The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-07-11 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

THE STE.tr,S SETILEIIENT3.

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In the 110.'9E OP LIMPS, July 6, lord Stanhy of Alderley
referred to a lota dissuasion u the subject of the straits
Ihttlements, and asktd Lord Carnarvon whether he wit, in-
stituting or wile about to institute an inquiry into the state
of the administration of those Settlements previous to
November, ISM
expre,=ed his olni a that no gr..and hod
been bd.: for on ioqui y Into the goverbnieht of the Straita
Settlements.

Lord Carnarvon, after replying to the statements of Lord
Stanley of Alderley, said that the proposed inquiry was
of an almost unprecederted character, and could be justified
only by a clear conviction on the part of her Majesty's
Governinent of the existence of the nowt serious abuses in the
administration of the straits Settlements, lie, therefore,
was not disposed to hold out any expectation that an inquiry
of the sort would be instituted.

NAVAL CADETS.
Lord Chelmsford then called attention to the returns iald
before the House of the regulatig vs in force on board Her
Majesty's ship !kiln nnia in respect to the summer and
winter course of study prescribed for naval cadets, lie
believed that the severity of the studies acted injuriously
on the mental powers of the cadets, and he asked
whether it was wise to apply the competitive test to
boys of so young all age as those on board the-Britannia.
In conclusion he moved a resolution declaring that hi lice
opbsion of the Home an inquiry ought to Le instituted
as to the course of study prescribed for naval cadets,
and as to the character of the post.terndual examinations,
with the view of ascertaining whether the system has been
found to work satisfactorily in training up young officers to
tit them in every respect for the Naval Service.
After remarks from Lord Malmesbury, the Duke of
Somerset, Lord Camperdown, Lord Hampton, awl Lord
Fortescue, the motion was agreed to.

GLEBE LANDS SALE BILL
The Bishop of Carlisle moved the Second Reading of the
Glebe Lands Sale Bill, authorising in certain eases, and
under certain conditions as to the application of the pro-
ceeds for the future benefit of the living, the sale of glebe
lands belonging to benefices. Ile characterized the bill as
being a restrictive bill, and nut one for widening the power of
selling glebe lands, and the money produced by sides of the
glebes would be invested in a way more beneficial for the
Church than could be done at present.
The Lord Chancellor said that nothing would be more in-
jurious to the interests of the Church than to have the
connexion between the Church and the land too ninth
severrd, and he was not anxious that the sales of glebe hinds
should be encouraged.
Lord Portman, believing that the bill would act so as to
stimulate the sale of glebe lands, moved that it he read a
second time that day three months,
The Bishop of Winchester maintained that the bill, in
stead of encouraging glebe lands, would operate as a decided
restriction on their sale.
Lord Selborne could not regard the 1411 as restrictive, and
conceived that, before being assented to, it would require
more consideration than could now be given to it.
After a few observations from Lord Harrowby and Lord
Egerton of Tattoo in favour of the bill, the Bishop of
Carlisle withdrew iL
The Building Societies Bill was, on the motion of Lord
Harrowhy, read a aeconol time, and, the other business
being disposed of, their lordships adjourned.
CHURCH PATRONAGE (SCOTLAND) BILL.
In the HOUSE or COMMONS, the Lord Advocate moved the
Second Reading of the Church Patronage Scotland) Bill.
After an elaborate historical retrospect, designed to show
how this grievance had grown up, and a brief explanation of
the manner In which Patronage is to be abolished, Mr.
Gordon referred to the meetings which have been held in
Scotland and the petitions which have been presented to
prove that lay opinion is in its favour. The primary object
of the bill was to maintain and support the Church of
Scotland, anti to promote union ; and when Patronage was
removed, Mr. Gordon predicted, the Scotch Churches would
gravitate towards each other.
Mr. Baxter, as sit amendment to the seconol reading.
moved a resolution declining it inexpedient to legislate
without further inquiry and information. From one point
of view, he admitted that this was an extreme Liberal
pleasure. and it was supported by sonic on the express
ground that it would lead directly to Disestablishment ;
but he insisted that neither the Government nor tile
House of Commons had sufficient information of the
ecelesiouitical position and the feelings of the people
of Scotland to be alai to legislate satisfactorily. A
Royal Commission or a Select Committee ought to be
appointed to acquire this information. Another objection
which he urged to the I.ill was its assumption that the
Establishment was the lliurch of the people, whereas it con-
tained only one-third of the peoplo ; and be objected also
to the unprecedented powers given to the Ecclesiastical
Courts.
Mr. Dalrymple held that 110 case had been made out for
delay, anti supported the loin because he believed it was in
harmony with the wishes of the people and would conduce
to union, since there would be no excuse fur separation
when Patronage was removed.
Mr. Gladstone regretted to find himself involved in a new
ecclesiastical controversy, but, though he admitted that the
motive of the bill was laudable, its details were so objecti.im
able and its production was so loopportime anal premature
that he was constrained to support Mr Baxter's Resolutii
He criticized minutely various details of the bill, especially
the manner in which the congregation was to be determined.
the inordinate powers given to the Church Courts, the mode in
which the Highland parishes where there were no Church con-
gregations were dealt with, and the compensation to be
given for advowsons. The Dissenting bodies had a right to be
considered in the settlement of this question, but the bill
was conceived from an exclusively Church point of view.
Repentance ought to be accompanied by restitution, and
part of the information which he wished to obtain by agree-
ing to the amendment related to the steps which the General
Assemb y was prepared to take for the admission of
the other bodies, not as individuals but as bodies, on
fast and equitable terms. Up to this tinie the Disestablish-
ment cry had never been raised in Scotland, but this challenge
thrown down to the other denominations would stimulate
the movement. Though not an idolater of Establishments,
Mr. Gladstone said he was not disposed to sanction any
attack on the principle except for some justifying 'nose. At
this statement there were significant cheers and counter
cheers, which induced Mr Gladstone to say that if they
referred to his Irish Church policy he was quite willing that
posterity should judge him exclusively by that portion of his
career.

_
After remarks from several other hon. members,
Mr. Disraeli began by congratulating the House on Mr.
Glatistorie's reappearance, and expressing a hope on his own
account that, as the conduct of debate was more difficult in
his absence, his appearance that night would not be a solitary
one. Replying to 31r. Gladstone's argument, he denied
that this was an abolition of Patronage ; it was
merely an alteration in the mode of selecting
ministers, and in what they had done the Government
had acted on precedent. Ile defended with much
animation the selection of the coneregation as the
constituency, and the amount of compensaton proposed to
be pail to patrons, and he pointed out that to sill mtitute the
Civil for the Ecclesiastical Coons would be fatal to the uhive
Branch being held out to the United Presbyterians and the CHURCH RATES IN SCOTLAND.
Free Church. The amendment 31r.
ile Disraeli
Baxter declared '.• described as one
in !noising the second reading lit the Chinch
of the oddest ever moved, for, wh Mr. ,
Rates Abolitien scotland) Ihll, said the liill had been intro-
that Hie was b. late, by his amendment he aske d th M
duced seNeril t inies into this House. On the last occasion it
them should bure II lb delay. Finally, referring to 31r
I
Gladstone's satisfaqhm with his Irish Chur.di mdit!y, Mr. was br.ough ll,rward in tile year 1671, 121 meniers voted for
the second reading and against it. and the then Govern-
Disraeli expressed a hope that his epitaph would not hiclude
molt through thOr official represetitative stated that while
the disestablishment of any other church.
they should not support all the provisions of the bill.
At the conclusion of Mr. Disraells speech there was along they sympathised with its objects, and if lie would
controversy auto the adjournment of the delmte, which was not proceed with it hop would introduce a hill
proposed by Mr. Edward Jenkins and opposed by the Prime upon the subject and deal with it. that assur- •
Minister, who pointed out that it would be impossible, ale, he had, after the division, withdrawn the bill,
owing to the engagements he had made, to fix any day for but no measure was brought in by the late Govern-
resuming it before Monday. Two motions for adjournment ment, either in the next session or in 1873. The bill was
were made, one of which was defeated by 223 to DM, the supported by the general feeling of the Scotch people, the
other by 215 ti 151. but in the end it was arranged that the only petitions against it Ming from members of the
debate should be adjourned until next Monday. Established Church, and its object was to abolish the system
Several other bills were forwarded a stage, and the Mouse under which churches and manses were built or repaired by
adjourned at a .orarter past one o'clock. a charge upon the ratepayers at large, whether belonging to
the Established Church or not, and to assimilate the law to
that adopted in England, where church-rates had not been
INTOXICATING LIQUORS BILL. abolished, bat where their enforcement by legal process was
nut permitted.
In the House OF Loans, July 7, the Intoxicating Liquors
Colonel Alexander moved as an amendment, "That, while
Bill was considered in Committee. not unwilling to consider any equitable proposal for reline-
Lord Harrowby proposed to insert, after Clause 2, a new lug lens in Scotland below a fixed standard of annual value
Clause restoring a discretion to Magistrates in populous from assessment for the erection and maintenance of ecelesi-
places beyond the metropolitan district to On the hours for astical buildings, this House is of opinion that, without
opening pnblichouses on the morning of all days except further inquiry, to exempt the land generally from burdens
Sunday. Christina! Day, and Good Friday, not earlier than incidental to its tenure would he neither wise nor ex-
five o'clock nor later than seven o'clock. ped lent." He remarked that, when he remembered that the
Lord Beauchamp opposed the Clause, as the hours fixed hon. gentleman who had inoved the second reading of the
lqt the Act of 1072 hail been generally accepted by the Minuet seconded Mr. Miall's motion, he looked upon thin
country, and the object of limiting the discretion of the measure with home degree of suspicion. Ile contended
magistrates was to preolude the anomaly of having different . that the cases of England and Scotland were entirely iii.
hours for opening prevailing in different parts Of the country. I ferret, inasmuch as English churches, prior to the Act of
The proposed Clause was supported by Lord Aberdare and 15e5. had been kept up by a personal and annual tax, while
Lord Kimberley, and msposed by Lord Salisbury and the the Scotch churches were erected and maintained by taxes
Lord Chancellor, and in a division it was rejected by 105 to 09. on the land.
On Clause 3, prescribing the hour of closing publichouses Mr. On-Ewing seconded the amendment.
at night in the metropolitan district, After remarks from several other hon. members,
Lord Aberdare proposed an amendment, to the effect that The lord Advocate said he would take the question up
the time shoebl be on other but Sunday nights twelve with a view to introduce a bill next year upon the subject ;
o'clock, and not half-past twelve 4.'click, as fixed by the but, at the some time, he did not concur with the remark
hill. that the Scotch system was analogous to the English system
Lord Itaancliamp opposed the amendment, and the Lord I if church rates, as the Scotch tax was one upon land. At
Chancellor observed that the eldect of the bill was to pot the s;une time he agreed that it was necessary that the tax
an end to all exemptions by which particular louses in the sl Id be imposed so as to have it tree from silence.
neighlwarhowl4-4 theatres were allowed to keep open later Mr. McLaren withdrew the bill, and Colonel Alexander
than other houses, and to lix one nniforin li air for closing. withdrew Isis amendnient, after the announcement of the
After sonic discussion the amendment was rejected without loot Advocate.
a Division.
The expression " populous place "gave rise to a long con-
versation, objection being taken to it as being vague and in-
definite, and an amendment to omit those words was moved
by Lord Morley, who, however. afterwards withdrew it with
the view of reviving the question on the Report, and Clause 3
was agreed to.
The remaining Clauses of the Itfil were then gone through,
and the House resumed.
The Leases and sales Settled F:atatm Bill and the Bill
of Sale Amendment Bill were reported with amendments.
The Apothecaries Act Amendment Bill, the Conjugal Rights
(Scotland) Act Amendment Bill, and the Alkali Act 114:51
Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed, anti their
I trdships then adjourned.

Mr. C. Lewis supported the second reading of the bill, and
expressed some surprise that the third clause had been ob-
jected to, as similar provisions wire to be found in the exist-
ing law. lie considered the measure a good one, and hoped
it would be passed.
The bill was then read a second time.

CRIMINAL LAW AMENDMENT BILL.

Mr. Mondella at this period of the session, with no hope
that the bill could be properly discussed, withdrew it.
Mr. k inn add hoped some assurance would be given by the
Government that th-, matter would receive some attention
at their hands, as great anxiety prevailed upon the question.
Mr. Monekton having withdrawn an anion intent lie had on
the paper with referenve to the bill,
Mr. Cross said the government had the matter under
their consideration, and lie as a Lancashire magistrate
knew that employers and employed were anxious that
the matter should be settled. At the same time lie
considered that it would he wrong to take the que.tion in
howl without full inquiry, and had for that reason urged
the appointment of a Royal Commission on the subject.
That eonunission had not reported this Bethnal, tint would.
lie hoped, report in the recess, SO that a bill on the subject
could be prepared and introduced next session.
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TACTICAL STATION IN HIE NORTH,

In the liovsy. lIF CoMM..NS, Major Beaumont asked
the Secretary for War if he would he willing to defer the
purchase of land for a tactical station in the north of En 4
land until the House had had an opportunity of discussing
the question of a central arsenal.
Mr. G. Hardy said at this moment instructions had been
a-Nen for the purchase of the land, and it would not be for
the benefit of the public service to make any alteration hi
the arrangements mode.

Mr Dodson said if the report could he presented this see-
Sion it would tic of great advantage.
The order for the second reading of the bill was then dis-
char4ol. •

The Pier and linrhour )rders Confirmation Bill and the
Land Drainage Provisional Order Bill passed through com-
mittee. _

INFANTS CONTRACTS BILL.

The House went into committee on this loin, but at a
quarter to six progress Was leported, while clause two wa.
being discussed.

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Mr. Rourke obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the
law relating to international copyright, and the House ad-
journed.