The new amendment to the Rules tries to shut out amendments which are supposed to be, or which are taken to be, merely verbal, grammatical, or formal. Verbal amendments, Sir, have been made often, not only by the other Members of this House, but also by the draftsmen themselves. If such a rule is to be in operation against only those who have not had the honour to belong to the Drafting Committee, but is not to be used against those who, after having drafted after very careful weighing of each phrase, after earnest consideration of the various articles and clauses of this Constitution, discover that they are not what the draftsmen actually intended them to convey, and try to alter words or make verbal amendments, it would hardly be fair, especially if non-official Members should not be at liberty to do so. This, in my opinion, would be so unjust and unparliamentary that I trust this House will not entertain such a proposition.
