The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-16 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack
M 5 o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.'

Several private bills of a local character were read a
second time and ordered to be committed.
THE LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN
RAILWAY.

Lord REDESDALE drew the attention of the house to
A pamphlet published by Mr. Francis, impugning the posi-
tion he had taken in respect to railway legislation last ses-
sion, and affecting the interests, of the company in ques-
tion. He vindicated the views he had expressed, and the
line of policy he had suggested to the house in reference
to the important subject of railway legislation.

THE FENIAN MOVEMENT.

In reply to Lord SHAFTE3I3URY,

Earl DERBY stated that no further information had
been received by the Government as to any movements on
the part of the Fenian insurgents.

THE VOLUNTEERS.

In reply to a question from a noble lord,

Earl i3ELMORE said there was no reason why, in an
emergency, the Volunteers should not be expected to act
in a civil capacity and be sworn in as special constables.
Earl DE GREY explained that there was no compul-
sion on the part of the volunteers to assume a civil capa-
city in preserving the public peace ; but it might be con-
fidently expected that should the occasion arise when the
services of the volunteers were required, they would not
object to be sworn in as special constables.
A brief discussion ensued, in the course of which the
principles were laid down that volunteers should not legi-
timately be required to place themselves in hostility to
their fellow subjects ; but that in the case of such events
as a Fenian movement assuming importance that
threatened the peace and order of the country, they might
be called on, having arms in their possession,
to preserve the peace of the country, as well as to defend
it in the case of invasion. It was also contended that the
civil authorities should have the power to call on
the volunteers to act in a case of emergency,
as in the instance of what occurred at Ches-
ter, on the ground that all available power should be
called into requisition in a case of high treason or appre-
hended insurrection.

The subject then dropped.
COLONIAL CHAPLAINCY IN NATAL, &c.

The. Bishop of LONDON moved that there be laid be-
fore the house a despatch of her Majesty's Secretary of
State for the Colonies to the officer administering the
Government of Natal on the colonial chaplaincy
in that dependency, dated the 12th day of
August, 1866; a despatch to the Lord Bishop of
Mont real, relating to the appointment of a coadjutor Bishop
of Niagara, dated the 21st of November, 1866 ; and copies
of any returns made in answer to questions lately issued
by her Majesty's Secretary of State, in reference to the
condition and circumstances of the United Church of Eng-
land and Ireland in the colonies. The right reverend
prelate made some statements respecting the conduct of
the Bishop of Natal, which he denounced, and referred to
the excitement which it had produced in the colony.
The Earl of CARNARVON, whilst consenting to pro-
duce them, announced that he was about to introduce a bill
which he hoped would remove the difficulties now felt with
regard to the status and relations of the Church in the
colonies. Describing the effects of the recent judgments of
the Privy Council and other tribunals, he explained that
further legislation was indispensably necessary, and until
then he justified, his decision not to take any steps to nomi-
nate bishops in colonies which were in the enjoyment of
constitutional government.

The Archbishop of YORK urged the expediency of at
once settling the relations of the Church in the colonies
with the Church in the mother country.
Lord TAUNTON complimented Lord Carnarvon on his
lucid and statesmanlike explanation, and after considerable
discussion the returns were ordered.

The select committee on the Metropolitan. Traffic Regu-
lation Bill was nominated ; and the reports of the com-
missioners on corrupt practices at elections in the boroughs
of Lancaster, Yarmouth, Reigate, and Totnes having been
laid on the table, their lordships adjourned at 8 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS--LAST EVENING.
Tho SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. Sackvillo Stopford took the oath and his seat for
Northampton.