The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-02-14 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS-TUESDAY, FEB. 7.

PETITIONS were presented by Mr. Horsfall, from the
Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool, in favour of decimal
coinage; and by Mr. Brown, from Lancaster, to the same
effect.

ADMISSION OF JEWS.—A bill to substitute one oath for
the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration, and the
oaths appointed to be taken by the 10th of Geo. IV., C. 7,
was brought in by Lord J. RUSSELL, and read a first time.
The noble lord gave notice that he would move the second
reading on Monday fortnight.
NATIONAL EDUCATION.—To a question by Mr. ADDER-
LEY, whether the Education Bill of last session would be
re-introduced, or any measure brought forward by the
government this session, on the subject of national educa-
tion generally, or specially for the establishment of pauper
schools, Lord J. RUSSELL replied that it was not the inten-
tion of the government to introduce the bill of last session,
but to wait and see what would be the effect of the mea-
sure to be introduced by the Lord Advocate.
Cnuncu-RATES.—Sir E. LAcoN asked whether it was
the intention of Her Majesty's government to introduce
any measure this session on the subject of church-rates ?
Lord PALMERSTON said that they hoped to introduce some
measure on this subject during the course of the session.
LIMITED LIABILITY.—MT. COLLIER moved for leave to
bring in a bill—first, to extend the jurisdiction of the
Stannaries' Court of Cornwall to Devonshire ; secondly, to
define and regulate the cost-book system of mining in
Cornwall and Devon ; and, thirdly, to limit the liability of
partners in cost-book mines, so that those which should
have conformed to the provisions of the act might be
enabled to borrow money upon the commandite principle,.
whereby the liability is limited to the extent of share in
the concern.—The ATTORNEY-GENERAL admitted that the
subject of limited liability was of great importance, and
that the question, though a difference of opinion existed
regarding it, deserved discussion. Without, therefore,
pledging the government, he thought the house ought to
allow the bill to be introduced.—Mr. W. BROWN was no
convert to the principle of limited liabilities. This coun-
try owed much of its prosperity to the credit and honour
of the British merchant, and that credit would be greatly
impaired if we were placed in the position of having a
system of limited liability. He knew, from his own know-
ledge, that merchants who wished to have transactions
with France and other foreign countries, were afraid to
carry them out, from not being able to ascertain the posi-
tion in which parties stood as to liability. He thought
that any gentleman who enjoyed the profits of a trade in
time of prosperity would act dishonourably not to contri-
bute his share to the losses experienced in time of adver-
sity. In years of distress, such as 1845, it was highly
probable that persons would have availed themselves of
limited liability, if it had then been the law of the land,
they would have sheltered themselves under the protec-
tion of such a law, and the country would to that extent
have been injured. He was quite willing,. however, to
concede the principle iu the case of mining concerns, rail-
roads, and large and speculative undertakings. In such
instances it might be expedient to allow limited liability,
but in each case he would have the parties come to parlia-
ment, and not place the responsibility on the shoulders of
the Board of Trade.—Mr. CARDWELL wished to remind
the house of the position in which this question of limited
liability stood.' On the recommendation of a committee of
that house, a committee, consisting of eminent legal and
commercial men, had been appointed to investigate this
subject, and that commission was now engaged in careful
inquiry. That very day he had been informed the
Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool had been consulted by
the commission, and he thought, therefore, it was obvious
that in sanctioning the first reading of this local bill for
Cornwall and Devon,the house was not passing an opinion,
ay or no, on the greater question which was now under the
consideration of a commission.—Leave was then given to
bring in the bill.

DISPATCH OF BUSINESS.—On the motion of Sir J.
PA KINGTON, a select committee was appointed to consider
whether, by any alterations in the forms and proceedings
of this house, the dispatch of public business could be more
effectually promoted.
PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.—Mr. BRADY obtained leave
to bring in a bill for the registration of qualified practi-
tioners, and for amending the law relating to the practice
of medicine.