HL Deb 30 January 1860 vol 156 cc258-9
VISCOUNT DUNGANNON

said, he had to present to their Lordships a petition of a very important character indeed. It had originated at a very large meeting of the clergy and laity of the rural deanery of Wrexham, in the diocese of St. Asaph, which was presided over by the Archdeacon. In that diocese an association had been formed of clergy and laity for the protection, as far as in them lay, of the interests of the Established Church, and for endeavouring to secure that what ever changes were effected, the Established Church should still remain in its full efficiency and purity. The petitioners suggested that the fact that some hundreds of parishes had refused to pay church rates was no plea whatever for their entire abolition, when so many thousands of parishes did not object to pay them. They stated that they did not propose anything in the nature of a compromise; because it was not a compromise but utter abolition, and the entire overthrow of the Established Church, that the enemies of church rates required. They also suggested for their Lordships' consideration some very important points which they conceived would tend greatly to remove the existing grounds of contention and complaint. They suggested that it would be necessary to have pointed out what was considered indispensable for the performance of Divine service, and properly-chargeable to the church rate. Also, that the law relating to district parishes should be amended. There was much to complain of in this respect. The inhabitants of such parishes not only paid for their district church, but were required also to pay rates for the parish church, which they never frequented; and this called for a legislative remedy. The petitioners suggested further that easy means should be provided for compelling payment of a rate lawfully made. Therefore he felt it to be his duty, not simply to present a petition of this kind, which loudly called for consideration, but to do it that justice which the importance of the subject commanded, The noble Viscount then presented a Petition of Clergy and Lay Consultees of Wrexham against the Abolition of Church Rates.

Petition read; and ordered to lie on the table.