The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-27 00:00:00

BELGIANS.

The Earl of DERBY gave notice that on Friday next
he would draw the attention of the house to this subject,
and move the abolition of this office as being un-

necessary.
THE LAW OF EVIDENCE BILL AND THE
DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES BILL.
On the suggestion of Lord CHELMSFORD,
The LORD CHANCELLOR consented that tho second
reading of these bills, which were on the orders of the
day, should be postponed until Monday next.
THE CATTLE PLAGUE BILL.
Earl GRANVILLE said, in reference to what had fallen
from the noble earl (Derby) the other evening, ho thought
it would be most desirable if some course were adopted
with reference to this bill when it came to their
lordships' house to-morrow evening. As he had
stated previously, the bill was not one that
in its present form the Government _ would feel
justified in recommending to their lordships' approval.
He gave notice that he would on the part of Government
move different amendments to the bill when it came from
the other house, which would have a very considerable
effect on the measure. As far as his opinion was con-
cerned he was in favour of the bill being referred to a
select committee, where ho thought it would receive more
careful consideration than it would by a committee of the
whole house.

Tho Earl of DERBY expressed his regret that Govern-
ment would not take up this bill, which, though it may be
susceptible of improvement., was not to be entirely rejected.
In what shape the bill would come to that house he was
not in a position to state, and it had undergone so many
alterations in the other house that the hon. gentleman
who introduced it was scarcely able to recognise 11:s own
measures. Many other alterations might be deemed neces-
sary by their lordship; and he agreed with the noble earl
(Granville) that the bill should be referred to a select
committee.

Earl GRANVILLE said that eventually the Govern.
mint would take charge of the bill.

After some remarks from the Earl of DERBY, tho subjec
dropped.

THE CONDITION OF IRELAND.

Lord LIFFORD called the attention of the house to the
present condition of Ireland, and asked her Majesty's Go-
vernment whether it was their intention to introduce any
measure into Parliament providing for the support of the
Roman Catholic clergy of Ireland, independent of the con-
tribution of the Irish people? Ho moved also for

a return of the parochial clergy of the Roman
Catholic Church in Ireland, distinguishing be-
tween those mho were parish priests and curates.
The noble lord commenced by referring to the Fenian
movement in Ireland, and expressed the deep sorrow ho
felt, in common with other Irish proprietors, at the igno-
rance exhibited by that movement in that part of his coun-
try, and their want of duo appreciation of the benefits they
at present enjoyed. Having next adverted to the social
and political phases through which Ireland had passed,
he next passed a high eulogium on the Orangemen of Ire-
land, whom he described as one of the most loyal bodies
that ever a sovereign possessed, although he himself had
never been an Orangeman. He next drew the attention of
the house to the most meritorious conduct of the Roman
Catholic clergy in the outbreak of 1848, and in the present
Fenian movement; and he advocated that they should
receive a stipend from the Crown.

Earl RUSSELL said he would confine himself to the last
part of the noble lord's speech. The question raised wasas
to whether there should be an application of the property
and estates of the Church of England to the Roman
Catholic clergy in Ireland or a State endowment.
Lord LIFFORD—I said nothing about the approp. iation
of the Church revenues in Ireland to the Roman Catholic

clergy.
Earl RUSSELL was under the impression that the noble
lord had made such a statement. The noble earl then re-
ferred to the occasions upon which the subject of a State
endowment of Irish Raman Catholic clergy had occu-
pied the attention of statesmen, and the refusal of the Ito-
man Catholic clergy to entertain the same, being of
opinion that it would diminish their influence over their
flocks. There was a large body of persons who objected
to all State endowments for ecclesiastical purposes, and
the Roman Catholic clergy themselves were indisposed to
a course which would certainly tend to lessen their influ-
ence over their flockq. The Government, therefore, did ,
not intend to make any proposal on that subject. Neither
did the Government intend to introduco a measure for the
purpose of applying any portion of the funds belonging to
the Established Church to educational uses. Adverting to
the evils which were now complained of in Ireland, Lord
Russell remarked that some of those evils were of very long
standing, and it was impossible by measures passed in one
session of Parliament to remedy the grievances of Ireland
and restore its people to happiness and prosperity. Since
1829 various beneficial measures had been passed, such as
the scheme of National Education, the Poor Law, and the
Encumbered Estates Act, and every disposition had been
evinced by Parliament to promote the welfare of Ireland.
Lord CLANRICARDE argued in favour of State pro-
vision for the Roman Catholic clergy, and denied that the
bulk of the people of Ireland were disaffected or disloyal,
although they were certainly discontented, for which they
had many reasons. The gentry were not allowed any
share in the government of the country, which was left to
the Lord Lieutenant and the police. The people wore dis-
contented because no measures of improvement were
adopted, and because everything connected with Ireland
was neglected.

Lord GREY, although ho had been at one timo a strong
supporter of appropriation in connection with the Esta-
blished Church in Ireland, could not now support such a
plan, because he believed the time for it had gone by. He
agreed that the present state of Ireland proved that there
are evils which ought to be removed, although he also con-
curred with the Prime Minister in believing that no one or
two measures would be adequate to redress those evils
immediately. The whole condition of the country re-
quired mature consideration, and on a future day ho should
invite the house to bestow that consideration upon this
important subject.
Lord DUNSANY believed that the Irishßoman Catholic
clergy would not refuse State payment, but in any case he
approved the offer being made to them.

- discussion then terminated.
The Art Bill was road a third time, and their lordships
then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAsT EVENING.

The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
Mr. Goschen took the oaths and his seat for tho City of
London.

THAMES EMBANKMENT (NORTH) APPROACHES

BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. TITE moved that the bill be read a second time on
the 6th of March. The bon. member defended the Metro-
politan Board of Works from a charge of bad faith with
the Duke of Northumberland in proposing that a street to
the Thames Embankment should be made through the
gardens of Northumberland House. They had no
idea of any discourtesy to the Duke of Northumber-
land, but it was thought that the duke was by
no means anxious to keep Northumberland House.
He (Mr. Tite) was empowered on the part of the Metro
politan Board of Works to state that as it was now known
that Northumberland House was not to be touched, to
agree to a clause stating that the building, gar-
dens, and grounds were to be exempt from the
operation of the bill. It was also quite right
that it should be positively known that the Savoy
Chapel was not to be touched. He moved the amend-
ment with the view of embodying a clause to that effect.
Mr. B. HOPE altogether dissented from the proposi-
tion of the Board of Works, and he should be content with
nothing but the rejection of the bill.
_ Mr. LOCKE said the Board proposed to make a splen-
didm aeatt. One t
from Trafalgar-square to the Thames Embank-
ne house stood in the way. The member for
Stoke had become eloquent upon the subject when the
house of a noblwas introducede
m
ta
n
was touched, but when a railway bill
thousands, and thaerir'fg down the houses of the poor in
moan
turned out to go Heaven
knows where, it
momase looked upon altogether as a
matter of little
why, when the heu„nt. ofl He could not understand
with, that a nobleman was inter-
feredspeciia_leree
vas
should be introduced
to protect his rights,
grounid in talsaea nobleman with a house
with five acres of
and because it was thought a splecaqtre of the metropolis,
be effected it was to be abandoned hiedeaimprovement might
in the way. The proposition to effect he only
house stood
had rested on a gentleman Opposite,
ande ement
when the houses of the labouring classes hoped that
were interfered
with something of the same spirit might be evinced
The proposition of the hon. member fornitthat
ahouse. l
effected all that was required to protect and conserve thet
rights of the Duke of Northumberland, and therefore he
could not soo the good to bo derived by altogether re-
jecting the bill.
Mr. COW PEE, defended the Metropolitan Board of
Works from a charge of breach of faith. lie must say
having frequently heard of poor and labouring people being
driven from their houses and homes, and in many cases en-
tirely ruined by such removals, ho felt a little callous
tc the sufferings of a wealthy man, who, by spending his
money, could easily build himself another somewhere else.
He knew there was a historical feature with respect to
Northumberland-house, Charing-cross, and that there were
certain interesting associations connected with it ; on that
ground alone he was glad it was not to be interfered with,
but notwithstanding that ho hoped to see the communica-
tion opened in another direction.
After a short discussion, Mr. B. Rope withdrew his
amendment for the rejection of the bill, and the motion of
Mr ito was agreed to, and the bill was ordered to be
read a second time on the 16th March.
DISEASED SHEEP.
Viscount HAMILTON asked the Secretary of State

for tho Home Department whether the Government had
received any authentic additional information on the sub-
ject of the late attempt stated to havebeelnremlaandd yebtobloaantd
sheep surreptitiously on the north coast of
from a ship bound from a Scotch to an English port ?
Sir G. GREY said that attempts to evade the law in the
matter referred to had come to the knowledge of tho Go-
vernment. Strict inquiries had been directed to be made,
and instructions had been given to prevent the violation of
any of the orders in Council.
THE CATTLE DISEASE.
Mr. NICOL asked the Vice-President of the Committee
of Council on Education whether any steps had been taken
to obtain, through the local authorities in districts affected
with the cattle disease, accurate weekly information, as to
the number of cattle "attacked, killed, died, and reco-
vered ;" and also as to the success of preventive and cura-
tive treatment in those districts; and whether there was
any change in the character of the disease since its first
appearance ?
Mr. BRUCE said the veterinary department which had
been instituted in consequence, of the cattle disease were
in communication with over 800 inspectors. The secre-
tary had been directed to prepare a report, which would be
made without the slightest delay. With respect to another
portion of the hon. member's question, he had to say that
no positive evidence had been received that the disease
had changed its character. There was, however, a gra-
dually increasing percentage in the recoveries. The re-
port he had alluded to would contain the fullest informa-
tion on the subject it was possible to obtain.
RATING ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS.

Mr. H. SURTEES asked the President of the Poor-law
Board to state on what principles he considered electric
telegraph companies ought to be assessed for the purpose
of the poor rate ?

Mr. VILLIERS said the matter had been decided by a
court of law. The principle applied to water companies
was that acted on with respect to electric telegraphs.
MARINE APPRENTICES.

Mr. H. TRACEY asked the President of the Board of
Trade whether the attention of the Government had been
called to the great decrease in the number of apprentices
and boys borne by our merchant ships and the increased
employment of foreign seamen; whether their attention
had been called to the great prevalence of scurvy in
the merchant navy; and whether, under these circum-
stances, any measures could bo taken to cottond to the
crews of merchant ships the benefits derived from that
system of inspection of provisions and accommodation now
in force in respect to emigrants, convicts, and other pas-

sengers 2

Mr. M. GIBSON said the attention of the Board of
Trade had hot been called to the great decrease in the
number of apprentices annually entered in the
mercantile marine. The number of apprentices
for. the last four or five years had been about 6,000 annually,
and that number, he believed, was still kept up. With re-
spect to the increase of foreign seamen in merchant ships,
ho believed that was the fact. Representations
had been made to the board with respect to the
non-supply of anti-scorbutic medicines in two cases,
and prosecutions had been directed against those parties
for an infringement of the Merchant Shipping Act. It
was not intended to extend the inspection of provisions
which now took place in emigrant ships to merchant
ships.