HC Deb 04 August 1871 vol 208 cc885-6

Order for Committee read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

MR. CARDWELL (in the absence of Mr. GLADSTONE)

said, he must appeal to the hon. Member for Penrhyn (Mr. Eastwick) to postpone his Motion relative to British subjects being permitted to wear foreign decorations given as rewards for services rendered to the sick and wounded in the field during war, under the Convention of Geneva, to enable the hon. and learned Member for Richmond (Sir Roundell Palmer) to proceed with his remarks relative to the Treaty of Washington.

MR. EASTWICK

said, he was afraid if he gave way he should not have another opportunity this Session for bringing the subject forward. It was too much to expect independent Members, who had great difficulty in getting their Motions in a favourable position to give way, when the opportunity arrived of their being able to proceed with them; but at the same time he was willing to accede to the request of the right hon. Gentleman, if assured of a favourable opportunity being granted to him before the close of the Session.

MR. CARDWELL

said, the hon. Member would have several opportunities of doing so on Supply during the present Session, for it would stand on the Paper for the next few days.

MR. BAILLIE COCHRANE

said, he had a Motion of great importance to the Australian colonies relative to the postage question which he wished to bring forward. The Washington Treaty ought not to have been brought on that afternoon at an hour which it must have been known would not admit of the discussion being closed before the House would suspend its sitting, and he thought it was insulting, to say the least, to ask independent Members to postpone their Motions on that account. He hoped, if he gave way, an opportunity would be given to him of bringing the subject forward this Session.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, the hon. Gentlemen would have an opportunity every day next week of bringing on his Motion.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

said, that seeing no chance of submitting his Mo- tion on the subject of Treaties binding this country to intervene by Force of Arms in Continental disputes, he would withdraw it for the Session.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Committee deferred till Monday next.