PROTECTION OF PERSON AND PROPERTY (IRELAND) ACT, 1881-HEALTH OF MR. JAMES HIGGINS, A PRISONER UNDER THE ACT. MR. T. D. SULLIVAN asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the authorities in Dublin have received medical reports which testify that Mr. James Higgins, who is confined as a suspect in Kilmainham Gaol, is suffering from a dangerous. disease of the heart; and, whether, under these circumstances, he will order the speedy release of Mr. Higgins? MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, since Notice of the Question was given he had telegraphed for further information respecting Mr. Higgins's health. The medical officer of the prison stated that he was suffering from excited action of the heart; but the disease had not been caused or aggravated by confinement, and was not likely to prove dangerous. He would, however, make further inquiries. MR. HEALY asked whether the threatening letter for which Mr. Higgins was supposed to be imprisoned was not a friendly letter advising a person in the locality to give up a farm he had taken, for the sake of the peace of the neighbourhood, and that the person addressed subsequently stated that he was in no way intimidated? MR. W. E. FORSTER said, he must remind the hon. Member that he could not state the grounds on which the arrest had been made. Notice might be given of the Question; but he could give no other answer. not formally carried into effect, and the Papers about to be laid on the Table will contain the correspondence on the subject. CHURCH OF ENGLAND-ECCLESIAS. TICAL GRANTS IN THE COLONIES. MR. A. M'ARTHUR (for Mr. Alderman W. M'ARTHUR) asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Correspondence between the relative to the Cessation of Ecclesiastical Colonial Office and the local authorities, Grants is now complete, and can be produced; and, whether steps have been, or will be, taken to prevent the creation of new vested interests in connection with episcopal chaplains or other recipients of the grants? SIR CHARLES W. DILKE: Sir, Papers are being printed, and will shortly be produced. Steps will be taken to prevent the creation of any fresh vested interests. LANDLORD AND TENANT (IRELAND) ACT, 1870-THE BESSBOROUGH COMMISSION. SIR WILLIAM PALLISER asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he received the rebutting evidence of the Irish landlords contained in Appendix (C) of the Minutes of Evidence of the Bessborough Commission, before it was printed in the Blue Book on or about the 11th of March last? MR. GLADSTONE: I cannot be responsible for the date mentioned by the hon. Member as the date of the printing of the Blue Book. I have made inquiry as to the time when the proof of the Evidence which was sent to me was re COMPANIES ACT, 1874-SCOTCH BANKS. BULGARIA (POLITICAL AFFAIRS). MR. J. COWEN asked the Under Se-ceived, and I find it was about the 10th cretary of State for Foreign Affairs, or the 12th of March. Whether any communication has been received from any Foreign Government asking Her Majesty's Government to join in a common declaration approving of the course recently pursued by Prince Alexander in Bulgaria; and, whether, if so, any and what reply has been made? SIR CHARLES W. DILKE: No, Sir; no common declaration approving the course recently pursued by Prince Alexander in Bulgaria has been proposed. A proposal that the Powers should join in counselling union between the Prince and his people was made, but SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government have any information as to the correctness of a statement that certain of the Scotch Banks have resolved to re-register themselves under the provisions of "The Companies Act, 1874?" MR. GLADSTONE: Sir, since the last Question was put to me on this subject I have received a letter from Mr. Mackenzie, who is the manager of the Commercial Bank of Scotland, the senior among the associated banks, enclosing a | that will involve a statement of the inminute of the meeting of the representa- tentions of the Government, I think it tives of the seven banks. Perhaps I would be better not to anticipate the had better read the resolution that was statement and discussion of it by answers come to at that meeting. It was this— to Questions. "After full conference it was unanimously agreed that the directors of the seven banks should recommend their managers to adopt the principle of limited liability, and that all necessary steps be taken by each bank for registering under the Companies Acts of 1872 and 1879 as a limited bank; and in order to perfect the necessary arrangements for effecting the said object, and that the whole of the banks may enter on business on the same day, or as near the same day as possible, the said banks remit to their managers and to the directors to consider all the necessary details, and, with the assistance of Mr. Brodie as general agent of the unlimited banks, who will communicate with the law agents of the representatives, to mature all the requisite arrangements and report." ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND— THE SCHEME OF THE SENATE. MR. BERESFORD HOPE asked the First Lord of the Treasury, How much money would be required to satisfy in full the very large financial proposals involved in the scheme of the Senate of the Royal University of Ireland; how far the Government propose to modify these proposals; and, whether Parliament will have any, and (if so) what, opportunity of discussing the scheme? MR. J. A. CAMPBELL asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he intends to submit to Parliament during the present Session the scheme proposed by the Senate of the Royal University of Ireland; how far Her Majesty's Government intend to adopt the proposals in the scheme as to giving Exhibitions of from £15 to £100 each to the professional and other students (number unlimited) who shall pass the Honours Examinations, and as to founding twelve Scholarships of £50 per annum each, fourteen Junior Fellowships of £200 per annum each, and forty-eight Fellowships of £400 per annum each; and, whether, if Government are disposed to entertain these large proposals for the Royal University of Ireland, they will be prepared to institute similar prizes in the Universities of Scotland? MR. GLADSTONE: Sir, I am afraid I cannot enter into details in reply to these Questions, for this reason. In a few days a Minister of the Crown will bring forward in the House of Lords a Bill dealing with this subject; and as SOUTH AFRICA — THE TRANSVAAL — THE CAPITULATION OF POTCHEFSTROOM. SIR WILFRID LAWSON asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the information which the Government had received, and which he communicated to the House on the 2nd of May, to the effect that "The capitulation of Potchesfroom was obtained by an act of treachery on the part of the commandant of the besieging force,' has been confirmed, or otherwise, by more recent accounts from the Transvaal? MR. GLADSTONE: Sir, the Question of my hon. Friend arises out of the circumstance that I said on a former day that the capitulation of Potchefstroom was obtained by an act of treachery on the part of the commandant of the besieging force. Since that time we have had an opportunity of receiving full details of the nature of that act. I do not know that it would be convenient, or attended with advantage, for me to enter upon those details. The real question is whether I adhere to that phrase. I admit that its accuracy is a matter of argument. We do not precisely know every particular of what occurred in such a way as to know exactly the consequences that were produced by certain acts; but undoubtedly this is true, that there was bad faith. It was stipulated in the arrangements that the conclusion of the armistice was to be made known to the English Commander by the Commander of the Dutch Force. He had that communicated to him, and yet, though this was a stipulation of the armistice, he did not communicate it to the English Commander. To what ex tent that acted on the mind of the Commander at Potchefstroom I cannot say; but, without expressingany opinion at present on the question of treachery, I may say that there was certainly very gross misconduct on his part. I have only to say, in addition, that the complete record of the facts, which is very minute and complicated, is quite at the service of the hon. Baronet who put the stances. SIR WILFRID LAWSON: Is it not known that the English Commander had a copy of the terms of the armistice the day before the capitulation? MR. GLADSTONE: I do not think I can answer the Question precisely. He may have had a copy of the terms, but I do not think it likely. Question, or of any other hon. Member | what may be found in the Papers who wishes to inquire into the circum- already produced. I can explain in a moment the change which took place in our attitude with respect to the discussion referred to. It is this-that when a case occurred in which a British garrison had been compelled to surrender, owing to the non-fulfilment of a condition of the armistice by the local Commandant, we at once raised the whole question whether we could or could not rely upon a continuance of a specific state of things, or whether it might not be the losing of the whole of the ground we had made. Under that state of things, although no actual hostilities were going on, we could not feel secure until our arrangements were made and carried into effect. We did not know what might happen until we had re-occupied Potchefstroom. Our object was to place ourselves in the same position as when the armistice was concluded. We considered, of course, subject to the SIR JOHN HAY: Will the Papers with reference to the siege of Potchefstroom be laid on the Table of the House? MR. GLADSTONE: I will inquire whether the Papers are in such a form that they can be produced. But I would rather recommend the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to avail himself of the hint which I gave a little time ago, and inspect the Papers for himself. I may say that they have no bearing on the subject of the discussion of Monday next as to the Transvaal-I mean as re-judgment of the House, that when that gards the conduct of the Government or as regards the conduct of the Boer Leaders, because the conduct of the latter in respect of the matter is perfectly unimpeachable. The whole question is as to the conduct of the local Commandant. SIR JOHN HAY: The reason why I ask for the Papers is because I have received letters from officers who were imprisoned at Potchefstroom; and I found myself upon those letters when I say that the conduct of the Dutch Commandant, who was a Boer Leader, was contrary to the laws of civilized war fare. miscarriage-to use a very weak word, indeed-occurred in the fulfilment of the condition of the arrangement, there was so much uncertainly cast on the whole of the arrangement that the state of things was not such as to encourage the House to enter upon a discussion of political matters while military affairs were in that condition. AFGHANISTAN-CIVIL WAR. THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON said, the following Question had been put on the Paper by the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett); but, as that hon. Member was not in his place, and he (the Marquess of Hartington) could probably not be present to-morrow, he might reply by anticipation. The Question was MR. GLADSTONE: So much I have already said, and desire to be responsible for. "Treachery" is, no doubt, a very hard word, and I do not call the individual referred to a Boer Leader. He was the local Commandant. By Boer Leaders we mean those with whom we communicated respecting all the new arrangements, and their conduct has Afghanistan, and especially with regard to the been perfectly honourable and unim-statements that Ayoub Khan has crossed the peachable. "To ask the Secretary of State for India, whether he can give the House any information as to the Civil War which has broken out in Helmund ?" The reply he had to make was that the SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE: May we expect that any further communications will be laid on the Table before the debate fixed for Monday-a debate which has been put off for a consider-ject. able time on the ground of the proceedings at Potchefstroom? MR. GLADSTONE: I do not think there are any communications more than Mr. Gladstone The latest telegrams from the Viceroy showed that Ayoub Khan was in the Bakwa, a small district more than 100 miles west of the Helmund. His force, consisting, it was said, of six regi THE COMMISSION ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION. ments of Infantry, 13 guns, and about | Europe, and that, by appealing to the 1,500 Cavalry, was distributed between public spirit of gentlemen connected with Farah and Washir. The Ameer's force, the large public industries of the counwhich consisted of five regiments of In- try, those gentlemen would themselves fantry, two of Cavalry, 1,500 irregular undertake such a commission. He had horse, and 16 guns, was said to be at since placed himself in communication Kalah-i-Gaz, close on the other side of with four gentlemen on this subject; the Helmund. Besides this, it was re- two of them had already consented, at ported that two regiments of Infantry their own expense, to investigate the and 12 guns left Candahar about the whole question. Those two Gentlemen 16th of July en route to Girishk, and were the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. that further reinforcements were on their B. Samuelson), who had rendered very way from Cabul. important service in this question in 1867, and the senior Member for Manchester (Mr. Slagg), who was largely interested in the cotton industry. The other two gentlemen with whom he had been in communication had not yet given a final answer; but he believed he should have a Commission which would obtain all the information that was required, and which would be all the stronger for being composed of unpaid Commissioners. With regard to the presence of working men on the Commission, his hon. Friend must be aware that there was no antagonism on this question. Both sides were equally interested in knowing what was being done, and the Report would be as public to the working men as to the employers. Moreover, they could not expect workmen to go at their own expense for two or three months visiting the technical schools on the Continent. MR. MACDONALD asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If it be correct, as stated in several journals, there has been or there is about to be a Commission appointed to inquire into and report on the spread of technical knowledge among those engaged in many of the most important industries in several of the European States; whether, considering the interest the working classes of this country have in such a subject, before the Commission is complete, he will cause to be put on it, as Commissioners, persons from the ranks of the workmen, who enjoy their confidence, and who, at the same time, have a thorough practical knowledge in all the branches of manufacture in the cotton trade; woollen ditto; the iron trade in all its forms; coal mining in its various modes; and any other branch of manufacture that may be of sufficient importance to be reported upon; and, whether, if the Government consent to make such appointments, it will cause the various trades to be communicated with directly, so that only really skilled men in the respective occupations or handicrafts may be engaged on it? MR. MUNDELLA, in reply, said, it would be in the recollection of the House that about three months ago the hon. Member for Glasgow (Mr. Anderson) moved for the appointment of a Royal Commission to visit the Technical Schools of France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland, and to report to the House as to the advantages which the agriculture and industries of these countries derived from technical education. He (Mr. Mundella) then stated that he thought the information could be obtained without putting the country to the expense of a roving Commission throughout MR. MACDONALD asked whether, if the large working industries of the country were prepared to pay representatives to serve on the Commission, the right hon. Gentleman would allow such representatives a seat upon it? MR. MUNDELLA said, that, under these circumstances, he would only be too happy to have Reports from those gentlemen, and have them embodied in the other Reports; and give the same facilities to the workmen as to their employers. MR. DAWSON asked whether the Vice President of the Council would afford to Irish woollen manufacturers the opportunity of proceeding in the same manner as the manufacturers of England? MR. MUNDELLA said, that any information as to the advantages of technical education on woollen manufactures would apply to Irish as well as to English manufactures. It did not really seem necessary to send a number of gentlemen more than was necessary to | ment of the House, in order to afford an make that inquiry; but if any gentleman opportunity for expressing an opinion on connected with the Irish woollen manu- the matter. factures would offer himself, and was possessed of the necessary qualifications, the application would be considered. PARLIAMENT-PUBLIC BUSINESS. SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE wished to know what would be the course of Business to-morrow-whether there would be a Morning Sitting to-morrow, and, if so, for what purpose? MR. GLADSTONE said, the moment the Committee on the Irish Land Law Bill was closed-and he hoped it might be closed to-night--the Government would take Supply, which, indeed, they were bound to do by every consideration of good faith, as well as of policy. Monday, of course, would be devoted to the Transvaal debate. He was not yet in a condition to say whether the debate could be closed on Monday; but at this period of the year it would be more for convenience and advantage if, by sitting a little late, they could close it then, rather than extend the debate over two nights. In that case it would be their duty to proceed with the Report on the Land Bill on Tuesday and Wednesday. He should likewise add that, under the circumstances, they might be able to proceed next day to the third reading, though that was a matter with regard to which they must consult the feeling of the House. MR. GLADSTONE: Yes, Sir; for the purpose of going on with Supply. TURKEY—THE LATE SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ-MIDHAT PASHA. MR. M'COAN asked, If there was any truth in the newspaper report of that day that Midhat Pacha was to be sent in exile to a place near Mecca ? SIR CHARLES W. DILKE said, that up to 4 o'clock that afternoon no telegram had reached the Foreign Office to that effect. MR. M'COAN said, that he should repeat the Question on Monday, and if he did not then receive a satisfactory answer, he should move the adjourn Mr. Mundella SOUTH AFRICA - THE TRANSVAALMILITARY EXPENDITURE, 1879-80. BARON HENRY DE WORMS asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, with reference to the statement reported to have been made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that Transvaal did not include a single far"the financial balance sheet of the thing for military expenses," it is not the fact that the Account of Revenue and Expenditure for the Transvaal for the years 1879 and 1880 (Blue Book 2950, page 73), includes an expenditure of £17,232 during these years for Colonial defence; and, whether he will cause a Statement to be published and laid upon the Table of the House, showing how this and other items of expenditure for Colonial defence are composed? MR. GLADSTONE, in reply, said, he was given to understand by his noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Question was due to an incomplete report of the speech of his noble Friend. It appeared that the expenditure for Colonial defence was for outlays for Native Contingents and Native Police. The mention of military expenses referred to the cost of the military establishment in the Transvaal; and that, previous to the Boer outrage, amounted to many hundred thousands of pounds, though the precise amount could not be stated at present. Such a statement might hereafter be given, if it were thought desirable; but, to prevent misapprehension, the Secretary of State for the Colonies wished it to be understood that he alluded to the successful expedition against Secocoeni, which took place previous to the time the hon. Member had in view, and which cost £383,000. It was paid for by the Imperial Treasury, and a part of the cost of previous unsuc cessful operations, amounting to about £110,000, was defrayed out of the local funds. PARLIAMENT-PRIVILEGE-" CLARKE v. BRADLAUGH." MR. LABOUCHERE said, he desired to put a Question on a point of Order to the Speaker, of which he had given private Notice to the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. Newdegate). |