§ [SECOND READING].
§ MR. BLACK (Banffshire)moved the Second Reading of this Bill. He said it was a measure to facilitate the acquiring of land by small holders. Few things were more pathetic than the study of the statistics of the moving of the population of the crofting districts during the last thirty years. Migration from the fishing villages to the towns was constantly going on and the consequence was that labour was scarce in the country and the physique of the people was deteriorating. Any measure which would tend to check that process and retain the population in the country must 96 be of great benefit to the country and to this Empire. Over 1,500 holders would be benefited by the provisions of this Bill in the county of Banff. The constituency of the Lord Advocate would also be benefited, and instead of enjoying a precarious tenure the crofters would secure by this measure fixity of tenure. They had heard a great deal—
§ Notice taken that forty Members were not present; House counted, and forty Members not being present—
§ The House was adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Twelve of the Clock till to-morrow.
§ Adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Twelve o'clock.