This Day's Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3961, 8 September 1881, Page 2

This Day's Sitting.

Wellington, This day. The House met at 11 a.m. Grey moved the second reading of the Protection of Debtors Bill. It was in ten-, ded to render property to the extent £50 exempt from seizure for a debt for rent, or any other cause, and to allow bankrupts to retain property to the same amount. Hall said it was too late in the session to properly consider so important a subject. He objected to the first clause, as it would prevent the seizure of goods, even for a penalty, unless the person had upwards of £50 worth. Fox objected to the 3rd clause which would render landlords a prey to unscrupulous tenants. He suggested its postponement until next session, promising to give the subject full consideration daring the recess. Weston contended that clause four was absolutely prohibitory, and would prevent anyone from effecting a mortgage. He took exception to the clause which he contended was unworkable. He concurred in the opinion that the Bill should remain over, as it was most unlikely they could do the subject substantial justice this session. Shepherd held there was another principle in the Bill, its effect would be to pat an end to credit among the humble classes, and in case of rents they would either have to pay in advance or else the tenant would be bound to give good and substantial security. In contradistinction to many of the adverse opinions expressed on the subject, he conceived this would involve a considerable hardship. He acquiesced in the second reading, but advocated the propriety of allowing the bill to stund over at that stage, at least for the present. 12,55. Andrews spoke in favor of the bill con* tending that the existing usage was to bring the poor iuto a hopeless state of poverty.. The step was in the right direction- although he was not sure the amount £-50 was a correct one. He suggested it would be better to reduce the amount to £20. Shrimski spoke on behalf of the poor and unfortunate landlords. The bill as it stood opened the door to the dishonest, and its tender mercies were to make the landlords harsh and uncompromising. 'As; the law stood they did not hear so much abuse practised by the landlord as to warrant the extreme step. . Swanson thought the Bill a far reaching one. So far as he could judge, the bill was one that would prevent poor enterprising people from raising money sufficient to give them perhaps a Btart in life. Seddon supported the bill as a step in the direction of abolishing legal recourse for recovery of debt; altogether a consummation he considered devoutly to be desired. Pitt spoke of the distress for rent as a remnant of the dark ages, and as such he desired to see it swept away. Grey replied that the 1 rich persons were' enabled to make settlements upon their wires and children, and that secured their effects from debt. This Bill proposed to make a similar settlement for the wives and families of the poor.