The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-05 00:00:00

CHURCH RATES.

Mr. HARDCASTLE gave notice of his intention on
an early day to move for leave to introduce a bill
for the abolition of Church Rates.

TIIE ADDRESS.

The SPEAKER having read her Majesty's Speech,

Mr. T. DE GREY rose to move the Address on the
house in answer to the Royal Speech ; he said he
felt it quite necessary for him to ask the indul-
gence of the house, while he addressed the house,
especially as at the close of last session a struggle
took place which resulted in a change of Govern-
ment. The different parties had not got settled
down, and if in the observations he should address
to the house he should say anything distasteful to
any section of those great parties he hoped they
would attribute it to his inexperience. The house
he felt certain was most anxious to adopt good
measures, and therefore he thought it would be
judged of but little importance from which side of
the house those measures emanated. There was one
paragraph in the Speech which, he bad no
doubt, would give great satisfaction viz ,
that her Majesty was on the most friendly
s
terms with the Continental Powers.
circumstance showed that peace would still prevail
in England. There were other matters in her Ma-
jesty's Speech which would give great satisfaction,
and none so more than that setting forth measures
which would result in the improved comfort of the
soldier. With respect to the war which happily
had terminated in Germany, it was hoped that as
soon as the disturbances that that struggle
had produced had passed away
prosperous state of things Wouldabertrterraailn. d
With
respect
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in-
formation that all chance of
rbeaetcomcLoliugntirnyv. olhvaedd
in a quarrel with that g
passed away, and he doubted not that the
result of the deliberations would be that a recur-
rence of matters like those which had transpired
would not again arise, and that a better and more
friendly feeling would exist between the two
countries. The subject of Canada was also re-
ferred to in the Royal Speech, and after the
noble manner the country had come forward to
support her Majesty's rule, he thought it would
but be just that the Parliament of this country
should take steps to consolidate and satisfy the
scheme of Confederation which had been passed
by the several legislatures in that country. It was
with deep regret that he read the account of the
outbreak of famine in India, but the steps the Go-
vernment had taken during the autumn, he trusted,
would mitigate the effects of the calamity ; and
since the outbreak an abundant harvest had been
granted to that country, he trusted that, under
Divine Providence, the effects of the famine would
be fully mitigate]. It is to be regretted that
Fenians still disturbed the peace and quiet of the
sister country, but the steps of the Government, he
thought, would end in the restoration of general
tranquillity. The cattle plague, it was to be re-
gretted, was still lingering about, but he trusted that
the most activo steps would be taken to
btop the progress of such a groat calamity. He

now came to the vexed question of reform. (Hear,
hear.) If the country wanted Reform, it did not
require resolutions—(hear, hear)--but of this he
was quite certain, that without all parties were
ready to unite, practically speaking, no measure of
Reform was likely to be carried in that house. If the
question was to be approached in a friendly spirit,
task o Majesty'sfre yips
irnegs e
then Government
eonstit tit io:
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ut
he thought it would be scarcely prudent for her
chhe
an opposition as it was likely to encounter. ("hear,
hear," and laughter.) The lion. gentleman having'
touched upon the other matters referred to in the
Royal Speech, thanked the house for their atten-
tion, and concluded by reading the Address, which,
as usual, was a mere echo of the Speech.
Mr. GRAVES said that in undertaking the hon-
our of seconding the Address, no one felt
more than he the inadequacy of his abi-
lity to perform the task. The Speech
which they had had the pleasure of hearing that
day was, in his opinion, a good one—one which he
fully anticipated would be satisfactory to the house,
and that it would be, acceptable to the country.
Ile felt that it was of the highest im-
portance that neutrality shoald be the policy
of England in all differences abroad, and ho
thought that if those laws were found to be lax or
overweighted, and this country was called upon tc
make compensation, it would lead to the making of
those laws more intelligible for the future guidance
of all maritime Powers. The great question,
however, which was agitating all parties was
the question of Reform. (Hear, hear.) The necessity
of au extension of the franchise was admitted by all
parties, but the real question with all was, how was
a just and wise solution of the difficulty to be ar-
rived at. Whether the measure which her Majes-
ty's Government intended to bring forward would,
include a redistribution of seats—(hear
or whether it would boldly grapple with that
groat mass of corruption which had been recently
brought to light, and which he regarded as a blot
in the honour of the country, he did not know.
Bui this much he felt certain, that the measure of
the Government would be conceived and framed i.a
no narrow spirit, but that a broad and good mew:4re
would be submitted in an earnest and honest desire
that it might be found acceptable to the house and
the country. (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman
then proceeded to comment on the other paragraphs
in her Majesty's Speech—one of the most important
of which was the announcement of the relaxationof
the navigation laws, for which they were indebted to
the enlightened wisdom of the Emperor of the French,
and it was in the highest degree satisfactory that
her Majesty had announced to his Majesty her
desire for their extinction on equitable terms. His
Majesty, it was highly satisfactory to learn, had
shown that he was anxious that an arrangement
should take place, and to show that he was earnest
in the matter he had already admitted British ships
to the advantages of the proposed new law. The
panic which had existed last year had exercised a
very depressing influence upon manufactures and
commerce; but ho trusted that no such ele-
ment would again disturb or destroy the prospects
of the country. He rejoiced that it was intended
to introduce a measure for the improvement of the
position of landlord and tenant in Ireland, because
he knew from his own experience that that confi-
denee and security which it was most essential
should prevail did not exist. Until the railways
of Ireland were put upon a better footing the
resources of that country would never become known.
To do this State control might be required, but he
thought that should such be called for the result
would prove highly advantageous. He thought if a
precedent- were required that he could point to
India, but he thought that before long they would
be able to point to one nearer home, because the
post-office would soon have to take over the whole
of the telegraph system.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

CARMARTHEN RACES—Tins DAY.

EY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

OPEN STEEPLECHASE.

Daisy
Arlescott .
➢Mulberry
Ten ran.
HUNTERS' STAKES.

.
Tho Nun 1
Milford
Thane 3
Winner objected to.
CUIBRIAN STAKES.

Saucebox
Robin Adair .. 2
..