§ The Marquess of Lansdowne moved the second reading of the Poor-rates Collection Bill.
§ Earl Stanhoperemarked, that this bill was strangely altered from its original form. It did not bear the most distant resemblance to the shape which it presented when it was first introduced. The necessary effect of the bill in its present shape would be to create throughout the country a most violent spirit of opposition on the part of the rate-payers. In that respect he thought it would have a most beneficial operation; it was the single drop of water which would make the cup of bitterness overflow, and render the new Poor-law a nullity.
§ The Marquess of Lansdownesaid, that the overseers in certain districts having refused to make a rate, and having thus done their best to defeat the object of the Act, this bill became absolutely necessary. The guardians had incurred a very large amount of debt; and a writ of mandamus was both a tedious and inconvenient process, to obviate the necessity of which this bill was introduced.