The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-21 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 Central Cornwall Railway Bill was read a second
time.

Lord STANHOPE said that he understood that the
right of giving proxies was to be abolished, and he would
ask the Lord Privy Seal what course was to be pursued.
The Earl of MALMESBURY said that he was only
waiting to propose a question until more peers were in
town, then, probably next week, he should lay a statement
before their lordships.
REGULATION OF RAILWAYS BILL.
The Duke of RICHMOND moved the second reading
of this bill, and said that he believed that the enterprises
of the executives of railways were most important, and that
the premium on railway property during the past year had
been over £38,000,000, almost approaching what might bo
called the interest of the national debt of this country. It
was of the utmost imp)rtance that the general public
should have the opportunity of knowing what was the
actual state of various companies of which they were
shareholders, and to know that there was £138,000,000
which, although authorised, had not been yet paid up.
He wished that such a regulation of accounts should pre-
vail that there should be an uniform system of accounts
in all railway companies, and one which would enable
any shareholder to understand what would be the ac-
counts in every railway company. (Hear, hoar.)
It was an astonishing fact that it was far more dangerous
to walk about London, according to the railway statistics,
than it was to travel on railways. He ha l therefore thought
it better to bring in a small measure to deal
with the salient points than to bring in a much
more comprehensive bill. He would move the second
reading. _

Lord REDESDALE opposed the bill, but he thought
that uo securities given by railway companies should be
legal unless registered. Re spoke also as to the position
of auditors, and thought that there should be some regula-
tion as far as they were concerned. He approved of all
regulations which could ameliorate the condition of rail-
way travellers, and also the vehicles in which they tra-
velled.

After some observations from Lord WESTBURY, 'who
suggested some alterations, the bill was read a second
time.

The house then adjourned.

IIOUSE OF COMMONS—LAsT EVENING
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
THE IRIS LI CHURCH.

Mr. GLADSTONE gave notice that on Monday next
he should lay on the table the precise terms of a motion
ho intended to move with respect to the Irish Chu rob.
Before he made the terms of his motion he should like to
know what arrangement the Government could make, in
order to give him an early day on which ho could bring
forward his motion. If he did not receire a favourable
answer to his request, then ho should have to make the
best arrangement open to him as an independent mem-
ber. (Cheers.)
THE BASUTO COUNTRY.

Mr. MILLER asked the Secretary of State for the
Colonies if there was any truth in the report contained in
the daily press that the- Government had extended British
protection to the Basuto country adjoining the Cape of
Good Hope and Natal, and whether it was intended to