The Sun.
London, England, 1831-06-24 00:00:00

BEER MILL.

The Bishop of BATH and WELLS presented a peti-
tion from the Clergy of the Diocese of Bath and Wells,
praying for au alteration in the Beer Bill, the de-
moralising effects of which every person hid witnessed ;
for himself, in his last tour through his diocese, be
could not help remarking that almost every third
house was appropriated to the sale of beer. He
trusted that the Noble Lord on the Woolsack
would give his best attention to the defects of the Bill,
and do every thing in his power to remedy its pernicious
tendency. He also trusted that the Noble Earl at
the head of the Councils of his Majesty, who was
/,,o great an advocate for Reform, would put himself
forward to Reform this Bill.—(Hear, hear.) A 4 he
was now speaking of Reform he felt it his bounden
duty to state that he could not give his assent
Lo the Reform Bill in its present shape. He thought that
some Reform was necessary, but not to so frightful an
event.

The Earl of MALMESBURY said it was not his
intention to address the House on the subject of the
Reform Bill, he should reserve himself for a more fitting
opportunity. With respect to the Beer 13d1, his opinions
had been long known. He considered that Ministers
would not act advisedly if they repealed the Bill altege-
tlitT, but he thought some course might be adopted
to remedy the evil that resulted from it. He thought some
controul ought to be placed over the beer houses, and he
did nut see that it could he, placed in better hands than the
Magistrates of the different counties, who on all occasions
had acted from principle, and not from interest. He bad
szood and sound authority for saying that many of the •
beer-bouses in different parts of the country had been the
focus for the disaffected, and had induced twiny poor per-
sons to withdraw their money from savings' banks.
Viscount MELBOURNE perfectly agreed with the
Noble Earl that tht Beer Bill should not be repealed,
and that some police regulati,ns were necessary. The
subject bad been under the consideration of his Msjesty's
Government, who had been making every enquiry relative
to the effects of the Bill, and generally speaking the
people were adverse to the Bill. He, however, could not
help thinking that the statement made of the sudden
demoralization that bad taken place in consequence
of the Beer Bill, was a most falacious statement. As to
giving Magistrates power over these houses, be
did not sce how that could be effected without
completely repealing the Bill. He, however, consi-
dered that if some police regulation was adopted, it
would be attended with the best results, Ind the unre-
mitting attention of his Majesty's Government would be
given to that subject.
Lord TEYNHAM felt convinced that the evils result-
ing from the Bill could not be remedied till the was a
tepcal of the Malt and Hop Duties.
The Marquis of SALISBURY believed the demoralising
effects had been produced from the cheapness of the article.
In his part of the country almost the whole of the beer
Louses were put down, and were How in the hands of
the brewers.

The LORD CHANCELLOR was happy to bear that
the Secretary of State for the Home Departme;it had the
subject under his consideration, and he could assure the Rev.
Prelate who presented the petition, that no pains should
be wanting on his part in examining the defects of the
system. He trusted, however, that any alteration that
might be made would only be in the superintending and
controllin; power He. considered that it was not necessary
to alter the greeter principles of the Bill.
After a few observations front Lord KING and the
Bishop of BATII and Wm. Ls, the petition was read, and
the subject dropped.
Lord KING presented a petition front Appington, and
several other places, against the tithe system.
The LORD CHANCELLOR observed that no pains
had been wanting on his part to inquire into the subject
before the Bill was passed. He agreed with the Noble
Marquis who had said that it was one thing to object to
the passing of the Bill, and another, the Bill having
passed, to propose its repeal. He hoped that in the in.
troduction of any superintending or controulling power,
nothing would be done to alter the great principle of the
measure.

Lord KING presented a number of petitions from vari-
ous places in Kent, Sussex, and other counties of England,
and !corn various places in Ireland—some for an alt,ra-
tion in the exiting system of Tithes, some for Parlia-
mentary Re,orto, some for the repeal of the Sub-letting
Act, some for the repeal of the Union, &e.