[BILL 89.] SECOND READING. (Hansard, 6 April 1875)

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

sympathized with the objects of the hon. and gallant Member in introducing the Bill, but felt compelled to insist on the advisability of doing what was aimed at, if it were possible, either under the provisions of the Reformatory and Industrial Schools Acts, or by amending these provisions if amendment could be shown to be necessary and desirable. In these institutions boys were being trained to industrial pursuits; but one clause of this Bill would go further than the Acts, by compelling a boy to adopt a trade even against his will; and that he could hardly agree to. There were several ships employed under both Acts, and, if more were wanted, he should be glad to render assistance in obtaining them. In the five training ships there were 14,000 boys. These had been established as training schools at an expense of £50,000. They were doing much good, and perhaps they would do more. Hitherto part of the work had been done by private benevolence; but this Bill would throw a burden on the rates, which was another reason for seeing whether its object could not be accomplished by an extension of the system at present in operation. He would be glad to have a conversation on the subject with his hon. and gallant Friend, and then he would be able to judge whether it would be necessary for him to introduce a Bill amending the present Acts. He would suggest that this Bill should be withdrawn.