and he distinctly said he would take it | promoters had been singularly unjust in on Monday. certain clauses to the manufacturers. MR. SCLATER-BOOTH begged to explain. The Bill stood for last evening. He was asked about it early in the day, and he said he was afraid from the opposition to it that it would be impossible to take it before Monday, but that he had not given up all hope of taking it that evening. SIR HENRY JAMES asked, whether the natural inference from those words was not that the Bill would not be taken this evening? He knew many Members, including his right hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract (Mr. Childers), who desired to speak on the Bill, had gone away, and if the second reading were pressed on, the only effect would be to create a feeling that a promise had been broken, and so to prevent its further progress. Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned." -(Sir Henry James.) MR.SCLATER-BOOTH said, he could not resist the Motion, if it were pressed; but he believed the hon. and learned Gentleman was the only Member in the House who desired the adjournment. His answer was not reported, and as the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Pontefract (Mr. Childers) was not present when the answer was given, he could not be prejudiced. MR. WILBRAHAM EGERTON said, he was in the House at the time the answer was given; but, as he did not catch its purport, he spoke to the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Sclater-Booth) afterwards, and certainly understood from him that he would bring on the measure that (Friday) night, if he could. He thought it would be very inconvenient to delay the Bill, and to waste the time of hon. Members who had come down to support the second reading. MR. LOWTHIAN BELL could not tell, of course, what took place between the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Local Government Board and the last speaker privately; but immediately after hearing the answer given on the previous evening, he went into the Lobby and told half-a-dozen gentlemen, manufacturers and others, that the Bill would not come on before Monday, and they consequently went away. As a whole, he liked the Bill, although its Sir Henry James THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER said, of course, where there was any misunderstanding as to an arrangement, it was far better to take an adjournment. Question put, and agreed to. Debate adjourned till Monday next. WORMWOOD SCRUBS REGULATION BILL-[BILL 96.] (Colonel Lindsay, Mr. Secretary Stanley, Lord Eustace Cecil.) Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [13th May], "That Mr. Shaw Lefevre be a Member of the Select Committee on the Wormwood Scrubs Regulation Bill." Question again proposed. Question put, and agreed to. Mr. GORDON, Colonel KINGSCOTE, and Colonel LOYD LINDSAY nominated other Members of the Committee. MEDICAL ACT (1858) AMENDMENT (Dr. Lush, Sir Trevor Lawrence, Sir Joseph SECOND READING. ADJOURNED DEBATE. Debate on Amendment proposed to Order read, for resuming Adjourned Question [12th March], "That the Bill be now read a second time." And which Amendment was, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."-(Mr. Serjeant Simon.) word 'now' stand part of the QuesQuestion again proposed, "That the tion." Debate resumed. Question put, and agreed to. Bill read a second time, and committed to the Select Committee on Medical Act (1858) Amendment (No. 3) Bill [Lords]. Question put. The House divided:-Ayes 92; Noes Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House will, upon Tuesday next, at Two of the clock, resolve itself into the said Committee."-(Colonel 15: Majority 77.-(Div. List, No. 100.) Stanley.) HYPOTHEC ABOLITION (SCOTLAND) SIR CHARLES W. DILKE said, he had no intention of detaining the House, but it had always been the effort of the Opposition to keep the Govern- (Mr. ment to an understanding as to when Morning Sittings should commence. The rule always had been that they should not commence regularly before the 10th or 12th of June, and for two years the first Morning Sitting was on the 19th of June. There had sometimes been exceptional Morning Sittings, one in March and one in April, but these were always regarded as purely exceptional. [Sir HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON dissented.] His hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury, he saw, shook his head; but on the last occasion when this matter was discussed, his hon. Friend the Member for Rochester (Sir Julian Goldsmid) went very carefully into the figures, and prepared a tabulated statement which was reported in Hansard. The Government, he thought, would hardly deny that they were taking more Morning Sittings, and taking them oftener, than ever was the case before. That day made the third, another was fixed for Tuesday, and he was certain that was the earliest period at which they had ever got into them regularly. Previously, any Morning Sittings before June were always defended on the ground that they were exceptional. When the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed a Morning Sitting some weeks ago, he told them it was exceptional; but he only missed one Tuesday, and they had had them ever since. If Government insisted, of course, it was useless to object; but he certainly should divide the House by way of protest. SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON said, he also wished formally to enter his protest against the idea that the Vans Agnew, Mr. Baillie Hamilton, Sir George Douglas, Colonel Alexander.) CONSIDERATION AS AMENDED. Order for Consideration, as amended, read. MR. VANS AGNEW said, he was anxious that the Bill should be conof the right hon. and learned Lord sidered that evening; but in the absence Advocate and most of the Scotch Members, he would defer it till Friday, the 23rd. Consideration, as amended, deferred till Friday next. DISPENSARIES (IRELAND) BILL. (Mr. Bruen, Mr. Downing, Mr. Mulholland, Mr. Ward.) [BILL 66.] COMMITTEE. Order for Committee read. Bill considered in Committee. (In the Committee.) Clauses 1 to 5, inclusive, agreed to. Clause 6, (Loan to be repaid by annuity). MR. BRUEN, in moving, as an Amendment, in page 3, line 19, to leave out from beginning to "provided," in line 29, and insert "Every loan made under the provisions of this Act shall bear interest at the rate of three and a half per centum per annum from the date of each advance to the fifth day of April or the tenth day of October which shall next happen after such advance, and shall be repaid by the payment to Her Majesty of an annual rent-charge such loan from time to time advanced, and so of five pounds for every one hundred pounds of in proportion for any lesser amount, to be pay able for the term of thirty-five years, to be computed from the first of the said days which shall next happen after the advance in respect of which the rent-charge shall be charged, such rent-charge to be paid by equal halfyearly payments on the fifth day of April and the tenth day of October in every year, the first of such payments to be made on the second of such days which shall happen next after the issue of any such advance in respect of which the rent-charge shall be charged;" and in page 3, line 30, after "annual," leave out "sum," and insert "rentcharge;" said, if his proposal were adopted it would bring the Bill into harmony with the Public Works Loans Bill. Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment proposed to Question [17th April], "That the Bill be now read a second time." And which Amendment was, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words " upon this day six months."-(Sir Harcourt Johnstone.) Question again proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question." SIR CHARLES W. DILKE drew attention to the fact that it was after half-past 12 o'clock, and contended that the Order, being opposed, could not be taken. Mr. Bruen Question put. The House divided:-Ayes 48; Noes 30: Majority 18.-(Div. List, No. 101.) Main Question put, and agreed to. Bill read a second time, and committed for Tuesday next. WAYS AND MEANS. Resolution [May 15] reported, and agreed to. Ordered, That a Bill be brought in upon the said Resolution; and that Mr. RAIKES, Mr. SELWIN-IBBETSON do prepare and bring it in. Bill presented, and read the first time. CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, and Sir HENRY MOTIONS. 18061 SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE ACTS [SALARIES, &c.] Considered in Committee. (In the Committee.) Resolved, That it is expedient to authorise the extension of the provisions of the Supreme Court of Judicature Acts 1873, and 1875, relating to the salaries and pensions of puisne Judges of the High Court of Justice, and of the officers attached to their persons, to any additional Judge who may be appointed under the provisions of any Act of the present Session for amending the Supreme Court of Judicature Acts. Resolution to be reported upon Monday next. VOLUNTEER CORPS (IRELAND) [PAY AND ALLOWANCES, &c.] Considered in Committee. (In the Committee.) Resolved, That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, of Pay and Allowances, Half Pay, and Pensions to Members of the Volunteer Force, and of pensions to their widows; also of allowances to Clerks of general meetings of Lieutenancy in Ireland, which may become payable under the provisions of any Act of the present teer Corps in Ireland. Session, to authorise the enrolment of Volun Resolution to be reported upon Monday next. COURTS OF JUSTICE BUILDING ACT (1865) AMENDMENT [EXPENSES]. Considered in Committee. (In the Committee.) Resolved, That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, of any Expenses which may be incurred management and use of, the Royal Courts of in keeping order in, cleaning, and in the Justice, under the provisions of any Act of the present Session to amend "The Courts of Justice Building Act, 1865." Resolution to be reported upon Monday next. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (HIGHWAYS) PROVISIONAL ORDERS (DORSET, &c.) BILL. On Motion of Mr. SALT, Bill to confirm certain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board under the provisions of "The Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act, 1878," relating to the Counties of Dorset, Montgomery, Northampton, Salop, Wilts, and York (East Riding), ordered to be brought in by Mr. SALT and Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH. Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 186.] TREATY OF BERLIN-THE GREEK FRONTIER. QUESTION. OBSERVATIONS. THE EARL OF MORLEY: I rise to SIONAL ORDERS (GLOUCESTER AND HERE- ask the noble Marquess opposite (the FORD) BILL. On Motion of Mr. SALT, Bill to confirm cer tain Provisional Orders of the Local Government Board under the provisions of "The Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act, 1878," relating to the Counties of Gloucester and Hereford, ordered to be brought in by Mr. SALT and Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH. Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 185.] TRAMWAYS ORDERS CONFIRMATION BILL. On Motion of Mr. JoHN G. TALBOT, Bill for confirming certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under "The Tramways Act, 1870," relating to Bristol Tramways (Extensions), Briton Ferry and Swansea Tramways, Burnley and District Tramways, Chesterfield, Brampton, and Whittington Tramways, Crewe and District Tramways, Derby Tramways, Dewsbury, Batley, and Birstal Tramways (Extension), Ipswich Tramways, Leamington and Warwick Tramways, Liverpool Corporation Tramways, Newcastle upon Tyne Tramways, North London Suburban Tramways, Oxford Tramways, Staffordshire Tramways, Stoke upon Trent, Fenton, Longton, and District Tramways, Sunderland Corporation Tramways, Sunderland Tramways (Extension), Swansea Tramways (Extension), Tynemouth and District Tramways, Wigan Tramways, York Tramways; and for empowering the Board of Trade to grant licences for the use for limited periods, by way of experiment, of steam or mechanical power upon Tramways in certain cases, ordered to be brought in by Mr. JOHN G. TALBOT and Viscount SANDON. Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 187.] House adjourned at a quarter before One o'clock till Monday next. No Marquess of Salisbury) a Question, of which I have given him private Notice, Whether the telegram which appeared in The Daily News on Saturday last, purporting to give the terms of M. Waddington's Circular with regard to the negotiations on the subject of the Greek Frontier, is correct? If the text as thus printed in extenso is correct, I hope the noble Marquess will have no objection to lay it on the Table of the House. The the progress of negotiations on a quesnoble Marquess may object, that during tion of this importance, it is undesirable to lay any Papers on the Table. I admit the force of that objection, but, at the same time, it seems to me that if the Circular can be given to the public, the House, too, is entitled to have it before it in an official and authentic form. doubt, this question of the Greek Frontier is exciting considerable and increasing interest in this country and in Europe. There is some apprehension, that while Her Majesty's Government have been recommending the exercise of patience and forbearance to the Greeks, they are themselves somewhat lukewarm in regard to negotiations based on the 24th Article of the Treaty of Berlin; and I venture to say, without going any further, it would be of impor tance if the position of England in regard to the matter were clearly understood. If the noble Marquess could lay this and other Papers on the Table, giving information as to the course these negotiations are taking, he would, I think, satisfy a not unnatural desire for information, and allay no inconsiderable anxiety. THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY: If on the 16th of May, I will at once enI were to go so far as to criticize the counter that objection to the Notice. No course taken by the noble Earl opposite doubt, the topic was alluded to by those (the Earl of Morley), what I should ob- who mixed in the debate, and anyone ject to would be asking whether a docu- who rose might feel at liberty to menment, not produced, was or was not ac- tion it. But in so vast an issue as the curately represented in some newspaper. merit or demerit of the Government in As there is no secret in the present case, all their European and Asiatic policy, to I may venture to indicate generally that fix upon it the attention of the House, the Circular, as published, is correct. would scarcely have been possible. But But if the document was a document that even if it was possible, according to the could not be produced, and was inaccu- view which guides me, the object of the rately represented in a newspaper, a Notice would not have been compassed. Minister could not say that it was accu- My Lords, ever since the Treaty of Berrately represented. If he said it was in- lin, there has been no greater matter of accurately represented, and it turned out solicitude, to those who reason justly on that the inaccuracy, in the view of the the Eastern Question, than the existence questioner, was not a matter of great of a Russian Army beyond the Pruth, importance, the Minister would be ac- the Danube, and the Balkans. It seems cused of practising concealment. There- to me a version of the Treaty has been fore, I should venture to say that, if a sanctioned which, if it goes unchalPaper cannot be produced in its entirety, lenged, must tend to prolong the occuit is better not to answer any Question pation altogether. But it can only be about it. In the present case that point challenged with effect by Notice to call does not arise, although, undoubtedly, attention to the subject. Whether or the rule with regard to pending negotia- not a given statement in the midst of a tions would justify us in withholding it. discussion like that of Friday last goes I propose to lay shortly on the Table beyond the House is utterly precarious. Papers which will give the required in- But a Notice, however briefly or inadeformation. quately handled, must place it upon record, that the interpretation which keeps Russian troops in the Dominion of the Sultan longer than otherwise they would be, is disputed. Besides, other noble Lords may impart to the Notice more effect than I can give it. Before questioning the new interpretation of Article 22, let me mention with what aim it seems to me worth while to question it at present. Of course, the old interpretation cannot be recovered when it has once been given AFGHANISTAN - THE PEACE NEGO TIATIONS.-OBSERVATIONS. VISCOUNT CRANBROOK: My Lords, it may be interesting to your Lordships to know that I have received intelligence to the effect that the bases of peace with the Ameer of Afghanistan have been agreed upon. TREATY OF BERLIN, ARTICLE 22- up. No human force, no stretch of vir OCCUPATION OF BULGARIA AND MOTION FOR CORRESPONDENCE. LORD CAMPBELL, in rising to call attention to Article 22 of the Treaty of Berlin, as it relates to the period during which the occupation of Bulgaria and East Roumelia was sanctioned; and to move for the Correspondence between Her Majesty's Government and other Powers on the subject, said: My Lords, in the absence of my noble Friend whose Question stood first (Lord Stanley of Alderley), I am called on to address you. As it may be thought that comments on the 22nd Article in the Treaty of Berlin might have been offered to the House tue at St. Petersburg, or ingenuity in Downing Street, can now deliver East Roumelia and Bulgaria by the 3rd of May. The question now is, whether by August there will be the final exodus over the Pruth for which the Treaty has provided. But the House will readily admit that one encroachment on the Treaty, unless it is an object of remark, remonstrance, criticism, or protest in the Assemblies of the Signatory Powers, is nearly sure to generate another. I now wish to offer a few words on the interpretation of the Article. By learned men it might, no doubt, be debated both ways at such a length as would alarm the Court of Chancery, and keep its judgment in suspense for a considerable |