§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ VISCOUNT RAYNHAMmoved the second reading of this Bill, which he said was intended to correct some of the deficiencies of the existing law on the subject.
§ MR. WALPOLEsaid, that while he fully appreciated the objects which the noble Lord had in view in bringing forward the measure of which he had just moved the second reading, he must express a hope that the noble Lord would see the expediency of not pressing it upon the attention of the House. The fact was, that the main objects which the Bill sought to attain were provided for under the existing law, while the additional provisions proposed by the noble Lord were of a character so unreasonable that they ought not to be embodied in a legislative enactment. In the first clause of the Bill, for instance, occurred the words "or by wilful or avoidable negligence causing suffering to any animal." Now, the word "avoidable" was one the construction of which might lead to the infliction of considerable hardship upon persons who might not fairly be open to the charge of intentional cruelty to animals; while the provision for licensing slaughterhouses—the license for which might now be obtained by proper application at any time, but which under the operation of the Bill could be obtained only once a year—was equally open to objection on account of the inconvenience which it would cause. Without at all undervaluing the benevolent intentions of the noble Lord, he should feel it his duty to move that the Bill be read a second time that day six months.
§ Amendment proposed to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, that he was sorry the noble Lord would not withdraw his Bill, for under the guise of a Bill to pre- 1557 vent the infliction of cruelty upon animals it was one for inflicting cruelty upon man. It was full of pains and penalties. He would recommend him to go to France, where there was a society for protecting men against animals, who on one occasion proposed to give a reward for the person who brought over an ox without horns. If this Bill were passed his constituents would be prevented from dealing with any kind of animals, and amongst others, he supposed, with those minor ones which were so great a nuisance in London houses.
§ SIR JAMES BULLER EASTthought that, although the Bill contained some objectionable, it also contained some useful provisions, and he therefore hoped that the House would allow it to be read a second time, with a view to amendment in Committee.
§ Question, "That the word ' now ' stand part of the Question," put, and negatived.
§ Words added.
§ Main Question, as amended, put, and agreed to.
§ Bill put off for six months.