The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-08-06 00:00:00

PUBLIC ORDER IN SCOTLAND.

. - At the instance of the M. Toni.; of Lothian, a bill,
fraLsferring from the Home Office to the Secretary for
Scotland the administration of the law and public order
in Scotland, was read a second time, and their lord.
ships rose at 25 minntes_to seven,ricloek.4
NEW MEMBER. - •
:44,Pri the*" HOUSE OF COMMONS, on thO !notion of Mr.
Orai Sellar, a new writ was ordered foi the election of
ittuember for the Nortwich Division of Cheshire, in the
roora..of Mr. Verdin, deceased. • .
btr G. B. Sarttelsoil took the oath and his seat for
tbAotest of Dean Division of Gloncelitershire, the
rlzep of Mr. T. Blake, resigned.

QUESTIONS.
answer to Ur; W. Redmond,l44'o:tNamilton
that Prince Louis of Batteufierrita yet
Aointed to the command of 1314-11,ajtraffpla ship
nought, but in all probability -weoiald be. He
found upon examination-, of the testimonials of those
officora whb were- eligible for the appointment that
Prince Louie, by his experience and long service, was
the best qualified for the post. Mr. Picskeregill gave
notice that in the event of Prince Louis being appointed,
he would move that his salary be disallowed.
Mr. E. Rdikrtson having asked if there was any*truth
in the statement that the Government hid decided to
proclaira,the National League in the, last, week of the
session, Mr:A. J. Balfour declined' to answer questions
with respect to wholly unauthorised statements made
by newspapers.
TUE COURSE OF BUSINESS.
Mri W. H. Smith, in pursuance of an undertaking,
made a .statement with respect to the course of bust.
ness fer•the remainder of the sedition. The Raihvay
and Canal - Traffic Bill and the Land Transfer Bill
would be abandoned, and the Government feared
that they would not be able to ;proceed with
the Lunacy Acts Amendment Bill this session.
The Irish Ls,rid,, Mines Regulations, Allotments, and
Technical Instruction- Bills would be persevered with,
and there were some minor measures, including the
Alieriff and County Courts Consolidation Bills, which
. it was toped would not occupy any tetisiderable. time.
He trusted that although the Tithe Rent-charge Bill
was strenuously opposed, the House, having regard to
the disturbances which existed in some parts of the.
-country, would consent to consider that measure
during the present Session. If the Committee on the
Irish Land Bill were concluded on Tuesday, the Civil
Servioe Estimates would be taken on Wednesday, the
Army Estimates on Thursday, and the report stage of
the Land Bill probably on Friday and Saturday.
In reply to a number of questions, the right hon.
gentleman added that the Boundary Commissioners
Bill, which was :not opposed, and the Public Parks
(Metropolis) Bill would, of course, be proceeded with
this Session. The Secretary for Scotland Bill would
likewise be proceeded with, unless serious opposition
were offered. The Scottish Universities Bill, a measure
relating to Friendly Societies, and a Technical Instruc•
tion Bill for Scotland would be" intreduced forthwith.
IRISH LAND.
The consideration of the Irish Land Law Bill was re-
sumed in Committee at Clause 22, which relates to the
equitable jurisdiction of the County.court judges to
stay ejectments and order the payment of arrears of
rent by instalments. •
At the install:l3 of Mr. A. Balfour, an amendment
was inserted extending the power given by the clause
to any action for debt or damages by any person
against the tenant. A prolonged discussion took
place upon an amendment, moved by Mr. T. W. Russell,
on behalf of Mr. Finlay, to allow the court to direct a
reduction of the amount of the debt, to which Mr. A.
Balfour objected on the ground that it would apply
the principle of bankruptcy as against the claims
of the landlord who found it necessary to, take
proceedings, whilst the debts owing to other
creditors would remain unaffected. The right hon.
gen leman expressed the readiness of the Govern-
ment to accept any proposal for granting relief to the
tenant, which would treat all classes of his creditors
upon an equal footing.—The amendment was sup—
ported by Mr. Parnell and Mr. Chamberlain and
opposed by the Marquis of Hartington, who obServed
that the matter was essentially one for co4rOmise,
and, after the liberal spirit in which the Government
had met the amendments put down by those with wheel
he acted, he did not think it fair to insist upon this
amendment, which was placed upon the paper before
it was known how far the Government would accede to
their wishes. On a division the amendment was nega-
tived by 199 to 140.