§ THE MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, said that it was of an extremely brief and simple character. It consisted of one clause only, and merely proposed to assimilate the law of Ireland to that of England in connection with the subject of the qualifications of women to sit on the Board of Guardians. As far as Ireland was concerned, the Measure was of a non-controversial character, because the principle upon which it was founded had received the support of all sections of Irish representatives in the House of Commons. In England before the year 1894 there were 169 women Guardians, and now there were 887, and out of 648 Unions in the country women sat as Guardians in 342. There was a strong feeling in Ireland, especially in Ulster, that there was a certain sphere of work in which the services of women on Boards of Guardians would be of great value. Thus they could look after the pauper women and children, the training of girls for service, and the food and sanitary arrangements far better than men. Seeing that the principle of the Bill had been carried in another place by a majority of 272 to eight he did not think that the matter could be regarded as a controversial one. He begged to move that the Bill should be read a second time. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ THE EARL OF RANFURLYsaid that on behalf of the Irish Government he did not intend to oppose the Second Reading of the Bill. He saw no reason 1450 why the law of Ireland should not be assimilated to that of England on this subject. ["Hear, hear!"]
VISCOUNT CLIFDENsaid that he wished the. House to remark that the two noble Lords who had just spoken came from the north of Ireland, which he understood was a wild and savage country near Scotland. [Laughter.] In the south of Ireland this Measure would be a most mischievous and pernicious one. He did not like to see spouting women out of their place and doing men's work. One reason given for this Bill was that the like obtained in England. Certain things might be done in England with impunity that could not be done safely in Ireland. The noble Marquess who had moved the Second Reading of this Bill would scarcely like to see the provisions of the Irish Land Act applied to England, especially in the county of Durham. [Laughter.] The effect of this Bill would be to largely increase the powers of the priests on Boards of Guardians. He should oppose the Motion for the Second Reading of the Bill.
§ Read 2a (according to Order); and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.