§ MR. DILLWYN (for Mr. DODDS)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he will postpone the Second Reading of the Friendly Societies Bill for a short time, in order that sufficient time may be allowed for its provisions to be read and considered in the Country?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, that the Bill was almost identical with the Bill that was introduced and read a second time last Session. Some few alterations were made in it, being almost entirely in the direction of recommendations of persons interested in these societies. As regarded the principle of the Bill, it had 271 been so completely before the country, and so well considered, that there could be no reason for delaying the second reading. He admitted there were a good many questions which might arise in Committee, and he therefore proposed that a considerable time should elapse between the second reading and the subsequent stage. Taking the second reading on Monday, he would not fix the Committee till the 8th of March.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEsaid, he hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not press the Bill so hastily, and in saying that he was expressing the feeling of many hon. Members. He was sure opposition would be offered to proceeding with the Bill on Monday.