Star.
London, England, 1826-12-07 00:00:00

moment

(chines, when Encyclopedias, containing ,aaate plates'
of these machines, were freely eiported: He wished
that the alteration in Vie law coold be effected without
consuitiug manufacturers, by the President of the Board of Trade
alone; and-for this reason. every manufacturer circuited wotilid
admit the policy of a repeal of the law, as a general proprietor, fat
would earnestly contend that his own particular merchandise con-
stituted the exception that required a prohibiting protection.
Mr. Secretary PEEL wished the'Hon. Member (Mr.
Hume) would have postponed `the discussion of this
important question—as partial statements were produc-
tive of much mischief. He (Mr. Peel) was not hostile
to the main principle of the Hon. Member's proposition;
''but considered it to be one of so complicated a nature,
as to require the greatest caution in bringing it forward
for adoption. For theory and practice did not at all
times chime, as the Mon. Member may recollect in the
case of the Combination Laws. The Honourable Mem-
ber, by plausible arguments of the justice of placing
the workman on equal terms with his employer,
induced bim . (Mr. Secretary Peel) and the House,
to grant him a Committee on those Combination Laws.
The result of which was a change—theoretically sound
f—effected in those Laws. What as the consequence?
In less than a year these changes, so accordant with
perfect theory, were creative of so much mischief
throughout the country, that the House were compelled
to retrace their steps, and re-enact those unsound Laws
(Hear). As to the observation of the Hon. Member
EWarburton) about the machinery plates contained in the
ncyclopstdia, jie thought it of little weight, because
many improvements in machinery have been made
since the last Soppkwent was published, and would be made before
the next Nillon would be printed trithree or four years hence.
After a few remarks from Mr. Baum and Mr. Hugs, the Pe-
tition was bail upon the table.
Mr. RO RTB moved, that a new writ be issued for the
Borough of Wallingford, in the room of Colonel Robarts, who had
accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
Mr. HUSKISSON presented a Petition from the Inhabitants
of Old and New Lanark, praying for an alteration in the Corn Laws.
Mr. BARING moved for Retuins of the average
prices of grain imported and exported to and from the
Island of Guernsey, during the years 1821, and 1826.
Ordered. The Hon. Gentleman took this opportunity
of inquiiing of a Right Hon. Gentleman opposite at
what peri‘d, after the adjournment, it was intended the
House should reassemble ?
Mr. Secr y PEEL mentioned the beginning of February.
I
i. Mt. HA EY gave notice that he should, after the holidays,
move for lea to bring.in a Bill for the better regulation of Joint
Stock Companies.
MN. SPENCE rose to submit his promised motion,
relative to the basilic.* done in the Court of Exchequer,
and for a Return of the Orders made, or Causes set
down on further directions and exceptions. for the last
six years, in the Master of the Rolls and Vice-Chancel-
lor's Courts ; and the present arrear of Causes is both
Courts. The Hon. Gentleman said, that in consequence
of the great delays of business in the Chancery Courts,
it was tut of the power of the Lord Chancellor to dis-
patch the business within that reasonable time which
suitors have a right to expect. He was concerned
hithself in a cause which commenced in 1819. A
decree was made in 1821, referring it to the Master,
to say who was heir at law to the, testator : in the
yeai 1824 the Master made a Report, and the cause
was set down in 182 e. Rrom that time to the present
it bad remained en the Paper; and though the Judge
had used every expedition the cause had not yet been
heard. He had several other cases of vexatious delay.
which he could cite, and be felt the more anxious to.
get the returns, as he had heafid that the subject was to
undergo a Farltatnentary investigation this Session;
and he knew that the causes in arrear were a great
many in number. In the Vice-Chancellor's Court they
amounted to 188, and before the Master of the Rolls
to 57. His second motion would put the House in
possession of the amount of the bills filed in the
Exchequer Court, and the number of decrees made, so
that they might be in full possession of the relief
afforded to the Court of Chancery. The Honourable
Gentleman said, his motion would be for Returns for
three years, previous to the year 1817, and at subse-
quent periods to that date, in order to see whether the
business of that Court had increased or decreased, and whether
measures could not be adopted to ensure to the Court of Chancery
cadent aid. The Hon. Gentleman havingu read his motion,
Mr. BATLEY seconded it. He considered that the
objects of the motion would be extremely beneficial to
the country, as the speedy administration of justice was
one of its greatest blessings. The Hon. Gentleman
passed high eulogiums on the character of the Lord
Chancellor. He said, he knew nothing of the venerable
Judge personally. He never received any favours from
him, and his opinion of his merits was founded solely upon the veal
and ability which be had displayed in his °lice.
Mr. Secretary PEEL was not prepared to go into the
discission of the question, and in the absence of the Mas-
ter of the Rolls, the Attorney and Solicitor-General, he
would suggest to the Holt. Gent. the propriety of not
pressing his motion. He hoped that he would abstain
front the discussion until such time as the House should have the
benefit of the opinions of the Learned Gents. to whom be alluded.
Mr. SPENCE said he would willingly withdraw his motion for
the present. He would give time for all parties to be prepared.—
Motion withdrawn.