The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-16 00:00:00

BILL.

On the order for the consideration of this bill, as amended
by the House of Lords,
Mr. A. EGERTON opposed the bill on the ground that
it was not good public policy to permit railway companies
to become steamboat proprietors in addition to their present
responsibilities. In the past the house had repeatedly re-
fused granting such powers to railway companies. Here
power was sought to run boats between Harwich. Flushing,
and Antwerp. The subject should be referred to a select
committee. He moved that the bill be considered this day
two months. . .

....._
Mr. WARNER seconded the motion.
Capt. JERVIS supported the bill. The house had
authorised the Great Eastern Railway to make a line to
Harwich at a cost of £25,000, and surely it would be MOW'
sinus to prevent th, m from bringing traffic to their line by
means of a new and expedition- line of packets: (Hear,
hear) Other railway companies had been permitted
to run boats, and there were the strongest reasons
why the powers sought should be conferred upon
this company. The transit of passengers and goods to the
north of Europe would be materially cheapened, so that he
was not surprised the General Steam Navigation CompaDY
opposed this bill in order to perp&tuate a monopoly. (Hear)
Lord STANLEY oppesed the bill on the ground that It
wou'd establish a monopoly over the sea traffic, which might
be worked at a loss so as to obtain traffic to this railisra)';
It would be well to reler the matter to a select comet
ttee
and to take evidence upon the matter. tee Said the
Mr. WOODD, as chairman of the commit
allowedt the
case to be_mpanies
company had made out a strong
powers sought, but he objected delegating cu
such extensive prives.
Mr. M. GißSONile sg aid there were P e.dents for the
p(
al Ir el
jaar:
granting of such powers as thoeesoughtieoctuteesbiolli
hear.) As the select committee of both
ment had approved of the bills, he did not think the house
No persons
would do well to throw the: -tltit.
on between Har-
having established steam cotarotuer
Willing to forego
h
with and Rotterdam, were willing to give the
giving powers to a comv - anYrobable that in the future
public that boon, because it vinPan
d seek power to do it?
some person mignt come !orW
that this was one of the excep-
s to run steamboats should be
Sir H. CAIRNS demed
practice of the house. The
tional cases in which powers
at tbseB its railway and steamboat rates
granted, looking
to be run off the
company might so arrcorn
as to run off all other
Mr. CLAY stud tberePweetirneg nobo boatsboats.
. . _

cAntNS went on to contend that the commit-
route.
the house sufficient evidence, as was
Sir H. t before
to support the granting of the powers
tee had not
usual in simPiluar_e_ases,
sought by
few ords from Mr. CRA:WP
the bill.
After a -- ORD, amidst cries of
"divide,"
„yr AssßY said public policy was materially con-
Nr. 4-- • and similar measures. If they gave cerned in this
s and ambitious railway
enormous companies extra pwers
ss in this case they had security that they would not
virtually endow them.with monopolies inimical to the public
welfare. In this case the railway company would
enjoy a virtual monopoly. The bill was not originated
in that but the other house, the standing orders of which
were not very strict with respeA to the introduction of such
bills. Besides, the select committee had net, as stated by
the hon. and learned
gentleman opposite, adduced a suffi-
cient evidence a by the house
After a few words from Mr.sahozuNldLmayc,cede to the bill.
Mr. COBBOLD, as connected with the locality and its
railways, Warmly supported the bill. This bill had not been
brought forward until every means had been taken to in-
dnt e existing steam companies to put on a regular line of
communication, one having existed for centuries. (Divide,
divide.)
Mr. LOCKE said the real question was whether the
General Steam Navigation Company, which ran from the
Thames and occupied a long time in the passage to Rotter-
dam, should have the monopoly instead of the new company.
(Hear, hear.) Harwich was the natural port, and the
shortest and quickest sea voyage.
Mr. MALINS supported the bill.
Sir H. BRUCE said the subject was thoroughly investi-
gated by the committee, who heard counsel at great length
on both sides. (Divide, divide.)
After a few words from Mr. HAISARD and Mr. ADAMS,
who trusted the house would not act unjustly to the pro-
moters after the great expense to which they had been put,
The SPEAKER read the standing order of the houset'and
said, according to his interpretation, they had not in this
case been complied with. He suggested that the bill should
be recommitted, with an instruction to the committee to
state their reasons for approving of the bill, which
they had snot, done, and which was imperative, according
to those orders. Speaker was adopted,
Ultimately the proposition of the Sp
and the amendment withdrawn.