Mr. E. Clarke, on Tuesday, once more introduced a proposal,.
which is constantly made, that Bills which have passed the- second reading before the close of the Session should be re- sumed in the succeeding Session, at the stage of Committee. His idea was that non-political Bills of importance, like the Bankruptcy Bill, would in this way slowly get themselves through.. The proposal has attracted many minds, but has always been re- jected by the House, which feels instinctively that but for the- necessity of avoiding the close of the Session, Bills would not get passed at all. The whole force of opposition would be directed to secure delay, which would be pronounced unimportant, until in the lapse of time the provisions of the Bill would be for- gotten. Even as it is, Bills would be made much better, if after- the second reading they could be completed by continuous dis- cussion, while Members remembered their facts and arguments. It might also happen, as Mr. J. Lowther showed, that measures• read a second time under the idea that they would not be pro- ceeded with, would be regarded as having received sanction in. principle, and at some odd time would be passed without much farther discussion.
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