amendment, suggested
that it might be carried a step further so as to confer
the benefits of a penny postage upon English-speaking
people throughout the world.
Mr. H. Fowler admitted that the motion would in-
troduce a very desirable reform, but he argued that
the contemplated reduction of rates would seriously
increase the heavy loss which the public treasury
already had to'bear. Last year a sum of 065,000 had
to be provided out of the Imperial Exchequer to meet
the loss upon inter-oceanic postage, and if the scheme
proposed were adopted it would entail a further esti-
matei loss of nearly £500,000. The Government were
not in favour of throwing any further charge upon the
English Exchequer, and the Colonies were not prepared
to bear any additional burden.
In the course of subsequent debate Lord John
Manners expressed cordial sympathy with the
aspirations for a closer unity of the mother
country and • her colonies upon which the
motion was based, but urged that the consent
of those Colonies which would be materially affected
ought to be obtained before any step was taken by
Parliament.

The amendment was negatived, and on a division the
original motion was rejected by 258 to 127.

PROPOSAL TO DISESTABLISH THE SCOTCH CHURCH.

Dr. Cameron next moved a resolution in favour of
the disestablishment and disendowment of the Church
of Scotland, which was seconded by Dr. W. A. Hunter.
Sir D. Currie moved as an amendment that having
regard to the declaration recently made by the Prime
Minister that the question should be left as much as
possible to the spontaneous action of the country, the
House declined to entertain a propesal for the dises-
taMishment and disendowment of the Scottish Church
until the wishes of the people of Scotland in relation
thereto sTtould have been ascertained. The amendment
was seconded by Mr. E. Robertson, who charged Dr.
Cameron and his friends with disloyalty to the Liberal
party in thrusting the question forward.
Mr. J. A. Campbell, Mr. U. S. Parker, and Sir J.
Fergusson having spoken against the motion,
Mr. Gladstone observed that the case of the Church
of Scotland was one which might fairly be discussed
upon its special circumstances, and not upon tt e
abstract question of the desirability of Church estab-
lishments. He denied that the Government were
pledged by his declarations at the General Election to
oppose the motion before the House; but BO far as he
was himself concerned, he acknowledged the engage-
ment into which he had entered, and therefore de.
dined to vote either for the amendment or fcr the
original motion. The people of Scotland were well edu-
cated and intelligent enough to judge for themselves
upon this matter without the intervention of political
leaders, and it was the opinion of Scotland that ought
to determine the exiatence of the Church of Scotland.
Mr. J. 11. A. Macdonald complained that upon a
great public question, affecting one of the primary and
fundamental laws of the Union and of the Constitution,
the Prime Minister and his colleagues had not a sing le
word to say that would give the slightest aid to public
opinion and tend to allay the controversy by which the
country was agitated.
The amendment having been negatived, a division
was taken upon the original motion,which was rejected
by 237 to 125.
The House adjourned at 20 minutes past 12 o'clock.

THE EASTERN QUESTION,

(Through Reuter's Agency.)
ATIIENS, March 27;
The British Government, in common with (Abe/
European Cabinets, continues to use its utmost endea-
vours to restrain Greece from any act of aggression
upon Turkey, and an active exchange of despatches
is proceeding between Sir Horace Rumbold and the
Earl of Rosebery in view of the present critical posi-
tion of affairs, The Greek Government is believed to
be counting upon the neutrality of the Powers and
the absolute inaction of their ',navies if war should
once be declared, but it places no reliance on any co-
operation with other Balkan States against Turkey,
trusting rather to co.nplications between Russia and
Prince Alexander, which the refusal of the former to
sanction the Italian compromise is thought to render
more probable.

CONSTANTINOPIA March 28.
It is stated that the Porte to-day r3olved on the
terms of a Note tobe sent to the Powers with regard to
the Turco-Bulgarian Aereem ent.

ATHENS, March 29.
The first sitting of the Chamber of Deputies will
possibly be held on the 3rd proximo, most of the
members haying telegraphed that they will arrive
here during the week. M. Mavromichali, Minister
of War, has left for Arta. M. hliangabe has re-
turned to Sofia.

SOFIA, March 29,

The Diplomatic Agents of the Great Powers to-
day informed the Bulgarian Government that their
respective Governments, being unable to accept the
Italian proposal to appoint Prince Alexander Governor
of Eastern Roumelia for an indefinite term, adhered
to the last proposal made by Turkey, and they added
that if Prince Alexander did not accept this arrange-
ment the Powers would proceed on their course with-
out reference to his refusal. _ _ _

CONSTANTINOPLE, March 29.
A Ministerial Committee is still discussing the
terms of the circular to be sent to the Powers urging
a prompt settlement of the Roumelian question and
will submit its draft to the full Council of Ministers.
In Government circles there is a strong desire that
the Conference should meet as soon as possible. The
belief prevails in diplomatic circles that the Confer-
ence will meet very shortly and will sanction the
Turco-Bulgarian Convention, thus closing the ques-
tion.

BELGRADE, March 29.
The situation in connection with the Ministerial
crisis is becoming clearer, and the chances of M.
Garashanine retaining office hare increased, the Pro-
gressist party having intimated their readiness to
support that statesman, and having made representa-
tions to induce him to withdraw his resignation. The
statesmen whom the King has consulted have, with
but few exceptions, expressed the wish that M. Gara-
shanine's Cabinet remain in power.

A telegram from Constantinople pubitshect on
Wednesday says that the Powers, feeling it mecessary
to close the question, may adopt the course of signing
a protocol accepting the Turco-Bulgarian agreement
as it stands, even with the addition of a protest from
Prince Alexander, should he maintain his claim to
the life-governorship. Meanwhile the attitude of the
Greek Chamber and Government gives much cause
or anxiety.

FIGHTING IN BURBIAH:
---
(Reuter's Telegrams.)
RANGOON, March 28.
Farther particulars of the recent engagement near
Yemethen luive been received from the officer com-
manding at that place, from which it appears that the
British troops attacked the rebels in a strong position
two miles from Kinyua, which was captured and sub-
sequently burnt. The column under Colonel Le
Mesurier has left Yemethen for Halindet, thirty
miles northward, in order to complete the pacification
of the country. Three emissaries of the Nyoungoke,
who were here on a political mission, have been cap-
tured by the police. Colonel Sladen has arrived from
Mandalay on his return to England.
The following despatch has been received at the
India Office: "From Viceroy, March 27, 1886.—N0,
33,108, Gunner Alexander Brander Rive, Ist Brigade,
Southern Division, Royal Artillery, wounded severely
near Singoo, on March 21."