Viscount Strangfordpresented three petitions, the first from the Legislative Council of Lower Canada, in provincial assembly, relative to the general question of any alteration in the Timber Duties; the second from the Members of the United Colonial Shipping Committee of the city of London, stating the injurious operation which any change in the ad-measurement of deals would have on the shipping interest; and the third from the North American Association connected with the port of Liverpool, as to the effect which would also be produced on the colonial exports of the country. As to the first point, he had already, in a former part of the Session, received some information from the noble Lord at the head of the Colonial Department; but with respect to the second, some of the petitioners with whom he had been in communication, were apprehensive lest the matter should be taken out of the hands of Parliament by the effect of some sudden diplomatic arrangement elsewhere, and, therefore, he hoped the noble Lord at the head of the department, would now give him some satisfactory assurance on the subject.
§ Lord Glenelgsaid, that having already given an answer to the first question on a former occasion, he was happy now to be enabled to relieve the anxiety of those who were interested in the second point alluded to by the noble Viscount (Strangford), by stating, that it was not the intention of Government to propose any alteration with respect to the admeasurement of deals, or the mode of levying the duties, during the present Session. On the other point, he begged to assure the noble Viscount the parties need be under no apprehension whatever.
Vicount Strangfordwas much obliged to the noble Lord for the satisfactory answer he had given; but he ventured to express a hope, that before any alterations were introduced, due notice would be given to the parties interested in the matter.