§ On Motion for going into Committee, according to order,
§ THE EARL OF ELLENBOROUGHsuggested to the noble Lord the Secretary for War that it would be advisable not to press on the Bill at present. It was impossible to say what turn the present state of affairs might take or what steps it might be necessary to take in the next fortnight to strengthen the military resources of the country, and he thought, therefore, that it would be advisable not to press on the Bill at present.
§ LORD PANMUREbelieved that any man who attempted to put into execution a compulsory ballot would totally fail. For his own part he had great confidence in the patriotic spirit of the people of this country, and he thought that under the voluntary system it would be quite possible to make any addition to the military strength of the country that might be deemed necessary. He could not therefore think that any advantage would arise from postponing the Bill.
VISCOUNT DUNGANNONhoped that the confidence of the noble Lord was not 554 misplaced, but he feared that in consequence of what had taken place in Ireland on disbanding the militia, he might find more difficulty in raising the militia in that country than he anticipated. He quite concurred in the suggestion of the noble Earl to postpone the measure.
§ House in Committee: Bill reported, without Amendment; and to be read 3a on Thursday next.