SECOND READING. (Hansard, 3 May 1870)

THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDE

, in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, said, that its principal object was to extend to Ireland those provisions of the English Bankruptcy Law by which the distinctions between traders and non-traders were abolished. This was a step which, in England, had given great satisfaction to the commercial world, and had met with universal approval in Westminster Hall. He anticipated no opposition to his present Motion. The measure had twice passed this House, and had not failed to become law through any open opposition; but had been put aside in the House of Commons in a way not very respectful to their Lordships or to Ireland, where its defeat was attributed to private and personal motives. He proposed to add to the Bill other provisions, enabling creditors to appoint a trustee to manage a bankrupt's estate; but if these were objected to he was willing to restore the Bill to its original shape; and another providing that persons having privilege of Parliament may be adjudged bankrupt in Ireland. It was a well-founded Irish grievance that, where no political or party interest was excited, questions affecting the material well-being of the country were neglected, and it was this feeling which prompted the Petition presented by a noble Lord (Lord Talbot de Malahide) last night in favour of the repeal of the Union. A Commission reported some years ago on the practice and procedure of the Courts of Law and Equity, and a Bill relating to Chancery was passed with no great delay, because it created a very good piece 86 of patronage; while the amendment of the Bankruptcy Law, which did not involve the creation of any office, is neglected. This Bill would not stand in the way of the comprehensive measure which was sometimes promised, but not a line of which had been drafted, and he hoped that if it passed this House the Government would assist in carrying it through the House of Commons.