§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be read a second time To-morrow, at Two of the clock."—(Mr. Courtney.)
§ MR. WARTONappealed to the Government not to take the second reading of the Bill to-morrow, on the ground that very little Notice had been given and no one was prepared to take the Bill except the Government. By a curious concatenation of circumstances a great number of the hon. Members who took a great interest in the question would not be able to be in their places to-morrow. Both of the hon. Members for the City of Dublin (Dr. Lyons and Mr. Brooks), one of the five excepted cities, entertained very strong feelings in regard to the Bill, and it was 933 proper they should be present when its second reading was taken. They, however, were away in Dublin, and neither of them had the slightest idea that the Bill would be taken to-morrow. Two other Gentlemen who were also opposed to the Bill would not be able to be present, as they had met with a domestic affliction—he referred to the hon. Member for Limerick (Mr. O'Sullivan) and the hon. Member for Water-ford (Mr. Leamy). Under the circumstances, he put it to the Government whether they really ought to take the measure to-morrow? Personally, he thought they would do well to devote themselves to far more useful legislation.
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, that at that time of the Session it was impossible to say when particular Bills would be brought on; certainly, at that hour of the night (1.30) the Government could not take it upon themselves to disturb an arrangement which had been arrived at at the commencement of the Sitting.
§ MR. HEALYsaid, he was sure it was nothing but pure benevolence that had induced the hon. and learned Member for Bridport (Mr. Warton) to raise this question. This was the third occasion that the hon. and learned Gentleman, deserted by the hon. Members concerned in the Bill, had endeavoured to prevent the progress of the measure. It was evident that the Irish Tory Members in the House attended very badly to their business. This measure had passed every previous stage—first reading, second reading, and Committee—without one of those Members saying a single word in respect of it. It was an extremely small Bill, for it was a Bill to grant relief to an officer in Dublin who was now over-pressed with work.
§ MR. COURTNEY, interposing, said, he thought the hon. Member (Mr. Healy) was labouring under a misapprehension. The Bill now under consideration was the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sunday (Ireland) Bill.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Second Reading deferred till To-morrow, at Two of the clock.