MR. BRADIAUGH AND THE OATH.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 21 July 1880, Page 2

MR. BRADIAUGH AND THE OATH.

. « . The European Mail says : " The obs. served of all observers " in the House of Commons on the 3rd May wa9 Mr Charles Bradlaugh. Afler a batch of newly-fledged MP.'s had taken the necessary oaths and tendered their al« legiance to the Constitution, Mr Bradlaugh, last, though not least in physical proportions, in modest and calm de« meanour asked permission to make an affirmation instead of taking; the usual oath, he being infidel. Having intimated what ha was prepared to do, he was res quested to withdraw, when Lord Frederick Cavendish, who reprrsented thp necessary absent Ministers, in prearranged order moved a resolution that a committee be appointed to collect legal materials on which the House mighl found a decision to meet the exigencies of tbe c ase. This proposition was so rea« sonable that it met with immediate and general acceptance. Four or five members of the Opposition benches, including Mr Gregory, Earl Percy, Mr Onslow. MrGorst, and Mr Jleresford-Hope, ap patently somewhat apprehensive that the foundations of the Constitution might be undermined, enforced caution and pleaded for delay. One of them said that a « mine had beeu sprung upon them, and that it was necessary that no decision should be come to but in the presence of responsible Ministers, and a fully formed House.' All the objections were, however, overruled, and the resolution was accepted without a division. It is to be hoped that no unnecessary impediments will be placed in the way of a speedy settlement of this matter. Judging from some captious reinaiks that fell i

i'rom the Opposition benches, such lm* pediments may b 1 raised ; and, if raised, Mr firadlangh will not be t lie loser. He will have do ol j^ction to s«im on a wave of notoriety created for him. He does not appear to seek it, but if it come in his way ho wou'd not run <jw;>y from it. The sooner the question is solved the bet ter for the time and the peace of the House. We have no sympathy with Mr Bradlaugh's peculiar views. Sut occupying, as he does, an unchallenged seat in the House of Commons, he will probably firmly stand on his right, and whatever opposition may be raised against him will have ultimately to yield. We venture therefore to sugg^l that, after the commit! ee has reported immediate step 3 be taken to solve the problem with as little discussion and as much judgment as possible.