The Commissioners recognised that there were great difficulties in dealing with a matter of so much intricacy and complexity, but they did not despair of success. These are their own words "After the most careful and deliberate consideration of this subject, we have come to the conclusion that the difficulties in the way of the people, but the credit and the honour of one of the greatest nations of the world. We as a nation are proud of our high civilisation, of our earnest endeavour to do justice to everybody in all things, whether rich or poor, learned or ignorant-not only to do justice in all things to all men, but to all women, and even to their children. It is from a desire to promote, as far as a humble individual may, this object that I venture to ask the Prime Minister the Question on the Paper. THE PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRIVY SEAL (The MARQUESS of SALISof the attainment of our object are not in BURY): I confess to have been very superable, and that it is the duty of the much affected by the observations of State to make an earnest endeavour to over-the most rev. prelate. He come them." These words were appropriate and weighty thirty-five years ago, but they have even more force at the present time, for they are as true to-day as they were in 1868. The Commissioners criticised freely, and not unjustly, the complexity of the law, and the elements of uncertainty that existed in it, on which the validity or nullity of so many marriages depended. The object the Commissioners had in view was, in their own words never mentioned the words "Prime Minister' before, and to be asked to express an opinion suddenly on the Report of a Commission which sat thirty-five years ago is, I confess, a trial for which I had not entirely prepared myself. The only thing I can promise is to do what I have not yet done to read the Report. Until I am able to read the Report the most rev. prelate will not think I am wanting in respect if I decline to express any opinion. I know the subject which he has brought forward in this somewhat "To consider what are the principles on unexpected manner is one of the most which a marriage law, applicable to all parts thorny and difficult which can be of the kingdom ought to be founded, and to submitted to any legislative assembly bring existing laws where they differ from each in the world; and, with the deepest other to the test of those principles." respect for his abilities and his unFurther, they made up their minds that doubted sincerity, I extremely doubt in any measure which they might sug- if any exhortations which come from gest to remedy these evils, they would him will have for their result that either keep this principle in view-that the House of Parliament will furnish a marriage law ought to embrace the satisfactory clue to the labyrinth of maximum of simplicity and certainty. matrimonial legislation. The difficulties Now, my Lords, it seems to me that are extreme. What they are I think I the time has surely come when some- should rather hear from the most rev. thing might be done to deal with this prelate than profess to give them on my most valuable and interesting Report. own account; but the very fact that Since 1868 up to the present day all we have now gone on for more than the complexities, and uncertainties, and 300 years without effecting any satisinequalities in the law have remained factory solution of the various difficulties in their full activity. Surely the time which the marriage law presents to us is has come when this valuable Report not, I am afraid. encouraging to the might be removed from its obscure prospect of any successful results to our resting place on the shelves of your efforts in the future; and all that we Lordships' House and some endeavour can do is to hope that the most rev. made to translate its recommendations and right rev. bench and the most rev. into legislation. This matter concerns, prelate himself, now that they have dein some degree, not only the happiness voted themselves to this very difficult There were two very important dissentients namely, Lord O'Hagan and the Lord Justice General of Scotland. THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF YORK: I am quite aware of the opinions expressed by those two dissentients on certain points; but I think I am right in saying that all the members signed the Report. SOUTH AFRICAN COASTING TRADE. LORD MUSKERRY: My Lords, I rise to call attention to the fact that the coastal trade of our South African colonies is almost wholly monopolised by a "ring" of foreign ship-owners, comprising Germans running their steamers under the German flag, and Norwegians running steamers under the British flag, but without complying with any of the restrictions regarding certificated officers, etc., the prevailing language used on board of these vessels being German and Norwegian respectively; and in view of the fact that foreign countries debar British ships from trading under similar conditions, to move to resolve that His Majesty's Government take steps to afford due protection to British trade in the colonies in question, and thus give proper encouragement to the employment of British ships manned by British officers. I will read to your Lordships a letter which I have received on the subject, and which speaks for itself. It is Marquess of Salisbury. dated from Cape Town, on March 24th of this year, and is as follows You are aware, no doubt, that there are a great many small ports on this coast at which the large liners do not touch, and whatever cargo there may be for such places is transshipped either here or at some other port of call. This causes a pretty considerable coasting trade for small steamers, and such craft are kept very busy indeed, unless they have the misfortune to belong to a British owner and carry a British master and crew. This may seem, at a glance, to he a rather tough statement, but nevertheless it is a perfectly true one. The coast trade is controlled by a ring' of German and Norwegian owners, and Germans run their boats under their own flag, and of course do not employ anyone but natives of der Vaterland." On the other hand, the Norwegian owners run their boats under the English there their claim upon British recognition ensign, but ceases, as their masters, officers, and crews are, without exception, Norwegians, and the no one outside of them has a look in. The work of these vessels is carried on in the Norwegian tongue. To show you how completely they hold the trade in their hands, I will just state one case in point. Some few weeks ago there came out from England a small steamer named the 'Dee,' hailing from Hull, I think. She was manned by English officers and crew, and the master, a man who knows this coast thoroughly, is also an Englishman. This vessel was intended for the coast trade, but up to the present has done little or nothing, for the simple reason that the ring' will not let her get a cargo; while at the same time the German and Norwegian boats are running full cargoes. Now, Sir, do you not think that this is a shameful state of affairs? While so many British vessels are laid up for want of the very sight of us, wax rich on the coasts cargoes here, a pack of foreigners, who hate of the very Colony that we are struggling even now to save from the hands of the Boers." We do seem to offer every facility to foreign vessels to compete against our own ships both at home and abroad, and, when the attention of the Government is called to this, their answer is that they have no power to interfere. If the state of the law is such that they cannot interfere to protect our commerce and our shipping, I submit that the sooner legislation is introduced which will give them these powers, the better. THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of ONSLOW): I think the noble Lord is somewhat misinformed, because there is no "ring" of foreign shipowners. No doubt there are a certain number of foreign ships plying along the coast of South Africa, but a very large proportion of the coasting trade of South Africa is in the hands of British shipowners. was not all that could be wished. There may be some Norwegians who The attention of the Colonial Governown shares in some of the ships ment, not of His Majesty's Governthat ply along the coast; but it would ment, was drawn to the circumbe impossible, without very great trouble stances, and I believe that the Colonial and delay, to ascertain what proportion Government are considering the quesof such ships are owned, or partially tion. At any rate, they have comowned, by Norwegians; and when the municated with the Board of Trade noble Lord asks that His Majesty's and the Trinity House, and both Government should take steps to afford those authorities have given such answers due protection to British trade in the to the Questions as were necessary. I colonies in consequence, I presume he can promise the noble Lord that the means that some sort of preference attention of Sir W. Hely-Hutchinson, should be given to British over foreign Governor of Cape Colony, shall be called vessels in the ports of these colonies. to the matter, and we will ascertain That is a matter which, in the first what further steps, if any, are being place, concerns not his Majesty's Govern- taken by the Government of that colony, ment at home, but the Governments of which alone is concerned in the matter. the colonies themselves; and the noble. House adjourned at five minutes Lord knows that opens up a very large before Five o'clock, till Toquestion indeed. This country has, for morrow Two o'clock. many years past, adopted a policy of Free Trade with regard to shipping entering its ports; and if anything of the kind suggested were done, it would be a very serious departure from that policy, which I hardly think your Lordship would be prepared to make in the circumstances, and in consequence of the grievance which the noble Lord has brought before the House. THE LOSS OF THE "TANTALLON LORD MUSKERRY: My Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government whether the Court of Inquiry which, months ago, investigated the circumstances of the loss of the Cape liner "Tantallon Castle" on Robben Island, South Africa, desired to draw the attention of the Government to the urgent necessity of placing fog signals on Robben Island and other dangerous points along the coast; whether such fog signals have now been placed on Robben Island and the other dangerous points referred to; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to take steps in providing these most necessary safeguards for the protection of British ships and the lives on board of them. now THE EARL OF ONSLOW: The Court of Inquiry into the loss of the "Tantallon Castle" drew attention to the fact that the lighting of Robben Island HOUSE OF COMMONS. Monday, 5th May, 1902. The House met at Two of the clock. PRIVATE BILL BUSINESS. PRIVATE BILLS [LORDS] (STANDING Abertillery Urban District Council Ashton-under-Lyne and Dukinfield Lancashire County (Lunatic Asylums) Longwood Gas Bill [Lords]. Swindon United Gas Bill [Lords]. Ordered, That the Bills be read a second time. PROVISIONAL ORDER BILLS (STANDING ORDERS APPLICABLE THERETO COMPLIED WITH). Mr. SPEAKER laid upon the Table Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bills, referred on the First Reading thereof, the Standing Orders which are applicable thereto have been complied with, viz. :— Drainage and Improvement of Lands (Ireland) Provisional Order Bill. Local Government (Ireland) Provisional Orders (Gas) Bill. Ordered, That the Bills be read a second time tomorrow. BELFAST CORPORATION BILL. Read the third time, and passed. CATERHAM AND DISTRICT GAS BILL [LORDS]. Read the third time, and passed, with Amendments. LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAIL- RATHMINES AND RATHGAR URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL BILL (BY ORDER). Read the third time, and passed. HALIFAX CORPORATION BILL. As amended, considered; Amendments made; Bill to be read the third time. KINGSCOURT, KEADY, AND ARMAGH RAILWAY BILL. As amended, considered; to be read the third time. METROPOLITAN DISTRICT RAILWAY BILL. As amended, considered; Amendments made; Bill to be read the third time. NORWICH CORPORATION (ELEC- SCARBOROUGH TRAMWAYS BILL. As amended, considered; to be read the third time. CHIGWELL, LOUGTHON, AND WOODFORD GAS BILL [LORDS.] METROPOLITAN RAILWAY BILL. RHONDDA URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL TRAMWAYS BILL [LORDS]. RUSTHALL MANOR BILL [LORDS]. SWANSEA CORPORATION WATER BILL [LORDS]. Read a second time, and committed. PRIVATE BILLS (GROUP J). Mr. FISON reported from the Committee on Group J of Private Bills, That the parties promoting the North Metrostated that the evidence of William F. politan Electric Power Supply Bill had Ellis, of No. 4, Grand Parade, Green Lanes, chemist, was essential to their case; and, it having been proved that his attendance could not be procured without the intervention of the House, he had been instructed to move that the said William F. Ellis do attend the said Committee tomorrow, at half-past Eleven of the clock. Ordered, That William F. Ellis do attend the Committee on Group J of Private Bills tomorrow, at half-past Eleven of the clock. COLWYN BAY AND COLWYN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL BILL. Reported, with Amendments; Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed.* MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS. That they have agreed to Shepton Mallet Gas Bill, without Amendment. Amendment to London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Bill [Lords]. Amendments to Wrexham Water Bill [Lords], Darley Dale Water Bill [Lords]. without Amendment. That they have passed a Bill, intituled, "An Act to empower the Urban District Council of Buxton to construct additional waterworks, and to make further and better provision for the good government and health of the district; and for other purposes." [Buxton Urban District Council Bill (Lords).] BUXTON URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL BILL [LORDS]. Read the first time; and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills. GROCERS' LICENCES (SCOTLAND). ROYAL OBSERVATORY (EDINBURGH). L'etition from Dundee, in favour; to Scotland [by Command]; to lie upon lie upon the Table. LAND TRANSFER ACT, 1897. Petition from Wandsworth, for inquiry into the compulsory system of registration; to lie upon the Table. LICENSING BILL. Petitions in favour: From Ilkeston and South Farnborough; to lie upon the Table. lie LIQUOR TRAFFIC LOCAL VETO the Table. PENAL SERVITUDE ACTS (CONDI- Copy presented of Licence granted to Petition from Dundee, in favour; to detention in Aylesbury Prison, permitting upon the Table. her to be at large on condition that she enter the Reading Refuge and Laundry Home and there remain for a period not less than one year [by Act]; to lie upon the Table. ULTIMUS HERES (SCOTLAND) (ACCOUNT AND LIST OF ESTATES). Return presented relative thereto [ordered 2nd May; Mr. Austen Chamberprinted. [No. 163.] lain]; to lie upon the Table, and to be |