§ Mr. Dohertymoved the second reading of the Sub-letting Act Amendment Bill.
§ Mr. O'Connellbegged that further time might be given for the consideration of this Bill.
§ Mr. Dohertysaid, the Bill had been for some time on the Table of the House, and must therefore be well known; if, however, a week's delay would satisfy the hon. and learned Gentleman, he would acquiesce in his wish.
§ Mr. O'Connellsaid, that though the original Act was well known in Ireland, that was not the case with the Amendment bill. He wanted to propose a clause in the Committee to enable landlords to declare that any devise of lands they might make should not be subject to that Act. He hoped, however, that the Bill would be postponed for a fortnight.
§ Mr. Dohertysaid, he could not acquiesce in so long a delay.
Mr. Wallacesaid, the Bill was very little understood in England, though it had been much discussed in Ireland. He did not believe, however, that there could be any necessity to postpone the Bill, as the hon. and learned Member must be well aware of all the objections which could be made to it. The Committee was the proper place to discuss he details of the measure, and in that stage he should have some alterations to propose.
§ Mr. Northwas of opinion that the measure should be postponed till the opinions of the people of Ireland were better known on the subject.
Mr. Kingsaid, he approved of the amendments proposed to be introduced into the Act by the Bill, but he had some doubts how far the Act was suitable to Ireland, unless it were accompanied by a well-regulated system of Poor-laws, which he thought would confer an inestimable benefit on that country. Such a system, conjoined with a heavy tax on absentees, would be serviceable to all ranks and classes in Ireland, and would be hailed with gratitude throughout the country.
§ The Bill was read a second time.