§ Mr. Hume moved an humble address for copies of the Addresses from Nova Scotia to his Majesty in the years 1834, 1835, and 1836, respecting the foreign trade of that province, and the Customs' establishment. He believed, that no objection would be made to the motion, his object being, that an inquiry should be set on foot to obtain information with regard to the trade of the colony, and the mode in which the Customs' duties were managed. The annual amount of those duties did not exceed 14,000l., while a sum of no less than 10,000l. a-year was expended in paying the officers, and maintaining the Customs' establishment of that colony; and his complaint was, that due attention had not been paid to the remonstrances of those who had addressed his Majesty upon the subject, and who justly felt aggrieved that the Government had so long neglected to attend to their earnest prayers for inquiry. Let the House just look at the salaries of the Customs'-house officers in this colony:—there was 2,000l. for the Collectors; the Comptroller General of Customs, 1,000l.; two Tide-waiters, 800l., &c. These were but specimens of the sums that were squandered in this department, without securing for the inhabitants of the colony that efficient Customs' system which they had so long unsuccessfully demanded.
§ Mr. Arthur Trevor moved, that the House be counted; but there being forty Members present,
§ Mr. Humecontinued: he contended, that if the present system was allowed to go on, it would be impossible that this country should govern her colonies with, satisfaction to the colonists, and credit to herself. He thought a good case was made out for demanding these papers. The hon. Member concluded by making his motion.
§ Motion agreed to.