LATE CABLE NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4715, 11 June 1883, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[FBB FBBS9 ASSOOIATIOIT.] (Per b.b. Tarawera, via the Bluff ) THE AFFIRMATION BILL. PBINOB BISMABOK'S OBJECT. "~ LONDOF, Mat 4. After five nights debate the House of Commons this morning finally rejeotod the aeoond reading of the Affirmation Bill by a majority of three against the QoTernment. The result was unexpected, aa most people believed that the Bill would pass, but only by a email majority, say from 10 to 17 votos. The rejection is therefore a generil surprise. In summicgup the debate Sir Stafford Northcote repudiated tho imputations cast upon the" Opposition of haying treated the question in a party spirit. He said the Bill would effect a dirorce between religion and politics, and was therefore repugnant to the fe&ling of the country, irrespective of the aversion felt towards Mr Bradlaugh personally. This was shown by tho immense number of potitiona ', against the Bill and the small number supporting it. The Marquis of Harfcington replied, denying that the measure was intended for Bradlaugh's relief. The question at issue was the great cauie of civil and religious liberty, and the Government, in supporting the Bill, be* lieved they were upholding those principles, preserving the sacred word from the risk of profanation, and protecting religion from the degrading contact of party politics. It is not supposed that the Government intend resigning in consequence ef the dofeat, or that they will venture to appeal to the country on suoh • question. It v expected, therefore, that

Mr Gladstone will make a declaration in the House, and express a hope that as tho House has rejected his* proposal, it will take the question into its own hands, and that he and his colleagues will be relieved from further responsibility. Bradlaugh is reported to be determined to make a fresh attempt to force his way into the House now that the Bill has been rejeoted. The House of Commons adopted Mr BtaDßfleld'a motion condemning the Contagious Diseases Act by 182 against 110 votes. It is rf ported that the object of Prince Bismarck in arranging a triple alliance between Austria, Germany and Italy is to assist the realisation of his project of a general European disarmament.