The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-05 00:00:00

THE LICENSING SYSTEM.

Mr. PEASE asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department whether the attention of her Majesty's Go-
vernment had boon drawn to the evils arising from the
fact that a sVarate jurisdiction exists for granting licences
for the retail sale of spirits, beer, and wino; and whether
her Majesty's Government proposed to bring in a bill to
place the granting of these licences under one jurisdic-
tion.
Mr. WALPOLE—The mAtter had been brought under
the consideration of the Government in a vatiety of ways,
and some applications were at present under consideration.
Therefore, before all the propositions had received due
consideration, he could not state what courae the Govern-
ment intended to pursue.
THE ARMY ESTIMATES.
In reply to Mr. Vivi_vg,
Gen. PEEL said he should postpone proceeding with
the army estimates until Thursday next.
THE REFORM BILL—THE MI NISTRY.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
since he had last had the honour of addressing the house
a majority of the Cabinet had determined to revert to their
original policy, and that circumstances had, he regretted
to say, compelled three of his colleagues to tender their
resignation, which resignation had been accepted, and
they now only held their seats until their successors were
appointed. He deeply roivel,t3d the determination, more
especially es amongst those who had resigaed was ono
whose name could never be mentioned in that house with-
out respot and esteem. His gallant fiend, however,
would still have the opportunity of explaining the reasons
for the advice he had given when he moved the ..A-,my
E amatss on Thu-sday next. (Hear, hear.) Ile had also
to eats that fresh arrangements had been made,' and that
by Fiiday he should be able to state that the government
of the Earl of Darby was complete. With respect to the
Reform Bill, he intended to introduce it on the 18th of
the present month. (Hear, hear.) He prposed to take
the second reading on the Mondry following. There
would thus be ample time for the consideration of
the bill ; and if it should prove acceptable to the
hou93 he should propo that it be proceeded Ni ith in com-
rm
mittee day by day until it was completed. (Hear, hear.)
The house was about to go into committee on the North
American Ll.,nfederation Bill, when
Mr. B. OSBOia-111 Said ho could not but think that as
the house had been kepi; ,
in the dark for three weeks
--(cries of "Order,
(laughter) some further

order")—
The SPEAKER said the order had boon distinctly roan
for proceeding with the British North American Bill,
which qiiestion Watl about to be considered. (Hear, bear,
and laughter.)
Mr. B. OS BORNE said, in order to surmount the diffi-
culty, he should move the adjournment of the house.
(Laughter.) After the house had been kept in the dark
for three weeks, the light hon. the Chancellor of the Exe-
-
chequer came down, and, like Cagliostro expounding the s
cret of the philosopher's stone,he had left them as much in the
dark as ever, (Laughter.) He had told them that the
Cabinet had reverted to its original plan—(laughter) ; he
should like to ask those who were left, or rather those
who had ones what that original policy was —(,
hear)—whether that policy was to land them in an £8
or household suffrage no one knew. ("Hear, hear," and
laughter.) He therefore should like to ask
acquired
earned reputation for consistency, or else the noble lord
the member for Stamford (Viscount Cranbo,,le), to tell
them what that original policy was, and what were the
reasons that induced them to leave their colleagues. (Hoar,
hear.) He asked the question out of no vulgar cur:osity
—(loud laughter)—and -he hoped the noble viscount
would not scruple' to tell them why ho was no
longer -to sit on the Government bench. t(Langhter.)
He (14. 33. Moro) considered that 3101 M reflected

mon sense in asking for en explanation why:three members
had resigned, and also what was the original policy of her
Majesty's Government. (Loud laughter, and cheers.)
Viscount CRANBORNE said he regretted to say his
reply would be very brief. It was not in the power of
those occupying the position he did to speak without the
permission of her Majesty, and that pet-mission he had not
received. (Laughter.)
Mr. GLADSTONE said it was quite conclusive that no
blame cord attach to the hon. gentleman, the member
for Nottingham. A statement had been made that her
Majesty's Clovet.rnent had recurred to their o►igival
policy ; now that was a statement which occasioned
a great deal of uneettaint7, because it created a deal more
difficulty than it removed. (hear, ear.) Every moment
that the meat matter in which tiny were about to engage
was delayed was mcst critical. After four weeks
the great question was still being dallied with, and e'
far as progress was concerned they stood no further for-
ward than they did on the first night of the sess►on.
(Hear, hear.) On Monday last the ►ight bon
gentleman stated the plan the Government po-
posed, and immediately after the Cabinet seemed
to be str:cken with paralysis. (Laughter.) The air bi-
came thick with rumours, and amidst them there
was one that the measure was to be with-
drawn. He had seen a dance performed by women
in a dietant part of the world in which► the first movement
was three steps forward and the second was to retrace
their steps. (Laughter.) Now the progress in the
house of the Government with the question of reform
was not so satisfactory as that of the dancers he had men-
tioned. (Laughter.) He thought it was absolutely neces-
sary active steps should be taken on this great question,
because if that was not done the blame would not attach
simply to the Government, but to all classes in Parliament
who would by further delay stand discredited in the eyes
of the county. (Cheers.) He hoped when the
plan was proposed it would be simple and
straightforward—(hear, hear) —that it would contain
no new-fangled propositions, because the people of the
country were attached to simplicity. It was above all to
be hoped that the plan, when it was proposed, would not
be framed to give in one part and take away another. If
the plan was a good ono it would be considered in no
grudging spirit ; and he sincerely hoped it would be such'
that it would prove acceptable to the country at large,
(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
- The subject then dropped, and the house went into
committee on the British North American Bill, which
passed through committee.
Tho Oyster and Mussel Fisheries Bill was road a second
time.
On the motion for going into committee on Mr. Selwyn's
bi'l to abolish the disability which prevents the counsel to
the Sec etary for India from sitting in Parliament,
Mr. Sergeant GASELEE renewed his opposition, main-
taining that if it was right to remove the exclusion it
should be by a general revision of the act of Queen Anne.
The bill was supported by Mr. SELWYN, who insisted
that the exclusion was an accident and an anachronism,
and by Me. EOEBUCK and Sir G. BOWYER on the ground
that the present law was a restriction on the freedom of
constituencies, 'and that the official in question ought to
be in the house to inform it on subjects involving Indian
law.
Sir R. PALMER and Mr. CourtroGE opposed the bill,
arguing that the change, if made, ought to be general,
and pointing out the practical inconvenience of having in
the house a confidential servant of a department who, as
a partisan, might have to speak and vote against his prin-
cipals.
ElLimately Mr. SELWYN withdrew the motion, and
gave notice that ho would ask the house to refer the bill to
a select committee.
The house adjoulnel at 10 minutes to 8 o'clock.