The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-30 00:00:00

IMPERIAL FARM AXENT

• HOUSE OF LORDS—THIS E VENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR touk his seat ou the Woolsack
at five o'clock.

CHURCH RATES ABOLITION BILL.
The Earl RUSSELL said that he had already stated
that although he did not think it noces;ary, still he would
adopt the amendment of the Lord Privy Seal, and Would
consent to a select committee, and that he now moved.
The Earl of MALMESBURY said that by the bill
being moved to a select committee, it would make 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 was not to be
argued in open court, where every point for and against
the bill might be made public. He therefore objected to
this bill being referred to a select committee. His opinion
was that the bill was ono for Churchmen, and that for the
sake of the Church church-rates ought to be 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 be thought they ought
to be abolished. The present bill brought before a com-
mittee he did not think would carry out the reform neces-
sary iu its integrity, and it might end in a rejection of the
bill, which ho thought would be an injury to the church.
He wanted it distinctly to b 3 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 tle cOin-
mittee. It appeared that the noble lord thought that if
the bill were referred to a select committee it would make
the public out of doors consider that that house were in-
capable of dealing with the question. He ventured, how-
ever, to think that a select committee of their lordship's
house would be a better tribunal than if it were brought
before the whole house. The noble seemed to
think that the purpose was to smother the bill, but he, on
behalf cf 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 SOITERSET 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 AI.A.I.MESDURY said that it was not a
Government giE.stion, and ho could hardly s:ly whether
the general queition should be discussed or not.
The motion was then agreed Ito.
OYSTER AND MUSSELL FISHERY BILL.

This bill was committed and pas•ed. -
LEGITIMACY DECLARATION (IRELAND) BILL.
The Commons' amendtmmts wen.) a >mod to.
PETITION BILL.

This bill was read a third time and Pissed.
The Local Government (Supplemental) Bill was con-
sidered and passed.

The Prisons (Compensation to Officers) Bill was road a
third time.

The Patty Sessions and Lock-up House Bill was read a
second time.

POOR RELIEF BILL.
On the motion of tho Earl of DEVON the name of the
Earl of Stradbroke was added to the select committee on
this bill.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OP COADIONS—Tuis 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.