§ The House went into Committee on this Bill.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ On Clause 1.
§ SIR M. E. HICKS-BEACH (Bristol, W.)expressed a hope that the Bill would not be proceeded with at that hour. The measure repealed certain Imperial enactments under which the Australian Colonies were not allowed to impose preferential duties on goods coming from one country as against goods coming from another. It might very well be right to remove those restrictions with respect to the Australian Colonies in dealing with one another; but it was very questionable whether the total repeal of these provisions was necessary. That would enable the colonies to give preferential treatment to a foreign country as against the mother country. Such a proposal ought to be properly considered.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (MR. SYDNEY BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)said, that he would postpone the further consideration of the Bill if the Right hon. Gentleman desired it.
§ Progress reported, Committee to sit again on Monday next.