THE OATHS BILL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VII, Issue 327, 6 November 1858, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE OATHS BILL.

The Times of 26th June, says :— The following are the Lords' reasons for insisting on their amendments to this Bill : — "1. Because although the words 'on the true faith of a Christian ' were originally introduced into the oath for the immediate purpose of binding ceitain Roman Catholics, it is unreasonable to assume that the Parliament which so introduced them did not intend that the profession of Christianity should be a necessary qualification for admission to the Legislature when they enacted that ''a declaration of that faith should form part of the oath required to be taken by every member of both Houses. , " 2. Because the constant intention of the Legislature may be further inferred from the fact that, neither at the time of the introduction of these words were the Jews admissible, nor have they at any subsequent period been admitted. to sit and vote in either House of Parliament. "3. Because exclusion from seats in Parliament and offices of the State^on the ground of religious opinion, and for 6tjier reasons when the general good of .the State appears to require it, is a principle recognised in the settlement of the succession to the -Crown, and in other cases ; and has moreover been further*rt>r recently sanctioned by the House of Commons in some of the provisions of the present Bill. "4. Because in the " prayers with' wh'ioh 'both. Houses daily' commence their proceedings, they implore in Christ's name the divine assistance and guidance in all their undertakings, professing themselves His unworthy servants ; and this act of worship will become a mockery when among those who are therein declared to be gathered together in His name are numbered some who deny Him through whose merits alone those prayers can be acceptable. " 5. Because when the Commons plead in support of their views, in a matter -which really concerns the constitution of both branches of the Legislature, their repeated recognition of the expediency of removing this disability of the Jews, and admitting them to their councils, the Lords desire to iefer to their equally firm adherence to the principle of retaining these privileges which they beliecg^be peculiarly and inseparably attached to Parliament- us_ an exclusively Christian assembly. " 6. Because, in regard to the Bth and 9th of the Commons' reasons, the Lords are advised that the Ist and 3rd clauses of the bill are not open to the construction which the Commons conceive" them to be in consequence of the rejection of the sth clause, and that the Jews will not be subject to any new disabilities under the bill as amended by the Lords."

Telegraphic Communication with India. ' — The necessity for carrying out this object is becoming patent. ' The Turkish Government is we see, making an attempt on its own part to construct the line by the Euphrates, and to reap the profit of the adventure ; those acquainted with official proceedings in that country can best judge with what chance of effect. But bur advertising columns of this day contain the prospectus of a scheme which we think it our duty to go somewhat out of our way to notice. It is the project of carrying a telegtaphic line, al* most free fiom the control of any foreign State, by submerged cables, from Falmouth, by Gibraltar, Malta, Suez, the Red Sea, Aden, and Bombay. Much of the value of the speculation depends, of course, on the especial advantages of Mr Allan's system. Its saving is a question for science to test, and on which it would be mere impertinence to hint a crude opinion., But the benefit of having our communication with our great dependency almost entirely under our own control is as undeniable as it is vast. These are days in which we cannot, unfortunately, rid ourselves from all complication with other States, even in the concerns of our own Government'; but that gives us all the greater reason to desire that whatever independence can be secured it should be the chief object of attainment, espec'--ally, in a matter so purely British as -mere corres- s pondenee between the ends of the empire. ,That the scheme may prove feasible and profitable is our most earnest wish, and on the most thoroughly pa-: triotio grounds we ask for it the consideration of tall who are disposed to engage in this kind of enterprise, ■> , There is a publican in New York so remarkably stout that he retails his shadow at six-pence ;a pot.

[Printed bjrG.W.WooN.]