SOME UNREPEALED ACTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 12

SOME UNREPEALED ACTS.

Sir Herbert Maxwell. M.P.. in "Black wood’s Magazine/’ protests against th« proposed repeal of many of the 2000 and, more Acts of the Scots Parliament, which date from 1420 down to the union with England. A Bill for the purpose has passed the House of Lords. What urgency he asks, is there for revoking the ordinance of Parliament which in the: year 1587, instructed. “the Laird of Lochlevin audit , tho. Helping- of the King’s mother (Mary Queen of Scots) in tho house and fortalice-of Lochlevin.'' The Act passed in 1424 is still on the Statute Book, whereby it was ordered '’(hat no man play at futehall”—or golf—"because they are esteemed to be unprofitable sports for the common gude of the Realms and defence thereof.’’ Statesmen of the fifteenth century, continues Sir Herbert, were fully convinced of the mischief caused by landowners deserting their Country-House* and crowding into the "cities, clauchanua, and aill-houses,” followed by their retainers. In these days of easy travel and, servile fashion the evil has grow-n to an intolerable pitch. There is something to be said therefore, against the repeal of the salutary statute passed in 1426, which enjoined that landowners should ,r big (build), raparrell, and reformo their castles and manours. and dwell in them, . . for the gratious governall of their landes be gude policic, and to expend* the fruto of their landes in tho counlri* quhair the Undcs lies." , A policy of "thorough ’ was adopted with aliens. "Even as late as 1609 it wat declared "lesorae (lawful) to all his Majestio’s good subjects, or any of them, to cause, take, apprehend, imprison, and execute to death the said Egiptians (Gipsies) either men or women.” That Act still remains on the : Statute Book as well as many others ’against catcrans and Highlanders in general.” Under an Act "for the suppression of alt sin and wdekedness," swearing being' included, "any nobleman might indulge in strong language only at the cost of .£26 Scots—i.e.. about XI sterling. A baron was let off with a fine of 20 raerks. an untitled gentleman or burgess with 10 . marks, a yeoman with 4fls (about 3s 6d). a servant with 20s. whilst a minister of the kirk, who. having ample opportunity of blowing off steam in the pulpit, war supposed to have less occasion for bad language than others, was liable to for feituro of one-fifth of his annual at* pend."