152 THE METHOD OF LEGISLATION. 
in general terms and do not directly ask for public aid 
or which ask the House only to take the facts into its 
consideration or to adopt such measures as the House may 
shink it expedient to take. 
Petitions Up to 1876 petitions asking for imposition of duties 
regarding were not received, but in that year it was thought advisable 
to alter the practice and to receive them. Petitions also are 
received asking for bounties for a particular industry, for 
remission on public grounds of taxes or duties, or for 
compensation for losses through legislation, but a petition 
in which a bounty is demanded for a particular individual, or 
which prays for remission of a debt due to the Crown® 
's not received. 
Every private bill is initiated by means of a petition, and 
such petition is governed by the ordinarv rules regulating 
oetitions. 
Opposition to private bills also is commenced by a 
oetition, 
A public bill may originate in either House, except when 
it involves an appropriation of the revenue or imposes a tax”. 
The method of procedure in the Senate differs in some 
respects from that adopted in the House of Commons, but 
both Houses have followed very closely the English practice. 
In the Commons a bill passes through seven stages, viz. (1) 
Introduction, (2) First reading, (3) Second reading, (4) 
Committee, (5) Report, (6) Third reading, (7) Passing. 
Three By the standing orders of each House the three readings 
eadines. ore as a rule to be on separate days, except in the case of 
aills of an urgent nature®, 
The Senate in a case of urgency formally suspends 
its standing orders, but in the Commons it is sufficient for 
the House to declare the matter nroent’ 
. Burinot, p. 266. 2 See Burinot, p. 268, 
3 B. N. A. Act, 1867, 5. 58. 4 Sen. 8. 0. 41, 42, Com. 8. O. 43. 
5 Burinot, np. 559.