The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-05-02 00:00:00

compensated. Among other reasons in favour of State
control he urged the prevention of accidents, the economy
to be secured by unity of management, and passing to the
particular ululation of the Irish Railways, he dwelt on the
Warms whieh might be learnt from this limited einperitnent
of Government working, and on the improvements %Oita.
might be effected in the Railway oommunications of Ireland,
and in the system of working. Ile repudiated the imputa-
tion of suing in fin mapa for this concesnion, because
the Irish people, also were guits unanimous on the subject,
were it•iiling that every shilling of the cost and all the r.sk
should be charged te Irish resources. But he maintained
that here would be no financial loss, sAd appealed to the
example of Foreign Railways.
Mr. ',V 0 Gore seconded the motlon, to which
Mr. Goldamid moved, as an Amendment, a counter-Resolu-
tion, declaring that the purchase would be financially inex-
pedient, would unduly enlarge the patronage of the Govern-
ment, and would seriously increase the pressure of business
in Parliament, which was seconded by Colonel Parttelot

After remarks from several other hOu. members,

Sir M. Beach, on the part of the Government, said they
adhered for the present to the Report of the Royal Commis-
sion, and could see no reason for treating Railways on a
different footing from all other trades. The case of Ireland
could hardly he considered separate from the other parts of
the United Kingdom, and to steal with the whole involved a
financial operation of a magnitude not to be lightly faced. ;
lithe (loves nment purchased the Irish Railways it must be
at some 10 or 15 per cent increase on their actual value
but what ground was there for expecting an extension
of business which would recoup the Government for
its loos? Nor had any source been indicated by
which funds exclusively Irish would be provided for try-
ing the experiment, and it was almost certain that the im-
perial Exchequer would ultimately be charged with
Among other difficulties arising out of State management, he
pointed out the hindrances to further extensions, the em-
barrassments of patronage, and the management of the large
Raileso staff. lie mentioned various instances to show that
the Irish Railways were improving in their management,
and pointed out that in the Railway Commission recently
established there was a machinery for remedying grievances
which had uot been tried. Re reminded the lionae
of the suggeation made last year by Mr. Gladstone,
that loans might he granted under certain circumstmices ;
and, though he saw various objections to It, he thought it
had never been adequately considered. After suggesting
that the Amendment should be withdrawn and the vote
taken on the original Resolution, Sir Michael concluded by
, expressing his *uprise that the Home Rulers should ask
for a measure of centralization which would remove the Irish
Railways from the management of the Irish people.
The Margnis of Ilartington entirely approved the course
taken by the Government Both the great political parties
had approached the question in the mist friendly spirit, de-
sirous, if possible, to see their way to carry out the idea. But
both had decided against it, and the Marquis put it to the
friends of the motion whether, under such circumstances, it
Wit. worth while to persevere with it. Ile doubted, too
whether the agitation was genuine, and whether it was not
confined altogether to the shareholders.
Eventually, Mr. Goldsmid Was willing to withdraw his
Amendment, as suggested by Sir M. Beach ; but this Mr.
Butt would not admit. On a division being taken the Reso-
lution was negatived by 241 to 56 and by a subsequent
division Mt Goldsmid's ameutimen, was carried by 235 to 59

BUILDING SOCIETIES BILL.

The Building Societies Bill was read a second time and
passed through Committee. •

THE GAME LAWS BILL FOR IRELAND.

The Game Laws (Ireland Bill was passed through Corn.
mitee.

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS BILL.

Sir It. James Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers'
Bill, the object of which is to fix the fees of Returning
Officers and to give a taxing power to the Honse, was read a
second time, after a short conversation, and was afterwards
referred to a Select Committee.

THE BETTING BILL.
The Betting Bill was read a third time and passed.
6orne other business was disposed of, and the House ad'
journed at a quarter to one o'clock.

METROPOLITAN BEILDINOS ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
lu the llutsE OF COMMONS, April 29, Colonel llogg, in
moving the second reading of this bill, said he proposed that
it Aliould afterwards be reiened to /1 select conlinittee..lii
. . . . . . . .

-
order that all parties interested should have an opportunity
of being heard by counsel and witnesses. The object
of the bill was to regulate the buildings id theme-
. . . . . .

tropolis with streeta anti their width. anti with storeage
anti other matters of a sim lar nature. One important
. . .