The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-06 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The South Essex Estuary and Reclamation Bill was
read a seoond time, and the Belfast Gas Bill was read a
third time and passed.

THE CHURCH RITUAL.

The Bishop of PETERBOROUGH presented petitions
from the clergy of the Church of England, praying their
lordships not to sanction any alteration in the liturgy, and
generally against any innovation in the religious cere-
monies of the Church Establishment.

LAW OF EVIDENCE AMENDMENT BILL.-

DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR, in moving the second
reading of these bills, said that a necessity foran alteration in
the law of evidence had become necessary, and as regarded
the second bill, his attention had been drawn to certain
anomalies in the present law of evidence as regarded divorce
suits by the able and learned judge who presided over the
Probate and Divorce Court. At present the petitioner and
respondent could be examined only so far as related to
charges of cruelty, whereas they were excluded from giv-
ing evidence in respect to adultery. He contended
that it was most unjust that parties who were so
deeply interested in the result of their suits should
not be allowed to give evidence on their
oaths as to the gravest charge, and so enable the Court to
take into consideration the relative credibility of the wit-
nesses. Having referred to the opinion of the late Judge
Ordinary as to the necessity of a revision of the existing
law, he said that one of the great objections to allowing
parties to a suit being examined was that they might be
asked as to whether they had committed adultery, would
be obviated by the provision which he had introduced into
the bill, which would prevent either party to a suit being
called upon to answer a question eliminating themselves.
He proposed also that parties to a suit should be allowed
to give evidence as to the adultery, but that such evidence
was not be compellable. He explained that there were
technical grounds for introducing both these bills sepa-
rately ; and ho concluded by moving the second reading
of the bills -respectively.
Lord CHELSMFORD strongly opposed the b'll. As re-
garded the bill relating to the Divorce Court, although it.
contained only a singleclausa which appeared to be purely
legal, yet it really involved a serious alteration in the present
system. He was very much opposed to any relaxation of
the existing law, and he contended that the object which
his noble and learned friend (the Lord Chancellor) proposed
would not be effected. Ho moved as an amendment that
the bill be read a second time that day s'x months.
Lord TAUNTON also opposed the bill, and their lord-
ships dividing, there appeared an equal number for and
against the second reading—namely, 29 to 29 ; whereupon
the Lord Chancellor, in accordance with the usual prac-
tice, gave his voice to the non-contents, and the bill was
lost.

The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill was read a
second time.

The Cattle Diseases (Ireland) Bill was, after a short dis-
cussion, read a second time, and the standing orders hav-
ing been suspended, went through committee and was read
a third time and passed. _ _

The Savings Banks and Post-office Savings Banks Bill
was read a second time.

Their lordships adjourned at half-past six o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.

NEW MEMBERS.

Tho lion. G. DENMAN and Mr. MONSELL took the oaths
and their seats for Tiverton and Limerick.
THE LONDON STEAM-SHIP.

Mr. CORRY asked the President of the Board of Trade
whether, in reference to the opinion expressed in the official
report of the investigation into the loss of the London, that
a great annual loss of life might be avoided if the deep-
load lino were permanently marked on all vessels, he would
bring in a bill requiring the deep-load line to be perma-
nently marked on all vessels calving passengers and mer-
chandise.

Mr. M. GIBSON said the matter had been under consi-
deration, but the difficulties would be insr-mountable in
laying down a rule applicable to all ships. Under such
circumstances the Government 01/41 not intend to bi:ng in
a bill on the subject.

FOREIGN BARLEY.
In reply to Mr. READ,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
could not furnish the house with the information of the
quantity of foreign barley which is manufactured into malt
in this country. There was no means of distinguishing
foreign from British barley in the malt houses. All orders
for such p. return would be disregarded.

CHILDREN IN MINES.
In answer to Mr. AYRTON,

Sir G. GREY said the attention of the Government had
been directed to the matter, and the Government inspector
o: the distract, had made a very full report on the subject.
Who child was not employed contrary to tho act, but the
employing of a child of such tender years in such labour
was highly reprehensible.