The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-11 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAIYIENT

HOUSE OF COMMONS—YESTERDAY.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
CHURCH RATES COMMUTATION BILL.

Mr. NEWDEGATE moved the second reading of this
bill, the object of which was to throw the payment of
church-rates upon the landlord instead of the occu-
pier ; in fact to render the owner of property liable
for the rate when the occupier had conscien-
tious objections to the payment of church-rates.
He could not see that there could be any valid objection to
the principle of his bill, except from some parties who de-
sired to make the constitution of this country in this par-
ticular respect like to that of the United States, where there
was no form of Christianity recognised by the State. When
they looked for a moment at the condition of affairs in that
country, where the President had been murdered and the
life of the Prime Minister attempted, he did think there
would be some hesitation before they adopted the proposals
of those whose distinct object was to remove the chtiracter
of the constitution of this country. The object he sought
to effect by his bill was by no means now. Ho had last
year endeavoured to obtain the sanction of Parliament
to the principle of his bill, which was to substitute a charge
of 2d. in the pound on real. property in lieu of existing
church rates. The bill was only to extend to property at
present assessed to church rates within the last seven
years, and not to places where church rates had been
opposed and a poll taken for three successive years.
The tax he proposed was to be levied as laid
down in schedule A of the income tax, which he thought
more equitable and convenient than the system at present
pursued. He felt the best result would follow from the
passing of the bill, as it would remove that bitterness
which prevailed for so long a period. He only sought to
enact that which the Poor Law Commissioners recom-
mended in 1843—viz., that the burden of church rates
be treated as a charge upon property instead of on the per-
son. He hoped his motion would not be rejected, especially as
he only asked the house to assent to the principle of the bill
by reading it a second time, in order that it might be re-
ferred to a select committee, who would make it the basis
of inquiry.
Sir C. DO UGLAS moved that the bill be read a second
time that day six months. The objection ho urged last
year against the bill he offered on the present occasion.
The reeling of the house appeared to be, after the repeated
discussions that had taken place, that the question of
church rates should be submitted to the next general elec-
tion on the hustings, and for that purpose ho took the
course he did.

Sir G. GREY advised the hon. member not to press tho
house to a division. He thought the same course should
be adopted by the house as on a former occasion, that the
matter should rest until after the general election.
Mr. SCHOLEFIELD supported, and Mr. KisortAwr, objected
to the bill.

Mr. COLLINS hoped his hon. friend would adopt the
course recommended to him, and withdraw the bill. Ho
would by that means receive the support of both sides of
the house. (Laughter.) If he pressed it to a division ho
hoped it would b© rejected by a-largo majority.
After a few words from Mr. NEALE, Mr. WITALTARY, and
Mr. lIEYQATE,

Lord JOHN MANNERS advised the hon. member for
North Warwickshire not to press his motion to a division.

Mr. GILPIN said no measure would be acceptable to a
great number of persons in this country which did not en-
tirely abolish compulsory church rates.
Mr. Alderman ROSE thought there was no sincerity in
the advocacy of the parties opposite with respect to the
abolition of church rates. They used it as a convenient
hustings cry, and there the matter ended. Ho objected to
a minority in the country dictating to a majority on the
subject of the abolition of church rates.
. _

The house then divided, when theaTT:appeared—
For the second reading 42
Against it
Majority —B4
The bill was consequently rejected.
COUNTY VOTERS REGISTRATION BILL.

On the motion for going into committee on this bill,

Mr. HUNT moved that it bo an instruction to tho
committee that they have power to extend the provisions
of the bill relating to the powers and duties of revising
barristers to the cases of registration in cities and boroughs
with reference to the ordering the immediate payment of
costs, and in having the power to commit persons for con-
tempt of court.

The motion was agreed to, and the house went into com-
mittee on tho bill.

Clauses 1 to 9 were agreed to.

On clause 10,

Mr. C. WYNN moved that instead of the sum stated in
the bill, viz. £3, that the sum ordered to bo paid for costs
should not upon any one vote exceed the sum of £5.
The Committee divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment lll
Against it
Majority

A long discussion took place upon the proposition to
introduce a clause allowing persons claiming or omitted
from the list of voters, persons objected to, and persons
changing their place of abode, to make a declaration before
any justice of the peace or other person authorised to ad-
minister oaths in place of personally attending before tho
revising barrister.
Ultimately the house divided, when there appeared—
For the clause
Against it . 99
Majority —ll

The clause was then ordered to bo added to the bill.

The remaining clauses were then agreed to, and the
bill was ordered to be reprinted and reported on Mon-
day next. .

THEATRES, &c., BILL.
Mr. LOCKE moved the second reading of this bill. Ho
said one of the objections to the measure was that it did
not go far enough, but ho thought if the house agreed
to the motion the bill would be found a
ro very work-
able one. Ho should have no objection pvided it was
the desire of the house to send the bill to a select
committee, where, with little labour, it might be made to
alsoo
theatres,
to
the
"players,"
meet the wishes of those who objected to it. The hon. member
then
and toth
that regulations
0 actsg u l
a t
ioof n
sP
underarliafpemlr
raewcenehatd
,i w, t
it
thtahhe e
respect
akcatoowfuloasththofe
apaetoe.nitit.liciiite herets,welr. ne referred
position
of the minor theatres previous to the passing of the
6 and 7 Victoria, and to the clamour that was made
by the managers of those theatres for p
legitimate drama. The hon. member permission to act the
house at a quarter to six, when in accordance with
standing order the debate was the
wer
e w
disposedas addressing
a nd hi
adjourned.
The other orders of the day
house adjourned.