Sligo Mr. Sexton spoke of the House | right hon. Gentleman told us that he did as having been deluded by the Corp- not approve of that precedent; but, as ration of Belfast, who are promoting it was a precedent, he availed himself of this Bill. I certainly think the House it. Since then we have heard the speech will be deluded if it accepts this clause. of the Chairman of Ways and Means, in One representation which has been made which the hon. Gentleman distinctly told in regard to the clause is that it will and showed the House that the Rathplace the municipal franchise of Belfast mines case is no precedent at all; and, in conformity with that of England, | therefore, I wish to appeal to the right Notland, and Dublin; but I am in- hon. Gentleman whether he now thinks formed that there are very important that the Rathmines case is a precedent in differences. For instance, six months' any sense of the word for what is now residence is sufficient in Ireland, whereas proposed to be done? After the distinct 12 months' residence is required in Eng-declaration of the Chairman of Ways land. There are also other matters of and Means, I would venture, further, to difference with which I will not trouble ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will the House. I must say, however, that not adopt one or other of two courses, the position of affairs is most unfortu- which in my experience has been innate. I very much regret the attitude variably adopted by a Cabinet Minister which has been taken by the right hon.—that is, either to support the Chairman Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exche of Committees in any case affecting the quer; but I think I am entitled to appeal Private Business of the House, or to from him to the common sense of hon.abstain altogether from voting? Members on both sides of the House not THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEto un lo what has already been done by QUER(Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT Derby: Committees in both Houses of Parlia- I am sorry to say that, although I have ment in regard to the Bill-a Bill which possibly been wrong, I have had on two is so much needed by the town of Belfast. ¡ or three occasions to differ with the I have only one other remark to make, | Chairman of Committees. I certainly and it is this-that the conduct of the do not think that the Rathmines prehon. Member for Sligo (Mr. Sexton and cedent does not apply. On the contrary, his Friends below the Gangway is a I think that it does apply. With reproof of what the North of Ireland may spect to the observations of the hon. expect if the Government of Ireland Member for Belfast who spoke last on Iul ever becɔm ›s law. this occasion Mr. Ewart, I wish to point out that the town of Belfast woul not lose the advantage of its improved drainage if this clause is passed. It will get its improved drainage all the same. MR. HASLEIT Belfast, W.) rose, but was received with cries of "Spoke” from the Irish Members below the Gangway. MR. SPEAKER: The hon. Member is entitled to make a personal explanation if he desites to do so. Mn. HASLETT: I only wished to make an observation in reference to the re lential part of the question so far as the municipal franchis is concerned. Ma. SEXION Sligo, N. That is not a personal explanation, but a matter of argument. LORD JOHN MANNERS Leicestershire, E: I wish to make an appeal to the Chancellor of the Exchequer bø. fore the House proceeds to a division. I listened attentively to the speech which the right hon. Gentleman addressed to the House, and it appeared to me that the sole ground upon which he based his support of this clause was that there had been a precedent in the case of Question put. The House divid d:—Ayes 125; Noes 98: Majority 30.- Div. List, No. 140.) Clause aided. Bill to be read the third time. QUESTIONS. POST OFFICE (IRELAND —CORK POST MEN-GOOD SERVICE STRIPES, MR. DEASY (Mayo, W. for Mr. MAURIE HEALY) Cork) asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is the fact that a number of the town postmen attached to the Cork Post Office have been for a considerable time past ing increased pay; and, if so, why the granting of the stripes is delayed; whether, when granted, the men will receive back pay for the period during which the stripes were delayed; whether it is the fact that the Cork postmen are excluded from the privilege of competing for positions in the higher grades of the service, such as that of letter sorter, &c. when vacancies occur, though this right exists in other offices having a similar status; whether it is the fact that Cork postmen, though attached to a first class office, and numbering 25, are placed, as regards pay, in the same position as the Limerick postmen, Limerick being a second class office, having only four town postmen; and, if the facts are as stated, whether the Department intend to take any steps to redress the grievances of the Cork officials? THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER) (Wolverhampton, E.): I think the Question of the hon. Member must have been put under a misapprehension. The number of good conduct stripes is strictly limited, and no postman can be said to have become entitled to the distinction simply because he has served the full period after which he is eligible to receive it. No good conduct stripes are available at the present moment; but as soon as they become so the claims of the Cork postmen will be considered with those of others. The Cork and Limerick postmen are paid on the same scale. The hon. Member speaks, indeed, of Cork as a first class office, and of Limerick as an office of the second class; but the Postmaster General knows of no such distinction, nor can he admit that the number of postmen attached to any particular office should regulate the scale of pay. Except in London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, the appointment of letter sorter, so called, does not exist. As regards all other appointments, the postmen at Cork are not excluded from any privilege which postmen enjoy elsewhere. EGYPT-TRANSIT OF SLAVES MR. A. E. PEASE (York) asked the Under. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government are prepared to take any steps to prevent the transit of slaves brought by pilgrims from Mecca through the Suez Canal; and, whether the recent dismissal of M. Zananiri by the Egyptian Government has any relation to the activity shown by him in stopping the transit of such slaves at Suez? THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE Mr. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.): Her Majesty's Government have not received recent Reports that the practice of pilgrims bringing slaves from Mecca through the Suez Canal is on the increase; but instructions are being sent to Sir Evelyn Baring to report whether this is the case, and what can be done in the matter. All such action as Her Majesty's Government can legally take to prevent the transit of slaves through the Canal has been, and will continue to be, taken. As regards the second paragraph of the Question, M. Zananiri has laid his case before delay about which the hon. Member asks. The most economical manner of presenting these Tables to Parliament was carefully revised a few years ago, when it was decided that every fifth PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS - MILI- year quinquennial Tables should be pre THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF pared. NEW ZEALAND—THE CEMETERY AT TAURANGA. bourne asked the Under Secretary of ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbe pleased to call the attention of the State for the Colonies, Whether he will Government of New Zealand to the very discreditable condition of the cemetery at Tauranga, in North Island, where lie interred many Naval and Military officers, seamen, marines, and soldiers who lost their lives in the various engagements with the Maoris in the vicinity of the famous Gate Pah in 1864; that such steps may be taken as may be found necessary to put their ORDNANCE (Mr. WOODALL Hanley) (who replied on behalf of the Seeretary of State) said: The Regulations already provide that leave may be given to any person employed on military duty to be absent from barracks for so Ing a time as he may require for re-graves, tombstones, and other records of cording his vote. I am not aware of any further facilities which can be given; as to be absent from home with his regiment when the regiment is in training is an incident of every Militia n. an's service. TRADE OF BRITISH INDIA -THE BLUE BOOK-MR. J. E. O'CONOR. Ми ASHTON (Cheshire, Hyde) their faithful and gallant service in decent and proper order, in honour of their memories, and in a manner worthy of the Colony who profited so largely by the brave conduct of our Naval and Military Forces on that occasion? THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE Mr. OSBORNE MORGAN Den bighshire, E.: In reply to the last inquiry on this subject in August, 1880, we were informed that the graves of asked the Under Secretary of State for the officers and men of the 43rd and 68th India, Whether the Review of the Regiments at Tauranga were kept in Trade of British India with Foreign good order by the armed Constabulary Countries for the Official Year ended at that station, and that whatever sum the 31st March 1885," by Mr. J. E. had been yearly required for the repair O'Conor, just issued as a Blue Book, of the graves and fences had been disis identical with that issued by the In- bursed by the Colonial Defence Dedian Government last August; if so,partment, £23 38. having been expended whether there is any reason why its publication in this Country has been so long delayed; and, whether it is essen tial to incur the expense of publication both in India and in England? in the preceding November. We have heard nothing further on the subject; but we have no reason to believe that the New Zealand Government has neg|lected the cemetery. But if the hon. THE UNDER SECRETARY OF and gallant Member has any recent and STATE Mr. STAFFORD HOWARD Glou-authentic information on the subject, we cester, Thornbury: The Blue Book should be glad tɔ communicate further just issued contains Mr. O'Conor's with the Colonial Government respectTrade Report: but it is not identical ing it. with the volume issued by the Government of In lia, as it also contains Tables giving full details of the trade of British India for the five years 1550-1 to 1884-5. The preparation and printing PARLIAMENTARY ELECHONS SCOT- nicated with the Sheriffs of Argyllshire | journey of exploration, has passed into with reference to an increase of the Lower Badakshan on his return to India number of polling stations in that by the country of the Hindu Khush. county, and especially as to the desira- There is no truth in a recent report that bility of having one allotted to the Colonel Lockhart and his party had been Islands of Tiree and Coll, so as to save seized and imprisoned in Badakshan. the voters the necessity of crossing over 20 miles of sea to record their votes; and, what reply (if any) he has received from the Sheriff? THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR) (Clackmannan, &c.), in reply, said, he had communicated with the Sheriff of Argyllshire on this matter, and had also had a personal interview with him. The Sheriff informed him that it would be, in his judgment, impossible to have a polling station at Tiree or Coll for the money which would be allowed under the Returning Officers' Bill, if it became law; and, further, if there were a polling station at either of these Islands, it was not unlikely that the Presiding Officer would not be able to get there, or, if he got there, that he would be able to get back, and the result might be that the election would be stopped, causing great expense. The voters, he believed, preferred going to Tobermory, which they could reach by steamer. MR. MACFARLANE asked, whether it was not the fact that Petitions were sent to the Sheriff last year from both these Islands praying for one joint polling place? He should like to know by what steamer the inhabitants of Coll could go to Tobermory? THE LORD ADVOCATE pointed out that the Petitions in question were presented when his Predecessors were in Office, and they had not been renewed this year. He had no personal knowledge concerning the steamer communi cation. CENTRAL ASIA-COLONEL LOCK HARTS EXPEDITION. MR. ASHMEAD BARTLETT Sheffield, Ecclesall for Mr. BADEN-POWELL asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether Her Majesty's Government can give the House any information as to the present position of Colonel Lockhart and his Mission in Badakshan? LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL Paddington, S.): What was the date of that Report? MR. STAFFORD HOWARD: I believe it is to-day. That is the latest information we have. MERCHANDISE (FRAUDULENT MARKING) BILL. MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall) (for Mr. BADEN-POWELL) asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he will state the reasons for which the Merchandise Fraudulent Marking Bill was withdrawn by the Government on Friday? THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD (Mr. C. T. D. ACLAND) (Cornwall, Launceston) (who replied) said: I am bound to state that the withdrawal of the Bill took place under a misunderstanding on my part. I had moved the second reading under the impression that it was the intention of the Board of Trade, and that the Bill had been printed and circulated. But when I found that it was not in the hands of Members I said I would withdraw the Motion for second reading. You, Sir, understood me to say that I would withdraw the Bill; and while I was engaged in explaining to the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was intended the Motion to discharge. the Order was passed. The introduction of the Bill after the Notice of a Dissolution of Parliament was solely with the view of getting it printed and circulated, so that the policy of the Board of Trade, both in respect to false marking and to the Resolutions of the Rome Convention, might be understood and considered before the next meeting of Parliament. It was not expected that a measure of this importance could be carried through both Houses of Parliament at the close of the Session. I have, however, taken care that the Bill should be circulated, and it will be in the hands of Members to-morrow. VENEZUELA-CLAIMS OF BRITISH SUBJECTS. THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE Mr. STAFFORD HOWARD) Gloucester, Thornbury: Colonel Lockhart, MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth) asked after visiting Gilgit and Chitral, on a the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any Despatch has been in July, according to the decision of the yet received from the Venezuelan Go- Secretary of State for the Colonies at the vernment, as promised by telegram, in end of 1880; whether he will place such reply to the claims of British subjects Memorial before Parliament; and, whearising out of the illegal seizure of the | ther he will give an assurance that the ships Henrietta and Josephine, and the prayer of the Memorial will not be personal ill-treatment of their crews and granted without affording to Parliament Lassengers? an opportunity for considering the subject? THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE Mr. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S. : THE UNDER SECRETARY OF Since I replied to the hon. Member's | STATE Mr. OSBORNE MORGAN) (DenQuestion on the 3rd instant, a further bighshire, E.: A Memorial from Ceylon telegram has been received from Her to the effect stated in the Question has Majesty's Minister at Caracas, stating recently been received at the Colonial that the Venezuelan Government have Office; and the Governor has been indeclined to entertain the representations formed, in reply, that the Secretary of runde to it, which pressed for compensa-State cannot consent to postpone the toon to the owners and crews of the withdrawal of these ecclesiastical grants Henrietta and Josephine. The Secretary after the expiration of the period preof State is now awaiting the arrival of viously decided. Under these circumthe despatch communicating the text of stances, the hon. Member will hardly the Venezuelan reply. Papers on the require the Memorial to be laid before subiect have been prepared, and will be the House. laid before Parliament immediately. ARMY THE REVIEW AT ALDERSHOT ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether arrangements can be made to enable Members of the present House of Commons, and their wives, to witness the forthcoming Review of the Troops at Aldershot by Her Majesty on 2nd July ? THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF ORDNANCE Mr. WOODALL Hanley who replied said: The march past will take place in the Long Valley, and there wil not be any special arrangements for spectators. There is, however, ample room at Aldershot for all sightseers. ADMIRAL FIELD: What I want to know is, whether Members will be allowed inside the line of sentries on presentation of their cards? Ma WOODALL: I do not understand that that would be the case. CEYLON-ECCLESIASTICAL GRANTS, INCOME TAX LIVERPOOL)-IRON MR. BAILY (Liverpool, Exchange) asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Why the Commissioners of Income Tax assume as the depreciation on iron sailing ships belonging to Liverpool three per cent. on their value, whilst on all similar ships belonging to other ports it is taken at five per cent.? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT (Derby: The question is entirely at the discretion of the local Commissioners. It is one in which the Government do not interfore. There is every reason to believe that the Commissioners at Liverpool are competent to determine a question of that kind. PARLIAMENT - THE DISSOLUTION. THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT Derby: Sir, as there is no Business for the House to transact to-morrow, I will propose— MR. CARVELL WILLIAMS Not-"That the House, at its rising, do adtingham, S. asked the Under Secretary journ till Thursday." of State for the Colonies, Whether there SIR MICHAEL HICKS - BEACH has been received at the Colonial Office a Memorial from Ceylon, asking for an extension for another five years of the payments, out of the public revenues of the Dependency, of annual grants for! SiR ROBERT FOWLER London': ecclesiastical purposes, instead of such Does the House meet on Thursday for grants ceasing in the case of vacancies, Business, or only to be prorogued? ! Bristol, W. : Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what Business will be taken on Thursday, and what will be the probable date of the Prorogation? |