The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-28 00:00:00

THE CATTLE PLAGUE BILL.

Earl GRANVILLE, in moving the second reading of
this bill, said that he regretted it was not one of those
measures which could receive the unqualified support of
the Government, as being calculated to arrest the progress
of the present epidemic which unfortunately prevailed.
The Government felt bound to object to the principle of
the bill, but without reflecting in the slightest degree on
the hon. gentleman who introduced the bill into the other
house, and who had bestowed co much care and labour in
framing its provisions so as to meet the exigency of the time.
Notwithstanding the care bestowed on the preparation of
the bill, he was satisfied that its provisions would nullify
the object proposed. The attempt to introduce a new
system, having uniformity in its object, which was to
effect a great alteration in the existing law, and to take
effect in three weeks, was a measure that re-
quired grave consideration. But apart from that,
as he had already statel, there were objections
in detail. The noble earl then , went through
the different clauses of the bill, and said the course he pro-
posed was to refer the bill to a select committee, in accord-
ance with what he had stated last night. In order not to
throw any delay. in the progress of the bill, ho had con-
sulted with the noble earl opposite (Derby), and it was
considered advisable that the house, contrary to its usual
practice, should sit to-morrow. He trusted that the house
would be in possession of the amendments proposed by 5
o'clock on Thursday evening. _ _ _

Lord BERNERS supported the second reading of the
bill, but took exception to the stringent powers it proposed
to confer on inspectors, who would be empowered to
slaughter animals without giving the owners any compen-
sation. He believed that such a course amounted to actual
robbery.

Tho Marquis of BATH also supported the bill, which
he considered contained some good clauses, and hoped that
it would be so amended as not to be a temporal measure.
(Hear, hear.) However, he suggested that the prohibi-
tion of moving cattle from one part of the country to the
other should be left to the discretion of the local magis-
tracy, whose local knowledge would enable them to act
properly under the existing circumstances. He also ob-
jected to the qualifications of the inspectors; he did not
think they were the persons best suited to discharge
efficiently the important duty to be intrusted to them.
The Earl of WINCUILSEA objected to the bill with
the exception of one clause, namely, that relatingto the im-
portation of cattle. He thought it was too late to endea-
vour to stamp out by legislative measures or to limit the
area of a disease that had taken such deep root in the
country.
The Duke of MARLBOROUGH objected to indiscrimi-
nate slaughter of cattle, and hoped that some modifications
would be introduced. He also urged the necessity of ob-
taining accurate statistics of the cattle in the country,
which the Government should have power to demand.
After a few remarks from the Duke of BuciummAiu and
Lord ROMNEY, the bill was read a second time, and was sub-
sequently referred to a select committee.

Lord STRATIIEDEN moved for certain returns having
reference to the general elections of 1835 and 1865 ; but
Lord RUSSELL stated that some of the returns asked
for could not bo made, and others had already been pre-
sented to the house.
The motion was withdrawn.

Lord AIRLIE, in moving for a copy of a memorial pre-
sented to the Privy Council, called attention to the increas-
ing proportion of recoveries of cattle attacked with rinder-
pest, which he contended rendered it inexpedient to sanc-
tion the wholesale slaughter of animals at the discretion of
inspectors.

After a low words from Lord GAO-I-tux the motion
was agreed to, and
Their lordships then adjourned. .

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST
Thu SPEAK.EI took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER

Lord JOHN HAY took the oaths and his seat for Ripon.
BLACKWATER (YOUGIIAL) WOODEN ~BRIDGE

BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this till,
Mr. MLKENNA moved as an amendment that the bill
be read a second time that day fortnight, in order that
certain parties in Ireland might petition against the bill.
After a short discussion the amendment was negatived
without a diN,:sion.