The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, tONIDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 29, 1860.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

I Paid.

Closing ,turiainees done
Price.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(Tms DAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at twelve o'clock.
PETITIONS.
Several petitions were presented against the Highway
Bill, abolition of church-rates, &c.
WAYS AND MEANS.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER appealed
to hon. members who had motions on the paper not to
press them until the house went into committee of ways and
means. His only object was to secure the passing of the
resolutions in reference to the duty on spirits. He trusted
the house would pass these resolutions as a matter of
form, and by doing so they would not bind their hands,
and the subject might afterwards be fully considered.
He would move, therefore, that the motions and other orders
of the day should be postponed until he had brought for-
ward his resolution.
Some hon. members having signified their assent to this
proposition the motion was agreed to.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
moved the following resolution : —That, towards raising the
supply granted to her Majesty, in addition to the duty now
payable on spirits distilled in the United Kingdom, there
shall be charged on every gallon of such spirits at proof
which, on or after the 29th of February, shall be distilled
or be in the stock of any distiller, or in any duty-free ware-
house, or removinz to such warehouse, the additional duty of
ld. The resolution had reference to the duty about to be fixed
on foreign spirits, and its being agreed to would have the
effect of protecting the revenue from loss, but it might be
modified afterwards if the house deemed it expedie.v.t.
The resolution was agreed to and the house resumed.
QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICES BILL.
The adjourned debate on the motion for the second read-
ing of this bill was resumed by
Mr. NE WDEGATE, who stated that he would not in a
house so scantily attended move any amendment.
The bill was then read a second time and ordered to be
committed.
MASTERS AND OPERATIVES BILL.

Mr. McK INNON moved the second reading of this bill
He contended, that in consequence of the unfortunate dif-
ferences that had arisen between masters and operatives,
it was necessary that a measure: such as the present
should be adopted. When any difference occurred between
the House of Lords and the House of Commons, a very
simple proceeding was resorted to, namely, a conference
between delegates on both sides, and it was to establish a
similar method of settling disputes between workmen
and their employers that the present bill was intro-
duced. If it were read a second time he proposed then
that it should be referred to a select committee with a view
to render it as effective as possible.
Mr. SLANEY seconded the motion. He said the work-
ing classes were rapidly increasing in numbers and intelli-
gence, and it was most desirable that the misunderstanding
between them and the capitalists by whom they were em•
ployed should be terminated. Ho believed that result could
be effected if friendly mediation were resorted to in a spirit
calculated to elucidate and settle the mutual differences be-
tween the two classes whose interests were so closely
identified. He believed the effect of such mediation as he
suggested would have the effect of doing away with the
influence exercised by members of the working classes who
were actuated, in many cases, by pride or other evil motives.
Mr. WALTER did not consider the bill would prove
effectual in settling disputes between masters and men, but
as it was to be referred to a select committee he would not
oppose the second reading.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said he did not consider the bill would
effect the object which its framers contemplated. The first
clause proposed that the two classes in question should ap-
point persons to arrange their differences, who were to have
the authority of arbitrators. He contended there was no-
thing in that clause that added to the existing law, and it
was therefore either useless or imperfectly expressed. The
second clause related to the formation of councils, with re-
ference to which the Queen was to be petitioned, and the
Home Secretary to license these councils under a certain
condition, which license was to last for three years. .He
thought ds bill would have the effect of fostering a delu-
sion on tke part of the working class, and therefore it would
not receive the support of the Government. He had no
objection to the appointment of a committee to inquire into
the circumstances connected with strikes, but he trusted
the hon. member (Mr. M'Kinnon) would not press his
motion.

Lord R. MONTAGUE defended the bill and referred to
Coaseils de P,•udlaornme in France, and other tribunals on
the continent, to show that the principle and practice of
arbitration between workmen and masters was in full and
beneficial operation. The practice of arbitration prevailed
amongst different trades in this country, and with great
advantage both to workmen and employers.
Mr. ED WIN JAMES strongly advocated some attempts
at legislation on the subject, but objected to the machinery
of the bill. However, he approved highly of its principle,
and considered this question should be referred to a select
committee.

Mr. HENLEY considered that the terms of the bill IA ce
too vague to be practical, and that they should pause before
legislating on a matter which might have the effect of injur-
ing instead of benefitting the classes for whose advantages
k was designed,
Mr. E. COLE BROK E considered that the bill would not
produce any practical effect, and suggested to the hon.
mover not to presa the second reading.
After some discussion, in which Mr. Black, Mr. P.
Urquhart, Major Edwards, Sir F. Goldsmid, the Solicitor-
General, and Sir M. Peto took part,
Mr. MACKINNON repli, and contended that the
question, so far as related to his bill, was not understood.
In deference to the views of the house he would postpone
his motion for four weeks, and would then move that the
subject should be referre i to a select committee.
Mr. CROSSLEY made a few observations, and the mo-
tion for the second reading of the bill was postponed.
(LEFT SITTING.)

POLICE INTELLIGENOE-(THIS DAY.)