The Express.
London, England, 1862-07-15 00:00:00

in ..,ome.places amounts to 1 in 15,1 in la, or lin 17, it
amounts only to linl9 in Lineashke. Bat it is to be at
the same time observed that the earlier 000tributore to the
rates, who in ordinary times derive a profit from the ex-
peuiliture of the win king classes, are new failing from the
&seem of that profit, and it does beestme a matter of grave
consideration hew soon those pinto& may ehange their
position horn ratepayers to reespients of rates. (Hear,
hear.) It is under these circumstances that I do not feel
myself justified in at 000 e stating to my hon. friend that the
proposition involved in his question is one that should not
be entertained, or at least that should not receive the most
attentive consideration of the government. On the con-
trary, I think that the circumstances to which I have now
referred teed to show that those districts do require most
watchful 000sideration on the pert of the government, and
possibly we may have during the present sitting of parlia-
ment to provide some means to meet the distress, should
the existing means be found inadequate for the relief that
may be required during the recess (Hear, hear,) I beg
to emirs my hoc. friend that the government are fully alive
to the responsibility which attaches to them in this can,
and that that responsibility is mod specially
felt in the department over which I preside. I can
assure him that I shall not allow parliament to be
prorogued without apprising this house of anydifficulties that
might sec ur in providing for any destitution which may
arise daring the recess, or at least without stet* in what
manner we thought an adequate remedy might be provided.
I am perfectly well aware of the anxious solicitude which it
felt upon this subject by the house generally, but more espe-
cially by those members who represent the manufacturiog
districts, and from personal communications that I have had
with those members, I do not apprehend that at the lest
moment there would be any difficulty in providing adequate
means to meet the emergency. (Bear, hear.) Another
reason why I asked the hon. member to postpone his ques-
tion was, that I might satisfy myself as to the actual state
of the law as it exists at present in providing for the exer-
cise of powers adequate to meet the peculiar and exceptional
circumstances in which we find thew districts, and I am
bound to say that any alarm that may be felt lash
should become destitute without finding the means
is groundless, the present law being perfectly adequate for
the purpose. I allude to one of the oldest provision, on
our statute book relating to the relief of the poor, which
provides that wheel any district, parish• or towediip should
to unable to provide sufficient memo for the support of the
poor, they have a claim upon the magistrates to order a
contribution in aid from any districts or parishes in the
hundred, and if those parishes be so circumstanced that
they could not assist each other, then the magistrates have
the power to order contributions from parishes is the county.
(Hear, hear.) Looking at the character of Lancashire, of
which I venture to say the rateable Tel& exceeds 8,000,0001.
a year, and looking at the extent of some of the hundreds of
the county, in one of which the estimable value is upwards of
2,000,000 k a yeer, I cannot but suppose that if the power
I was placed in the proper hands, or at lee& if the megis-
trate@ should not hesitate in applying the law es it stands,
there cannot be any real alarm in consequence of the desti-
tution in any part of the county. (Hear, hear.) This
question winchmy hoe. friend has rais;d deserves the
greatest consideration, and I have already directed inquiries
to be made as to how far the pion which he suggeen
would be a desirable one to adopt ; in fact, I am in con-
stint communication with the districts in which the distress
prevails, with • view of ascertaining in what way this ex-
traerdinary demand may best be met.

Oolooel W. PATTER ioquired whether there would be
bey objection to the production of the final report of the

Mr. VILLIERS was not aware that any final report
was contemplated beyond the report upon the distress in the
last place miter'. The comrnissi,mer had went particular
reports from the district* he had visited, and to those hie
hon. friend m' have wooer, or they might, if it were
thought ad ' be laid oft the table of the house.

Hi COBDEN—I wish to ask the President of the Poor-
law Board • question in continuation of the subject just
referred to. He has alluded to the alternative in coos of
used of aWying the principle of • rate in aid to the relief
of these &Armed districts. I wish to ask my right bon.
friend if he has eonsidered whether the law of Elisabeth
giving power to the magi a rates to grant • rate in aid is ap-
plicable to present circumstances. lam told, from what
should be very high authority, that that law upon • late
cession in the neighbourhood of Coventry was not found
to work, and that in fact there is no power for its compul-
sory administration. I should like, therefore, to ask my
right hoe, friend whether this subject has engaged his at-
tention, or at all events to state that it will do so. I should
wish also to know when be proposes to bring the subject
generally before the hoes*, that we may have as opportunity
before we separate of discussing this important subject.

Mr. VILLIERS—With respect to the AM part of the
question I think my boa. friend his been a little raisin.
formed about the act of Elisabeth. The act it still in ex-
istence, and the section in question is quite clear. hire
also been appealed to at different periods, and only the
other day, an a cage that I think somewhat analogous to this
of Lanosabire, namely, the very severe distress which pre•
veiled in Coventry and the neighbouring towns, it was deter-
mined to apply this law. The question wan raised in the
use of Bedworth, where the rates had reached I. in the
pound, and that no decision wee come to upon the point was
not owing to say doubt about the law. but to a very decided
amendment io the Ueda of the perish, sod a consequent
very considerable fall in the rates. I have consulted great
authorities upon the question, and they are of
opinion that if the justices do their duty
they have the power to order any parish to
contribute in aid of another. With respect to when I will
bring the geeeral question before the house I am sot quite
able to givet an answer, because I cannot asy what the ques-
tion should be upon whirls a discussion should be raised ;
but it is clear that if there is to be legislation upon the
subject—and I do think it more probable than not—the
proper occasion for the discussion of the subject will be
upon the bill.