The English Mail.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 24, 1 July 1867, Page 154

The English Mail.

NEWS BY THE ENGLISH MAIL.

[Hawke’s Bay Times, 27th June.]

OIJE speculation regarding the probable pouxse of parties in relation to the Reform Bill before the British Parliament have been fully realised by the course of events,—r-the liberals having shown themselves completely at a loss as to the course of opposition they should pursue, for the concessions to the people made by the Conservatives are certainly and decidedly more than the "Whigs would ventured on, and considerably more than what is pleasing to them. Still, it was almost out of the question that they should oppose the measure on such a ground. No other course, however, seemed open to them, especially after Mr Disraeli had sacrificed that part of the bill relating to the dual vote. Accordingly an arrangement was made to substitute a fating for a householding suffrage, that pone but persons paying a certain fixed amount of rates should have a vote. The alteration would have been fatal to the character of the bill, and also of the liberal party, who began to feel that they could not face their consti tuents on the principle of withholding a boon which the Tories were willing to grant, and to this it must have come, for Mr Disraeli would not have gone out, on a defeat, but would have appealed to the country hy a dissolution and a new House of Commons; so that opposition on that point was abandoned hy the most far-seeing and conscientious of Mr Gladstone’s party. Mr ( G., finding that if he would succeed in his opposition to the bill, he must give more than Mr Disraeli was proposing, did not give up, but went to the other extreme, and proposed an amendment to the effect that the suffrage should Include all householders, whether ratepayers or not, but it was by this time 'so evident that factious opposition and ' the desire of office was the ruling motive, that even this move did not succeed, and the Government party were triumphant on the division by a majority of 22 —310 against, 288 votes ! Mr Gladstone felt as if deserted by his ' party, and has resigned the leadership , of the Illiberal party, and left for Paris, where he has an engagement in the great temple of art and science as a Coqamisioner over one of its departments.

The parliament has also been very busy discussing the provisions of a hill fo? the amendment of the licensing system, introduced hy Mr Graves, M.p. for Liverpool, and although suffering violent opposition fyoip the Licensed Victuallers’ party, headed by Mr Roebuck, nevertheless passed through committee, and stood for |ts Second reading on the Ist May. ' The Reform question being disposed pf, the. next tp occupy the attention of ;|he. Government aeemsjto be the LiiQpan fhe Rill in question Concedes the right to owners and oc€Upi&i of property ia any di|trict to

veto the issue of licenses in certain cases. Mr Roebuck was at one time a vigorous supporter of the beer-house system, denying that existing demoralizating was owing-to it, or that demoralization had been increased since the passing of the beer bill; but now they are the objects of bis contempt. He said in the House, “ We all know the pretext on which beer-houses were set up-*-to meet what was considered a want, and supply the people with home-brewed ; but it is a farce—they do no such thing.” He also in 1833 presented a petition from 4000 persons in favor of the system of beer-houses, almost all the signatures being the marks of the petitioners. He has. now deserted them, and become the champion of the publicans. Mr Graves’ bill will probably not ’pass, but it is not likely that another session will transpire without the Government itself taking up the measure and passing a comprehensive bill.

A war with Spain has but just failed of becoming a fact from the Spanish authorities taking the right view of the question in time. There were two bella causa —one the illegal seizure and confiscation of a Gibraltar vessel called the, Queen Victoria, and the other of older standing concerning the Tornado. With regard to the former the Imperial Government took a decided attU tude, sent an ultimatum, and removed our ships from Malta, which had the desired effect, the Spanish Governmen' admitting that the seizure was illegal and making apology with offers of compensation ; and so war was averted —happily for both parties. The French Exhibition, referred to above, was opened on the date appointed (Ist April), but in a sadly unfinished state. It was supposed that it would be finished iu about a month. It does not promise to be as successful as it was supposed it would be —?it having transpired that, in order to raise funds, monopolies had been granted to speculators for everything likely to be required by spectators —to the very seats. The consequence is that people stay away, not willing to pay the prices for necessaries that it is anticipated would be demanded. There was great dread amongst the lower orders of Paris that the time would be one of unparalleled distress for them, owing to the high prices of food; but the present system re-acts against itself, and if visitors stay away food will be cheap enough, notwithstanding the monopoly. The only other matter of interest to us is the trial .of ex-Governor Eyre Our readers will be glad to learn that he has been triumphantly acquitted* and though, his enemies are anxious to “ try again,” the disgust of the public at such uncalled for persecution will probably avert such proceedings.