§ SECOND READING.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Lord KNUTSFORD)My Lords, a scheme for the colonization in British Columbia of a number of families of crofters was discussed in this House last year, in the month of April, and, I think I may say, received general approbation. The terms of an agreement at that time between the Colonial Government and Her Majesty's Government had not been quite arranged, but, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, I then stated that they viewed with favour the proposal for a colonisation of this kind coming from a province so well able to secure the performance of their agreement as British Columbia. 1879 I will only add that the scheme was strongly approved by a very strong Select Committee upon Colonisation which was formed from both sides of the House of Commons; and therefore I confidently recommend this Bill to your Lordships for Second Reading.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a"—(The Lord Knutsford.)
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow.