Mr. Staveley Hill has so maimed the Mines (Coal) Regulation
Bill that it is doubtful whether, as amended, it will be of any mate- rial use,—and he has been supported in so doing by Mr. Gathorne Hardy, in spite of those beneficent Conservative principles which Mr. Disraeli represented at Sydenham as so much more humane. in all social matters than are those of the Liberals. The question was as to the penalties to be imposed for employing persons contrary to the provisions of the Bill, and Mr. Staveley Hill desired to amend the penalty clause by making it apply only to those owners who "knowingly and wilfully" employ women and children whom the Bill forbids them to employ. As the owner will hardly ever need to know what malpractices are going on in his mine, unless he- suffers for not knowing, this amendment, carried against the Government by a majority of 15 (185 to 170), and strongly sup- ported by Mr. Hardy, completely emasculates the Bill. We hope Mr. Disraeli's "historical conscience" will bear this in mind when next he misrepresents the Liberal party as indifferent to social reforms, and the Conservatives as enthusiastic for them. It is only fair to add that Mr. Disraeli himself did not vote with Mr. Hardy, but neither did he vote with the Liberals, as he did for the old Ten Hours' Bill when it was so tenaciously opposed by the- Conservative Government of Sir Robert Peel nearly thirty years. ago.
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