SUEZ MAIL NEWS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3038, 22 March 1881, Page 3

SUEZ MAIL NEWS

(Reuters Speciaii Telegram.)

i London, February 11. The Housa of Commons, which assembled at 4 o'clock on the 31st January to continue the debate on the motion of Mr Forster for leave to introduce the Coercion Bill, sat uninterruptedly through the night of the 31st, all through the Ist and the night of the Ist until 9.30 on the morning of the 2nd February, when the discussion was peremptorily closed by the Speaker. The Speaker pointed out that a crisis had arrived demanding the prompt interposition of the chair, and that the rules of the House proved powerless to ensure ordinary effect being given to debate. An important and urgent measure was arrested by an inconsiderable minority of members, who resorted to modes of obstruction recognised by the House as a parliamentary offience. The dignity, credit, and authority of the House had been seriously threatened, and it was necessary to vindicate them. The Speaker, therefore, declined calling upon any more members. The Speaker proceeded to put the questions to the House, when the amendment of Professor Lyons, demanding the precedenje of remedial legislation, was therefore negatived by 164 against 19. The Speaker proceeded to put the question that leave be given to introduce the bill, whereupon the Irish members rose to their feet and shouted " privilege." During several minutes,- and amid unparalled uproar, the Irish members finally left the House in a body. Mr Foster brought in the bill amidst cheering, and the first reading was passed. Mr Gladstone then gave notice of motion that if, upon notice being given that State business was urgent, and if on a call by the Speaker forty members should support the demand of urgency by raising in their places, the Speaker shall forthwith put the question without debate. Mr Gladstone was proceeding to address the House in support of the motion, when he was interrupted by Mr Dillon, who, disregarding the order of the' Speaker, resumed his seat. He wae named and suspended, and on declining to leave the House was removed by the Sergeant-at-Arms. Mr Parnell, pursuing a similar ,' course, was suspended and expelled by a subsequent vote. Immediately following this two Parnellites were ejected for refusing to leave the House when the division was called. Mr Gladstone's resolution was then adopted. The proceedings occupied four hours. Mr Gladstone afterwards made an eloquent and impassioned speech—one of his greatest oratorical efforts—deploring the necessity for new rules, the adoption of which had become a question of honor or dishonor, life or death for the House. The Government accepted the amendment of Sir Stafford Nortbcote that the Crown Minister be required to state the reasons for urgency. The debate on the second reading of the bill occupied five sittings, and terminated on the Bth, when the second reading was paesen by 359 to 56. The Speaker laid on the table new rules for the better conduct of public business ; they are stringent, and will effectually in future. They intoduce the foreign system of cloture on certain conditions, and enable the Speaker to silence members guilty of continued irrevelence and tedious repetition.

There is much public concern at the unsatisfactory result of Sir George Colley's operatios against the Transvaal Boer?. It ia hoped that tho arrival of Sir Evelyn Wood with reinforcements will turn the scale before Sir George Colley suffers still greater disaster. The Government have again offered General Colley further reinforcements.

After the capture of Geak Tepe, General Scediioff pushed forward towards Merv Desert, although it is uncertain yet whether he intends to occupy Merv itself. The Government declared in the House of Commons that no negotiations had been opened with Russia on the subject, and they did not believe that it was intended taking Merv.

The Chilian conditions of peace are stated to te the session of Autofagasta and the surrounding districts, the surrender of the allied ileef, and the payment of a war indemnity of £30,000,000 sterling, Peru to contribute £20,000, and Bolivia £10,000,000. Until the full payment of the indemnity Chili will occupy Cablao, and work on its own account the guano deposits and copper and saltpetre mines. The semi-official North German Gazette lately published articles violently attacking Mr Gambetta, and declaring that his accession to power would be received by Germany with deep distrust, as indicating the triumph of the French war party.

Bombay, February 25. The embarkation of the 14th Hussars for Natal, which was to have taken place to-day, was countermanded pending further orders.

No steps have been taken towards the evacuation of Candahar, but a large convoy with ammunition is reported to have left Candahar for Quetta recently.