§ Mr. Leadersaid, that he wished to put a question to the noble Lord, the Secretary for the Colonies. It appeared that two-thirds of the population of the provinces of Canada were Catholics, and the Roman Catholic religion was the established religion there by statute, nevertheless cases of violence have been committed by Orange Societies in that country. In consequence of this a bill was passed during the last Session of the Provincial Parliament for suppressing these Orange Societies, which act was, as he understood, nearly a transcript of one 681 passed by the Imperial Legislature. Notwithstanding these circumstances the bill had been reserved by Sir Charles Metcalfe, the governor of the colony, until he had obtained the opinion of the Home Government on it. Now he wished to know whether the conduct of Sir Charles Metcalfe, in the reservation of this bill, met with the approval of the Government; and also whether it was the intention of the Colonial-office to withhold the consent of the Government to this bill?
Lord Stanleyreplied, that he had ascertained by inquiring, in consequence of the notification which the hon. Gentleman had given to him of his intention to put this question, that on the 9th of December last, Sir Charles Metcalfe did reserve his assent to a bill for the suppression of illegal associations in Canada. The bill in question had not yet been transmitted to the Colonial-office by the Governor of Canada, and not having any official information as to its contents, he therefore could not give any answer to the question of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Leadersaid, that the reservation of the bill took place some time ago. He should therefore like to know when it was likely to arrive in this country.
Lord Stanleyreplied, that since the 9th of December, there had been only one mail, by which Sir Charles Metcalfe might have transmitted this bill, but in the circumstances in which he was placed, it was not unreasonable to suppose, that his time was so occupied as to render it difficult, or, perhaps, impossible to draw up all his reasons for withholding his assent to the bill in time to transmit it to this country by the mail. No doubt, in a very short time he should receive the bill from Canada, and he should then be ready to give an answer to the question of the hon. Gentleman; but he must add, that he did not think that such a long time had elapsed, as there had been the omission of only one mail which could form any ground of complaint against Sir Charles Metcalfe.