The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-07 00:00:00

Intended Deputations to Government.

During next week Lord Derby and the Home
Secretary will receive deputations having very im-
portant objects 'in contemplation. The one to the
Premier is from the Evicted Tenants' Aid Associa-
tion, and is for the purpose of urging upon his lord- .
ship the urgent necessity of a measure being intro-
duced into the House of Commons as soon es •
possible after the meeting of Parliament to remedy
the evils which now undoubtedly exist as regards
the dwellings of the poorest classes in this metro-
polis.
The movers in this matter fully recognise
the fact that several fine model lodging-houses have
been built in different parts of London, but these do
not meet the exigencies of the case. They are, to 2.
very great extent, inhabited by respectable persons ;
and, besides, the rents are, as a rule, much mor°
than the poorest can afford. Tens of thousands of
these people are at present housed—or rather herdea
together—in the most wretched manner, destructive
at once to good moral and social habits, debasing
them as human beings, and at the same time sowing
the seeds of wide-spread fever and pestilence. Tbo
evil was sufficiently great some years dace, but has
been vastly increased by the extensive railwaY'
ramifications in all parts of the metropolis, and the
many street alterations and improvements -which
have been and are taking place. The Evicted
Tenants' Aid Association consider that Government
should be empowered to lend, at a low rate of int&
rest, sums of money to properly authorised persons,
that blocks of buildings may be erected suitable t° i
:
the condition in life of this class. This is one °f'
the chief features of the scheme which thei
propose. Their object is to persuade Govern'
ment to take the matter up, as it is a subject fat
too large for private members to deal with;
It is understood that there are some influentill'
members of the Government who are favourabl°
to the proposition of public money being thus 01'
ployed, although, of course, their opinion only 04"
tends to the general proposition, and not to ally
fixed scheme. It is certainly a most important snl)-
ject with which to deal, and one which it may bti
hoped political complications of the session may n°t
interfere with. If the Government should declino
to bring the matter before the House of Commons,
Mr. M'Cullagh Torrens, M.P., for Finsbury, Wahl'''
I
probably reintroduce his bill of last session, and
which was interfered with by the Ministerial change
which happened.
The deputation to Mr. Walpole has reference to
a matter which, if the proposal were carried etly;
would completely revolutionise the local governme.o
°
of the metropolis. The idea is to supersede tu
existing vestries and boards by municipal institu,
tions, with mayors, aldermen, and councillors, anai4
dignitaries. Under their aristocratic regime it
stated that the metropolis would soon present
• ldi
vastly improved aspect, and this with the lag
important consideration of " less taxation." ri o 0
Parliamentary boroughs would then be so nl39',
municipal ones, and, we suppose, under the guidinil
influence of some chief central body, which shoo. 0
have the power to direct that local improveinell 0
ine"
should be in unison with metropolitan ones. °jl
argument is that a corporation would attract
co
of position and ability to offer their sere i%
to the public who now absolutely decline to
.I'o,
themselves up with vestries and boards. Sir Inlcis
Buxton, M.P., and Mr. Tom Hughes are ain°l,st,
those who advocate the change. It will be inter_''oo
ing to learn whether the Government arc favenr3

or otherwise to the plan.—Sunday Gazette.