The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-17 00:00:00

AT ELECTIONS BILL

Sir JOHN PAKINGTON said that the second read-
ing of the Bribery at Elections Bill stood for Wednes-
day next, the 21st. Now, that day happened to be Ash-
Wednesday, and as it was the custom of the House to
adjourn over Ash-Wednesday, he wished to ask the
Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) whether it was his
intention to adjourn the House over Wednesday next,
or to have the usual morning sitting?
Lord J. RUSSELL was anxious, for the sake' of the
public business, to continue the morning sittings, and he
should therefore propose on Monday that the House ad-
journ at its rising on Tuesday till two o'clock on Wed-
nesday, in order to give such Hon. Gentlemen as Chose
the opportunity of attending Divine service.
WAR IN THE PUNJAUB.

Mr. G. THOMPSON wished to ask the Noble Lord
at the head of the Government whether he intended to
lay the papers connected with the war in the Punjaub,
in April last, on the table of the House?
Lord J. RUSSELL said that the papers were not yet
prepared, but as soon as they were ready they should be
presented.
NAVIGATION-LAWS:

Mr. LABOUCHERE said that he intended to move
the second reading of the Bill for the amendment
of the navigation-laws; but having received an intima-
tion from the Hon. Member for Stamford (Mr. Harries)
that such a proceeding would be inconvenient to him, he
intended to postpone the second reading until Monday,
March 5.

Mr. RICARDO wondered why there !should be any
such unnecessary delay. He thought that if postponed
to this day week it would be quite long enough.
• Mr. HERRIES trusted that the Noble Lord would
not be impelled by any pressUre from behind to proceed
in 11„.w4y, which must be productive of great inconve-
nience. If from no other inducetnent, surely respect for
the. House would be sufficient.

Lord J. RUSSELL said that as the prolongation was
only from Friday, to Monday, no unnecessary delay
could be imputed.
Mr. WAWN wished to ask the Right Hon. the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he was prepared
to state what concessions. Government were prepared to
make in the shape of a reduction of taxation.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was
not prepared to state now what reductions would be
made, but they would be developed in the course of the
discussions on the estimates•

Mr. HUAIE thought the Right Hon. Gentleman ought
to answer the question then. Did Government mean to
take the duty off timber, because if they did not, this
measure on the navigation laws would give the foreigner
an advantage over the British shipbuilder, which would
be a most unjust proceeding.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought
it best to defer disclosing the natuie of the reductions.
The Bill was then ordered to be read a second time
on Monday, the sth March.
ARMY ESTIMATES.

Mr. FOX MAULE brought up the army estimates,
which were ordered to be printed.

NAVY ESTIMATES.

Mr. WARD brought up the nary estimates, which
were ordered to be printed.
Mr. HUME wished to know, in reference to these
estimates, whether Government would lay upon
the table at an early period, and before the discussion
upon the estimates, an account of the difference between
these estimates and those of last year, so that the House
might see what reductions had been made, in accordance
with the recommendation of the Committee which sat
last year.
Tile CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was
surprised at such a question coming from the Hon.
Gentleman, who surely must be aware that the esti-
mates were frequently altered before they were passed.