Star.
London, England, 1823-05-31 00:00:00

Day for the house resolving itself into a Committee
upon the Lancaster County Court Bill should be read.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL opposed the read-
ing of the Bill at that moment, as his Honottrable and
Learned Friend the Solicito.r-General was absent.
Lard A. HAMILTON. did not rise to oppose the
present Bill. But he saw the Sheriff,-Depute Bill
standing fifth upon the list: he-wished to know if the
Leatned Lord opposite meant to: bring on the Bill
that night? •
The LORD ADVOCATE said he had postponed
the Bill at least three times, to suit the convenience
of the Noble Lord; and he was certainly dein ous of
.bringing .it forward to•night, if he could do so to the
convenience of the House.
The Order of the Day was then read, and after a
iew ob.et vations from the ATTORNEY-GENERAL and
Lord Aurtiono, the House went into a Committee,
and the Bill, with its amendments, having been le-
potted by Mr, ►_3ROGDEN to the House, the Report
was lead, and ordered to be taken into further con-
sideration on Wednesday next.
RECIPROCITY OF DUTIES BILL.
Mr. HUSKISSON moved the Order of the Day
for the reading of this Bill.
Mr. ROBERTSON thought that it did not require
any naval knowledge to ascertain that it was utterly
impossible oar ships could compete with the fleets
of other nations, and that therefore they required
protecting duties. It was with great pleasure that
he had heard from a Noble Lord, the First Lord of
the Treasury, when addressing a body of shipowners,
declare that the Navigation Laws were the best pre-
servatives against the competition of other nations.
Mr. HUSKISSON said that he had no intention
of discussing the measure at this moment, but he
might be allowed to state, that he could more effec-
tually. explain it when he brought the measure fairly
before the House.
The Order of the Day was then read, and the se-
cond reading postponed until Friday.
Mr. CA LCItAFT gave notice, that he should not bring for-
ward his motion on the Leather Tax during the present Session.
Mr. GOULBURN moved that the House, at its rising, do
adjourn until llonday.--Agreed to.
STANDING ORDER.
11r-.BANICES moved the rescinding of the Standing Order
respecting the Committee of Trade.
Mr. Serjeant ONSLOW said a few words in support of the
resuming of that Order, and the House agreed to the motion.
TITHE* COMMUTATION BILL.
On the motion of Mr. GOULBURN, the Order of
the Day for the recommitment of the Tithes Com-
mutation Bill was then read.
On the motion that the SPICA IC ER do leave the Chair,
Sir J. NICHOLL rose, not to oppose the Motion.
The Bill in question affected not merely the tithes of '
the Clergy, but of the laity. Commutation of tithes had
been proposed by some of the ablest statesmen at va-
rious times, but in England such a commutation had
been found totally impracticable in their operation.
But in Ireland he was willing to think that the con-
trast of the country required some such measure, and
he confessed that his approbation of the Bill would
be much stronger if the grounds of difference were
stated more clearly in the preamble of the Bill. He
should merely suggest that the preamble be postponed.
The SPEAKER then left the Chair, and the House
went into a Committee. -
On moving that the preamble should be postponed,
Mr. GOULBURN observed, that the Bill was, in
his opinion, merely applicable to Ireland.
Mr. WETHERELL, on the clause that the notice
should be served upon the_incumbent, suggested that
the time should be extended to 21 days instead of
as; unfortunately, it did not always happen that the
incumbent resided upon his living.
A very desultory discussion arose upon the clause,
which was at length amended.
On the clause that the Lord Lieutenant should
have the power of appointment in certain cases,
Mr. WILLIAMS opposed the clause, and thought
it ought altogether to be omitted.
Mr. GOULBURN suggested, that as this was a
measure of experiment, it would be right to ascertain.
by practical experience the benefit of the measure.
Several clauses were brought up and agreed to,
after some few observations interchanged between
Mr. GOULBURN, Mr. PEEL, Mr. CALCRAFT, and Sit
J. NEWPORT, upon the clause for imposing a tithe on
grass land ; but at the same time restricting the pro-
prietors of such land from having any vote in the ap-
pointment of valuators'.
Mr. D. BROWNE objected to it.
Sir J. NEWPORT agreed that it was a hardship
on him whose land was to pay tithes, that he should
have no controul over the inspector; but yet was of
opinion, that under all the circumstances it was ne-
cessary to this Bill.
Mr. V. FITZGERALD thought that some of the
clauses of the Bill would give the incumbent the
whole power of assessment, which would be alto-
gether in opposition to the general spirit in which the
measure was brought in. 'The Vestry should not be
limited to twenty; and, in point of fact, -this Act'
could not be executed by parochial machinery. He
wished the people to have a greater share in their
own affairs—in order to their self-importance ; but an
the present condition of Ireland such a change was
utterly impracticable.
Sir H. PARNELL said, that from his knowledge
of a great part of Ireland, he was sure this measure
could and would be beneficially executed. With re-
spect to the appointment of Vestries, he wished them
to be placed on the same footing as they were in this
country. The Vestry might be general in the first
instance, and could then select twenty-one to act.
Mr. D. BROWNE admitted that a Bill was neces-
sary for the commutation of tithes; but the Bill pro-
posed would nut effect the desired object. They had
not machinery to work at, where the greater part of
the Gentry were absentees, and Much of the land
was held by Companies who lived in London.
Mr. A BERCROMBY wished to render the Vestry
as independent as possible of the Clergymen.
r. PEEL entirely concurred with the Honourable
Member. It was an easy task for any one to say
there were many difficulties in this case. In Ire-
land there were twenty-four or twenty-five parishes,
with millions paying tithe. The question cannot be
one of perfection—but as to whether it will lead to
melioration. The only other remedy proposed to
lower this Bill, was a Commission appointed by the
Lord Lieutenant. How was it to begin? Was there
to he one Commission to go everywhere, ma Branch
Commission? or was one Judge to be appointed,
who was to adjudicate without appeal ? How was
this to be effected? Such all. arrangement as that

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