§ Order for Second Reading read
§ (12.0.) DR. TANNER (Cork, Mid)This Bill, which I hope the House will now consent to read a second time, is in a small way, designed to afford some relief to the Irish labourer. It removes the restriction of half an acre upon allotments, extending it to an acre. Half an acre is not sufficient to assist a man who is out of continuous employment. Too frequently are Irish labourers reduced almost to a state of destitution, and only last year the late Chief Secretary had to introduce a measure to relieve the poorest classes from starvation. I hope this small measure will commend itself to the good feeling of the House, and will only add that I will give every opportunity for the discussion of Amendments in Committee.
Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ (12.2.) MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)I hope the House will agree to the Second Reading, and I only rise to draw the attention of the hon. Member to what I think is an error in drafting. 411 I think the object of the hon. Member is to leave to the Local Authority the option of raising an allotment from half an acre to an acre. But I think the references to the Acts of 1883, 1885, and 1886, do not quite accomplish the object. The two last-mentioned Acts suffer materially from that of 1883. But this is not a point for Second Reading discussion.
§ MR. KELLY (Camberwell, N.)I object.
§ MR. CONWAYI appeal to the hon. Member not to insist on his objection.
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I join in the appeal to my hon. Friend.
§ DR. TANNERI am willing to leave the date for Committee to the Attorney General for Ireland, allowing sufficient interval for Amendments to be drafted.
Bill committed for 26th February.