The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-12 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HOUSE of LOitDS, March 7, Lord Kimberley read the
telegrams from Sir Evelyn Wood relative to the armistice
with the Boers, and he also informed their. lordships that
what had been done by Sir Evelyn in this matter had the
approval of Her Majesty's Government.
The Archbishop of Canterbury rose to move that an
humble address be presented to Her Majesty praying that
Her Majesty would be pleased to appoint a Royal Com-
mission to inquire into the constitution and working of
the Ecelesfasticai Courts as created or modified under the.
Reformation statutes of the 24th and 25th of King Henry
VIII, and any subsequent Acts. The most reverend pre-
late, explained that he took this course at the tulanimous re-
quest of tL Upper House of Convocation of his Province,
and with the concurrence of the Lower. Than by the issue
of such a Commission he knew of no satisfactory
means of investigation into this intricate and difficult sub-
ject, which had not been inquired into for fifty years. All
the Courts which had to do with the clergy were now entirely
in the hands of other judges, who had nothing to do with
the old theory of the Ecclesiastical Courts. The sub-
ject was not dealt with in 1874, when the Public
Worship Regulation Act passed, because it was thought
better to have a thorough investigation before any
steps were taken ; but the attitude of those clergy-
men who had been imprisoned for defying that Act
had rendered it necessary that a Commission should 'be ap-
pointed. It was desirable that there should be a full under-
standing of the position in which the Church of England
really stood, and he hoped that the Commission, if granted,
would not only dispel the misunderstanding and jealousies
now existing, but enable the Church to do the work well
which dod ha a committed to her hands.

Lord Oranmore and Browne met this proposition with
an amendment, declaring that, inasmuch as a Royal
Commission was appointed in the year 1831 to enquire
into the psactice and jurisdiction of these cour k which
Commission reported In 1832, and whereas in the
Late matter of Mr. Dale and Mr. Enraght the
judges declared unanimously that the court under the
Public Worship Regulation Act was the same which had
existed from the time of Lord Coke downwards, and was
neither a new court nor had any new jurisdiction, it was un•
desirable to present the proposed address.
-

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The motion was supported by the Bishop of Peterborough,
and the Archbishop of York advocated the inquiry, on the
ground that it was desirable to take counsel on the question
of the Ecclesiastical Courts, and that there was no better
mode of doing so than by a Royal Commision.

The Lord Chancellor, in assenting to it on behalf of the
Government, pronounced it a reasonable proposal, as no
one who had paid any attention to the subject could say
that the present position of the Courts of first instance in
relation to ecclesiastical matters was satisfactory.

The motion was then agreed to without a division, and the
amendment was consequently negatived.

Their lordithips adjourned at a quarter past eight.
In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Mr. E. Stanhope gave notice
of the terms of his resolution on the retention of Can.
dahar as follows :—" That in the opinion of this House
the withdrawal of British troops from South Afghan.
istan in the present critical state of affairs in that
country will not be conducive to the true and per
manent interests of India." The notice was received with
much cheering from the Conservative benches, and Sir. S.
Northcote intimated that he would ask when the Govern-
ment could give a day for the motion. Subsequently Mr.
Arnold and Sir A. Gordon gave notice ot amendments to the
motion, both expressing confidence in the Afghan policy of
the Government.

THE ARMISTICE WITH THE BOERS.
Sir W. Lawson asked the First Lord of the Treasury, with
reference to the negotiations for peace with the Boers,
whether the Government forbade any fresh attack to be
made on the Boers until the answer which it had been
stated "was then expected from them" had been received.
Mr. Gladstone, in reply, said: With regard to the question
of my hon. friend, we are not in a position as yet to give
full and complete information to the House. We have not
got perfectly clear information on all points ourselves. I
think the best answer I can give is to state the substance of
a telegram sent to the general officer commanding on the
13th of February. It was to this effect—" That with reference
to Lord Kimberley's telegram and in the interval that must
elapse we do not bind your discretion, but we are anxious
that you should make arrangements to avoid the effusion of
blood." (Hear, hear.) This day a telegram has been re-
ceived from ir E. Wood, dated the 6th. It is as follows :
(Telegram from Sir E. Wood to Lord Kimberley, received
March 6, 10.20 p.m.)

"Have signed agreement with Jonbert for suspension of

hostilities till midnight, 14th of March, for purpose of re:
ceiving Kruger's reply" (he had gone up the country) "and
any further communications. We have power of sending
eight days' supplies to our garrisons, and Joubert has under-
taken to pass them through Boer lines, and on arrival of
Provisions at such garrisons the blockading and besieged
Parties will cease hostilities for eight days."

(Cheers.) My right hon. friend the Secretary of State for
War has also received a telegram with regard to the condi-
tions of the armistice, which he will be prepared to read to
the House.
Mr. Ritchie asked whether the armistice was agreed to at
the request of Sir E. Wood or of the Boers.
Mr. Gladstone replied: I do not think it possible to give a
Perfectly clear answer until we lay the telegram on the
table, and it will not be possible to do that until we receive
the answer from the Boers. Until we receive that answer
we cannot expect to give further information.
Colonel Stanley asked whether the Secretary of State for
War was able, without detriment to the public service, to
state generally the circumstances under which the armistice
Was Wald to.
Kr. Childers, in reply, said: I shall read the telegram
from glib E. Wood as to the terms of the armistice. It is in
these words :

"The following are the conditions of the armistice
entered into this day (the 6th of March) between Joubert
and myself. The object of the armistice is to allow
Kruger to reply to communication from the late Sir G.
Colley. We mutually agreed to suspend hostilities from
noon, 6th, to midnight, 14th of March. During that
Period promise not to make forward movement from posi-
tion, but each will retain liberty of movement within his

own lines. Sir E. Wood is at liberty to send eight days
Provisions to garrisons, but no ammunition. Joubert under-
takes to send notice to respective garrisons and to the Boer
Commanders, and will use his influence to induce those
commanders to allow withdrawal of British wounded into
Natal." (Hear, hear.)

Alderman Fowler asked whether the Secretary of State
for War had received any information as to a report of
the death of Sir E. Wood which appeared in the 'evening
Papers.

Mr. Childers replied: No such intelligence has reached
US. If there had been any foundation for the rumour, it is
certain that before this hour we should have received intel-
ligence.
cord R. Churchill gave notice-that he would ask whether,
in the event of Kruger's reply proving acceptable to the
Government, they intended to conclude terms of peace
With the Boers before communicating those terms to the
Rouse of Commons in such a way that the House might ex-
press an opinion.

In answer to a question from Mr. C. Russell as to an
amendment in the mode of transacting the business of Parlia-
ment, Bin Gladstone said the fate of previous Select Corn-
Inittees was not encouraging for the appointment of another,
but though he thoaght a full discussion of the subject NTry
desirable, it was not possible to give a day at present for the
purpose.
In answer to questions from Mr. Monk and Mr. J. G.
Talbot, Mr. Chamberlain said the Government would take
every opportunity of extending further the system of
Provisional Orders.
The House then went into Committee on the Peace Preser-
vation (Ireland) Bill, and on Clause 1 Major Nolan proposed
exempt from the prohibition of the Bill Justices of the
, the Naval, Military, Coastguards, Revenue. and
,`,euee Services, special constables, jurors, and clergy
Lu but Sir W. Harcourt pointed out that it
"via be in the power of the Lord Lieutenant to
settle all exemptions in his proclamation. On a division,
the amendment was negatived by 293 to 28, as was an
amendment by Mr. Lalor allowing all persons to carry arms
on their own lands by 217 to 29.
A proposal by Mr. Dawson that applications for certiti-
°ldes to carry arms may be made in open court was
negatived by 122 to 27.
Mr. Corbet proposed to take away the power of arresting
vrithout warrant persons suspected of carrying arms, but
the Committee retained the words by 116 to 32 ;
DIM Mr. O'Donnell, who proposed that this power
of arresting without warrant should only be exercised
in the night time, was beaten by 161 to 35. The
conditions under which the search of persons sus-
pected of carrying arms should be conducted were dis-
cussed for some time, and in the end Sir W. Harcourt
agreed to withdraw that part of the clause which gives
Dower to the police to search the person on the spot,
and to meet the necessities of the case by modifying the
Preceding portien of the clause relating to arrest. The
tionle Secretary QUO agreed to shorten the time within
Which the warrant should be executed from twenty-one
daYs to ten days after its issue, and to require that when a
house is searched the police shall announce their object and
Show the warrant if required. Further, he agreed that all
arms voluntarily given up shall either be restored or their
value raid to their owners when the proclamation of the
district comes to an end.
A. division was taken on Clause 1, and it was carried by
172 to 28,
The Committee again adjourned, and the remaining orders
having bum disposed of, the House adjourned at twenty-
five minutes past one o'clock.

In the HOUSE OF TAUS, March 8, the Alkali Works Re-
gnlation Bill was passed through Committee, after several
Amendments moved by Lord I,llidleton had been 'discusse
And rejected
Lord Waveney inquired when any further correspondence
on the milithry estimates of India would be presented, in
accordszee with the assurance contained in her Majesfy'g
Most gracious Speech at the opening of Parliament.
Lord Enfield said the papers referred to in the question
Of his noble friend were presented to their lordships' House
on the 13th of January. Some further papers relating to
the subject would be produced in a few days, but they would
not alter the results exhibited in the papers already pre-
Their lordships adjouraed at ten minutes to seven o'clock.
in the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Sir S. Northcote having asked
,thether the Government would give a day for Mr. Stan-,
hope'
motion on Candahar, Mr. Gladstone replied that sub-
sect to the severe and inflexible demands of Supply and the
AUtY Bills, he would undertake that the first day at the
Dosai of the Government should be appropriated to the
Motion. In answer to gr. Macfarlane, lie declined to give
Sa7 pledge that Candabar should not be evacuated until
rarhament had 'discussed the subject, thotudi he said Lord
gaztington did not think that any immediate step was pro-
°able,
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Lord IV Churchill put a similar question with regard to
the negotiation with the Boers, and asked, further, whether
an engagemeitt that no final settlement should be made
Without the knowledge of Parliament would not be in
Itecordance with the Prime Minister's views as to the abuse
, of the treaty-making power of the Crown.
To this Mr. Gladstone replie4 that he had never said any-
'ling about the treaty-making powerc of the Crown ‘vhich
Would apply to a case where actual hostilities existed or
131,_ight break out again, and while desirous tp proeced
uarroony with the general sentiment of the House and the
country, he could give no undertaking not to consent to
terms of peace at so remote a part of the world without
conununicating with Parliament
Lord R. Churchill gave notice that on Thursday he would
stsk.,_ how the Government considered that the undertaking
24,_c)Yr
the Queen's Speech to vindicate the authority of the
''...„,,n over its subjects in arms against it had been carried
Whether by our three defeats, by the invasion of Natal,
by declaration of the rebels that nothing but complete in
dependence would satisfy them.
_Lord G, Hamilton asked the First Lord of the Treasury
nnether between the 96th of January, the to of the receipt
the first proposals of President Brand to mediate, and
27t
e h of February, the date of the last of the iliceo ;•p-
-verses
41
With heavy loss of life experienced by British troops,
1( telegram was sent by her Majesty a Government to the
Bihr George Colley directing him either to suspend
sit °Q.; tilconseOperations or to obtain front the liners an armistice,
deration of "guarantees under which armed oppo-
art would cease."
_ Gladstone in reply said : Certain announcements with
ja",...!lew to a settlement were made to the Boers, and Sir G.
ae,S! Was directed to allow a certain time for the trans-
The of the announcements and the receipt of an answer.
the Lnatructions for the regulation of his conduct before
set gipt of the answer have already been stated in their
;T the fi st""
to the House. But further he was instructed
were ollowing effect—if the proposals of the Government
hostil"epted, he was in that case authorised to suspend
W W
es. e have never directed our commanders to
ask for or to obtain an armistice, but we entirely approve of
the conduct of General Wood.
In answer to a further question from Lord E. Cecil, Mr.

Gladstone said that the date of the first communication was
February 16 and of the second February 19.
In answer to Mr. Eardeastle, Sir W. Narcourt said there
was no truth in the statement that a printed draft of the
Licensing Bill had accidentally got abroad, as no such draft
was in existence, and it had therefore never been printed.
he House was in Committee all the evening on the Arms
Act. An amendment moved by Mr. Sexton, with the view
of having the conditions on which arms may be carried
stated in the Act instead of in the Lord-Lieutenant's procla-
mation, was negatived by 295 to 31. A division was taken
on Clause 11., which was carried by 270 to 26.

After this, proposals by Mr. Callan to leave out all men-
tion of the Privy Council, and by Mr. Sexton to omit sale
of arms from the Lord Lieutenant's proclamation, were
negatived, the " Ayes " not amounting to 20 when they
were directed to stand up. An amendment by Mr.
Dawson to omit ammunition was negatived by 106
to 24, and another amendment was . moved by Mr.
Saxton exempting persons who merely sell arms and am-
munition. In the discussion of this amendment an episode
marked by considerable excitement occurred, provoked by an
expression, "beastly bellowing," supposed to have been ap-
plied by Mr. Finigan to the Treasury Bench. The Chairman
at once took exception to the words, and called for a with-
drawal. Several Irish members denied that the words had
been used, and Mr. Finigan, while disclaiming any personal
application of them, after a confused and noisy scene, with-
drew the words, as he said, under orders from the Chair and
for fear of consequences. Mr. O'Donnell, who had been
among those who protested against- the discourteous
words being attributed to Mr. Finigan, rose to a point
of order ; but the Chairman held out that the matter
had been disposed of, and could not be again revived.
I Mr. O'Donnell, however, persisted in his attempt to get
a hearing, and was understood to be desirous of refer-
ring to a precedent of O'Connell's, but he was met
by loud cries of " Order" and "Name him" from the
Ministerial Benches. In the end the Chairman " named "
him, and Sir W. Harcourt, (amid loud cries of "Shame!
shame ! " from the Irish members,) moved, in the terms of
the standing order, that he be suspended for the rest of the
sitting. While the Committee was being cleared,- Mr.
O'Donnell, speaking with his hat on, protested vehemently
against the gross unfairness with which he was being treated
in being suspended before he had been allowed to state
his point, and declared that he would not leave the House
until removed by constables. Mr. Biggar and several
other members also attempted to address the Committee.
The motion was carried by 127 to 27, and Mr. Playfair
having left the chair, the Speaker was sent for, and what had
passed was reported to him. Mr. Parnell took exception to
the Chairman's report, on the ground that he had not
"named" Mr. O'Donnell by name, as required by the stand-
ing order, but had simply referred to him as "the member
for Dungarven." Sir W. Harcourt asserted that he heard
the Chairman use the words "Mr. O'Donnell," which
was summarily contradicted by Mr. Callan. Captain
Aylmer was understood to take the same view as
Mr. Parnell. Mr. A. O'Connor and Mr. .Callan asked what
means there were of challenging Mr. Playfair's decision. •
Mr. O'Donnell said he, too, should like to know what
mode of inquiry was open to him. He did not In the
slightest degree disregard the authority of the Chair.
(Hear, hear, and "Oh, oh !") He was not allowed to speak
to a point of order, and was not named by the Chairman
from the beginning to the end of the performance. He
asked if it would be in order to move that these proceedings,
if they must not be interfered with to-day, might be re-
scinded at a future sitting of the House?

The Speaker put an end to the tumult by ruling
that no question of order could be entertained at that
moment, and proceeded at once to put the question "that
Mr. O'Donnell be suspended." This was carried by 143 to
32, and Mr. O'Donnell quietly withdrew at once at the direc-
tion of the Speaker. After the division, Mr. Callan proposed
to move the adjournment of the House, but the Speaker
immediately left the chair, and the Rouse went again into
Committee.
The point at issue when the interruption arose was dis-
posed of by the Home Secretary agreeing to insert the word
"wilfully" before "sell." Clause 3 was then agreed to en
a division by 181 to 31, and Clause 4 was carried by 198
to 30.
The penalties were discussed for some time, and Mr
M'Coan, who moved to reduce the three months to one
month, but did not press it went to a division with a pro-
posal to reduce the money penalty from £2O to £5, and was
beaten by 247 to 37. A proposal by Major Nolan that the
justices may have power to dismiss the case if the circum-
stances do not seem to justify any punishment was accepted
by the Government.
Mr. Leamy moved that no prisoners under the Act shall
be required to sleep on a plank bed, but after some discus-
sion he withdrew this in favour of an amendment by Mr.
Serjeant Simon that all prisoners shall be treated as first-
class misdemeanants, which on a division was negatived by
94 to to 47.

After some other amendments had been disposed of, the
further consideration of the Bill was again adjourned.
The House adjourned at twenty-five minutes past two
o'clock.