§ The Duke of Richmondmoved the Second Reading of this Bill.
The Earl of Radnorobjected to the Bill, both in principle and detail. He wished to know whether the Government approved or not of such a measure, as in the former case it ought to be left to the 667 hands of some noble Lord on the Treasury Bench, or not brought forward at all.
Lord Stanleydefended the Bill both in its principle, and against the objections urged by the noble Earl. The noble Lord said that the noble Earl might judge from what he had said, whether he and his (Lord Stanley's) Colleagues in office, did or did not approve of the Bill.
§ Bill was then read a second time.
§ House adjourned.
§ The following Protest against the Second Reading of the Field Gardens Bill was entered on the Journals:—
- 1. Because by this Bill there may be established in every parish in the kingdom a Board endowed with corporate privileges, irresponsible, and armed with powers which may be used for purposes of favouritism on the one hand, or of oppression on the other.
- 2. Because the objects of this Bill, purporting to be subsidiary to the provisions for the relief of the poor, under divers Acts of Parliament, are, in truth, in direct contravention to their principle.
- 3. Because, as in each parish, where the provisions of this Bill shall be adopted, the field-wardens will be wholly unconnected with those of every other, and uncontrolled by any superior power, it cannot be doubted that in process of time there will be introduced in different parishes a diversity of practice, which will lead to heart-burnings, discontent, and confusion.
- 4. Because the provisions of this Bill, if carried out in the fairest and most equitable manner, will necessarily aggravate the acknowledged evils resulting from the present law of settlement.
- 5. Because its unavoidable tendency is to promote early and improvident marriages, and to give an unnatural stimulus to the increase of population, already superabundant in the agricultural districts.
- 6. Because the necessary consequence will be the lowering of the wages of the agricultural labourer.
- 7. Because the provisions of this Bill lead to the indefinite increase of holdings and divisions of land, and thus to many of the evils which now press so severely on the people of Ireland.
- 8. Because they are in accordance with an opinion much in vogue, but which I think false in itself, and injurious to the people; founded on an unfair estimate of their intelligence and spirit, and (if acted upon) tending to lower their independence, and to degrade their moral condition, viz., that they cannot manage their own concerns, but must be cared for, overlooked, and directed by others, their superiors perhaps in fortune, but I believe by no means superior to them in virtue, natural intelligence, or public spirit.
- 9. Because if I am mistaken in this character of the people, and their comparative worth, the evil ought to be cured by good example and education; and will only be aggravated by such measures as those contemplated by the present Bill.
§ RADNOR.