Lord Folkestonepre- 436 sented a petition from the Tanners of London against the Oak Bark bill.—Upon the motion being made for its lying on the table,
Lord Templestated, that he had, upon the subject of this petition, taken occasion to communicate, as his duty presented to him, with the tanners of London, among whom he found some considerable alarm prevailed, relative to the bill before the house. But the result of this communication served fully to convince his mind, that that alarm was not well founded. Such indeed was his opinion, even before the conference took place. But still he felt it not only his duty, but his inclination, to consult any class of men interested in a question of this nature; to consider their opinions, to examine their objections, and even to pay attention to their prejudices. He would therefore propose to allow full time for enquiring farther upon this subject, in order that the grounds upon which the petitioners rested their objections to the bill before the house might be amply investigated. For that purpose he would move, that the second reading of the bill should be postponed till this day fortnight. In the interim the case might be diligently examined; and as the Oak Bark trade was suspended, at least until May, no injury could result from the proposed delay, to those concerned for the carrying of the bill.—The petition was ordered to lie on the table, and lord Temple's motion for the second reading of the bill on this day fortnight was agreed to.