§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time.
§ MR. BAXTERobjected that the House had not had sufficient time to consider this measure, which was of great importance, and affected all the great gas companies and gas consumers of the whole country. It involved both inspection and taxation. He complained that the promoters of the Bill had sent a circular to his constituents animadverting upon his conduct in objecting to the progress of the Bill on a previous evening at so late a period of the Session, and calling upon them to use their influence to prevent his opposing the Bill further. He moved as an Amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day three months.
§ Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words, "upon this day three months."
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONsaid, that all that could be agreed to by the second reading would be that all gas should be regulated by one uniform standard. Any discussion of detail of what was an important measure might be taken in Committee.
§ MR. DALGLISHsupported the Bill.
§ MR. TURNERapproved of the principle of the Bill, but there were objections which might be remedied in Committee.
§ Question, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question," put and agreed to.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read 2°.