§ Mr. Hawesthought it had been understood that no 1180 business of importance was to be brought on pending the discussion on the Corn-laws. He did not complain, however, of proceeding with the railway, but respecting the next bill on the orders—namely, the Colonial Passengers Bill—he wished to put a question to the noble Lord the Secretary for the Colonies. Believing it to be precisely the same in principle, though perhaps not in all details, with the bill before the House last year, he (Mr. Hawes) meant to give it his most strenuous opposition. Therefore, he begged to ask the noble Lord, whether he meant to move the second reading of his bill that evening. If so, it would be necessary for him to take the sense of the House on the question. On the other hand, if the noble Lord did not mean to proceed to-night, he trusted he would fix some day when the House would have have an opportunity of going into a discussion on the second reading. The bill had been only delivered to Members that morning.
Lord Stanleyhad not expected that the bill would receive any opposition. It was true that it had been put in the hands of hon. Members that morning; but it was entirely founded on the report of the commission which hon. Members had had for a fortnight. Looking to the period of the year coming on, he was very anxious for the bill to come into operation during the present year; but if the hon. Member meant to take the sense of the House on the second reading, he should not move it that night, but fix it for some day when it could be discussed.
§ Second reading deferred.