The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-11 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-YESTERDAY.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 10 minutes past 12.
T HIRD READINGS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Manchester Corporation Water, &c. ; Norwich and Spald-
ing Railway ; Tendiing Hundred Railway.

AGRICULTURE. OF AUSTRIA AND DENMARK.

Mr. lIATLAND asked the Secretary of State for
Voreign Affai►:s when Professor Wilson's reports on the
agriculture of Austria and Denmark would be laid on the
table.

Lord STANLEY asked the hon. member to renew the
question to-morrow.
MERCANTILE MARINE BILL.

In reply to Dr. BaADY,

Mr. S. CAVE said iu eJaseeprince of the st,te of busi-
ness it would be bett,!r to introduce this bill in the Upper
llouSri after the Easter recess.
MINES, Szo., ASSESSMENT BILL.

Mr. PERKY W YNDHAM, in moving ►he second read-
ing of this bill, explained the way is which coal ,nines
were at present rated in different puts of tho country.
Lord G. CAVENDISH moved that the bill be referred
to a select committee, and in doing so assured the mover
of the second reading that he was acting in no hostility to
the principle of the measure, but the details were so com-
plicated that they could not be dealt with by a committee
of the whole house.

After a short discussion, the bill was read a second time
and referred to a select committee.

TEST ABOLITION (OXFORD) BILL.
On the motion for the house going into committee on
this bill,
Mr. FAWCETT moved that it be an instruction to the
committee to extend the provisions of the bill to Cam-
bridge. He contended that the Universities were na-
tional institutions, which ought to be open to all her Ma-
jesty's subjects, without distinction of sects or creed.
A discussion ensued on the question, during which Mr.
Gladstone said he was ida peculiar position, as he did
not approve of partial legislation. He thought the bill as
it stood came within that definition, and for that reason
he should vote in favour of the instruction.

The house divided, when there appeared—
For the instruction
Against it
Majority —B7
The instruction having been carried, the house went
into committee; when the whole of the clauses wore
agreed to.
ASSOCIATIONS OF WORKMEN BILL.
Mr. NEAPE moved the second reading of this bill, the
object of which was to place trades unions in the same
position as friendly societies. He did not want to pre-
judge the inquiry that was about to take place before the
Royal Commissioners, but he wanted an assurance on the
part of the Govertunent that they would not oppose the
second reading of the bill.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it was quite im-
possible for her Majesty's Government to assent to the se-
cond reading of the bill, not because they objected to trades
unions, but because it was asking the assent of the Legis-
lature to an existing and continuing violation of the law.
He therefore hoped the house would reject the motion.
Mr. T. HUGHES hoped the house would not throw
out the bill in the summary manner that had been sug-
gested by the Attorney-General. The bill had been neces-
sary in consequence of a decision which had been given in
the Court of Queen's Bench, which placed in peril the funds
of certain friendly societies, because they were looker'
upon as trade societies as well as benefit societies, and
therefore illegally constituted. He hoped the house would
give its assent to the second reading, as the principal ob-
ject of it was only to enable trade societies to protect their
funds, which could be pocketed by the per-
sons holding them, if dishonestly disposed, with-
out the contributors having any legal remedy.
against them. The inquiry of the Royal Commissioners
must result in legislation, and it was only pending that
inquiry that the bill of his hon. friend asked that the
funds subscribed by members of these societies should be
protected.
Mr. BARROW opposed the bill. He was addressing the
house at a quarter to six, at which hour, in accordance
with the standing orders, the debate ceased.
The other orders of the day were disposed of, and the
house adjourned.