The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-21 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.
THE. CATTLE DISEASE.

The Duke of MONTROSE asked what were the inten-
tions of the Government with respect to the transport of
cattle by railway after the 25th inst.? He said that he un-
derstood that the Government had not yet made up their
minds on this point ; but he should regret very much if the
prohibition were not renewed, for the apprehensions that
were originally entertained as to its effect had proved un-
founded. The markets in the towns were well supplied
and meat was cheaper, whilst the returns showed that the
number of animals attacked had decreased weekly.

The Duke of MARLBOROUGH pointed out that the
regulations for the importation of foreign cattle were being
violated, and instead of being taken to market they were
being distributed amongst the London cowsheds.
Earl GRANVILLE said that the Order in Council al-
lowed healthy cows to be moved a limited distance in the
metropolis with a licence. His noble friend the Duke of
Montrose was not exactly correct in saying that no incon-
venience had resulted from the stoppage of the railway
traffic in cattle. Tho Government was overwhelmed with
complaints, and was of opinion that the protection should
not be long continued. It was intended to allow the car-
riage of cattle by railway in certain districts, and under
certain restrictions, so as not to come in contact with the
cattle plague. Due notice wouldbe given of these changes,
and the prohibition would continue in force until the now
order came into operation. The Government intended to
introduce into the House of Commons to-morrow (this day)
a bill to amend the Act of the 11th and 12th Vic., cap.
107, giving enlarged powers to the Privy Council.
In reply to the Earl of AMIE,

Earl GRANVILLE said that the Government would not
undertake to inspect all cattle trucks on all railways. The
Privy Council had received most satisfactory assurances
from the companies that their cattle trucks should be pro-
perly disinfected and cleansed, and officers would be sent
to see what steps had been taken by the companies for this
purpose.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE• OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
SALMON FISHERY.

Mr. U. BAILLIE rose to move for a select committee
to inquire into the operation of the Fishery (Scotland)
Act, 1862.
Mr. T. G. BARING declined, on behalf of the Govern-
ment, to accede to the motion, and upon a division it was
negatived by 164 to 58.

On the motion of Lord R. MONTAGU, it was agreed that
a select committee should be appointed to inquire into the
operation of the art union laws.

Mr. AYRT ON moved resolutions repealing the standing
order of the 25th of June, 1852, relating to applications for
public money, and the standing order of the same date
relating to public aids or charges upon the people, and re-
solving in lieu thereof—" That this house will receive no
petition for any sum relating to public service, or proceed
upon any motion for a grant or charge upon the public
revenue, whether payable out of the Consolidated Fund or
out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, unless re-
commended from the Crown." .Aiso, " That if any motion
be made in the House for any aid, grant, or charge upon
the public revenue,whether payable out of the Consolidated
Fund or out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, or for
any charge upon the people, the consideration and debate
thereof shall not be presently entered upon, but shall be
adjourned till such further day as the house shall think fit
to appoint, and then it shall be referred to a committee of
the whole house before any resolution or vote of the house
do pass therein."
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER and Mr.
WALPOLE expressed their concurrence in the motion,
and observed that Mr. Ayrton was entitled to the thanks
of the house for having brought the subject under its
notice.

Mr. HARDY regarded the proposition as a laudable
endeavour to check abuse in the public expenditure, but he
doubted whether it would be completely successful for the
object.
Observations were also made by Sir W. HEATHCOTE and
Mr. BOUVERIE in approval of the motion, which was
agreed to without a dissentient voice, and tho resolutions
wore made standing orders of the house.
Lord R. MONTAGU called attention to the disputa
between the two Houses of Legislature in the colony of
Victoria concerning the Appropriation Bill of 1865, and
moved for additional papers thereon. The noble lord
went at considerable length into the circumstances of the
quarrel, and deduced from them an argument against the
lowering of the franchise and the admission of the demo-
cratic element into the constituencies.
Mr. MARSH seconded the motion.

Mr. CARDWELL expressed an earnest hope that the
house would not constitute itself a court of appeal to de-
cide upon colonial disputes, for he was persuaded that
nothing would be more likely to sever the tie which
existed between the mother country and her dependencies
than that she should set herself up as the.guardian of their
rights, the judge of their conduct, and the interpreter of
their policy and wishes. The only question for them was to
see that the law as it existed was properly carried out, and
he deprecated any hasty criticism of those youthful consti-
tutions, which had not yet had time to work out those
difficult problems which we ourselves had succeeded in
mastering. The right hon. gentleman added that it had
been his painful duty to recommend that the Governor of
Victoria should be removed from his office. With regard
to the papers asked for, they were in preparation, and
would shortly be laid on the table of the house.
The motion for papers was withdrawn.

Mr. W. COWPER obtained leave to bring in a bill to
make provision for the improvement of commons in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis, and the protection thereof
from nuisance. The bill would, he said, prevent the In-
closure Commissioners from Inclosing any waste lands
within a radius of 15 miles round the metropolis. A board
of five unpaid commissioners would be appointed to give
effect to the bill, and means would be taken, by draining
and other improvements, to make the commons as much
available as possible for the recreation and enjoyment of
the people.
In committee of the whole house, Sir C. O'LOGHLEN
moved that the chairman be directed to move the house
that leave be given to bring in a bill to abolish a certain
declaration commonly called the Declaration against
Transubstantiation and tha Invocation of Saints and the
Sacrifice of the Mass, as practised in the Church of Rome,
and to render it unnecessary to take, make, or substantiate
the same as a qualification for the exercise or enjoyment
of any civil office, franchise, or right.
Tho motion was seconded by Sir J. GRAY, and opposed
by Mr. KERR, who considered it a retrograde piece of
legislation, calculated to endanger the settlement of the
country.
Mr. COGAN observed that the only object of the bill
was to remove from the statute-book an offensive and un-
necessary declaration.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER and Mr. WALPOLE
both spoke in favour of the bill, observing that it was
obviously unnecessary to enforce a declaration which could
give pain to any portion of her Majesty's subjects.
Leave was given to bring in the bill.
On the motion of Colonel NORTH, it was agreed to
appoint a select committee to inquire into the mortality
among the troops in China, the causes which led to it, and
into the conduct of those departments of tho Government
whose duty it has been to administer to the wants of those
troops.
Several bills were advanced a stage, and th• house ad-
journed at five minutes past twelve.