The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-03-01 00:00:00

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Somepetitions having been presented, Lord BROU G AM,
after some remarks upon the system of bribery at elections,
expressed a hope that by the operation of the late act,
which enabled the parties themselves to be examined
before election committees, it would have the effect of
greatiy curtailing, if not altogether preventing, the abo-
minable system.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

The Earl of ELL ENBOROUG II inquired whether her Ma-
jesty's government intended to propose any measure for
the future government of India during the present ses-
sion. The noble earl also presented a petition from the
Madras Native Association and others for redress of griev-
ances in connection with the expiration of the East India
Company's Charter. The principal grievance complained
of was excessive taxation. They prayed for the construc-
tion of certain public works, and for a better system of
education. They further complained of the want of a pro-
per system of irrigation, and the extreme badness of the
public roads, which tended to impoverish the country,
and to mar the industrious efforts of the inhabitants.—
After some remarks by the Duke of Argyle in reference
to education in India, and by Lord Campbell upon the
administration of justice in the Indian empire, the Earl
of ABERDEEN said that it was intended to bring in a bill
during the present session relative to the Indian Govern-
ment, but at present he could not enter into details.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY, FEB. 22.
Mr. Phillimore took the oaths and his seat for Tavistock.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE,

The second reading of Her Majesty's Theatre Associa-
tion Bill was opposed by Mr. CARDWELL, on the ground
that it involved the principle of limited liability, and upon
a division, the second reading was negatived by a large
majority. LANCASTER ELECTION.
The minutes of evidence taken before the Lancaster
Election Committee were ordered to be printed ; and it
was also ordered that no new writ be issued until Monday,
April 4. EXCHEQUER BILLS.
In reply to a question by' Mr. Masterman, with refer-
ence to a statement that the Bank of England had been
aware of the intention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
to reduce the interest on Exchequer bills some time before
the reduction was publicly known, of which the Bank had
taken advantage to effect the sale of those securities at the
higher rate of interest, the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE-
QUER stated that the reduction had not been determined
until Tuesday, the 15th of this month ; and that he had
not consulted the governor and deputy-governor of the
Bank upon the subject until the afternoon of Saturday,
the 12th.

Sir H. HALFORD obtained leave to bring in a bill to
secure the payment of wages without stoppages.

CUSTOMS REPORM

Mr. lIORSFALL asked when it was the intention of the
government to bring forward the subject of a reform of
the Board of Customs.—The CHANCELLOR of the Ex-
CHEQUER. said he was not in a position at present to state
whether any measures which the government might take
for the improvement of the Customs' department and
machinery would require legislative interposition. The
whole subject was under the consideration of the Treasury.

RONITSH PRELATES

Mr. I. BUTT asked the Home Secretary whether, since
his accession to office, any instructions had been issued to
the authorities at Dublin Castle with regard to the award-
ing of rank and precedence to the Romanist bishops in
Ireland.—Lord PALMERSTON.—No instructions havebeen
sent on that subject. (Laughter.)