The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-05 00:00:00

course the Government intended to pursue with reference
to the Loan Societies Act, which would expire in August
next?

Mr. F. PEEL replied that the act would be renewed as a
permanent act.

AUSTRALIA.

Mr, MARSH asked the Under Secretary of State for the
Colonies whether any, and if any what, petitions bad been
received within the last three years at the Colonial Office,
for presentation to her Majesty, from different districts in
Australia, praying for separation from the existing colonies,
and the formation of new colonies ?
Mr. FORTESCUE replied that three petitions were pre-
sented in 1861 from New South Wales praying for a sepa-
ration; in 1862, one from Victoria to the same effect. These
were the only petitions.
THE ISLAND OF SOMBRERO—THE UNITED
STATES FLAG.
In reply to Mr. MAGUIRE,
Mr. LA-YARD replied that ibis island was the property
of the British Crown. A British officer, on visiting the
island in his ship, found the United States flag displayed.
He desired it might be taken down, and on a refusal he
directed one of his officers to take it down, and this was
accordingly done.
PRISON MINISTERS BILL.
In reply to an HON. MEMBER,
Sir G. GREY stated that he should proceed with this
bill on Thursday next.
THE SHANNON.
In reply to Col. FRENCH,
Mr. F. PEEL said the report of the commissioners had
not yet been received.
AMALGAMATION OF THE CITY WITH THE
METROPOLITAN POLICE.

Sir J. DUKE asked if, after the report of the standing
orders against this bill, he intended to proceed with it ?
Sir G. GREY recited what he gated the other night,
that the committee of Standing Orders had reported that
as the usual notices had not been given in November, and
which were requisite for a private bill, the orders of the
house had not been complied with respect to the bill. The
bill had been referred back to the Standing Order Commit-
tee, and until the committee again reported nothing could
be done.

THE "NO HO USE" ON FRIDAY.
Lord R. MONTAGU called attention to the "no
house" on Friday, and moved the adjournment of the house
in order to enable him to do so. He urged that by the stand-
ing orders framed is 1862, which had been constantly vio-
lated by the Government, the Government ought to have
made a house on Friday.
Mr. D. GRIFFITH seconded the motion, and declared
that the Government must have made it known that they
did not desire a house, for there were several members in
the lobby.
Mr. B. COCHRANE spoke to the motion.
Lord PALMERSTON regretted that no house was
made on Friday, and therefore not enlightened by the con-
clusive answers which the Government would have given.
(Laughter.) It certainly had been understood that the Go.
vernment were to make and keep a house on Friday.
(Hear,) There was, however, a fellowship on the part of
hon. members in regard to making a house for members with
whose motives they sympathised, the Government contri-
buting its quota. It appeared on Friday that there were
several members in the lobby. But they had now been
sitting three months, and this was the first time there had
been "no house." He might say, however, that the
Government would do their best to make and keep a house
on Friday. (Hear, hear,)
Mr. DISRAELI thought that the motion would be
sufficiently answered by the promise of the noble lord. It
certainly was understood that the Government should se-
cure the house on Fridays.
THE CITY POLICE.

Col, FRENCH pressed the Government to state their
ultimate intentions with respect to the proposed amalgama-
tion bill.
Sir G. GREY replied that if the standing order com-
mittee reported against the bill it could not be proceeded
with ; but if they reported that the standing orders should
be dispensed with the bill could be proceeded with.
Lord R. MONTAGU withdrew his motion.
VISIT OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF
WALES TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS THIS
EVENING.
Shortly before 6 o'clock the Prince of Wales, accompa-
nied by Lord Alfred Paget, entered the peers and diplo-
matic gallery. It was currently reported that the Princess
of Wales was in the Ladies' Gallery, over the Reporters'
Gallery. His Royal Highness appeared in excellent health
and spirits, and seemed very much pleased by his visit.
CUSTOMS AND INLAND REVENUE BILL.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQtER
the house went into committee on this bill.
Clause 1 was agreed to.
On clause 2,
Sir J. FERGUSSON called attention to the defective
mode of levying the income tax. He objected t) the pre-
sent plan of centralisation, and moved to add to the end of
the clause words repealing the 44th section of the previous
Act, "directing that no assessor shall be appointed for
duties under Schedules A and B."
A long discussion then ensued as to new assessments
under Schedule A.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated
that the hon. baronet was mistaken in supposing there was
a new assessment last year under that schedule.

The amendment was negatived without a division, and
he clause was agreed to.
TAXATION OF CHARITIES.

On clause 3,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
rose to redeem the pledge which he had given to the com-
mittee; and undoubtedly the question which he was about
to raise was one of sufficient magnitude and importance to
justify a separate discussion with regard to ir. He should
altogether decline to embarrass himself and the committee
by entering upon peculiar cases which might be urged on
peculiar grounds. The question which he desired to sub-
mit was, whether charitable bequests should continue to
enjoy their present immunity from direct taxation, while
such heavy charges were undertaken by the State in the
interest of charities. It was, however, his intention to pro-
pose the insertion in the fourth clause of a certain qualifi-
cation to the enactment which obliged trustees to draw from
any other fund in their possession rather than to make any
deduction for income tax in the case of a recipient of a
small dole. With respect to the general proposal, he
was not ignorant of the opposition which had been ex•