The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-28 00:00:00

THE FENIAN RAID ON CANADA.

Mr. WHALLEY asked the Under Secretary of Sta e or
the Colonies, with reference to the Fenian raid on Canada,
whether the Government had in their possession, and if so,
Were prepared to consent to the publication of any docu-
kents or written information calculated to throw light
"on the origin and nature of the Fenian conspiracy,
either in the United Kingdom, in the Colonies, or in
11trcierica and especially as to any purpose or design other
than that of an Independent Republic in Iroland ; and
whether the Government were informed of any connection
,letweett this Canadian raid and the recent Fenian
"raonstration in support of the Red River Rebellion.
; Mr. MONSELL said her Majesty's Government were not
"Possession of any further information which it would be
for the public benefit to lay before the House. With
respect to the second part of the question he had also to
141°11:11 them that the Government had no information to
NI/wet the Fenian insurrection with the Red River re-
bellion.

THE EDUCATION BILL.
Sir G. GREY asked the Vice President of the Council,
Whether, in addition to the amendments of which he had
°veil notice for the Committee on the Elementary Edu-
cation Bill, it was his intention to propose any alteration
ul the 14th and 22nd clauses of the bill as to the religious
instruction which might be given in schools supported or
aided out of local rates.
Mr. FORSTER said it was not the intention of the Go-
4rurnent to anticipate the discussion that must take place
11 committee by putting any further amendments to
those he had placed on the table last night.
Those amendments had been produced in accordance
With the promise given by the right hon. gentleman
(T the second reading, and they were intended to meet
r'e objections that had been raised against the bill with
of esPect to the protection of the conscientious scruples
Parents and their securing them the elect
-;(:,-411 of the school-boards. They had met
08e objections by a time-table clause and
a Provision that there should be no plurality of voting at
the election of school boards, and also that the voting
should be by ballot. He was quite aware that there would
be much difference of opinion with respect to the bill,
Which Was a constructive ono, but he hoped some allow-
nee would be made for the difficulty the Government had
ad iii framing that measure. He might say that during
the a
discussionWOd that must take place the Government
give their best attention to every one of the amend-
e,e)ats suggested, and the arguments by which they were
13Ported. Although the 14th and 22nd clauses were
not
directly altered, yet the amendments proposed would
soeet them to some extent. There might, however, be
04: e other amendments that he might have to place on
K.l,e Paper but they would be either formal or verbal.
fore'°Ped, however, to be able to put some proposals be-
of 'scthe Rouse as regarded compulsory powers for sites
hools.

CARD POSTAGE.
Pt. LYON PLAYFAIR asked the Postmaster-General
tegar
"eetherthe Government had come to any resolution in
to the establishment of a halfpenny card postage,
ble d
lhorial in favour of which had been some time since
Prft
euted to the Postmaster-General supported by the
84gtlatures of members of Parliament, of mayors and
killeeniel,h_arrisBo_olf many towns. in the United Kingdom, of
ofae_ue f earned societies, and of a large number of
,There of volunteers.
.
able to he
-'rquis of HARTINGTON said he was glad to be
(A inform his hon. friend that the Government had
he-"'ed in connection with the reduction of postage on
e:WBPapers and printed matter to adopt a half-penny
potstage; that was to say cards would be issued bear-
-„ia, ,nalf-Penny stamp on one side and the address
be° De written on the other. This, a he believed, would
Feat accommodation to the public.
TheTRAMWAYS BILLS.
Dozie second reading of the following
rasl wa
bills was post-
. —Birmingham Street Tramways, Birmingham
Tra Bill, Glasgow Street Tramways Bill, Glasgow
Tr- illwaYs Bill, Leeds Street Tramways Bill, Leeds
1) atilWays Bill, Liverpool Street Tramways Bills, Liver-
tricTranaways Bill, Manchester and Salford and Dis-
biBl' Tramways
(No. 1) Bill, Manchester and Salford and
Pl,)rtriet-Tramways (No. 2) Bill, Manchester Street Tram-
s till, Plymouth, Stonehouse, and Devonport Street
rata:ways Bill, Portsmouth Street Tramways Bill.