The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-02-25 00:00:00

WELSH AFFAIItS.

Mr. T. E. Ellis and Mr. Osborne Morgan condemned
the tithe system in Wales, and in the course of subse-
quent discussion, in which Sir R. Paget, Colonel
Kenyon-Slaney, Mr. Marum, Colonel Dawnay, Sir E.
Birkbeck, Mr. J. More, and Sir W. Barttelot took
part, a general feeling of satisfaction was expressed with
the announcement made by the Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster.

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
Subsequently, Mr. S. Smith moved an amendment to
the Address expressing anxiety at the recurring deficits
in the Indian revenue accounts, calling upon the
Government of India to meet the wishes of the native
population, both in respect of finance and administra-
tion, so far as it could be done consistently with
prudence and sound policy, and urging her Majesty's
Government to institute the promised inquiry by
Royal Commission into the Government of India.
• In the discussion which ensued Sir R. Temple dis-
sented from the gloomy view taken by the hon. member
of the condition of India and its finances, but concurred
as to the advisability of an inquiry by Royal Commis-
sion, being satisfied that a reduction of expenditure \vas
possible, and that a scheme of representative institu-
tions could be devised, and being also in favour of sub-
stituting native for European agency, as far as was
consistent with the safety of the Empire. Sir R.
Lethbridge also agreed that there was urgent need for
an impartial inquiry.
Sir J. Gorst explained that the deficiency in the
Indian Budget was not due to the present Government,
and that an increase in the salt duty was the only expe-
dient by which it could be met. With regard to an
inquiry, the Public Service Commission had now con-
cluded its labours and presented its report. No time

would be lost in considering the report and the au,tion
which the Government Ought to take thereupon.
After some observations by Sir U. Kay-Shuttle-
worth, the amendment was withdrawn and, on the
motion of Dr. Cameron, the debate on the Address was
again adjourned. • '
The House adichrned at half-past'one o'clock.
TRURO CATHEDRAL.—THE FIRE AT EXETEn.
in the HOUSE OF Loans on February 21st, on the
motion of the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe, the Truro
Cathedral Fabric and Services Bill was, after a brief
discussion, referred to a Select Committee ; and at the
instance of the Earl of Milltown, the Marquis of Salis-
bury assented to the production of the report of Captain
Shaw with respect to the calamitous fire which took
place at the Exeter Theatre last autumn. Their lord-
!ships rose at 10 minutes to five o'clock.

MEMBER FOR WEST EDFAURGII
In the HOUSE OF COMMONR, Mr. Buchanan took the
oath and his seat for West Edinburgh.

NEW ;IT FOR DEPTFORD.
On the motion of Mr. Akers-Douglas a new writ was
issued for the election of a member for Deptford, in
the room of Mr. Evelyn, resigned.

THE LONDON UNEMPLOYED.
Notice was given by Mr. Cwaninghatne Graham of
his intention to caL attention to the distress existing
amongst the unemployed of London and other great
cities and towns, aLd to move a resolution.

IRISH PRESS PROSECUTIONS.
to , by the hon.

answer . a question by the member, Mr.
KinrHarman said there was no truth in the published
statements that there would be no more press prosecu-
tions under the Irish Crimes Act.
MR. BRADLAUGU AND LORD SALISBURY.
Mr. Bradlaugh, referring to the refusal of the First
Lord of the Treasu-v to assent to the appointment of a
Select Committee to inquire into the matters in dis-
pute between Lord Salisbury and himself, stated that
he had received a letter from the Prime Minister's soli-
citor to the effect that the published letter, in which an
allegation of perjury was made, was not published by
Lord Salisbury, or with his authority, and that his legal
responsibility of the letter was therefore not admitted.
Having thus been refused a Select Committee and
denied access to a court of law, the hon. member ex-
pressed a hope that the House would be satisfied that no
further responsibility rested with him.
THE DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS.—THE CROFTER QUESTION.
The debate on the Address was resumed by Dr.
Cameron, who moved an amendment regretting that no
reference was made in the Speech from the Throne to
the :acute distress in the Highlands and islands of
Scotland, to the disturbances which had arisen out of
that distress, or to any projected remedial legislation
intended to put an end to the critical state of matters
which at present exists in the North of Scotland. He
attributed the disturbances in Lewis and elsewhere to
the desperate condition of poverty from which the
people were suffering, and, having censured the
Government for the manner in which the law had been
put in operation, he advocated as a remedy an exten!'
sion of the Crofters Act and the appointment of sub-
commissioners to enable it to be put into effect rapidly,
the adoption of measures for the development of the I
fishing industry amongst the crofters, and the con-
ferment upon them of the power of local self-govern-
ment.

Mr. A. Sutherland having seconded the amendment,
the Lord Advocate asserted that the present destitu-
tion was due entiiely to the failure of the fishing in-
dustry, and that the lawless action of the crofters was
the fruit ef political agitation. So long as force was
necessary to prevent such lawlessness it must and would
be exercised. All attempts at remedy would be futile
which did not recognise the fact that the population of
the Lews was in excess of what the land would bear;
and that if all the land were given them it would not
meet the difficulties caused by the increase of popula-
tion for more than a few years. The most effectual
remedy was to be found in voluntary emigration, and
those who were dissuading the people from it were
doing them incalculable harm.
In the course of subsequent debate, which occupied
the remainder of the sitting, Mr. Asher, the late
Solicitor-General for Scotland, supported the amend-
ment, while Mr. A. J. Balfour opposed it, declaring
that the question was mainly one of over population,
and that it was the conviction of the Government that
by emigration alone could the question of congestion
in the Western Highlands and islands be finally and
satisfactorily solved.
Sir G. Trevelyan maintained that it was the intention
of Parliament in passing the Crofters Act that the
crofters' holdings should be enlarged, and that the
Government ought to see that that intention was
carried out.
Eventually, on a division, the amendment was
negatived by 194 to 133, and the debate was again
adjouzned.