§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)said, there seemed to be much anxiety to have this Bill passed; but, so far as he could see, its primary object was to carry out a small job of an electioneering nature in West Belfast. If the Government thought proper to assist in carrying out such an object, he would not throw any obstacle in the way.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)hoped his hon. Friend would forego his objection.
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)said, he desired to say, on behalf of many traders in the South of Ireland, that they were deeply interested in the passing of the Bill. Whatever motives there might be elsewhere, the traders of the South of Ireland desired facilities by which they should have the means of coming to arrangements with their debtors. He doubted not that similar desires existed in other parts of Ireland, and he did not think his hon. Friend (Mr. Biggar) represented any serious opposition.
§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON,) Belfast W.said, he 254 thought his public life would be sufficient answer to any imputation of sitting in that House to promote any electioneering job in West Belfast, or anywhere else. As the hon. Member for West Cavan was nominally his Colleague, he refrained from using language he might otherwise employ.
§ SIR WILLIAM EWART (Belfast, N.)said, the measure had been much desired for many years, and he had great pleasure in supporting it.
§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)said, that, as a Belfast resident, he repudiated any such motive in supporting the Bill as that suggested by the hon. Member for West Cavan (Mr. Biggar). It was one of the few things upon which the opinions of all classes in Belfast were united. It was intended to do away with jobbery, to prevent debtors' estates being eaten up by costs in Dublin, and to give creditors a fair share in the assets.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for To-morrow.