§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. GILHOOLY, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, its object was to give tenants in Ireland a property in trees planted by them which they had not registered.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Gilhooly.)
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Mr. CHARLES RUSSELL)said, that in the absence of the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant he might state that the Go- 89 vernment would offer no objection to the second reading of the Bill. He thought the objects aimed at by the Bill were highly to be desired, and it was of great importance that every inducement should be given to tenants to plant trees upon their holdings. It might be a question whether some simpler mode than that provided in the Bill for certain purposes should not be provided; but that was a question for Committee.
§ MAJOR SAUNDERSONsaid, that, speaking on behalf of the Irish landlords, he had no objection whatever to the Bill; on the contrary, he thought it would be extremely useful. The planting of trees had done good, and he only regretted it was not more universally followed in Ireland. Every encouragement ought to be given to the Irish tenants to improve the country side by planting trees. If some method could be devised of ascertaining the trees that were planted, it was well it should be. While some modifications might be introduced into the Bill in Committee, he saw no objection to the second reading being taken.
§ MR. MARUMobserved, that a measure similar to this was before the House last April, and Lord Ashbourne gave his assent to the principle of it. He was gratified to find that Her Majesty's Government had agreed to the second reading of the Bill. He might add that the Irish Members would be happy to receive any suggestions as to the details of the Bill in Committee.
§ Motion agreed to.