The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-03-06 00:00:00

4MPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HOME OP LORDS, March I, the Royal Assent was '
given by commission to the Seeds Supply Act, recently f
Passed for the relief of distress in Ireland.
The Duke of Richmond and Gordon moved the second
reading of the Reiief of Distress (Ireland) Bill, and in doing
so described the measures which the Government had taken
in the drat instance to meet the apprehended distress, and
exPlained the proposals contained in the Bill with regard to
the advance of money to landlords and local authorities for
inoprovement and relief works.
Leta Lansdowne admitted that the Bill appeared to be the
result of a well•inteetioned effort on the part of-the Govern-
ment to grapple with the emergency, and was on the whole
as good as cciuld be expected; but he hoped the principle of
out door relief would not be extended beyond the point to
Which It was now proposed to go.
Lord Oranmore strongly advised that public aid should
be given to promote emigration from over-populous dis-
tricts in Ireland, and declared that if the landlords had to
bear the whole cost of the relief measures they would be
ruined and the country reduced to universal pauperism.
Lord Waveney looked apon the measure of the Govern-
ment as a well-considered one.
Lord Tempietown advised the landlords of Ireland to
agree on some scheme of emigration and bring it under the
notice of the Government.
Lord Dunraven mentioned, as the result of his observa-
tion, that no man in the world took more readily to handi-
craft than the Irish peasant.
After some observations on the part of Lord Monteagle,
and Lord Emly, their Lordships adjourned at halt past -
seven o'clock.
In the Honer or COMMONS, Mr. Ashbru7 having asked a
question as to the dates of the Russian correspondence
found at Cabul and its coherence with the Czar's declara-
tions made to Colonel Wellesley, Mr. E. Stanhope repeated
that the Government declined to give any information as te
the contents of the correspondence, or as to any action
Which had been taken upon it.
In answer to Sir G. Campbell, Mr. Bourke said the Govern-
Meat had heard that the Bulgarian Assembly had been dis-
solved in due course of law, but they had not heard that any
irregularity had occurred, or that the Prince of Bulgaria
intended to suppress the Constitution.
Mr. Chaplin gave notice of his intention to move a reso-
lution against the Malt Tax.
The main business of the evening was the Rrmy Estimates,
Upon which Colonel Stanley proceeded to make the usual
statement. Premising that it would be of a compara-
tively uninteresting character, he said that, as Lord
Airey's Committee had not yet reported, it would be impos-
sible for him to enter into a discussion on any of the
questions connected with short service; and, dealing first
With the establishment of officers, he mentioned that
482 officers have joined the army in the year; 422 have left;
and 401 officers have joined the Officers' Reserve. With
regard to the general establishment, he said that five bat-
talions of Infantry, one battery of Horse Artillery, one
battery of Field Artillery, four of Garrison Artillery, and
the 16th Hussars are temporarily detained in India; and
While on this point he took the opportunity of complimenting
the regimental officers In South Africa for the care and atten-
tion which they had bestowed on the reinforcements drafted
Into their corps from other regiments. After dwelling on the
stsccess of the changes in the Pay Department, he passed
next to the statistics of recruiting and desertions. The
number of men who have joined the army in the year
is 25,990, which is some 2,500 less than in the two previous
Years, and this, he explained, is owing to the high standard
established and to the improvements in the system of ex-
sunination. The desertions, as well as the discharges, are
Sewer, and the provisions of the Army Act of last year in
regard to recruiting have worked beneficially in checking
desertions. On the Medical vote he dwelt on the success
01 the Medical Warrant and the New Ambulance system;
and on tne Auxiliary votes he went into details illustrating
_the satisfactory condition of the Militia, Yeomanry, an
Volunteer d
olunteer services. The number of efficlents in the ,
Volunteers is 197,425. Tauching on the Reserves, ,
he !Pointed out, correcting a misapprehension of Mr.
miadstone, that of the 34,749 men called out in 1878 more
than 21,000 were under General Peel's Act. Alter some
eXPlanatory remarks on the Provision and Clothing votes, ,
Colonel Stanley dwelt at some length on the Ordnance votes.
The Government, he said, had felt bound to hold their hands
While experiments were being made, and the point to which
their inquiries had brought them so far was that, while '
breech-loading gave no additional power of itself, the fall
benefit of the powderewe could now burn could not be gained
Without &considerable increase in the length of the barrel.
Orders had been given as far back as November, 1878, to
Prepare designs for large guns for the Navy and casemate
Ile, which would have made more progress but for the
'•uhunderer accident, and he was also pressing forward a
breech-loading field gun for trial. He pointed out that,
even if any change might be decided on, it did not follow
that the great guns we already possessed would be wasted,
as they could be utilized as they came in for fortifications.
In the customary desultory conversation which followed,
Mr. Campbell Bannerman expressed his pleasure at the re-
duction in the number of men, and especially at the
manner in which it had been carried out, which he regarded
as an earnest of a peace policy, after which the vote for
the number of men was agreed to.
On the vote of £4,759,000 for pay and allowances,
Sir G. Balfour suggested that next year the number for
the different arms of the service and their pay thould be
Silvan separately. He doubted whether the Auditor-General
did his duty properly in merely showing the pay of the Army
In a lump sum.
Colonel Stanley said the question pointed to an important
Change about which he was hardly prepared to give an
Opinion off hand. At first sight he preferred the system
Which long experience had shown to be most convenient.
Practically the House assented to the total number of men
to be raised, and within that limit the distribution of the
men devolved upon the Secretary of State. Of course
there was an honourable understanding that on the whole
the authorized establishment was not to be exceeded.
The vote was agreed to, as were also the following
Votes:—
P. 50,700 for Divine Service.
£29.890 for the Administration of Military Law.
£308,400 for Medical Establishments and Service.
£552,900 for Militia Pay and Allowances,
£74,400 for Yeomanry Cavalry Pay and Allowances.
On the vote of £.539,600 for Volunteer Corps Pay and
Allowances,
Sir W. Barttelot asked whether the Volunteers could not
be relieved for paying from the instruction of sergeant-
instructors whe were sent once a year to the depOt centres.
Colonel Stanley said he could not answer the question
without consideration. He took the opportunity of observ-
lug that the Volunteer establishment was shown in the
estimates. Formerly a happy-go-lucky plan had been fol-
lowed, but now the question was considered at a particular
time of the year, and the establishment for the ensuing year
determinerl.
The vote was agreed to.
On the vote of £208,800 for the Army Reserve Forces Pay
and Allowances, including Enrolled Pensioners,
Sir A. Hayter inquired what progress the Army Reserve
was making.
Colonel Stanley regretted to say that its growth was not
qvdte what he could wish, owing to the large number of men
who, after passing some time In civil employment, became
medically unfit for service. The subject was one on which
the Government might ultimately have some proposals to I
make to the House. (Hear, hear.)
The vote was agreed to, as was also a vote of £386,700 for
the Commissariat, Transport, and Ordnance Stores establish-
ments, wages, rte.
On the vote for £2,790,000 for Provisions, Forage, Feel,
Transport, and other Services,
Colonel Stanley, in reply to Mr. Otway, said that the
decrease of £217,000 on this vote, In comparison with that of
last year, was due partly to the decrease of provisions, and
Partly to the decrease of the force.
The vote was agreed to, as were also votes of £825,100 for
clothing establishments, services, and supplies; of £1,185,000
for supply, manufacture, and repair of warlike stores; and
of £253,000 for superintending the establishment of and
expenditure for works, buildings, and repairs at home and
abroad.
The following votes were agreed to:—
£162,200 for Establishments for Military Education.
£36,400 for Miscellaneous Effective Services.
£215,900 for Administration of the Army.
£33,900 for Rewards for Distinguished Services.
£2,000 for pay of General Officers.
On the vote of £892,700 for Retired, Full ray, Half Pay,
Petitions, and Gratuities including Payments allowed by
the Army Purchase Commissioners,
Sir G. Balfour expressed his disapproval of the system of
c°elPuleory retirement, under which men in the prime of
life were forced to leave active service.
After a few words from Colonel Stanley to the effect tha
lt had been intimated to the officers in certain regiment
that they had no right to retain the places to which they
bad been appointed prior to 1871, and so retard the promo-
tion of everybody under them,
' The vote was agreed to, as were also votes of £126,200 for
indoors pensions; £16,500, pensions for wounds; £34,300 for
Chelsea and Kilmainham Hospitals; £1,312,000 for out-
pensions; £196,500 for superannuation allowances; £39,300
tor militia, yeomanry, cavalry, and volunteer corps; and
£1,100,000 for the charges, dm, of the army in India.
The Army Estimates having been thus disposed of In one
sitting, the Chairman left the chair amid loud cheering.
The House then resumed, and some other business hav-
ing been disposed of, the House adjourned.

2, certain returns con-
In the HOUSE OF LORDS, March
nested with Highway Boards were ordered ; and, in reply to
Lord Houghton, Lord Beauchamp said there was no objec-
tion to the circulation among the Parliamentary papers of
the Presentment made by the Coroner's Jun, as to the exclu-
gon of reporters from the gaol-yard of Cheatham during
c4ssidy's execution. The presentment would be so &m-
-ilted.
Lord Waveney, who drew a gloomy picture of agricultural
prospects in England, inquired when the report of the Agri-
cultural Commission would be issued.
The Duke of Richmond and Gordon replied that as, before
reporting, the Commissioners would not only have to con-
sider the reports of the Assistant Commissioners, which wars
not yet perfected, but also have to take evidence themselve
in this country and Ireland, be could not afford the noble
lord the information be asked for.
Their Lordships adjourned at a quarter before slx o'clock.
111 the Ilcumn on COmmonS, Mr. Bourke, in answer to Mr.
enr)wright, said the Government had heard that the Porte
heti made new proposals with regard to the ratification
Of the Greek frontier, but he was not aware of the par-
ticulare.
On the Order being read for the consideration of Mr.
Grissell's case, Mr. Walpole presented a petition from him
(which was read by the Clerk at the table) apologizing humbly
for his grave offence, and submitting himself to the merciful
consideration of the-House.
The chancellor of the Exchequer remarked that this peti-
tion would have been more satisfactory had it been presented
the meeting of Parliament, and had it taken some notice
of tke manner in which its author had evaded the service of
Speaker's writ until the day before the prorogation. Although
the House probably would not wish to be vindictive, Mr.
Grisseli's conduct could not be allowed to pass without
notice, and be therefore moved that Mr. Grissell, having
evaded punishment for his offence against the privileges of
Parliament until the end of last Session, be sent for in the
custody of the Sergeant at-Arms, that Mr. Speaker do issue
his warrant accordingly, and that Mr. Grtseell be repri-
manded at the bar for as conduct
- - -

ltiffW. E. Fonter seconded the motion' but Mr, C, B.
Denison doubted whether the course suggested was adequate
te the occtsion, and pointed out that it would end in the
greater offender receiving the lesser punishment. This was
received with much cheering, and Mr. Rylands, who thought
taw that the House should not decide how it would deal with
Mr. Grissell until he had appeared at the bar, in obedience
to fond cries of "Move," moved to omit the latter part of
the motion.
Sir W. Fraser seconded the amendment and it was suppor-
ted by Mr. Evans and Mr. Beresford Hope, who both were
of opinion that to let Mr. Grissell off with a reprimand
would be quite insufficient.
Mr. Dodson. who said he was originally disposed to agree
With the Chancellor of the Exchequer, suggested that, as the
feeling of the House was so marked, the Government should
defer to Ii; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that,
aa' the general opinion appeared to be to decided, he would
mei:* at once to Liz. Ryland's amendment.
The mi.:4100 ILI amended was then agreed to.
Later on the evening the Serjeant-at-Arms reported
that he had OW Mr, Grissell Into custody, and on the
Motion of Mr. Cro4
wu ordered that ha be brought up
r.-.
to the bar on Wednes twelve o'clock.t!ti
6, resolution calling for theabrithorn.oTtathyleordamine
Lamo;:l,3iebrarked that for one reason or
Other it was nine years since he had last brought the subject
pi:ce Ita
before Parliament. In the first sat himself to prove
that the Game Laws were an active e4ement In the present
agricultural distress and read numerch7s,extracts to show
that their abolition' Is one of the reme°Olti.. measures de.
mended by the tenant farmers. ContendWg that wild
animals were the property of the people, he dedlared that
the existing game law code maintained for the purpose of
.Preserving certain wild animals for sport, was unjust to the
mkr.iller, demoralising to the labourer, and injurioni ti)the
Wuole community, and should therefore be abolished.
Bir G. Campbell, who seconded the motion, thought it
etinnilY difficult to abolish or to amend the Game Laws, and
fluggested that II the property In game were given to land-

lords they should give an equivalent, such as permitting the
right of way across their lands, and submitting to expropria-
Lion when land was required for recreation grounds or for
the experiment of a peasant proprietary.
Sir W. Barttelot, while deprecating over-preservation,
and,admitting occasional severity in the administration of
the law, contended that a sufficient amount of sport could
be secured without detriment to anybody, and without
abolishing the Game Laws. He moved, as an amendment,
that it was inexpedient to deal with the Game Laws at the
present time and Earl Percy, in seconding it, deprecated
any change which, by depriving country Me of its attrac-
tions, would gradually bring about absenteeism.
Sir A. Gordon said he should support the resolution,
though he did not think the entire abolition of the Game
Laws necessary.

Mr. Read, arguing the question entirely from the agricul,
tural point of view, held that both tenants and landlords
should have the power of protecting themselves against the
ravages of wild animals. Almost all the agricultural
grievances centred in ground game, and he held that full
justice might be done by a reform of the Game Laws without
abolishing them.
After some remarks from Dr. Kenealy on the preservation
of game in Richmond.park, Mr. Pell spoke in a tone of
general agreement with Mr. Read, and expressed a desire
that there should be legislation on the subject at a conve-
nient moment.

Mr. Muntz also desired legislation, and expressed his inten-
tion to vote for the motion as a protest against doing
nothing, though he thought the subject too complicated to
be dealt with in the simple way proposed by Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Beresford-Hope held that pheasant farming was as
much entitled to protection as sheep farming. Ground
game, he admitted, was detrimental, but if that were taken
out of the category the preservation of pheasants and part-
ridges would be a mere matter of bargain between landlord
and tenant.
• --

- ---
Mr. Hopwood, Mr. Stanhope, Sir W. Harcourt, Mr.
Rodwell, Mr. D. Davies, Mr. Chaplin, Mr. Bromley-
Davenport, Mr. Walter, and Sir M. W. Ridley also took
part in the debate, and after some observations from Mr.
Storer and Mr. R. Yorke, Sir W. Barttelot offered to with-
draw his amendment, but the House not agreeing to this, a
division was taken, and Mr. Taylor's resolution was nega-
tived by 160 to 87.

Sir W. Barlitelot's amendment—" That it is not expedient
to deal with the Game Laws "—became the main question,
and Sir W. Harcourt moved to omit the word "not." Mr.
Pell seconded this, but the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
doubted whether there had been anything serious In the
debate, said that as the motive of the amendment was evi-
dently to turn the whole thing into ridicule, he should vote
against it. On a division, 81. r W Harcourt's amendment
was rejected by 135 to 119, and Sir W. Barttelot's amend-
ment was negatived without a division.

Mr. Cross subsequently asked leave to bring in his
promised Bill on the subject of the Lon.don Water Com-
panies. He explained that it provided for the formation of
a Water Trust, which would issue a certain amount of
Stock that would be taken up by the Companies, who
would thus provide for their own extinction without
the national exchequer being in any way burdened.
With regard to the price the aggregate sum upon which a
dividend of 3 per cent, would have to be paid next year,
worild be twenty-two millions, and taking twelve years
over which the purchase would be spread, there
would be about three-quarters of a million to be paid in
interest each year, thus bringing the total cost to
about twenty-eight or twenty-nine millions at the end of
the twelve years. As to the constitution of the Trust, there
would be three paid members—the Chairman, with £2,000 a
year; :and two Vice Chairmen, with £l,OOO a year each.
Twelve of the members would be elected to represent the
ratepayers.
- •

Leave was given to bring in the Bill, and after a short con
versation it was read a first time.
Some other business was disposed of, and the House
ad burned at twenty minutes past one o'clock.

In the noun OF COMMONS, on Wednesday, March 3, the
Speaker took the chair at twenty minutes past twelve
o'clock, when there was a very large attendance, the galleries
also being well filled.
- -"

-
The order of the day for the attendance of Charles
Edmund Griesell having been read, that gentleman ap-
peared at the Bar, in the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The Speaker, addressing the prisoner, said: Charles
Edmund Grissell, your conduct last session in connection
with the inquiry before a Committee on a private Bill was
the subject of a patient inquiry by a Committee of this
House, and that Committee came to the following
conclusion: "Your Committee are unanimously of opinion
that Mr. Grissel, in asserting that he could control the
decision of the Committee on the Tower High Level (Metro-
politan) Bridge Bill, and in the offer he made to do so was
guilty of a breach of the privileges of the House." There-
upon an order was made by this House for your attend-
ance upon the House. That order was disobeyed ;
and again you evaded the warrant that was issued for your
apprehension by proceeding beyond the jurisdiction of this
House. Two days before the prorogation of Parliament you
returned and made a colourable submission to the House on
the day before the prorogation. This House has now been
In session for nearly four weeks, and you have delayed until
this time making any submission to the House. This House
nevertheless, is willing to hear any explanation you think
proper to offer respecting your conduct.
Mr. Grissell said; I heartily thank this honourable House
for giving me the opportunity of personally expressing to
this honourable House my sincere and deep regret for the
gsave offence which I am adjudged guilty, which I now
ueeply deplore, and for which I now beg to be allowed
to tender my most humble apology. I beg to be allowed
to add that my failure to present a petition at the opening
of the session was not out of intentional disrespect to this
honourable House, but because of a paragraph In The
Times which made my friends think that this honourable
House did not wish that the public business should be im-
peded by so insignificant an indisidual as myself. I throw
myself on the merciful consideration of the House, and beg
to offer the most complete submission for my grave offence
The Speaker Unless the House desires that the prisoner
at the bar should be examined, he will now withdraw in the
custody of the Serjeant-at, Arms while his conduct becomes
the subject of consideration. Is it your pleasure that he
withdraw?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved "That Charles
Edmund Grisiell, having evaded the punishment awarded by
this House last session ter his offence, be now committed to
her Majesty's gaol of Newgate, and that the Speaker do issue
his warrant accordingly." (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Forster, in seconding the motion, expressed his regret
that the conduct of the Prisoner should have rendered such
a course necessary.
The Speaker then put the question, which was agreed to
nem. con.