The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-11 00:00:00

TIIE lONIAN ISLANDS.

Mr. D. GRIFFITH asked the First Lord of the Trea-
sury how far the interpretation of the prerogative of the
Crown was considered by the Government to extend,
in empowering the Crown to relinquish territories, which
may have been in the de facto possession of the British
nation, without the knowledge and consent of Parliament ?
After a few words from Mr. PEACOCK and Mr. ROEBUCK
(who asked for the papers),
Lord PALMERSTON replied that the lonian Islands
had been placed, with the consent of the Foreign
Powers, under the protection of the British
Crown, and could not be parted with without the consent
of these Powers. The Government offered, in the event
of Greece selecting a constitutional king who was able
to protect the country from aggression, to cede
the islands to Greece. But as they had not yet accom-
plish<:d this, no steps had been taken to attain the
consent of the great contracting powers. The noble lord
cited cases where possessions had been ceded to the British
crown by treaty, and subsequently again ceded by treaty.
This was the case 'with Senegal, Minorca, Florida, and
the island :of Tobago. The hon. member need be under
no apprehension with respect to Gibraltar and Malta, as
there was no intention whatever to make a present of
these possessions to any foreign power. (Hear, hear, and
laughter.)
Sir G. BOWYER blamed the Government for coming
before the house without obtaining the consent of the great
Powers.

Bills, for which leave was given, were then read a first
[me, and the house adjourned shortly before six. o'clock,

BILL TO ABOLISH CHURCH RATES.

The bill to abolish church rates prepared and
brought into the House of Commons by Sir J. Tre-
lawny, Sir C. Douglas, and Mr. Didwyn, is as
follows

" Whereas church rates have for some years ceased to
be made or collected in many parishes by reason of the op-
position thereto, and in many other parishes where church
rates have been made the levying thereof has given rise to
litigation and ill-feeling: and whereas it is expedient that
the power to make church rates should be abolished : be it
therefore enacted by the Queen's most excellent Majesty,
by and with the advice and consent of the Lords spiritual
and temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament
assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows :
" 1. From and after the passing of this act no church
rate shall be made or levied in any parish in Englaud or

" 2. Provided always that in any parish where a sum of
money is at the time of the passing of this act due on the
security of church rates to be made or levied in such parish
under the provisions of any act of Parliament, such rates
may still be made and levied pursuant to such provisions
for the purpose of pay ing off the money so due, but not
otherwise, until the same shall have been liquidated.
"3. Any church rate made at any time before the pass-
ing of this act may be collected and recovered in the same
way as if this act had not been passed.
" 4. This act may be cited as ' The Church Rate Aboli-
tion Act, 1863! "

MARKETS--This Day.

MARK LANE.

The supply of English wheat on sale here to-day, was
very moderate. Selected samples were in fair demand, at
full quotations; otherwise, the trade was dull at Monday's
currency.

With foreign wheat the market was fairly supplied.
Importers of all descriptions were firm in their demands,
and sales progressed slowly, at full prices.

Floating cargoes of grain were in fair average request, at
late rates.

The barley trade was very firm, and malting qualities
commanded rather more money. Grinding and distilling
qualities were fully as dear as on Monday.
In malt a moderate business was transacted, on former
terms.

The supply of oats was small. Sound produce changed
hands at extreme rates ; but inferior qualities met with a
dull inqui. y, at low prices,
Beans and peas—the supply of which was very moderate
—ruled firm, at late rates.
Flour was in slow request, yet prices were supported.
ARRIVALS THIS WEEK.
Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour.
English 780 I 3,010 i 5 2,610 I 100 I 2,710
Irish.
Foreign." 4,020 6,670 1,260

50 sack
2,160 brie