The Sun.
London, England, 1827-06-20 00:00:00

the seeond reading when he thought proper. This was
often a very great inconvenience to those who might be dis-
posed to oppose the Bill, since, after they had given a vigi-
lant attendance for some time, the second reading of the
Bill might be moved in their absence and without their
knowledge. Under these circumstances, he thought it a
proper regulation, that when a Bill was read a first time,
the second reading should take place within ten days after,
unless some other day should be fixed for the seeond read-
ing at the time of the first reading. It would also be
proper, that any new clauses that might be intended to be
proposed on the third reading, should be communicated to
the Members of the House three days before such third
reading took place, that they might have time and oppor-
tunity to consider them. These and other regulations in
the proceedings on Private Bills, he thought would be
highly beneficial. He did not wish, however, to call upon
the House to come to any decision on this subject during
the present Session. He was merely desirous that they
should stand as a Notice on the Books, to be moved for
adoption on the first day of the next Session, so that they
night apply to any Private Bills to be brought forward in
that or in futare Sessionc.

Mr. WYNN objected that too little time had been al-
lowed for the consideration of these alterations in the regu-
lations respecting proceedings on Private Bills. The Hon.
Member had better postpone his motion till next Session,
and allow it in the meantime to stand as a notice.
Mr. HUME—That was the very thing which he had
proposed.
The proposed alterations were then entered accordingly,
as a notice for next Session.
CORN LAWS.
Mr. BARING moved the Order of the Day fur receiv-
ing the Report of the Committee on the Corn Trade Acts.
On Sir A. GRANT bringing up the Report,
Sir E. KNATCHBULL observed, that as there were
now 560,000 quarters of corn warehoused, and a further
quantity, uncertain in amount, was expected from Canada,
the measure proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman was
likely to be injurious to the interests of the British corn-
merchant, unless its operation were limited to a shorter
period than the Ist of July. He wished to know also
whether the system of averages originally adopted in the
Bill which had not been proceeded with, or the system of
averages as amended in the other House of Parliament, was
to be applied to the present measure ?
Mr. CANNING said, that as it was of the utmost im-
portance that this Bill should pass as quickly as possible,
it was his intention to bring it in to-night ; and, if there
were no opposition to it, to mote the second reading to-
morrow, so that it might be committed on Thursday. If
there were any desire on the part of Hon. Gentlemen to
debate the measure on the second reading, he should then
postpone that stage of the Bill till Thursday. With re-
spect to the question put to him by the Hon. Baronet (Sir
E. Knatchbull), he had to observe, that it was the inten-
tion of the Government to apply the system of averages, as
amended in the other House of Parliament, to the pur-
poses of this Bill. As to limiting the period of the opera-
_ _

tion of the Bill, it was to be recollected that ten days must
elapse before the Bill could be passed. It could not be
carried into the other House of Parliament before Monday,
nor passed before the end of the ensuing week. The Ist
of July, therefore, seemed to be the shortest possible period
to which the operation of the Bill could be limited.
Mr. WARD had made inquiries this morning as to the
quantity of corn likely to come in from Canada, and was
able to state that that quantity was very small. The com-
mercial interests of the country were placed in a most em-
barrassing position from this cause ; but whatever conse-
quences might ensue, he attributed no blame to his Majes-
ty's Government.
Mr. ;11 ENE T T thought, that whatever course his Ma-
jesty's Government determined upon adopting, it should be
pressed forward as speedily as possible.
Mr. HUSKISSON concurred in the expediency of press-
ing forward the measure with as little delay as possible.—
The existing system of averages could not by any possibility
he applied to the temporary arrangement ; for under the
present law the averages were only struck four times a-
year, and no standard of averages could be taken till after
the 25th of August,
Mr. WARBURTON was so far from thinking the Ist of
July too distant a period for the operation of the Bill, that,
in his opinion, the period ought to be extended.
After a few words from Mr. HUME, Sir E. KNATCH-
BULL, and Mr. SLANBT, the Report was read, the Reso-
lutions were agreed to, and the Bill was ordered to be
brought in.
Mr. HERRIES moved the further consideration of the
Report of the Customs' Duties' Bill.
Mr. Alderman THOMPSON moved, that the Bill be
recommitted, for the purpose of further• considering a clause
in the Bill which had been the subject of discussion on a
tormer night.
Mr. HUSKISSON suggested to the Hon. Alderman the
expediency of reserving any further observations he might
wish to snake on that clause till the third reading of the
Bill.

Mr. Alderman THOMPSON expressed his readiness to
accede to this suggestion.
Mr. W. WHITMORE contended, that this measure was
at variance with the principles formerly laid down by the
Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Huskisson), and approved by
that House.

Mr. HUME contended, that the proposed clause was a
departure from the principles of free trade hitherto recom-
mended by Ministers.
Mr. C. GRANT supported the clause. He denied that
his Right Hon. Friend (Mr.-H.) had been the advocate of
liberal principles in the meaning and to the extent for
which some Hon. Gentlemen contended. In correcting
the abuses of the restrictive system, he did not propose to
sweep away all restrictions whatever, but declared himself
bound to consult the general interests, and to guard against
the injury of, or interference with, any vested interest.
Mr. WARBURTON deprecated generally the practice of
conferring any particular benefit or favour on one class, as
it invariably was made the ground of asking for some cor-
responding favour by those classes which were engaged in,
and belonged to, other interests.
Mr. LIDDELL, in supporting the clause, referred to the
Report of the Committee of 1821. He was not prepared
to say how the proposed Clause would operate, but he was
satisfied it was proposed by Government from a conviction
that it would be beneficial to the shipping interests, which
were now in a state of depression which required any ad-
vantlges that could be affected consistently with what was
due to the general interests.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. BENETT and Mr. Alderman WAITHMAN also
supported the Clause.
Mr. D. GILBERT asked a question respecting the ware-
housing of copper ore.
Mr. HUSKISSON replied, that copper in a manufac-
tured state was not warehoused.

The Clause was then agreed to.
Mr. Alderman THOMPSON moved the omission of
Clause relating, we believe, to the enumerated articles, on
the ground that it was not founded on the Resolutions of
the Committee.
Mr. HUME seconded the motion.

The SPEAKER stated, that all that was required was,

the Bill should originate from Resolutions passed in tha
Committee. In this instance, the laws of customs had
been referred altogether to the consideration of the Com-
mittee, and therefore the Bill might ,include any subject
connected with them.

After a few words from Mr. HEATHCOTE, the mo-
tion was negatived without a division. The Report was
then agreed to.
THE NEW CORN BILL.

Mr. HERRIES brought in the New Corn Bill, which
was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time

:0-morrow.
THE DISSENTERS' MARRIAGE BILL.

Mr. W. SMITH moved the third reading of this Bill.
Sir T. ACLAND was favourable to some legislative
relief for the Dissenters, but objected to this Bill in its
present shape, principally on account of a clause intro-
duced by the Lion. Member for Norwich, treating mar-
riage as a civil contract, and divesting it wholly of its reli-
gious character. He therefore moved as an amendment,
in order to give time for considering the effect of this clause,
" That the Bill be read a third time on Thursday nest."
Mr. W. SMITH defended the provisions of the Bill,
and declared that the Clause to which the Hon. Baronet

objected, only went to place the law respecting Dissenters'
Marriages on the same footing as they had been previous
to the year 1752. In that year Lord Hardwicke's Act
was introduced ; but marriage among Dissenters had been
for a long time before a mere civil contract. As to wait-
ing a few days, he had, personally, no objection, provided
there were any hopes of gaining the consent of any person
now opposed to the Bill. But as he had now introduced
two or three Bills upon the subject which failed, although
they did not contain this clause, he felt that no good would
result from any delay, and that it would be better to press
the question on the present occasion.
. .

Sir C. WETHER ELL opposed the Bill.
Mr. HUDSON GURNEY defended the system of civil
marriages, and contended, that there were as few imprudent
marriages under that system as under any other.
Dr. PHILLIMORE supported the Bill.
Mr. ESTCOURT maintained that the alterations intro-
duced into the Bill, while they secured liberty of conscience,
also protected the rights of the Establishment. He was
apprehensive, however, that it was too late in the Session
to press the Bill forward.
Mr. R. GRANT
eulegiered the unexampled patience