§ Mr. Windhammoved the order of the day for the 3d reading of this bill.
Sir W. Elford roes ,to make a few observations on that part of the bill, which suspended the ballot for the militia. The ballot was already suspended as to those regiments that were above their establishment; but the suspension ought not, in his opinion, to be extended to those which wee below their establishment. This diminution of their numbers had been the effect of volunteering into the line. As to the plan of substituting a bounty, instead of the ballot,he thought it subversive of the principles on which the militia service was founded, namely, the prerogative of the king to call out a part of the people in defence of the country. From this it followed, of course that the service was in its nature compulsory and that a ballot must be employed to prevent arbitrary restrictions to particular classes. Ballot had accordingly been hitherto successfully employed fur this purpose. He then contended, that compulsory service in the navy would be rendered more like some and invidious, by doing away the ballot for the militia. As 904 to the system of ballot bearing unequally on the rich and the poor, he maintained that this was precisely on the same footing with the other advantages which were derived from wealth. The rich, in this as in other cases, procured others to do that for them, which the poor were compelled to do for themselves.
§ Mr. Windhamobserved, that he intended to propose a clause, by way of rider, which would do away the objections of the hon. baronet. While the militia was on he whole above that establishment which had been thought sufficient, there were some regiments considerably below it; and this clause would leave it in the power of the crown to raise such reduced regiments up to their complement, whenever it might seem proper. This measure would keep alive the idea of ballot; and as to the question of bounty, since it was not proposed, at present, to have recourse to it, he would leave it open for future discussion.—The bill was then read a third time, and Mr. W. brought up a clause, enabling his majesty, if he shall think fit, to direct the ballot to take place, for supplying vacancies in regiments reduced below their establishment. This clause was then made part of the bill, by way of rider, and the bill was passed.