appear before a Medical Board by an order of the Indian Government dated 4th April 1878 ? MR. E. STANHOPE: The claim for travelling expenses in England of the Paymaster of the 3rd Hussars at the dates named has not been made to, nor paid by, the India Office. The action of the Government of India in November, 1878, had no retrospective effect, but only that of putting an end to the submission of inadmissible claims for the future. POLICE SUPERANNUATION-LEGISLA- SIR CHARLES RUSSELL asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is his intention to introduce a Bill, during the present Session, to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Police Superannuation, of April 1877? Affairs, Whether any communication has been received relating to the unsatisfactory state of commercial relations between England and Portugal, such as is referred to in Mr. Morier's Despatch of May 15th 1878, at page 1, of Return No. 21 (Commercial), 1878, on the Portuguese Tariff; and, if so, whether he could present the same in time to admit of its being considered by Members before discussion of a Motion relating to the Wine Duties that stands in my name for 18th March? MR. BOURKE: It appears that in May last Mr. Morier, Her Majesty's Minister at Lisbon, stated that he would take an early opportunity of calling Lord Salisbury's attention to the unsatisfactory state of the commercial relations of the two countries; but it does not appear that any despatch has yet been received from Mr. Morier such as is referred to in the Question of the hon. Gentleman. THE PLAGUE IN RUSSIA-SANITARY MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he should like to take that opportunity of paying his tribute to the Committee for their labours in this matter, and for the admirable Report which they had drawn up. He thought that they had come to a right conclusion that the amalgamation of the Forces for the purpose of a superannuation fund would not meet the justice of the case; and therefore he was inclined to view the latter part of the Report with favour. He could not promise, however, to intro-Baltic will not be open before April. The duce, at an early period of the Session, a measure on the subject. MR. PULESTON asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, as the navigation from the northern ports will be shortly opened, the Government contemplate imposing any restrictions upon the importation of hides and skins and any other animal products from Russia? LORD GEORGE HAMILTON: The Government have not thought it necessary at present to take any special precautions affecting the trade from Russia; CUSTOMS BILL OF ENTRY-THE COM- but they have full powers under the MISSION ON OFFICIAL STATISTICS. QUESTION. MR. RYLANDS asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether a Report has been received from the Commission on Official Statistics with reference to the Customs Bill of Entry; and if there will be any objection to lay such Report upon the Table of the House? SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON, in reply, said, there would be no objection to lay upon the Table that part of the Report relating to the Customs Bill of Entry. ENGLAND AND PORTUGAL-THE COM- Quarantine Act to do whatever may be found expedient for the protection of this country against plague, and will be prepared to exercise those powers should there be any danger of the disease approaching our shores. SOUTH AFRICA-THE ZULU WAR-THE DESPATCHES.-QUESTION. SIR CHARLES W. DILKE asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, When the further Papers relating to the Zulu War, which the Government appear to consider essential to the discussion of the causes of that War, will be in the hands of Members? SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH: I am informed that further Papers will be published the day after to-morrow, or certainly by Monday. I am sorry to | Bulgaria, and we have, therefore, no say that these Papers will not include official knowledge of its provisions. I despatches entering into details of the would remind the hon. Gentleman that military disaster, which I had hoped to Article 5 of the Treaty of Berlin lays receive before this date. They have not down as the basis of the public law of yet reached us. Bulgaria that difference of religion shall not exclude any persons from the enjoyment of civil rights, and that freedom of all forms of worship is assured both to persons belonging to Bulgaria as well as to foreigners. POOR LAW (IRELAND)-REMOVAL OF MR. O'DONNELL asked the Secre- THE 24TH REGIMENT - APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. QUESTION. MAJOR O'GORMAN asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is his intention to re-consider his resolution of sending six officers of the Guards and only three of the Line to act as officers of the 24th Regiment on the embarcation of a draft of that Corps for service at South Africa; and, whether the disproportion between the numbers of the officers of the Line and those of the Guards is not such as to entitle the former to a majority in selection for the above duty? In reference to reports that I have served in the 24th Regiment, I beg leave to say, Sir, first, that I did not serve in the 24th Regiment; second, that I have no relatives in the 24th MR. SCLATER-BOOTH: Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will grant me permission to answer the Question. I have made inquiries of the Guardians of the Holborn Union, in which Clerkenwell is situate, and I find it is true that they have passed a resolution respecting certain paupers-four men and two women-who are to be removed to Ireland. They appear to be the only paupers who are to be removed; and I am told that in each case the paupers have expressed their willingness to go to Ireland, not only to the Board, but before the magistrate before whom the order for removal was signed. It was in consequence of the application of some of these Irish paupers that the Board has taken the resolution in ques-Regiment; third, that I am not action. THE TREATY OF BERLIN-RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN BULGARIA.-QUESTION. MR. O'DONNELL asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that the proposed Constitution for Bulgaria, while professing to grant "liberty of conscience and worship" to the various denominations not belonging to the Established Russo-Bulgarian Church, adds that such liberty must be always subject to the "Laws" which may be passed from time to time by the Legislative As sembly; and, whether any guarantee has been obtained against the eventual passing of "Laws" in regard to nonestablished worships calculated to render liberty of conscience more and more purely nominal? MR. BOURKE: The proposed Constitution of Bulgaria has not yet been received from Her Majesty's Consul in quainted with any officer of the 24th Regiment, and that I never met the 24th Regiment in quarters or elsewhere. COLONEL STANLEY: It is unnecessary for the hon. and gallant Gentleman to disclaim being actuated by private motives in putting this Question, the matter to which it relates being of considerable public interest. As regards the Question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to state that there is no intention to re-consider the arrangements made for sending out six officers of the Guards with this large draft of the 24th Regiment. I am not prepared to admit that the question of sending these officers for such duty is altogether a matter of proportion. But if it were so, the fact that there is a large number of officers of the Line serving on special duty with the Forces in South Africa would confirm me in a desire to make no change in the arrangements already made. making inquiries, he was not yet in pos IRELAND-CORK AND MACROOM RAIL- session of sufficient information to jus WAY-ACTION AGAINST DIRECTORS. QUESTION. MAJOR O'GORMAN asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether his attention has been attracted to the fact tify him in coining to any positive conclusion. ARMY-SERGEANT INSTRUCTORS OF VOLUNTEERS.-QUESTION. pointed Sergeant Majors under Article 204 of Volunteer Regulations,__1863, and previous to the issue of the Volunteer Regulations of 1878, would when they retired be entitled to the pension as laid down for a Sergeant Major in the Royal Warrant dated the 6th of September 1876, and amended the 9th of July 1877 ? that the defendants in the case of the COLONEL BARNE asked the Secretary Cork and Macroom Railway accident, of State for War, Whether the Serthat is to say, the directors of that Rail-geant Instructors of Volunteers apway, did about the 25th November last apply to the Court of Queen's Bench for an order to bring up the Inquisition (which had resulted in a verdict amounting to manslaughter against the defendants) to be quashed; whether a conditional order had on that occasion been granted; whether that order has since been made absolute; and, whether he had taken steps to show cause against this conditional order being made absolute; and, if not, whether it is his intention to interfere so as, in the interest of the public, to prevent the verdict of the jury being quashed? [No Answer Question.] was returned to the SUPPLY-SUPPLEMENTARY VOTE OF CREDIT — THE QUEEN'S COLLEGES MAJOR NOLAN asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether, in the Supplementary Vote of Credit, the item of £33,000 includes any Votes for stationery for the Queen's Colleges in Ireland? SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON: No, Sir; it does not. ARMY-THE TRANSPORT SERVICE. QUESTION. SIR BALDWYN LEIGHTON asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in view of the disbandment of the Native troops in South Africa, Her Majesty's Government have considered the propriety of employing Coolie or Chinese levies under British officers for the purpose either of Military or Transport Service? COLONEL STANLEY, in reply, said, the subject had been brought to his notice, especially with reference to the selection of Coolies or Chinese for transport service; but although he was COLONEL STANLEY, in reply, said, he was not prepared to give any positive answer at present to the hon. and gallant Member's Question, and hoped he would repeat it on a future occasion. SOUTH AFRICA THE ZULU WAR- cretary of State for War, If he would COLONEL STANLEY: I am afraid that I should unduly take up the time of the House if I gave these details. I may say that the total strength of the forces and drafts will be between 8,000 and 9,000 men, 1,800 horses, and about 225 waggons, six 9-pounder, eight 7pounder guns, and four Gatlings. In a embarkation Returns, which will give few days hence I shall be able to lay the all the details required, on the Table of the House. SUPPLY THE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTI- QUESTION. MR. WHITWELL asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the £400,000 named in his answer to a Question on the 9th August last as included in the Supplementary Estimate, and which he stated to be sufficient for the Kaffir War, was found to be sufficient, or whether any additional expenses arising for that War have to be covered by the proposed Supplementary Vote of £1,500,000; and, as the Appropriation Accounts for the Army Expenses have not been circulated, what have been the War Expenses in South Africa during the three years past and the current year up to the 31st March next, inclusive of the proposed Supplementary Vote of £1,500,000? CRIMINAL LAW-THE CONVICT CASTRO OR ORTON.-QUESTION. DR. KENEALY asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is true that Charles Peace, the Banner Cross murderer, before his execution, made a statement in which he confessed that he had murdered at Whalley Range, near Manchester, in August 1876, a police constable named Cock; whether subsequently, at the Manchester Assizes, a young man named Habron was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for the said murder, which sentence was afterwards commuted by the Home Secretary to one of penal servitude for life; whether, taking into consideration that the case was one merely of identity, he will institute an inquiry which may be the means of releasing the said convict, who appeared to be wholly innocent; and, whether, if there be such a case of mistaken identity in fact, he may not be induced to reconsider the conviction of Sir Roger Tichborne, who may also have been wrongly convicted under a similar error? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: The statement which I made in August had reference to two distinct matters. They were the expenses incurred in the Kaffir War, or what we may call the "Transkei " War, previous to the 31st of March, 1878, and the expenses incurred and estimated for the remainder of the year-that is, for the year 1878-9. With regard to the expenses incurred previous to the 31st of March, 1878, it was impossible to get them in time for the Statement at the beginning of the financial year. We had, however, reason to believe that they would amount to something like £400,000; and I warned the House that it was probable that an excess Estimate MR. ASSHETON CROSS: It is true for that amount for the expenditure of that William Habron was tried, conthe year 1877-8 might have to be pro-victed, and sentenced to death for the vided for. We have, however, since found, on the appropriation of the accounts of the Army, that the saving on other Votes has been sufficient to cover the whole of that amount; and, therefore, no further money will be asked from Parliament in respect of that charge. I should say that we have not been able to include in the appropriation accounts the month of March, 1878; and there may be a balance of something like £60,000 or £70,000 to be carried to the next financial year's accounts. Then, with regard to the Supplementary Estimates I presented to the House in August, amounting to some £300,000 or £400,000 for the Transkei War, they related to the expenditure subsequent to the 31st of March, and I have every reason to believe that that sum is sufficient. No part of it is intended to be charged on the Supplementary Vote of £1,500,000, which has reference only to the Zulu War. With regard to the last part of the Question, I shall have a Statement to make giving the information the hon. Gentleman asks. murder of a police constable named Cock, at Whalley Range, near Manchester, in August, 1876. It is also true that his sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life, on the ground that there was some reasonable doubt as to whether his was the hand that fired the shot which killed the police constable, but not as to whether he was implicated in the murder in other ways. It is true that the convict Charles Peace made a statement after his conviction, and while under sentence of death, that he was the man who shot police constable Cock. The House, I am quite sure, will feel, on the one hand, that this is a matter which will require most careful consideration; and, on the other, hand, that the statement so made is one which must undergo the most careful scrutiny. But whatever the result of the inquiry into the matter may be, it can in no way affect the case of the prisoner Thomas Castro, otherwise Arthur Orton, now undergoing a sentence of penal servitude for a totally different offence. PARLIAMENT-PRIVILEGE-THE PRESS. OBSERVATIONS. as soon as the opposition of the independent Members appeared to have exhausted itself, and a compromise was coming into view, the Obstructionists emerged from their ambush" for the purpose of putting into operation "their policy of exasperation.' The article goes on to say 66 "The proceedings in the House last night reveal a resolution to obstruct progress as clear as that which has been conspicuous in former debates." And referring to myself and another Member by name, the article points out that the Home Rulers voted in minorities of 49 and 31; and adds that we, whom it calls " Obstructionists," seemed almost to have succeeded in postponing a division on the first of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Resolutions till another night. Another inference is further added that "The irritation of the priesthood against the Government, and the approach of a General Election, combine to give the Obstructionist view a temporary predominance." Now, Sir, I am in a position to prove, from the Division Lists, that a more unfounded MR. MITCHELL HENRY: I am sorry, Sir, to interpose for a short time between the House and the special Business which is set down for this evening, but I have no alternative. I have to call your attention to a serious breach of Privilege, which is contained in a leading article which appeared in The Times newspaper of Tuesday last, reflecting on the conduct and misrepresenting the action of Members of this House. I have provided myself with a copy of the newspaper in question, and I have marked the portion of it to which I have to take exception, and if it is your wish, Sir, I will hand it in to be read from the Table, or I will now state as shortly as I can the substance of it, and it can then be read. In bringing this matter forward, I feel that it is only under the gravest circumstances that I should be justified in doing so. Having carefully considered the article in question, and the position of Members of this House, I can come to no other conclusion than that it is a deliberate attempt to intimi-statement was never made. In all the date hon. Members in the discharge of their duty, and also a reckless misstatement of facts occurring in this House. The law of Parliament on this subject I hold to be perfectly clear. It is a distinct breach of the Privileges of this House, and destructive of the freedom of Parliament, for anyone to publish the names of hon. Members of the House, and to reflect on and misrepresent their proceedings.. Now, The Times newspaper of Tuesday published an article referring to the proceedings of the House as to the alteration of its Rules, and I am prepared to read a short epitome of it. I may here state that I am named individually, and that, therefore, I should have a right, as a Member of Parliament, to bring this matter under the notice of the House; but I believe I am also supported by a very considerable number-I may say by all-of the Members who are around me, and who are also referred to in the article. Sir, The Times says in that article that the Home Rulers watched the debates in Parliament on this subject-well founded, or the reverse. that is to say, as to our Rules-"with a bates commenced on Monday, the 17th malign intent," and at a given moment, of February. In the first Division the Divisions, except one, that took place, there were more English than Irish Members; but it seems to me that whatever may be the opinion of the writer of this article, it is a very serious matter for any person to allow himself to accuse hon. Members of this House of lying in wait with " malign intent," to commit a breach of the Privileges of the House. Obstruction is a distinct Parliamentary offence, punishable by the Rules of the House; and to attribute deliberate obstruction to Members of this House is to attribute to them a serious offence against the House itself, of which the House ought to take cognizance. these charges of obstruction are to be made without foundation, I submit that there is an insult to the majesty of Parliament itself. To show that the House of Commons is obliged to submit to obstruction of this character, and that it is not able to vindicate its authority, is, I submit, not for the benefit of this House. But the Division Lists will show how far this charge was The de If |