§ Bill, as amended, considered.
§ MR. CALDWELL (Glasgow, St. Rollox)I have an Amendment on the Paper and some new clauses to propose, but in view of the fact that this Bill has been framed to meet certain contingencies, and as the whole subject is to be reconsidered next year by a Select Committee, I do not propose to move the new clauses standing in my name.
§ Clause 8 (Amendment of 38 & 39 Vict., c. 60., s. 29, as to registration of branches).
§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to move to omit Clause 8. The clause is very similar to one which stands on the Paper, but which has not been moved. I move to omit it because it was inserted in the idea that it had the support, and was desired by the Friendly Societies. But it has since transpired that that is not so. Deputations have come up from the principal societies and shown that they are exceedingly hostile to it. As the whole matter is to be dealt with next Session, I think it would be much better for all controversal matter to be left out of the Bill and to be dealt with on that occasion, leaving this Bill to meet only the special exigencies for which it was framed.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause be omitted from the Bill."—(Dr. Cameron.)
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leads, N.)When I accepted this clause, I did so on the distinct understanding that it was desired by the societies and that there would be no opposition to it. But since then I have received deputations stating that there is very great opposition to it, and therefore I am willing to accept the Amendment.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Clause omitted.
§ Clause 10 (Construction and printing of principal Acts).
§ On Motion of Mr. JACKSON, the following Amendment made: — In page 3, line 37, ofter "1879" insert "1882."
§ Clause, as amended, agreed, to.
§ Bill read the third time, and passed.