The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-01 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAIVIENT

HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.

Tho LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat ou tho woolsack
at five o'clock..

CERIUM RATES ABOLITION MLL.

Tho Earl RUSSELL Raid that he had :iready atate•l
that although he, did not think it neces_ary, he would
adopt the ainendinnit of the Lord Privy Seal, and would
consent to a select commit tee, and that ho new moved.

The Earl of 3IALMEiItUIIY sail that by the bill
being moved to a select committee, it- would nak,3 a better
bill of it in every respect.
Lord LYVEDEN was perfectly sure that this bill was a
good one, and therefore was sorry that it wa.t not to be
argued in open court, where every point for -md against
the bill might be nrt le public. lii therefore obj.scted to
this bill being referred to a select committee. His opinion
was that the bill was one for Churchmen, and that for the
sdce of the Church church-rates ought to b 3 abolished.
As for 'Nonconformists he did not take them into conside-
ration, for all of them were bound to bow to a majo-
rity ; but in. every vestry in England they had become
a religious question, and therefore he thought they ought
to be abolished. The present bill brought before a com-
mittee ho did not think would carry out the reform neces-
sary in its integrity, and it might end in a rejection of the
bill, which he thought would be an injury to the church.
He wanted it distinctly to be understood by the public
that there was no reason in the matter. -

The Duke of RICHMOND considered that the noble
lord misunderstood what would be the result of tttj com-
mittee. It appeared that the noble lord thought that if
the bill were referred to a select committee it would make
the publiCiiiit 'Of doors constdartint that-house -ve,+re-ia-
c.tpable of dealing with the question. He ventured, how-
ever, to think that a select committee of their lordships'
house would be a better tribunal than if it were brought
before the whole house. The noble lord 86.311 ml to
think th .t the purpose was to smother the bill, but he, on
behalf of the Government., could say that it would only
tend to elucidate more clearly all the points of the bill.
For that reason he was glad that it should be referred to
a select committee.
The Duke of SOMERSET said that it appeared that the
bill was referred to a select committee for two points to
be discussed, and therefore there was no reason why they
should in committee go into the general question of the
abolition of church rates or not.
The Earl of MALMESBURY said that it was not a
Government question, and he could hardly say whether
the general question should be discussed or not.
The motion was then agreed to.
OYSTER AND MUSSEL FISHERY •BILL.
This bill was committed and passed.
LEGITIMACY DECLARATION (IRELAND) BILL.
The Commons' amendments were agreed to.
PETITION BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
The Local Government (Supplemental) Bill was con-
sidered and passed.
The Prisons (Compensation to Officers) Bill was read a
third time.
The Petty Sessions and Lock-up House Bill was road a
second time.
POOR RELIEF BILL.
On the motion of the Earl of DEVON the name of the
Earl of Stradbroke was added to the select committee on
I this bill.
The house then adjourned.

•
HOUSE OF COMNIONS—LAsT EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBERS.
Mr. Miles, Mr. Welsh, Mr. Welby, and Mr. Turner took
the oath and their seats.
FUEL FOR STEDISHIPS.

In reply to Mr. HEADLAMP
Lord G. LENNOX said the reason that north country
coals were excluded from the recent contracts issued by
the Admiralty was because smokeless Welsh coal was
considered the best for steaming purposes by the com-
manders on foreign stations.
OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE THAMES.

In reply to Mr. HARDCASTLE,
Mr. CAVE said the piles in the river near the Hunger-
ford-bridge belonged to the Waterloo and Whitehall
Railway, which was at present at a stand-still for want of
funds. The company had, however, this session applied
for an extension of time; at the same time the
company had applied for an extension of time for the con-
struction of th.sir works until 1870, stating that all the
works over the river would b' completed by that tint.. If
otniujoesttotrturewt'riroulit,:ttiNtovun.hssi
ceahotnbetshei;itv.
t:gtinemcdyet,owttoilluieel
proposed
.p:stvoeserelo:f
Asrveietrtov_irtn,tr;inlott:F,
and the power to remove which did not arise until MI