The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-23 00:00:00

FACTORIES BILL.

On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Mr. COBBEFT moved that " this house will resolve
itself into the said committee upon this day six months;"
and proceeded to state the objections he had to this bill
for providing fencing to machinery in factories. He
condemned the bill as altogether impracticable.
Mr. T. DUNCO ABE seconded the amendment.

Mr. W. PATTEN condemned the conduct of
the honourable, mainber for Oldham with reference
to the bill. He had given notice of amendments to
the bill, and after that bethought himself' of his pre-
sent amendment to defend it. A recent decision in
the Queen's Bench had shown how impossible it was
for the manufacturers to obey the present law
with reference to the fencing of machinery, and it was
to remedy the law that this bill had bQect brought in.
He bad done his best to meet the objection of the hon.
member, and if he had failed the hon. member would
have an opportunity of introducing amendments to
meet his own views in committee,

Mr E. DENISON thought it would be a want of
time to divide on the amen itnent, and suggested to the
hon. member for Oldham to withdraw it and allow tne
bill to go into committee.

Col. DUNNE was in favour of the amendment.
Sir G. GREY- supported the house going into coin
mittee.

Mr. MUNTZ complained that neither the mover of
the bill nor the Government bad kept faith with the
house with reference to the alterations that were to
be male in the bill before it was committed.
The house then divided, when the numbers were—
For going into committee 207
Against it
Majority ---157
The house then wt at into committee.
Clauses 1,2, and 3 were agreed to.
Clause 4 was objected to by Mr. COBBETT, on the
ground that the machinery should be fenced, not only
where " children and young persons" passed and worked,
but should extend to all, and protect all perspns from
danger who were engaged in factories the same as by
the present law, according to the decision in the Court
of Exchequer.
Mr. W. PATTEN defended the clause, and said that
in that clause he had used the same words as were in
the 21st seotion of the old act, which the hon. member
approved. The only addition or alteration he (Mr. Pat-
ten) had made was to alter the compulsory fencing, and
provide arbitration in its stead.
Mr. M. CHAMBERS said that the 21st section also
provided " that all parts of mill gearing in factories
shall be securely fenced ;" and it was on those words
that the Court of Exchequer held that the act applied
to grown-up person 7, of both sexes, as well as "children
and young persons. The clause now proposed, con-
trasted with the clause of the old act, would deprive
grown-up persons of protection.
After some further discussion the committee divided,
when there were--

For the amendment
Against it
Majority —l36
The remaining clauses were then agreed to.
The house then resumed, and the chairman reported
progress.

REFORMATORY AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS

BILL.
This bill passed through committee with several amend-
ments.

FORMATION, &c., OF PARISHES BILL.

The house went into committee on this bill.
Clauses 1,2, 3,4, and 5 were agreed to.
Clauses 6,7, and 8, relating to the fixing of pew-
rents, were postponed.
On clause 9, which provided for the distrilyition of
alms or voluntary contributions, a discussion ensued
upon the proper interpretation of the clause.
Mr. HENLEY objected to it.
Mr. GLADSTONE and Lord GODERICII objected to it.
Lord BLANDFORD said it might be better to post-
pone the clause in order to amend it.
Mr. GLADSTONE objected to postponement unless
t was understood upon what principle it was to be
amended.

Mr. HENLEY suggested to strike out the word
“ alms."

Mr. GLADSTONE oljected to this.
Sir G. GREY suggested that at that hour (half•past
12) it would be better to report progress.
This was assented to, and the house resumed.