§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD DENMANsaid, there had been no Notice of opposition to it; but the question was one which would be much better argued in Committee than on the second reading. The only objection to it had been that the subject required discussion. As their Lordships were all anxious to consider other things, he would content himself with simply moving the second reading.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a"—(The Lord Denman.)
§ THE EARL OF IDDESLEIGHsaid, that this subject was of great importance, and it was desirable to thoroughly consider it before arriving at a decision. He doubted very much whether, in present circumstances, the Bill could receive all the consideration to which it was entitled. It would, in his opinion, be an unfortunate circumstance if any vote should be taken on a matter which he believed to be one of great value. He would ask the noble Lord to let the Bill stand over, in order to see what the opposition to the measure was before they went into Committee on it.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (The Earl of KIMBERLEY)said, that whatever might be their opinion as to the measure, everyone would admit that it was a subject of great importance. It was not, therefore, desirable that it should be treated in a light or off-hand manner. He hoped the noble Lord would withdraw the Bill on that occasion.
LORD DENMANsaid that, looking at the state of Public Business, he would postpone the second reading until the 1st [subsequently altered to 8th] of July.
§ Second Reading put off to Thursday the 8th of July next.