Mr. Rosemoved the order of the day for taking into further consideration the report on the Southern Whale Fishery bill; which being read, he said there was a clause proposed to be added, to which he understood there were many weighty objections, as it related to the revenue, and was of the utmost importance. In consequence of the absence of his right hon. friend, the chancellor of the exchequer, he proposed, therefore, to postpone the further consideration till tomorrow.
Mr. Barhamobjected to this delay. He said, he had asked the right hon. gent. who spoke last, when this business was to be peremptorily brought on, and he told him today. Many gentlemen had therefore come down at very considerable inconvenience in order to attend it, and there was at present a fuller attendance than could be expected again during the session. He had come on purpose himself, and it would be very inconvenient to him to attend to-morrow. He hoped, therefore, the house would proceed.
Mr. S. Bournesaid, that in addition to the reasons given by his right hon. friend (Mr. Rose,) there was one he thought would weigh with the house. As this was a subject which very materially concerned the revenue, the absence of his right hon. friend the chancellor of the exchequer would, he hoped, induce the house to agree to postpone it till to-morrow.
§ Mr. Calcraftsaid, the subject had been very fully argued in former stages of the bill, and he saw no reason why the chancellor of the exchequer should necessarily be present now; however, if the right hon. gent. was ill, he would not oppose the delay.
Mr. William Smithsaid, he should be sorry to press a question under Such circumstances; but he saw no reason why the right hon. gentleman's presence was necessary.
§ Sir. Charles Pricethought the bill of the highest importance, and that it was only a 730 compliment due to the right hon. the chancellor of the exchequer to defer it.
§ Lord H. Pettyexpressed himself decidedly against delay.
§ Mr. Huskissonassured the house that the cause which prevented the chancellor of the exchequer from attending the day before yesterday still existed, and that was indisposition.
§ Mr. Gilessaid, the only question was, whether five ships, belonging to foreigners, should be received without paying alien duties, and it was ridiculous to suppose the house could not determine such a point without the presence of the chancellor of the exchequer.
Mr. Rosesaid, they had lately heard talk of jobs in that house; this clause would, he believed, turn out a job to deprive the revenue of a 21,000l. and upwards, and it would give a preference to foreign ships, built at less expence, victualled at less expence, and subject to no insurance, over those of our own country.
§ Sir W. Curtisthought the bill of the highest importance, and that it should be postponed in order to have the benefit of the great talents of the right hon. gent. now absent.
§ Mr. Windhamsaid, that so near as they were to the close of the session, a full attendance was a most desirable thing, in all matters of importance. As he did not think there would be a fuller attendance than the present, if there was no other objection than the absence of the chancellor of the exchequer, he saw no reason for deferring it.
Mr. Alexandersaid a few words in favour, of postponement; when the question being called for; a division took place. Ayes, 38; noes, 29; majority, 9. The further consideration was of course postponed till to-morrow.—Adjourned.