The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-04 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.---YEsuaDAy.

The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
POOR-LAW AMEND'ATINT (Nee. 2t BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this
Numerous petitions were presented against the bill.
Sir G. PECHELL opposed the bill, and complained
of the conduct of the right hon. gentleman the President
of the Poor law Board in introducing a measure under
this title without notice me the 3d of April. The next
they heard of it was on the 19th May, when the right
hon. gentleman proposed its second reading at an un-
seasonable hour, on the ground that as no principle was
involved iu the bill the house might assent to its second
reading, and take a discussion on it on going into come
mittee. That failed, and the consequence was that on
the 20th May the right hon. gentleman moved
the discharge of the order for the second reading of the
bill and withdrew it. He then introduced the bill with
seven and a half new clauses on one topic alone—viz.,
extra parochial rating, and to vest the powers of manage.
ment in two-thirds of the occupiers, whereby the great
landed proprietors would be overruled. The right hon.
gentleman, after regretting they were to have a repeti-
tion of the "civil war" that existed during the discussion
on the Poor-Law Act, proceeded to state his objections
to the present measure—viz , the repeal of the clause
permitting the union of parishes under Gilbert's Act, the
powers relative to apprenticing children, the provisions
restricting the publication at present given for premul
gating the roles and orders to the Poor Law Board, and
limiting it to the clerks of the peace ; the making itcens-
nulsory on each parish to keep a fire engine ; to the
clauses of centraiisation, by removing the appointment
of the auditors to the Poor Law Board, who shall audit,
in addition to th, Poor Law accounts, those relating to
lighting and watching. The hon. baronet referred to
other objections he ha 1 to the details of the bill, and
concluded by moving that the bill be read a second time
that (ley six months.
Lord GALWAY seconded the motion, and suggested
to the Vice President of the Poor Law Board to with-
draw the measure, because it was impossible for the house
properly to consider it at that late period of the session.
It was stated that the urgency of the case demanded the
passing of this bill, but that he did not consider sufficient
when it was remembered the imp irtant changes con-
templated by it. He (Lord Galway) objected to the bill
principally because it proposed to get rid of the Gilbert
Unions, and to introduce centralisation by the appoint-
ment of auditors.
Mr. BOUVERIE said that many different
proposals were contained in the bill, some
of which were important, and others unimportant,
and he should address his observations to the former.
With regard to the auditors, they were at present ap-
pointed by the chairmen and vice-chairmen of Boards of
Guardians in the district in which the auditor acted,
instead of as formerly by the Boards of Guardians.
As the auditors were paid out of the public taxes
and had to audit the accounts of the board of guardians,
it was thought desirable and for the protection of the
ratepayers that they should be appointed by the Poor
Law Board in accordance with the recommendation of
a select committee in 1553. The principal objection to
the bill appeared to he against the dissolving of the
Gilbert Unions, but he thought it was high time they
were dissolved. There were only 14 Gilbert Unions
throughout the country, and as they were conducted
contrary to law, and the poor no doubt disregarded, it
would be to the benefit and advantage of the rate-
payers and the poor that a change should take place.
By the present system the extra-parochial places, num-
bering 30,000 inhabitants, did not come under the Poor
Law Act, and the consequence was the destitute poor
could not be relieved from the rates, and had to
depend on casual benevolence and charity. Cases
of persons being desttute and ill frequently came
before the Boor law B rani for relief, but none could be
granted, as rates for that purpose could not be raised in
the district, nor could the destitute be relieved from the
funds of the adjoining union. The same applied to
pauper lunatics, and it was necessary that it should be
changed. There was an urgency for alteration as re-
garded the extra parochial districts, and he asked the
house to legislate on it. As there were objections to
the other parts of the the house would assent to
its second reading, he would, on going into committee,
strike out everything in the bill relating to extra-paro-
chial districts. (Hear, hear.)
Sir J. TROLLOPE expressed his satisfaction at the
contemplated changes ith regard to extra-parochial
districts, but objected to the other parts of the measure.
He called the attention of the President of the Poor
Law Board to the present system of medical relief,
which required amendment. At present the medical
relief, one-haq of which was paid by the State, amounted
to 250,000/. per annum. If doubled the poor
would be greatly benefitted, whilst the additional ex-
pense spread over the various unions throughout the
country would be trifling to each union.
After some remarks from Mr. CARDWELL to make the
extra-parochial system perfect,
Mr. HENLEY objected to the second reading of the
bill. It was impossible to make one genera! measure
applicable to the various extra-parochial districts
throughout the kingdom, and he suggested it would
be better not to legislate for the present on this subject,
but wait and have an inquiry into the details next sea-
, Bien.

Mr. BARROW objected to the second reading, be-
cause he disliked this " peddling system" of legislation.
He fully concurred in the proposal to bring extra-paro-
chial places under the operation of the Poor Law Board.
Mr. WALTER asked the President of the Poor Law
Board to withdraw the bill altogether and bring in a
better and more comprehensive system next session,
which would meet the necessities of the case.
It being 10 minutes to 4 o'clock, the debate, in ac-
cordance with the standing orders, was adjourned.
The other business on the morning paper was then
disposed of, and the house suspended its sitting at four
o'clock.
The house resumed at six o'clock:
LOCAL CHARGES ON SHIPPING..
Mr. LOWE brought up a report from the committee
upon local charges on shipping.
THE APPELLATE JURISDICTION.
Mr. R. CURRIE gave notice, that on moving the ad-
journment of the house to-morrow, he would ask the
Government at what stage of the bill the assent of the
Crown would be conveyed in a message to the house.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

Sir 11. WILLOUGH.BY gave notice that, on going
into committee of ways and means, he should call the at-
tention of the house to the fact that the accounts for the
financial year, ending 31st March, 1856, were not deli-
vered to mernbors in time to be of practical use:
THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.
Mr. °TWAY asked the President of the Board of
Control whether the sum of 5001., which had been sub-
scribed by the Chairman of the East India Company for
the relief of the sufferers by the inundations in France,
was to be charged on the revenues of India ; and whether
the subscription [of the East India Company, or the
sums expended by them in public entertainments, were
limited by any fixed regulation, and were subject to the
control of Parliament !
Air. V. SMI ra said there were no other-revenues but
the revenues of India which the East India Company
had'any control over, and of course the subscription
must be out of those revenues. It was not quite cor-
rect to hay that the subscription in question was by the
Chairman of the East India Company. It was by the
chairman in behalf of the company. The court of direc-
tors had always had power to contribute to charities out
of the funds at their disposal, but since the 58d Geo.
111. they could not subscribe more than 6001. without
the consent of Parliament. This was within the amount,
and therefore need not be submitted to arliament, but
it was subyct to the approval of the BoaP rd of Control.
With regard to the other portion of the question, as to
the expense of public entertainments, the East India
Company had always been in the habit of giving enter-
tainments to Governors-General both going out and re•
burning. There was no fixed limit, but the amount was
submitted to the Board of Control.
USE OF SONS. STREET CABS FOR INFECTIOUS
PE

Mr. W. WILLIAMS acked whether any means had
been adopted to prevent the use of street cabs for chil-
dren's funerals, and for conveyance of persons infected
with fever or smallpox to the hospitals ?
Sir G. GREY said there were no powers by law to
prevent street cabs being used for such purposes. There
had been conveyances provided for taking persons suffer-
ing under infectious diseases to hospitals ; but that was a
voluntary arrangement.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS asked if it was intended to take
powers
Sir G. GREY said a deputation had waited on him