The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1885-06-20 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

RIM. In my own mind I have no doubt that that capital sum will be voted with the same loyal readiness as was the annuity; but the House has come to no decision upon it. The House has not yet become a party to it. The proposal itself is a responsible act, and I think it is better that in dealing with a responsible act, however sure we may be of the decision of the House, we should reserve it to the House to be dealt with in the usual manner, upon the proposal of a responsible Government, therefore,.l do not intend, so far as I am concerne.d, to take any step with regard to the proposal. But with respect to the second reading of the Annuity Bill, I think the House will be inclined unanimously, as it4irhas upon the later stages of the bill, to the opinion teat, under the circumstances, it is just to make that another exception to the usual method of proceeding, by allowing it to go forward to the House of Lords by reading it a third time to-night. Sir, I beg to move that the House at ita rising do adjourn to Friday. Sir S. Northcote: I suppose we may infer, from the speech of the right hon. gentleman, that he proposes taking the first and fifth orders of the day, and that after the firet order he will move the adjournment of the Muse. 'lf so, I think that Would be a convenient arrangement. Mr. Gladstone: Yea.  Mr. J. Collings: May I ask whether it would be possible to make a further exception in a matter regarding which very great interest is felt throughout the country, and to allow the introduction of a bill for the abolition of disqualification on account of the receipt of nlelioal. rt'lief„(lloioal cheers.) I am sure that that exception would- be received with a great deal gratification throughout the country. Ido not know to what extent the bill will be opposed on either side of the House, but it will be simply carrying out an act of justice in preventing the disqualification of a large number of th 6 new voterB.  Mr. Gladstone: I certainly should say that I don't, see how such an exception could be made. (Hear hear). That measure would be included in the category of general legislation, with which the House i 3 not now disposed to deal. Of course, it is perfectly competent for my hon. friend to propose it, and for the House to pronounce upon it; but that would be breaking through the important rule from which only very special grounds have led me to ask for two exceptions.  Mr. Labouchere : As I opposed the first stage of the Princess Beatrice Annuity Bill and was defeated, I do not propose to oppose the subsequent stages. But there is another question which I wish to put. We have recently seen authoritative newspaper statements that there is some species of negotiation going on between the leaders of the present Opposition and her Majesty's government, and that ber Majesty's gonrn. meiit are about to give Certain assurances to the Nisservative party, that should they take office they would not oppose them. (" Oh, oh.") In the" Standard" it is stated that they must do this as patriots, because Ministers have brought the country into such a deplorable state that they ought to be thankful to any one who gets the country out of that state. In the " Tithes " it is stated that Ministers ought to take this course, that they'. intend to take it, and that without their taking this course the present Opposition will not take office, because the Ministry themselves have committed a species of suicide. I think it is desirable that this suggestion should be put at rest at once. We know perfectly well the hon. and right hon. gentlemen opposite during the present Session, and especially on Monday, have done their best in order to turn out her Majesty's advisers. They were warned beforehand that if they did so they would have to accept office. Under those circumstances I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether there is any truth in these statements, and whether anythiug beyond that aid will be afforded to the leaders of. the Conservative Party to -carry on the Government which the Conservative Party have afforded to her Majesty's present advisers during the present Session. It would set at rest a very strong feeling which is felt in the country, if the right hon. gentleman could give some sort of assurance that these statements however authoritative they may appear, have no sort of foundation. Mr. Gladstone: With regard to what has fallen from my hon. friend all that I can say, and that I need say, is that I am not conscious of any such communications as he has referred to. I can commit nobody, I can promise nothing, I can refuse nothing. I simply say I have absolutely no knowledge of such communication. Sir, lam afraid I have led myself into a difficulty as regards the matter of form, and it may be requisite to take a different course with regard to the adjournment. Substantially, the meaning is that no opportunity shall be given by the making of a House for business before Friday. But we are now going to consider and perhaps dispose of the Lords' amendments. They will be referred in the shape in which they will at once ieceive the assent of the House of Lords. I deem it probable that the Lords will deal with them either this day or to-morrow, and, at any rate, the bill will be in a condition to receive the Royal Assent before Friday. Lord R. Grosvenor interposed, and informed the right hon. gentleman that the House of Lords had adjourned. '  iNIr. Glqdstone : I have just received intelligence that the Lords have adjourned till Friday. (A laugh.) That cuts short my discourse, and therefore I adhere to my original motion.  The Speaker: Does the right hon. gentleman proposo Friday? Mr. GlaAstone : Yes, sfr. The motion was then put and agreed to.