The Express.
London, England, 1863-03-04 00:00:00

CHURCH RATE&

Mr. NEWDEGAlEPost;oo;cl—hie bill for the commute-
t ioa of church rates aatil the 6th of May.
Mr. ALCOCK, also postponed his bill on the same sub-
ject till the mune day.
QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICES ABOLITION BILL

]t&. HADPIBLD, in moving thethirdTeiiii4 of thit
bill, mid he supposed the comparatively large attendance
was to be attributed to the opposition which was to be
foirleis.to this bill. Four times this bill had rased this
sad it had been supported in both houses by her
Majesty's government. lt had also been supported by
no lees than 72 peers of the realm, comprising great
historical names and other names honoured in the lead. The
noble earl who waist the head of the conservative party had
said the declaration, the necessity of making which this bill
was to abolish, was of no real importance to the church.
Such declarations were useless and irritating. Was there
to be one law for one clam of her Majesty's sob**
and another law for another class? Did the
ministers of the crown sign this declaration? The Home
Secretary of the late government had stated that be bad
not signed this declaration, and be believed that nine per-
sons out of tea who took °Sloe did not subscribe this deola-
renal. Last session he moved for a return of all the
persons who had taken office in the last tea years who had
not taken this declaration, but the motion was opposed on
the ground that if it were ascertained who had not
made this declaration, they might be subject to the
penalties prescribed ader the law. He believed that
among those who had not subscribed the declaration were
member,. who had held high office, and who were yet about
to oppose this bill. Magistrates and members of municipal
oorporatioos were obliged to subscribe the declaration
at once, but ministers of the crown did not like it
at all, and, therefore, there was one law for one class and
another law for another. He trusted that this remnant of
intolerance would be swept away. The rejection of this
bill he believed would cause great dissatisfaction among the
great body of dissenters. We were at present an united
people, and be warned hon. members that it was the reverse
of wisdom to rouse a spirit of discord by rejecting this bill.
Mr. BAINES, in seconding the motiou, said he thought
the house could not only safely but wisely grant this small
boon to men who felt that it wee derogatory to make this
declaration.

Idr. NEWDEGATE moved that the bill be read a third
time that day six months.
Mr fiEL/N wooded the ansendinent.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he felt
himself bound by former sots and preelat easivietions to
vote in favour of this bill. He denied that the legislature
was bound by what was termed a aompect. It ought
always to be left free to do what it considered beet for the
country. (Hear, hear.) As the representative of
a large body of the clergy, as well ea a member of
the government, he denied that the Church of
England had any interest in the maintenaitee
of this declaration. (Cheers.) It was a declaration of
inequality, and while it might fetter the scrupulous would
not prevent others from exercising full liberty. He law
no danger to the Church of England arising from the
dissenters or from the Roman catholics. If that
church bad dangers they arose from internal dis-
sensions —(cheers)—and he hoped she would outlive
and overcome them. (Cheers.) The advantages which the
church possessed should be nerd mildly and temperately,
and this was a measure which especially sailed for such a
UM of them. (Hear, hear.) He believed that the mover
and seconder al the motion were acting on this occasion as
true friends to the best interest, of the country. (Cheers.)
Mr. WALPOLE agreed with the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer that the declaration which was now proposed to
be abolished afforded no security to the church ; but he
regarded it as a part of the compact made when dissenters
were relieved from former disabilities. The importance of
this measure arcs* from the suspicion that there was 1101110.
thing else in the background.
Mr. W. E. FORSTER supported the motion.,
Attar a few words from Mr. NEVIDEGATZ in explanation,
The house divided, when there appeared—
For the third reading 175
Against it 172-3
The announcement of the numbers was received with loud
cheers from the government side of the house.
REGISTER OF VOTERS BILL.

On the ordeiC4Rtietieuckegei4lTto7emlittee on this
_ _ _

Hr. Row ES moved that this bill go into committee that
day six months.
Mr. VANSITTART !mended the amendment.

[iwiliiut;i]