The Sun.
London, England, 1870-04-01 00:00:00

THE CENTRAL HALL.

Mr. ARTHUR GUEST asked the First Commissioner of
Works whether, adverting to the statement of the First
Lord of the Treasury respecting the difficulty of deciding
on the completion of the decoration of the Central Hall,
it was the intention of the Government, before coming to
a conclusion, to consult the architect of the Houses of
Parliament, from whose designs the works have been com-
menced.

Mr. AYBTON announced that it was premature to make
such on appointment before the Government bad
_decided
to prosecute the wish.

FOREIGN POSTAGE.

In answer to Mr. W. H. Smith, ,„
The Marquis of HARTINOTON said he regretted the in-
convenience that had arisen to newspaper proprietors in
consequence of the alteration that had taken place in the
rates of postage on newspapers going abroad, but it had
arisen with the view of doing away with the inconvenience
of having so many varied rates. He further regretted
that the alteration had taken place at so short a notice.
THE BALLOT.

noon

Mr. WHITBREAD asked the First Lord of the Treasury
whether the Government would be able, on an early day,
to bring in their Bill for taking the votes at Parliamentary
Elections by ballot, and for providing the other securities
for the purity and freedom of Elections recommended in
the Report of the Committee on Municipal and Parlia-
mentary Elections.
Mr. GLADSTONE, in reply, said that that at the time so
many subjects for legislation were mentioned in the
Queen's Speech, the Government were conscious of the
difficulty of dealing with them all. But they knew, on
the other hand, that the public mind was in a very lively
state of expectation with regard to them, and, therefore,
the Government were disposed to take a sanguine view
and lay before Parliament everything they thought there
was a fair hope of being legislated upon. The Irish
Crime Bill had very seriously interfered with the pro-
gress of business, although he freely admitted that the
Government had not the slightest disposition to complain
of the time occupied in discussing that bill. The most
important business of the session for which the Govern-
ment were responsible he should divide into three groups.
In the first place there were four bills which they thought
it right to place before the other bills mentioned in the
Queen's Speech, speaking generally. The first was the
Irish Land Bill, and considering the vast importance of
that measure, they thought it their duty to use every
effort in their power to make every demand upon
the patience and the indulgence of the House, for the
sake of pressing forward the measure ; and not
only with the view of getting it through that
House, but with the view to that which they did not
always considei., namely, the propriety and even the ne-
cessity of sending such important measures in such a suc-
cession to the House of Lords at such a period of the
year, that the Lords would have a fair advantage in
considering them. Next to the Irish Land Bill
came the English Education Bill. The Government
were most anxious that a bill of that magnitude
and upon which the interest of the country was concen-
trated, should undergo no risk whatever in being lost
either in that House or the other for want of ime. Next
to the Education Bill, the Government weret anxious to
carry into law a measure for the purpose of closing a very
long contested subject—namely, the University Test Bill..
They certainly should be very anxious to introduce and
pass during the present session a measure
founded upon the report on election procedure. These
were very important measures, but besides these there
were others which were of the first necessity, if not of the
first magnitude. One of these was the Naturalisation
Bill, but he did not think that would take up much time.
would be really necessary to deal with the Irish Matti-
Jurisdiction Bill in the present session.
There were other measures alluded to in the
Q`ueen's Speech ; but all he could say was
the tit he hoped they might have time to fulfil all their
ens agements. Under these circumstances he hoped the
House would consent to morning sittings on Tuesdays and
Yrida.Vs until the Easter recess, _ There was another

Mr. BENTINCK thought that if the House consented to
the course recommended by the right hon. gentleman at
the head of the Government, the rights of private mem•
bers would be altogether taken away, He moved
that the House, at its rising, do adjourn. (Loud laughter.)

Lord JOHN MANNERS moved that the House, at its
rising, do adjourn until a quarter to four to-morrow after

Mr. BENTINCK said he had made the motion. (Cheers
and laughter.)
The SPEAKER understood the hon. member to move that
the House do adjourn. (Hear and laughter.)
The SPEAKER thought it would scarcely be in order
to make such a motion as that of the noble lord without
notice. _ _ _

Mr. HARDY said the motion made by the right hon.
gentleman opposite had been made without notice. (Hear,
hear, and no, no.)

A most complicated discussion here arose, two or three
members making motions relative to the adjournment and
meeting of the House. The Speaker informed those mak-
ing the motion of the irregularity of the proceedings and
both Mr. B. Candlish and Lord J. Manners withdrew,
when

Sir J. ELPIIINSTONE again moved that the House at its
rising adjourn until a quarter to four to-morrow.
The motion having been seconded,
The SPEAKFR said no doubt the House had the power
of dealing with such a motion, but it was altogether with-
out precedent. (" No, no" was cried on one side of the
House, and " Hear, hear " on the other, and a scene of
excitement resulted.)

Mr. DISRAELI advised his hon. friends, after the decla-
ration of the Speaker, not to persevere, "and ultimately
the subject dropped, but to be renewed on the motion
later on for reporting progress on the Land Bill.