The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-10 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF COMMONS—This DAY.
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, ho did think there
would be some hesitation before they adopted the proposals
of those whose distinct object was to remove the character
of the constitution of this country. Tho object he sought
to effect by his bill was by no means new. He 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 hopedhis 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. DOUGLAS moved that the bill be read a second

time that day six months. The objection he urged last
year against the bill he offered on the present occasion.
The feeling 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 he took the
course he did.
Sir G. GREY advised the hon. member not to press the
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. SCOLTFIELD supported, and Mr. KINGLAKE objected
to the bill.
Mr. COLLINS hoped his hon. friend would adopt the
course recommended to him, and withdraw the bill. He
would by that means receive the supportofboth sides of
the house. (Laughter.) If he pressed it to a division he
hoped it would be rejected by a large majority.