HC Deb 24 March 1865 vol 178 cc265-6

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Sir Robert Peel.)

COLONEL DUNNE

asked for an explanation of its object.

SIR ROBERT PEEL

said, that in 1862 a Bill was introduced for the purpose of limiting the polling in counties to one day, instead of two. It became law. In 1864 a Bill was introduced authorizing the Lord President in Council to make additional polling places by the division of baronies, attaching them to new polling-places. When that Act was passed an omission was made with reference to the preparation of the lists for those new polling places, in consequence of which the Act would not work. Representations had been made by Magistrates of Queen's county and Wexford of the inconvenience there, and it was to remedy the omission in the Act of last Session that this Bill was brought in,

MR. AGAR-ELLIS

said, that the Bill would be totally unworkable. The Act of last year did not require amendment.

COLONEL DICKSON

said, his suspicion with regard to the Bill was as to the period at which it was introduced. Who were the Magistrates of Queen's County and Wexford who had made representations? It looked very much like a party move?

SIR ROBERT PEEL

said, the Bill was introduced with no such object.

SIR COLMAN O'LOGHLEN

said, the real object of the Bill was to supply the omission in the Bill of last Session. It had nothing to do with registration, but was merely for the convenience of voters.

MR. BAGWELL

believed that the inconvenience arising from the Bill would be greater than the convenience. He should 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. Bagwell.)

Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

MR. LONGFIELD

contended that the operation of the Bill would entail a new revision in the districts to which it applied, by means of which not only would expenditure be incurred, but efforts to oust particular persons would be encouraged.

SIR CHARLES WOOD

said, that the measure would not have any such effect. Its intention simply was to provide increased facilities for polling. There would be no new registration or revision of voters, and the sole object of the Bill was to provide for the division of the voters into polling districts.

Question put.

The House divided:—Ayes 30; Noes 32: Majority 2.

Words added. Main Question, as amended, put, and agreed to.

Bill put off for six months.