The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-08-20 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAME-Nt

BOILER REGISTRY.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, on August 15th, Lord
Stanley of Preston, in moving the second reading of
the Boiler Registry and Inspection Bill, stated that he
did not propose to proceed with it any farther this
session. Neat session he would re-introduce the bill,
and move for the appointment of a Select Committee.
The bill was read a second time.

TRUCE BILL.-SCOTCH LICENSING.

The Truck Bill was read a third time. The Licensed
Premises (Earlier Closing) (Scotland) Bill was road a
third time.

SOCIALISTIC LEGISLATION.

Lord Wemyss called attention to the Socialistic
legislation during the years 1886 and 1887, and said
since Mr. Gladstone planted the upas tree in 1870,
Socialistic legislation was proceeding without break or
check. Conservatism appeared tc be nothing more or
less than a fifth wheel to the Socialist coach, and Lord
Salisbury had allowed Socialism to get the upper hand.
He taunted modern politicians on both sides with
having forgotten the sound principles of political
economy, and their conversion to Socialism he
atti ibuted not to light from Heaven, but to a flash from
the muskets of Irish murderers. The subject dropped
without discussion.

COAL MINE REGULATION.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, the Coal Mines Regu-
lation Bill was further considered in committee. On
the 24th Clause, which related to the appointment of
managers, the discussion on the amendment of Mr.
A. O'Connor was resumed, proposing that no person
should act as manager of more than one mine in which
more than 30 persons were employed below ground
—Mr. Pickard moved to enlarge the amendment by
making the number of persons 500 instead of 30.
—The Home Secretary opposed both proposgis.
—Mr. A. O'Connor accepted the amendment proposed
by Mr. Pickard, which, however, was rejected on a
division by 132 to 89. Amendments were introduced
on the motion of Mr. Burt on Clause 24, providing that
no person shall be entitled to a certificate of
competency as manager or under•manager who has not
had practical experience in a mine for at least five
years; of Sir J. Pease, permitting Secretaries of Trades
Unions, or other similar officers no longer actually
employed in a mine to be appointed members of the
Board created for the purpose of electing examiners
to examine and grant certificates of competency
to candidates for the position of manager or under-
manager. ; and of Mr. W. H. Fowler on Clause 34,
giving the Mines Drainage Commissioners the right of
access to the returns of individual colliery owners as
to the quantity of minerals got from their mine. An
amendment was adopted to the effect that amongst
persons equally qualified, those speaking Welsh should
be preferred as inspectors in the Welsh-speaking die-.
triCts. In the course of further debate the Home Sec-
retary undertook to endeavour to get the staff of
inspectors increased in those districts where the
inspection is insufficient. The committee sat to a late
hour.

brEECHES IN PARLIAMENT.
In the HOUSE OF LORDS, on Aug. 16 Lord Denman
moved the second reading of a bill to limit the duration
of speeches in Parliament, but the Lord Chancellor
having pointed out that the motion was in contraven.
tion of the Standing Order, another measure dealing
with the sab,ect having already been rejected this
Session, it was negatived without a division.

TIM WEST PACIFIC ISLES.

The Earl of Onslow stated, in reply--; a question by
Earl De-La-Warr, that her Majesty's Government were
fully alive to the danger of allowing a trade not only
in intoxicating spirits, but also in arms and ammuni—
tion, with the natives of the Western Pacific Islands;
but their efforts to bring about an international
agreement on the subject had failed, owing to the
inability of the United States to co-operate. No
opportunity for renewing negotiations on the subjeot,
however, would be lost.

BILLS FORWARDED.
The Lieutenancy Clerks Allowanots Bill was read a
second time, and the Licensed Premises (Earlier
Closing) (Scotland) Bill, the Metropolitan Board of
Works (Money) Bill, and the Deeds of Arrangement
(No. 2) Bill passed their final stages.
Their lordships rose at ten minutes to five o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.

In the Housn OF Commons Par. J. T. Brunner

took the oath And his seat for the Northwich Division of
Cheshire.

COURSE OF BUSINESS.

Mr. E. Robertson having asked that any Government
Bills still to be introduced should be brought in and
printed forthwith, Mr. H. Fowler inquired whether,
having regard to the fact that there were still 116 votes
to be taken in Supply, and 39 Government Bills and
41 private members' bills on the Order-book, the
Government would abstain from bringing in any further
bills; would take steps to remove the greater part of
these 80 mea-mres from the Order-book, and would
endeavour to bring the protracted session to a close.
Mr. W. H. Smith replied that no one would be more
relieved by the close of a very protracted Session than
himself; but a very large proportion of the Govern-
ment Bills were absolutely necessary for the proper
conduct of departmental business, and they need n t
occupy more than a few minutes' consideration. While
deferring any further stitement with regard to public
business generally, he promised that no new bill should
be introduced which could possibly be dispensed with
or which was not necessary in the interests of the
public service.

COAL MINES.