The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-30 00:00:00

(IRELAND) BILL.

The houso went into committee en this bill and resurnA
at clause 27, which was agreed to. Clauses to 31inclusivo
were also agreed to.
On clause 32,

Mr, LONGFIELD moved an amendment to the effect
that leases should not be granted for a less period than three
lives or 33 years. The bill proposed to facilitate the mak-
ing of leases, but it did not give the necessary terms for
leases that would be sufficient for the purpose of inducing
the tenant to improve the land. He considered that 2.5
years' possession at least was requisite to remunerate a
tenant for his outlay, and if leases for a proper time were
granted the highest rent would be required and received
for land.

Mr. DEASY did not see any objection to the adoption
of the amendment, but suggested that it should be moved
as a separate clause.

Mr. LONGFIELD acceded to the suggestion, and with
drew the amendment for the present.
The clause was then agreed to, as well as clause 33.
Clauses 31 and 35 were then agreed to.

On clause 36,

Mr. BLAKE moved to add at the end of the clause:—
" And shall not be liable to eviction after commencing such
improvements, except for non-payment of rent (unless in
the opinion of the chairman the completion of same has
been needlessly delayed) until the expiration of the longest
period (according to the nature of the improvement)
named in clause 25, for agricultural improvements and
building leases."
After some discussion, the amendment was withdrawn.
On clause 37,
Mr. MAGUIRE moved the following amendment :

Line 41, leave out all after "and," and insert "if, upon the
hearing of the case before the chairman, it shall be proved
that the proposed improvements are not necessary, or that
they would be prejudicial to the estate, the tenant shall not
be entitled to commence such improvements; but in case
the chairman shall decide that the proposed improvements
are necessary, useful, and beneficial to the estate, the tenant
shall be enabled to proceed with the improvements in the
same way as if he had received the assent of the owner."
The clause as it at present stood gave deadly effect to the
absurd apprehensions of a class of landlords who were
afraid that the tenant would improve out of the ;land.
He believed that there were classes in Ireland
who would not avail themselves of the provisions of
this bill, and he proposed to make it compulsory on them
to do so. He thought the tenant ought not to be allowed
to make improvements that were not beneficial to the land
or that were not necessary for agricultural operations. At
the same time, however, they should not allow landlords to
obstruct necessary improvement. There was a continual
stream of emigration from Ireland which it was only the
policy to arrest, and if a stimulus wore not imparted to the
industry of the country misery and disaffection would ine-
vitably ensue.

Mr. POLLARD URQUHA.RT approved of the amend-
ment, but feared that its adoption would prevent the bill
passing through the House of Lords.
Mr. D. GRIFFITHS considered there was much mis-
understanding in reference to the subject,!and opposed the
amendment.
Mr. DEASY said that this was an amendment of great
importance, but would involve the destruction of the
measure, and it had proved fatal to the bills introduced by
three successive Governments. The present bill as it stood
dealt only with tenants from year to year, and if he desired
to avail himself of the privilege proposed to lae conferred by
this amendment, the landlord might oust him as soon as he
attempted to carry out any improvements which he con-
sidered sot recolsite.
Mr. MONSELL said that the bill introduced by Lord
Aberdeen's Government failed in regard to this provision
solely because it proposed a retrospective action, He denied

that landlords would turn out their tenants on the high-
ways merely because they desired to effect some necessary
improvements.

Col. DICKSON supported the amendment, and denied
that the landlords withheld leases merely because they were
afraid that by granting them they would diminish their
political power. He contended that landlords generally
were not opposed to granting leases of fair length, though
he admitted there were some classes who entertained
different sentiments. He believed that without the adop-
tion of the amendment, or some similar provision, the bill
would be an utter failure, and that its adoption would
benefit both landlord and tenant. He suggested, how-
ever, that for the chairman of quarter sessions the Encum-
bered Estates Court should be substituted.

Mr. BUTT said that this was the tenants' part of the
bill, the other parts being those of the landlord.
This bill was not the result of agitation, but the
product of the Devon Commission, under the Govern-
ment of Lord Derby. He could not see how the Conservative
party in the house could oppose the amendment; and he
contended that those who offered such opposition were prac-
tically affirming the proposition that the landlord was en-
titled to restrict the benefits to be derived from the laud
which was given for the good of all. (Cries of " Oh, oh.")
He repeated that statement, for if they did not allow
the necessary improvement in the land, they were com-
mitting to all intents and purposes what he described. The
emigration that was taking place in Ireland was not among
the poor and needy but the better class of farmers, wbo had
a little money, but no means of profitable investment in
Ireland.
Sir J. WALSH opposed the amendment as a gross in-
fringement of the rights of landlords.
A very protracted discussion ensued as to whether the
amendment would operate injuriously on the interests of
landlords.
The committee divided—
For the amendment 4B
Against it
Majority
The amendment was lost, and the clause agreed to.
TAX BILLS COMMITTEE.

Mr. WALPOLE brought up the report, which was
ordtred to lie on the table.
At four o'clock the sitting was suspended.

The house resumed at six o'clock.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE HOUSE.
Mr. COLLIER gave notice that on Tuesday next he
should move the following resolution :—" That it being the
fundamental right of the Commons alone, according to the
ancient usage of the constitution, to determine the taxation
to be levied on the people, as to the matter, the measure,
and the time; the rejection by the House of Lords of a bill
repealing a tix which the responsible advisers of the Crown,
and this house, have concurred in deeming unnecessary to
meet the supply granted by this house to her Majesty for
the service of the year, is a breach of constitutional usage,
and an encroachment on the proper functions of this house."
Mr. E. JAMES gave notice that on Monday next he
should put a question to the noble lord the First Minister
on the consideration of the reportof the Committee on Tax
Bills, as to what course it was proposed the house should
in future take when tax bills were sent up to the Lords.
SUPERANNUATION OF POOR-LAW OFFICERS.
Mr. WATLINGTON asked the President of the Poor-
law Board whether her Majesty's Government had had the
question of the superannuation of Poor-law officers under
consideration, and whether they intended to introduce any
measure upon the subject during the present session?
Mr. VILLIERS said that the Poor-law Commissioners
had had the subject under their consideration, but that it
would be impossible to bring in a bill in reference to it this
session.

GALWAY CONTRACT.

In reply to Mr. E. BOUVERIE,

Mr. LAING said the Galway contract would be brought
forward as a supplementary estimate. It was his intention
to give ample notice to the house before the question of the
Galway contract came on, so that it might undergo full and
fair discussion.
COURSE OF PUBLIC BUSINESS.

On the motion that the house, at its rising, should
adjourn until Monday,

Lord PALMERSTON said—l wish to take this oppor-
tunity of stating what we propose should be the course of
public business. An objection was taken last night to
going on with the discussion upon the European Forces
(India) Bill, on account of the papers relating to the sub-
ject not being in the hands of members. I was inclined to
believe that my right hon. friend the member for Stroud
would waive his objection to our going on on Monday with
the bill, provided the papers, or a portion of them, were in
the hands of members on Monday morning. If that should
be agreed to, we will postpone the committee until the
whole papers are in the hands of members, and of course
the order for to-night will be put off until Monday. lam
sorry to say that my hon. and learned friend the Attorney-
General is confined to his house from indisposition. He
will, therefore, not be here to-night to go on with the
Bankruptcy Bill, which is the next order of the day. I
should hope that under these circumstances the house will
agree to going into committee of supply, to enable my
right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to pro-
ceed with such estimates as he is prepared to go on with.
(Hear, hear.)

EUROPEAN FORCES (INDIA) BILL.
Mr. lIORSMAN had no objection to the arrangement
which the noble lord proposed, as they were to have the
greater part of the papers in their hands on Monday morn-
ing, and ho would agree to reading the bill a second time
on Monday evening, on the understanding that before the
further stages were proceeded with they should have time
to consider those papers.
Mr. A. MILLS expressed his concurrence in the pro-
position of the Prime Minister.
Sir C. WOOD denied that he had either directly or in-
directly been concerned in the delay, and stated in the
strongest terms consistent with his respect for Mr. Hors-
man that the charges brought against him by that right
hon. gentleman were wholly unfounded.

THE BANKRUPTCY BILL.-TRANSFER OF

ESTATES.

Mr. E. JAMES, in consequence of the illness of the
Attorney-General, postponed his question relative to the
want of accommodation for the law courts in Westminster-
hall, but inquired whether it was intended to proceed with
the Bankruptcy Bill or not—the Attorney-General having
left the house in some doubt on this point.
Mr. SCULLY asked whether any bill would be intro-
duced this season for the transfer of real estates, and inti-
mated that if the Attorney. General could not find time to
bring in such a bill, ho would himself endeavour to submit
a measure on the subject to the house before the session
closed.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL replied that it was in-
tended to proceed with the Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Bill, but that having regat d to the magnitude and difficulty
of tke subject, the late period of the session, and the state
of public busine?s, it was not the intention of his hon. and
learned friend the Attorney-General to take any step in re-
ference to the transfer of real estates this year.
TIIE SICILIAN QUESTION.

Sir R. PEEL stated that as he was informed the noble lord
the Secretary for Foreign Affairs was unable to attend in
his place in consequence of indisposition, he must neces-
sarily postpone the question he had given notice of on the
above subject. _

THE DISTURBANCES IN ST. GEORGE'S •IN-
TIIE EAST.

Mr. KEKEIVICH called attention to the disturbances
which took place on Sunday last in the neighbourhood of
the church of St. George's-in-the-East, and asked what
measures the Home -effice had taken to prevent their re-
currence.

Sir G. C. LEWIS said that all that the hon. gentleman
had stated was taken from a newspaper report, one state-
ment of which was admitted to be incorrect, and it was
probable that other parts of the report were also inaccurate.
The report of the inspector of police stated there was some
disturbance and interruption at the evening service, but it
only amounted to unseemly and irreverent conduct, and
there was nothing in the shape of a breach of the peace.
Every legal means had been used to put an end to those
disturbances.