The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08 00:00:00

THE ANNEXATION OF FIJI.

Mr. NV. M'Arthur brought forward his Resolution ap-
proving the conduct of the Colonial Office with regard to
the annexation of Fiji. After reviewing the previous
history of the negotiations and the proceedings of the
recent Commission, Mr. Nl'Arthur contended that Govern-
ment had no option left to it but annexation. If
we did not assume the Government of the Islands, ,
there would be no authority capable of preserving peace
awl order, and, among other advantages arising to
ourselves from annexation, he mentioned the con-
venience of the Islands for a naval station and their capa-
city for the cultivation of cotton and sugar. Dealing with
the objections to the proposal, he maintained that the
Government would be self supporting (for while the utmost
expense of a Crown Colony would be £lOOO a year the re-
venue would be £40,000), and that annexation would lead to
the extinction of slavery and the slave trade.
Mr. BaiDie Cochrane, while seconding the Resolution,
suggested that before annexation we should come to some
clear understanding on the land question, and that for four
or five years at first we should maintain a small white force
there.
Sir C. Dilke, who was not opposed to annexation, urged
the necessity of prudence and caution, and moved an amend-
ment to that effect. Ile denied theit there was any evidence
of an unanimous desire for annexation among the Native
Chiefs, and pointed out the obstacles to annexation arising
out of the expense and the amount of debt to be taken over.
Sir F. Goldsmid, In seconding the amendment, contended
that the Native Chiefs, so tar from being unanimous as to
the cession, did not understand what was proposed.
I Eventually, on a division, the amendment was negatived
by Si to 2.8 and Mr. M'Arthurs resolution was negatived
without a division.
PUBLIC WORSHIP REGULATION BILL. i Several hours were subsequently occupied in disethsing
On the third reading of the Public Worshipßegulation , various Mall Contracts which have recently been concluded
Bill being moved, Mr. Disraeli read a letter from the Arch- by the Post-Office, and on a division the contract was ratified
bishops intimating their intention to submit the name of Lord by 145 to 23.
Penzance as the Judge to be appointed under the bill, and
that Lord Penzance had consented to take the office sub- Some other business was disposed of, and the House ad-
ject to the regulations concerning salary contained JOUnied at a quarter past one o'clock.
in the bill. The Archbishops also expressed their con- '
iblence that they would be able to submit a satisfactory plan
which, by a re-arrangement of ecclesiastical fees, would
provide a salary for the Judge. Mr. Disraeli remarked that
this arrangement was ineonaistent with the statement he hail
made on Friday, hut Lord Penzance was not the Judge he
had in his mind at the moment. At the same time he was of
i'pinion that the conditions under which Lord Penzance had
accepted the office were just and liberal.
Mr Knatchbull-Thigessen made some remarks explanatory
of the Nurse which he had taken with regard to the bill,
which, by the blow it struck at the comprehensiveness and
nationality of the Church, he predicted, would expedite
ilisestablishment.
•

-
The Public Worship Regulation Bill was brought from the
Commons with amendments, and fixed for consideration the
following day.
The other Orders being disposed of, their lordships ad-
°tuned.

In the Burgs OF COMMONS, in answer to Sir H James and
Mr. Roebuck, the Attoniey-Beneral said it was not intended
to go on this year with the County Courts Bill and the Bills
cid Sale Amendment Bill.

CHURCH PATRONAGE (SCOTLAND) BILL.
rt, the HoVs,: OF LORDS, AnguFtt 5, the Commons' amend-
ments to this Wit were considered and agreed to.

......
Mr. Reresford Hope, on behalf of the High Church party,
protested against the unfair use which had been made of the
word "Ritualism," and, while vindicating at length the
position and services of the High Church party, declared
himself strongly opposed to excesses of ceremonial

After remarks from several other hon. members,
Mr. Cross said that he regarded the bill as a protest In-
tended to warn the clergy of all parties alike that beyond
certain limits they would not be permitted to go ; and he
predicted that one result would be to bring about a general
obedience to the law.
Mr. Gladstone did not share in the sanguine views expressed
with regard to the effects of the bill, and compared it to the
Ecclesiastical Titles Act, which a minority had opposed,
and which ultimately was repealed with universal assent.
If he had not carried his opposition to this bill to the
same length, it was because he admitted that there was a
a ease for legislation. Mr. Gladstone corrected certain mis-
apprehension with regard to the meaning of his Resolutions,
and appealed to all parties to act with moderation and calm-
ness, and with a desire to avoid misrepresentation and mis-
construction.
Mr. R. Gurney also expressed shape that there would he
no desire to use the bill hostilely or acrimoniously, and the
bill was then read a third time, amid much cheering.

THE INDIAN BUDGET.
The House then went into Committee on the East Indian
Revenue Accotuits, which occupied some time.
The next Order was the Indian Councils Bill, which was
passed through Committee.

SCOTCH CTIURCH PATRONAGE BILL
The Scotch Church Patronage Bill was recommitted for the
Insertion of some verbal amendments, and wee afterwards
read a third time and passed.
SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE ACT SUSPENSION BILL.
The Supreme Court of Judicature Act Suspension Bill was
passed through Committee, and the Attorney-General con-
sented to an amendment, moved by Sir 11. James, by which
the date at which the Act shall come into operation is fixed
at November, 1875, instead of being left to be appointed by
the Queen in Council. The bill was subsequently read a third
time and passed.
the other business was disposed of, and the Howie ad-
journed at five minutes past one o'clock.

PRINCE LEOPOLD'S ANNUITY BILL.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS. August 4, this bill was read a
third time and passed_