The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-22 00:00:00

PETITIONS

The Marquis of WESTMEATH presented two petitions
against the sale of spirituous liquors on the Sunday, from
Kilkenny, in Westmeath, Ireland.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Bishop Wearmouth Rectory Bill and the Dartford
Gas Bill were read a third time.

THE TRADES' UNION BILL.

On this bill being brought up for recommitment,

Earl DE GREY and RIPON said that he wished to ask
what would be the manner of the appointment of those
persons who were to conduct the inquiry. According to the
view which he had taken of the clauses, the real decision in
this question would be in the hands of the barristers who
would have to conduct the inquiry. He considered that
persons conducting the inquiry ought to be appointed by
the Secretary of State and not by the commissioners. He
also desired to be informed as to the machinety of the bill.
He objected to the second clause entirely, and designated
the whole measure as highly dangerous, and likely to
create an innovation.

The LORD CHANCELLOR said that the preamble of
the bill showed that a commission had been already issued
to inquire into the organization of Trades' Unions and to
investigate into any acts of outrage or harm which had
lately occurred.
After a few remarks from Lord CRANwouTH,

The LORD CHANCELLOR said that the bill was
framed rather to meet the case of the outrage at Sheffield
than the general question of trades unions.
Lord ST. LEONARDS, who was almost inaudible,
was understood to approve of the general clauses of the
bill, and to state that in such a particular case as that of
the outrage at Sheffield, such an enormity as that was
required that a measure like the present should be brought
in, in order that there might be a fair adjustment of the
matters in dispute between the two parties. It would lead
to an inquiry in all cases where there was alleged outrage
or wrong. These miserable strikes, which had injured the
people and the commerce of the country, would not
occur, or would be adjusted. (Hear, hear.)
Lord BELMORE said that this commission was not
only granted oo the application of the inhabitants of Shef-
field, but at the request of the trades union itself. It was the
object of the commission to inquire into any alleged injury
which might affect the working classes in opposition to
the oppression of the masters. He considered that the re-
port of the barristers should go directly to the Commons,
and not through the Secretary of State as suggested by the
noble earl opposite. With regard to the pay of these barristers
he supposed that this would be arranged according to the
usual method in which such arrangements were generally
made.

Earl GRANVILLE said that he did not entirely ap-
prove of the clause which they were required to sanction,
and that a great amount of evil would be done if they
did so.

The Earl of BELMORE did not think that a great
amount of evil would be done ; on the contrary, that a
great deal of good would result from this inquiry.
Lord CRANWORTH said that it was perfectly right to
institute an inquiry into such an outrage as that at Shef-
field, but he objected to enforcing a penal inquiry after-
wards.

The first and second clauses were then carried.

The remaining clauses were agreed to, and the bill was
reported to the house.

The Recovery of Certain Debts (Scotland) Bill and the
Ilypotbec Amendment (Scotland) Bill passed through
committee.

Tho Duty on Dogs Bill was read a third time.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
The Right Hon. T. L. CORRY took the oath and his seat
for Tyrone.