§ Mr. William Smith O'BrienSir, I rise according to notice, to move the Repeal of the Tax on Window Glass; and, however inconvenient it may be to the right hon. Gentleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to bring forward motions of this description before he has made his financial statement, yet I consider any Member is perfectly justified in claiming that relief which he thinks is called for by any particular class of the community; besides which, Sir, I conceive myself justified in bringing forward this motion, by the example of two hon. Members who have already brought forward questions relative to the taxation of this country. Those hon. Members were doubtless influenced in the course they pursued by a conviction of the necessity that existed for extending relief to those particular portions of the community whose claims they advocate; and I own Sir, I am influenced in the motion I am about to make by the same motive, my object being to give relief to a most useful class of men, viz. the glass manufacturers; and though I will not argue this as an Irish question, I will acknowledge, that being deeply interested in the welfare of the Irish peasantry, I should be glad if the incidental consequence of the Repeal, or reduction of the duty on glass, shall be to materially improve the condition of my fellow countrymen.
§ An Hon. Member moved, that the House be counted, but there being more than 324 forty Members present, no adjournment took place.
Mr. O'Brien:I confess I am surprised at finding a question of such importance met in this way; however, as it will be impossible for me, in the present disposition of the House, to press it upon their attention, I withdraw my motion for the present. At the same time, I do protest against the system so frequently adopted, of getting rid of an inconvenient motion in this manner.
§ Motion withdrawn.