§ Mr. Laboucherebegged to ask the right hon. Gentleman, the Vice-President of the Board of Trade, what course he proposed to pursue with regard to the motion of which he had given notice for to-morrow, in reference to the importation of goods in the British colonies? He imagined that the right hon. Gentleman would take the usual course of laying his plan before the House, and adjourn the final consideration of the question to a future day.
§ Mr W. E. Gladstonesaid, that the right hon. Gentleman had correctly estimated the course he intended to pursue. His intention was, to move that the House do resolve itself into a committee of the whole House, to consider the acts relating to the trade of the British possessions abroad, and to make certain alterations in the duties now by law payable upon goods, wares, and merchandises imported and brought into the British possessions in America and the Mauritius. He should, then, submit a schedule of the duties which he proposed to substitute for those which now existed, and, having moved that it be printed, be should propose a postponement of the discussion to a future day, until which he should not ask for any vote. Undoubtedly, he should wish to fix that day for the earliest period possible, consistently with the nature of the subject, and the business of the House.