§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. OSBORNE MORGAN) (Denbighshire, E.)I beg to move the second reading of this Bill, Sir. It is a short Bill, and the object of it is to provide for the determination of the Acts respecting the sale and transfer of in cumbered estates in the West Indies. It has come down from the Lords, and I may say that nearly all the Colonies interested have passed a Resolution in favour of the measure. The Bill only consists of two clauses, the 1st providing that it shall be lawful for Her Majesty, from time to time, by Order in Council to direct that the West Indian Incumbered Estates Acts, 1854 and 1872, shall cease to be in operation in the Colony as from the day mentioned in the Order, and such Order in Council shall have 423 effect as if enacted by this Act; but before such Order is made in respect of any Colony an Address from the Legislature of the Colony, praying; for the Order, shall be presented to Her Majesty. The 2nd clause contains the machinery for carrying this out. It is very important that the Bill should pass at once, and therefore I hope the House will consent to read it a second time now.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Osborne Morgan.)
§ SIR HENRY HOLLAND (Hampstead)I am not anxious to oppose the second reading of this Bill; but I should like to know how we are to go on in regard to the West Indian Incumbered Estates Court? I understand that all the Colonies are not in favour of abolishing it; and if it is to be abolished, how are the Judges to be paid in the meantime in respect of those Colonies who may desire the Court to continue.
§ MR. OSBORNE MORGANI believe there will be no difficulty in that respect. All the Colonies except one have already passed Resolutions in favour of the Bill, and we have no reason to doubt that they will all adopt it.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Monday next.