in this case, unintelligible. It was upon | to propose on Wednesday last, because that word that issue would be taken. He submitted that in regard to an incident which was to rule future agricultural affairs in Ireland for many years, it was desirable that the expressions used should be clear, precise, and free from ambiguity. Inasmuch as the word "persistent" was likely to introduce uncertainty, he thought it better for the simplification of the section that it should be omitted therefrom, particularly as notice had to be given by the landlord to the tenant before persistent waste could take place. Amendment proposed, in page 4, line 30, to leave out the word "persistent.' -(Mr. Cartwright.) Question proposed, "That the word 'persistent stand part of the Clause." THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW) said, the Government could not agree to this Amendment. It was not their intention that a man should forfeit his interest because a single act of waste, however slight, was committed. The waste here contemplated was a deliberate act committed after attention had been called to it, and the tenant had been thus warned of his breach of duty. MR. EDWARD CLARKE said, the word was unnecessary and perfectly unknown in law. THE SOLICITOR GENERAL (Sir FARRER HERSCHELL) should have thought quite the contrary. They did not mean an act of waste, but persistent waste after notice was given. Question put. The Committee divided:-Ayes 181; 82: Majority 99.-(Div. List, No. 259.) Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow, at Two of the clock. SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS ON SUNDAY (WALES) BILL-[BILL 3.] (M. Roberts, Mr. Richard, Mr. Samuel Holland, he thought it would have been ungracious to do so at that stage of the Bill. He proposed to add, at the end of Clause 1, an Amendment that between half-past 12 and half-past 2 on Sundays public-houses in Wales should be open for the sale of liquor for consumption off the premises. He had limited the Amendment in the strictest way possible to make it agreeable to the House, which was disposed to go a long way in the direction of curtailing the liberties of Her Majesty's subjects in Wales; and he had also followed the House of Lords Com mittee on Intemperance, which had recommended that public-houses should be open during the hours he had named for sale for consumption off the premises. His object was to enable the working man to get his jug of beer for his dinner on Sunday, and he did not think anything could be more reasonable than that. He did not suppose the House intended that working men should have to drink stale beer on Sundays, or that they expected people who were accustomed to drinking beer on week days not to drink beer on Sundays, or that they wished them to drink spirits on Sunday instead of beer. Amendment proposed, In page 1, line 12, after the word "Sunday," to insert the words "except in the afternoon between the hours of half-past twelve and halfpast two, for the sale for consumption off the premises."-(Mr. Thomasson.) be there inserted." Question proposed, "That those words MR. RICHARD regretted that his hon. Friend had thought it his duty to introduce this Amendment, the effect of which would be to stultify the Bill entirely. The hon. Gentleman thought it his duty to protect the liberties of the people of Wales; but, as 29 of the 30 Representatives of Wales had demanded the Bill, he thought the hon. Member might trust the care of the liberties of the people of Wales to the Welsh Representatives. He had received that day a Petition signed by upwards of 16,000 of his constituents of all classes against an intention, of which they had received some intimation, to move to exempt Merthyr from the operation of the Bill. It was signed by the high constable, clergy, MR. THOMASSON said, he had not and ministers of all denominations, moved the Amendment he now intended, members of the Legal and Medical Pro Mr. Hussey Vivian, Mr. Rathbone.) Bill, as amended, considered. fessions, Guardians of the Poor, mem- | the Bill, and the universal feeling was bers of the Board of Health and of the in favour of the Bill in its present form, school board, masters of public, elemen- without Amendment or alteration. tary, and private schools, merchants, tradesmen, and working men of all trades. Two or three years ago a canvass on this question was made of Aberdare -part of his borough and of 5,051 papers filled up, 4,659 were in favour of Sunday closing, 210 were against it, and 182 were neutral. Of 2,138 colliers, 1,976 approved of Sunday closing, 91 opposed it, and 71 were neutral. 776 artizan householders approved, 34 opposed, and 23 were neutral. 659 labourers approved, 28 opposed, and 24 were neutral. 33 farmers approved, and none opposed; and 176 railway servants approved, 16 opposed. He thought these statistics showed that the great body of the people, in his borough at any rate-and he believed it was the same throughout Wales were in favour of the Bill. MR. WARTON moved that the debate be adjourned, because of the indecent haste with which it was being carried through the House. He did not know why there should be such haste on the part of the virtuous Members from Wales, and he thought more time should be given for reflection. "That Motion made, and Question, the Debate be now adjourned,"-(Mr. Warton,)-put, and negatived. Original Question again proposed. SIR HARDINGE GIFFARD hoped the Amendment would be adopted, observing that the more oppressive and offensive a measure was the more likely it was to soon come to an end. Without the Amendment the Bill would cause a great deal of suffering, heart-burning, and discontent in Wales. Last Wednesday he had presented a Petition signed by 18,000 adult inhabitants of Swansea against the Bill; and he believed that the great body of the Welsh people did not understand what the effect of the Bill would be. MR. MORGAN LLOYD said, he knew Wales, North and South, better than the hon. and learned Gentleman, and there was a strong feeling from one end of Wales to the other in favour of the Bill. There had been no Petition in favour of such a modification as this Amendment; there had been no demand from the publicans for an alteration in Mr. Richard MR. HUSSEY VIVIAN said, he thought he knew more about Swansea, where he was born and had lived all his life, than the hon. and learned Gentleman opposite. He had not been applied to by a single soul in Swansea to oppose the Bill, except by a deputation of licensed victuallers. The Vicar of Swansea had written to him that a Petition had been got up by the licensed victuallers, which professed to represent the feelings of the people; but he believed that it did not represent the feelings of the people, and that there had been some grievous mistake about the signatures. It showed that 47 pilots had signed the Petition; but there were only 36 pilots in the borough, and of those 36, 15 had sent a Memorial to him (Mr. Hussey Vivian) stating that they hai been grossly misrepresented, never having signed the Petition at all, and urging the Welsh Members to support the Bil He was convinced that the vast majority of the people of Swansea coincided with their brethren in other parts of Wales; and were in favour of the Bill. The Amendment would utterly emasculate the Bill, and he hoped the House would not accept it. MR. DILLWYN, as the Representative of Swansea, said, he believed the feeling there was almost unanimous for the Bill, and he did not know where the 18,000 Petitioners mentioned by the hon. and learned Gentleman had been found. Except from the licensed victuallers he had not heard a single word against the Bill. Question put. The House divided:-Ayes 32; Noes 81: Majority 49.-(Div. List, No. 260 MR. THOMASSON stated that, after that decision by the House, he should not move the second Amendment standing in his name. Clause 3 (Commencement of Act). line 18, to leave out the word "county." and insert the word "division." Bill to be read the third time upon NEWSPAPERS (LAW OF LIBEL) BILL. New Clause (Publication of ex parte statements before a magistrate, &c.)(Mr. Warton,)-brought up, and read the first time. Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the said Clause be now read a second time." apply to meetings of railway shareholders or bank directors, at which statements were made reflecting upon the conduct of some person or persons. It would be known when these statements were made that the meeting was to be adjourned, and that an opportunity would be given to the parties interested to reply. At the adjourned meeting parties might come forward and repel the accusations; and he therefore proposed that the new protection should not be given to newspapers publishing a report of the first meeting, but only to those who published their report after the adjourned meeting had been held. New Clause, (Provision as to ex parte statements at public meetings.) "The protection afforded by sections two and three of this Act shall not extend to the case of the publication of any ex parte statement made at a public meeting, which public meeting was MR. BRIGGS said, he could not allow adjourned, unless such publication be made the new clause to pass at this hour of after such adjourned meeting,"-(Mr. Warton,) the morning. He would move the ad--brought up, and read the first time. journment of the debate. Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned." -(Mr. Briggs.) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES) hoped the House would dispose of this matter, and pointed out to the hon. and learned Member for Bridport (Mr. Warton) that the proposed clause could have no effect on the Bill. The clause said that the 2nd and 3rd sections of the Act should not apply to proceedings before the magistrates. Well, these sections did not apply to proceedings before the magistrates. They only applied to public meetings, and proceedings before the magistrates were not public meetings. He hoped the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Briggs) would not persist in his Motion, and so obstruct the progress of the Bill. Motion, by leave, withdrawn. Question put, and negatived. a MR. WARTON said, there was great deal of force in what the Attorney General had said as to the last Amendment; but he (Mr. Warton) had another on the Paper which, he thought, did relate to the subject of the Bill, and did refer to public meetings. The Amendment was very important, and would Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the said Clause be now read a second time." MR. HUTCHINSON said, that it would be in the interest of the public that the reports should appear without delay. He could not agree to the Amendment. Question put, and negatived. Bill to be read the third time Tomorrow, at Two of the clock. MOTIONS. 150 REGULATION OF THE FORCES BILL. to amend the Law respecting the Regulation of Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN. Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 193.] STATIONERY OFFICE (CONTROLLER'S Ordered, That the Lords Message [2nd June] be now considered. Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed of Five Members to join with the Committee of Five Lords (as mentioned in the Message of the Lords of the 2nd day of this instant June), to consider the First Report of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, and Mr. WINN. Ordered, That the Select Committee do con- | announcement, they had hitherto resist of the following Members:-Mr. COURTNEY, ceived no official information; and, as a Mr. CUBITT, Mr. MASSEY, Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY, month had since elapsed, it was not premature to ask the noble Earl whether he could give the House any information which would throw light on the subject Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records; that Three be the quorum of the Committee. Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Lords to acquaint their Lordships that this House, having considered their Lordships' Message, has appointed a Select Committee of Five Members to join with the Committee appointed by the House of Lords, as mentioned in their Lordships Message of Thursday the 2nd day of this instant June, to consider the First Report of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office; and that the Clerk do carry the said Message.--(Lord Frederick Cavendish.) House adjourned at a quarter after Two o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS, Tuesday, 21st June, 1881. MINUTES.]— Sat First in Parliament-The Lord Tenterden, after the death of his uncle. PUBLIC BILLS-First Reading-Local Govern ment Provisional Orders (Acton, &c.) (121); Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (122). Second Reading-Petty Sessions Clerks (Ireland)* (113); Consolidated Fund (No. 3); Post Office (Land) (114). Select Committee-Stolen Goods (86), nominated. Committee-Local Government Provisional Orders (Birmingham, Tame, and Rea, &c.) (111). Committee-Report-Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (Ballymena, &c.) (110); Local Government Provisional Orders (Cottingham, &c.) * (112). Third Reading · Tramways (Ireland) Acts Amendment (92); Inclosure Provisional Or der (Thurstaston Common) (76); Land Tax Commissioners' Names (109), and passed. BULGARIA (POLITICAL AFFAIRS). QUESTION. THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWN said, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a Question, of which he had given him private Notice, with regard to recent events in Bulgaria. It was now some weeks since Europe was surprised by a sudden announcement that either the Bulgarian Constitution must be suspended, or the Bulgarian Throne declared vacant. As to the immediate causes which led to this sudden Imp EARL GRANVILLE: My Lords. I can quite understand the wish of the noble Earl to receive information upa this important question. The feeling this country is very naturally inclined to revolt at the idea of anything that looks like a coup d'etat, or the disruption of a Constitution by anything but legal and constitutional means. But I am desirous to state what I have to say in an impartial and practical manner. I: should be remembered that the Constitution of Bulgaria was not provided in the Treaty of Berlin. One was drawn up by the Russian Commissary and presented, before the accession of the Prince, to the Assembly of Notables. tant changes were made in this Consti tution by the Assembly; they struck oct the clerical, judicial, and nominated members; they gave universal suffrage, and abolished the Council of State, which, I apprehend, was intended to act as a Second Chamber. It appears that the Prince thought this democratic Constitution unfitted to a population unaccustomed to political life, and of whom only a small number were educated. The Prince was much dissatisfied with the Constitution as it was then settled-so much so, indeed, that, looking at the Papers at the Foreign Office, it appears that the Prince was very unwilling to accept the Throne at all, and he only did so after receiving encouragement from some of the Great Powers. His Royal Highness has continued, from time to time, to complain of the inethciency of this Constitution and of the impossibility of his usefully discharging the duties intrusted to him with such imperfect machinery. Very different accounts are given with regard to the working of this Constitution. Those who oppose it declare that the result has been no government at all; that the Assembly represents exclusively the peasants, who are ignorant of politics, impatient of any taxation, and are only desirous of op posing all authorities; that reforms of the Administration have been thus rendered impossible; that great injustice has been done to the Mussulmans, contrary to the provisions of the Treaty of country which he agreed to govern into internal anarchy, and possibly into complications with powerful neighbours, he ought to try all he can to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement-I may almost say compromise-with the Assembly. On the other hand, it appears to me that it would be madness on the part of a population lately emancipated, with little political experience, of whom it is said. that none but the schoolmasters and stationmasters have sufficient education to fill official situations, not to try to arrive at a friendly understanding with the Prince, and to agree to improvements and reforms which, while they did not sacrifice liberty, would also secure order and justice to all classes of the community. The matter is, no doubt, one of very great importance, and I hope it will be settled in a manner satisfactory. ARMY RE-ORGANIZATION THE MEMO RANDUM-OFFICERS-GOOD SERVICE REWARDS. QUESTION. OBSERVATIONS. Berlin. The opposite party say there is a gross exaggeration in these complaints, and appeal triumphantly to the great increase of revenue under this Constitution. The English Representative at Sofia during the late Government recorded his opinion that there was no government at all, although he thought the Prince exaggerated to himself the difficulties created by the Constitution. Mr. Lascelles, whose excellent judgment and tact seem to have acquired for him the respect and confidence of both parties, and who has uniformly recommended prudence and moderation to both, has been of opinion that the Constitution does require revision, though he is opposed to any violence in effecting the change. A Report fully describing the working of the Constitution is shortly expected from him. I have been informed by Englishmen of great authority, but whose names I have not received permission to quote, that in their opinion the weakness of the Executive is such as to make good government almost impossible. I am bound to admit that I myself have observed that whereas it is so desirable that Bulgaria should act for herself, it was impossible to secure fair treatment of certain minorities without the undesirable pressure of ourselves and other Powers. The Prince claims the right, which every man has, to abdicate a position in which he feels he can be of no use. Such threats or offers of abdication have not been without precedent. The late King of the Belgians, a very sagacious Sove-mandant? said, he had already on a reign, at an important crisis at Brussels, made such an offer with success, and with general approval. But this claim is not one which can be universally recognized without any qualification. I remember the late Sir Robert Peel, when criticizing a fact of contemporary history, dwelling upon the duty of a Minister in ordinary times to be ever sensitively ready to resign; but in a time of crisis he maintained that the responsibility lay in the opposite direction. The Prince may be perfectly right to desire some revision of the Constitution as an alternative to his abdication; he may be perfectly right to appeal to the National Assembly itself to decide the matter. We have not yet had any full explanations of some of the steps he has taken. But I think it is clear that before taking the final step, which may plunge the LORD CHELMSFORD, in rising to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, Whether it is still intended to deprive general officers, who may be retired under the provisions of the warrant which is to come into force on the 1st July next, of the good service reward which under present conditions they are entitled to retain until they are appointed colonel of a regiment or colonel com previous occasion pointed out to their |