The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-21 00:00:00

CHURCH RATES ABOLITION BILL.

Mr. MIALL, in the absence of Sir W. Clay, who had
charge of this bill, moved that it be read a second time.
Mr. PACKE hoped as neither the hon. bart. who had
charge of the bill nor any member of the Government
was present the second reading would be postponed until
after the other orders of the day. He therefore moved
that the debate he adjourned until then.
Mr. A. PELLATT said the hon. bart. would be in the
house shortly, while since the noble lord the President
of the Council had come in since the motion for ad-
j ournment.
Mr. PACKE under those circumstances withdrew
his amendment.
Mr. A. PELLATT supported the second reading of
the bill, and contended that it was too late to offer any
compromise, for no less than a third of the people
of England had already relieved themselves from
the burden of majorities in their respective
parishes, another third were still subjected to
the evil for the benefit of the remaining
third, who ought to be placed on the same footing as
their fellow-countrymen, who maintained their own
churches upon the voluntary principle—the only prin-
ciple upon which religious teaching, based upon the
Holy Scriptures, could proceed. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. MURROUGEI characterised church rates as un-
just in principle and oppressive in operation. He there-
fore gave the bill his cordial support ; believing, at the
same time, that it was neither for the interest of the
Established Church itself nor the Dissenters that there
should be any compromise on this question.
Mr. GOULBURN regretted that the bill had ever
been brought in, because he considered it was unjust in
principle, while it was as inconsistent with political wis-
dom as it was with Christian charity. He was not one
who would say that the law of Church rates did not
require alteration and amendment ; but the bill went
far beyond that. It dissevered the State from the
Church, and the house might depend upon it that
if they once passed this bill the entire aboliti ,n of the
existing_connection between the two would speedily fol-
. _

low. He had a decided objection to substituting pew
rents for church rates, and he warned the house that,
if they abolished church rates on the ground of the con-
scientious objections that were entertained against their
payment, they might hereafter he asked to abolish poor
rates and war taxes upon the same ground. He moved
that the bill be read a second time this day six months.

Mr. LIDDELL (Liverpool), seconded the amend-
ment, though he admitted that it would be the duty of
the Government hereafter to bring in a measure to amend
the law of church rates, and to place them upon a more
satisfactory footing than they rested on at present. He
argued that it was the province of the State to provide
religious instruction for the poor, and under these cir-
cumstances it would be highly unjust to abolish the legal
claims of the Established Church to its just dues and
rewards.

Mr. E. BALL approached this question with anything
but a feeling of sectarian bitterness, as he was one of
those Dissenters who was warmly attached to the Esta-
blished Church, and who believed that nothing would be
more disastrous to dissent than its downfall. But, at
the same time he thought Church rates rested upon a
most unsatisfactory basis. They were not legal unless
sanctioned by a majority of the parishioners in vestry
assembled, and hence they gave rise to much heart-
burning and ill-blood. (Hear, hear.) The large towns
had already succeeded in virtually abolishing Church
rates, and, as time advanced, they would bring
their influence to bear upon small towns to
the great detriment of the Established Church itself.
He therefore advocated their abolition, because he felt
that it was high time that this great cause of strife in
the country should be put an end to. Besides, consi-
dering the benefits which the dissenters had conferred
upon the country, they were entitled to some considera-
tion in this matter. They were the originators of the
Sunday school system which had effected so much good
in reforming and educating the people, while their num-
bers, as shown by the last census, attending their
places of worship exceeded those of the Established
Church by at least half a million, and upon that ground
they were entitled to have this question conceded to
them. He implored the house then, as much for the
sake of the Established Church as the Dissenters, to
pass this bill.

(LEFT SITTING.)

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.

( From the London New Price Current of yesterday. )
SuGAR.—To-day there was a good home trade demand
for .BritislL Plantation sugar, still at previous rates
merchants were desirous to sell better sorts of yellow and
grey, whilst they submitted to a reduction of 6d per cwt
for inferior and brown.
TALLOW.—An increase last week took place in opera-
tions in Russian both for speculative and consumptive
purposes ; prices also advanced, and ruled for first. sort
P.Y. Candle on the spot at 63s Gd to 64s and deliveries
in last three months of the year at 65s 6d to 665. Of
home melted demand was equal to supply, and 62s to
62s 6d is now the currency cash. A more active demand
for other sorts of tallow, and there is an advance : Aus-
tralian mutton selling at 58s to 63s 6d, beef 55s to
61s, South American 57s to 63s 6d, French melted 61s
to 635, and supply is not larger than previously. Another
advance has taken place for fat. Stock of tallow is
10,000 casks more than last and deliveries smaller,
still prices continue to rule above that period. It
is yet a matter of uncertainty as to the quantity of
Tallow likely to be received from Russia during the season.
Only limited parcels declared for auction on Friday. To-
day the tallow market presented a quiet appearance, and
rates closed for P. Y. Candle on the spot at 63s 3d to 63s
6d, and for deliveries at 61i to 65s according to periods.
OlLS.—Linseed, 36s 9d to 375; pale selling at 42s to
42s Gd, and brown 40s to 40s 6d ; 41s 0,1 to 46s Od for
mid to fine quality. Cocoa Nnt—Cochin at 47s to 48,,,
and Ceylon 46s to 475. Gallipoli at 511 to 551, and other
sorts 501 to 531 per ton. Sperm is cheaper.

CUSTOMS.—The Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's
Treasury, considering that a uniform rate of remunera-
tion shou'd be fixed for payment of officers in the 038-
ton-is Department for attendance beyond the regular
official hours, their lordships have authorised a fixed
MVO of remuneration to the officers and clerks employed
in the department in London, and at the several ports
IStroughout the kingdom, in lieu of the one hitherto
adopted for the purpose.
THE PARKS, &,e.—Her Majesty's Board of Works are
about to erect new gates at the entrance to St. James's-
park, Great George-street, Westminster, commonly
called Story's-gate. The board is also about to erect a 25
suitable entrance from Bayswater to Kensington-gardens, 1
in lieu of the common door by which the public have 1
hitherto been admitted. 1