The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-11 00:00:00

EQUALISATION OF POOR RATES.

Yesterday afternoon a very numerous deputation,
consisting of several members of Parliament and
about 100 gentlemen, waited by appointment upon
the Earl of Derby, at his official residence in D ,wn-
ing-street, to lay before his lordship the inequalities
of the poor rates, and to urge him to allow Mr.
Ayrtou's bill to be read a second time, and then
be referred to a select committee.

Mr. AYRTON, M.P., in introducing the deputa-
tion, went at some length into the history of the
agitation for an equalisation of the metropolitan
poor rate. He said, long before the question came
before the Home of Commons last session, a stre-
nuous agitation had been going on, as it were, be-
neath the surface, and having directed his lord-
ship's attention to what took place in the House of
Commons in the previous session, said a kind of
challeng,e was then thrown out to him to introduce
the matter in a practical form, and in accordance
with that challenge, in the course of the present
session he had embodied the points of the required
alterations in the present system in a bill. Leave
was given to introduce that bill, in order that the
de tatls mightbecome known, and the measure stood
for second reading on Wednesday next. Having
stated the provisions of the bill, which were stat d
to the House of Commons upon its introduction,
the hon. gentlemen urged upon his lordship the
necessity of supporting the measure, which would
meet all objections, and bring about such an equali-
sation of the rating as was imperatively demanded.
Mr. FOWLER, the hon. secretary to the Equalisa-
tion of Poor Rates Association, presented a memo-
rial setting forth the inequality complained of.
Alderman SIDNEY, in a very long speech, gave a
history of the Poor-law, and contended that it was
unjust to make some parishes pay over 4s. in the
pound, while others were called upon to pay 7d.
Mr. LOCKE, M.P., and other gentlemen, having
stated their views upon the question, urging upon
his lordship to support a scheme promoting equali-
sation,
'she Rev. Mr. McGILL "East-end Incumbent,"
who has written a work on the subject, quoted
largely from figures to prove the inequality of the
present system, showing that the rich parishes paid
less than 6d. in the pound, while some of tue poor
parishes paid considerably over 3s.
Mr. BLATCHFORD, chairman of the Fulham union,
and Dr. CHALLICE, repeated the arguments ad-
vanced by them at the recent deputation to the
Poor-law Board.
Mr. LOCKE, M.P., then remarked that the prin-
cipal object of the deputation was to request his
lordship to allow the bill to be read a second time,
in order to be referred to a select committee.
The Earl of DERBY, in reply, said he had listened
very attentively to the statements that had been
made to him ; but admitting all the difficulties of
the question, his present impression was that the
principle involved in e 1..) bill referred to was open
to many grave objections, and, if carried, would
destroy the whole principle of the poor-law, and
therefore he could not see bow the House of Com-
mons could adopt it. It had been suggested that
the bill should be read a second time, and then re-
ferred to a select committee ; but they must remem-
ber that by the second reading the main principle
of the bill would be affirmed, and that principle
being, in his opinion, to greatly extend the area of
rateability, was not likely to be agreed to ; for while
it would have the effect, as he had said, of extend-
ing the area of rateability, it would remove the
present check upon fraud and mismanagement
whieb existed under the old po,Nr-law, and diminish
individual responsibility. Besides, ;le did not see
how they could draw a distinction between the
metropolis and other parts of the c aintry—he
thought their arguments applied equally to a general
rate over the country. With regard to a committee,
he thought the_subject.was a fitting one for inquiry
—an independent inquiry, irrespective of any bill—
which might be of a very useful character, and lay
the foundation for future legislation. In conclu-
sion, his lordship said his opinion was certainly
unfavourable to the principle of Mr. Ayrtou's bill
—notbut he thought some parishes might be bene-
fited under its provisions ; but, on the other hand,
he believed the evils brought into existence would
overbalance any good that might be effected.
The deputation thanked his lordship, and then
withdrew.

SPANISH AMERICAN BONDHOLDERS.

The Committee of Spanish American Bond-
holders have received the following reply to a com-
munication addressed to Senor Jose Rod iguez,
the new representative from Venezuela, upon the
subject of the English bondholders' claim 3 upon
that republic :

(Translation.)
Venezuelan Legation, Brunswick lintel,
St. James's, London, B.h May, 1858.
Gentlemen,—l have bad the honour of receiving the
letter which you have been pleased to address to me,
under yesterdtWe date, kindly expressing your satisfac-
tion at my being appointed the representative of Vene-
zuela in this country, as also your wish to be informed
whether I am authorised by my Government to make
any proposal to the Venezuelan Bondholders with rider-
enve to the unpaid arreared interest.
With regard to this matter, I have to tell you, in
reply, that I am not authorised by my Government-to
make any proposal for the payment or arrangement of
the arreared interest • but I can assure you that the new
Government of the Republic is determined to observe
the strictest economy in the revenue, and the most cor-
rect management s f its adminis►ration, so as to be soon
able to pay the creditors. Ta this effect the honour
of the parties who brought about the revolution is
Pledged, so as to give actual proofs of the obj :ct of their
doings, the principal one being to re-establ►sh morality
in public transactions.
Expressing my sincere acknowledgments of the kind
opinion with which you have personally favoured me, I
beg to subscribe myself as your most obedient servant.
(Signed) I. SANTIAGO RODRIGUIZ.
To the Committee of the Spanish American Bond-
holders.