The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-19 00:00:00

JIIGHWAYS BILL.

On the order of tha day for the second reading of this
bill,
Mr. DISRAELI said--A committee was recently ap-
pointed to consider whether any changes could be intro-
duced into the mode of conducting the public business
which Would tend to facilitate its progress through the
house. One of the great objections raised against the pre-
sent system in the debate on themotion for the appointment
of that committee was that the privilege of bringing forward
questions on going into Ccnamitte,e of Supply was carried to
such an extent that it was impossible to know when the
main business of the evening would come on for discussion.
When the Navy Estimates, for example, are on the paper,
le come down and find some gentleman bringing forward
the grieVances of Whitechapel. Perhaps there may be good
reasons for that course of procedure, but I beg to call atten-
ticrn to the manner in which the programme of business is
prepared for the information of the house by the Govern-
tient. I came down to-night to discuss the Highways Bill,
a siihjeet iii 'which my constituents, and the constituents,
no
interested. The Highways Bill stands first on the paper,
but doubt,
whenbt, anamy hon. gentlemen on both sides, are much
cant nobody proceeded with it. It ought
dWag
at least, those responsible
to have been proceeded with, -
to the house
for the bill ought to have given some reaso.... . re
why it was postponed. The second order is the Post-0i..,
Savings-banks Bill, a subject which at present engages
public attention. I know that many members came down
to-night purposely to receive information respecting that
bill, and to offer their opinions upon it ; but it was passed
over in silence, and the Minister responsible for it did not
appear in his place to explain why the second measure
appointed by the Government was not proceeded with. The
next order on the paper—the Bankruptcy Bill—was cer-
tainly proceeded with, but only to a certain point.
(Hear.) The Minister responsible for that bill told us he
believed there was an understanding that progress should
not be made beyond a certain clause; and the consequence
is that, at a comparatively early hour, there is no Govern-
ment business before the house. As the Minister respon-
sible for the Highways Bill was not in his place when it
was called in its proper order, it was postponed, according
to our usual practice, until after the other orders. It has
now been called again; but, although the Minister is pre-
sent, he has not condescended to give us any reason why
the arrangement of business devised by the Government has
not been followed. I want to know what prospect there is of
our conducting the public business with satisfaction to our-
selves or to the country if the house is to be treated in this
manner by the Government. (Hear.) I have always
thought that, although there are many means by which the
business of the house might be expedited, much must neces-
sarily depend upon the course pursued by Ministers. See
what has happened to-night. Upon an important Govern-
ment night, at the beginning of the week, wo have a pro-
gramme of business prepared and circulated for two days,
and when we come down we find it is not realised in any
respect. The only conclusion at which we can arrive is that
the conduct of business in that manner, if not the only
cause, is a cause of the unsatisfactory state of public busi-
ness. (Hearrhear.) I think an explanation is due to the
house by the Government upon these heads, and I await it
with some interest.

Sir G. C. LEWIS—I regret that any inconvenience has
been caused by the circumstances to which the right hon.
gentleman has referred; but I think I can give an explana-
tion which will be satisfactory to the house. I was perfectly
prepared—indeed, it was my wish—to move the second
reading of the Highways Bill to. night; but the hon. mem-
ber for Leominster on Friday evening asked me across the
in consequence of the short time during
whichtab ewthheh
et er
bill,
had been in the hands of hon: members, I
would consent to p3stpone the second reading. I said that
as the time had been short I would consent to postpone the
second reading, and I added that I would mention on Mon-
day the day to which I should postpone it. Perhaps I ought
to have moved the postponement on Friday night, but I
distinctly stated that I would not move the second reading
this evening. (Hear, hear) 'With respect to the Post
Office Savings Banks Bill, I believe the Chancellor
of the Exchequer is confined, if not to his bed, at
all events to his room, by illness, and consequently
it was not in his power to come down to the house
to-night. (Hear, hear.) If he had been able to
attend in his place, he would have moved the second
reading of the bill. Such are the circumstances un-
der which the Bankruptcy Bill came to have precedence,
and I, for one, was under the impression that the Attor-
ney-General had stated publicly that he would not proceed
beyond the 50th clause. I presume he expected, remem-
bering the long debates which took place last Session, that
the first 50 clauses would occupy the House the whole of
the evening. I am always sorry when hon. members have
reason to complain of any want of notice, but I trust they
will see that there was no intentional omission on the part
of the Government upon this occasion. (Hear, hear.)
After a few words from Mr. BARROW and Mr. HENLEY,
The second reading of the Highways Bill was postponed
till Friday next.