§ Order for Second Beading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Sir Charles Adderley.)
MR. GORSTsaid, he would not oppose the Bill, as he understood it was to be sent to a Select Committee. Unless certain of its provisions were modified by the Select Committee to which it was to be referred, it could scarcely be considered as a redemption of the pledge given last Session by the President of the Board of Trade. The grievance of seamen was that at the present time they were exposed to an extremely hard and rigorous law, and were not allowed that emancipation conceded to every other class of industry in reference to breach of contract with employers. The Bill really contained nothing but two clauses, except what was discussed at great length in the Bill of 1875, and approved of by the House.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed to a Select Committee.