The Gazette 1911-12

FEBRUARY, 1912]

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law'Society of Ireland.

97

we. took the views of all the Counties, and they were put on record here. I have never heard a complaint as to the procedure in the County Court. The complaint as to procedure came mainly from Dublin, and the speakers who have spoken on this matter to-day are mainly from Dublin. As a representative of Leinster during the time I was on this Council, we had no complaint from the country in reference to the procedure in the County Courts. According to the resolution complaints are made and grievances alleged to exist with regard to the procedure in the County Courts in Ireland. I say that no complaint was made except by the County Court in Dublin. MR. R. A. MACNAMARA said :—I am in a position to say something with reference to Mr. Brady's Bill, inasmuch as it was fully considered by us during my year of office as President. It was approved by every Association throughout the country. We. had conferences with Members of Parliament, the Chambers of Commerce, and the Bar Council, and everyone we could think who would be of advantage or otherwise with the, result that the Bill was unanimously approved of. I do not think Mr. White is quite correct when he says that no complaints were made except from Dublin, because we received complaints from all parts of Ireland as well as from Dublin. But I think it would be a retrograde movement to ask for a Commission, as it might be taken that it was the opinion of the profession that the Bill was not right as it was brought in. I think what we should do is to pass the amendment asking the Government to take up the Bill and introduce it as a Government measure. MR. J. J. O'SHEE, M.P.—Mr. Shannon has no authority as Secretary of our Associa tion, to second the amendment. We agreed to have a conference between the different Associations in Ireland with the Incorporated Law Society, as well as representatives of the Bar of Ireland and, of course, with the merchants who are most vitally concerned in this matter. I say on a point of order that that amendment has not been seconded. SIR JOHN P. LYNCH :—My intention is that there should be a Government measure produced which is this Bill. I do not at all say that the Bill, as it stands, should be accepted without an amendment. It is quite

open to anybody, Country Practitioners or anyone else, to come forward and suggest amendments. My object is to have this Bill brought in as a Government measure. MR. HENRY SHANNON :—I thought I made it clear at the outset that I did not speak as Secretary. I spoke entirely on my own behalf. In seconding the amendment I may say that the views of country practitioners and their amendments will receive full consideration. MR. P. J. BRADY, M.P. :—I had no intention of speaking to-day, because T did not think I could add anything useful to that which has been so very well said. But a remark made by Sir John Lynch provokes me from my silence ; and I wish to say this, we all proceed on the assumption that the Government will take up this Bill if a resolution goes forth to that effect from this meeting, backed up by the Council of the Incorporated Law Society. But that may not be quite such a matter of certainty. The Government would take up the Bill only if they were assured it would be an un opposed Bill. Night after night there were not alone blocking motions on the paper against my Bill, but I was also told by other members who had not put down blocking motions that they would oppose the Bill at every stage. I think that there is a possibility of the Bill finding its way to the Statute Book if even now another conference took place, and if those who object to the Bill would come and discuss the matter at a round- table conference in a friendly manner. We all agree there is a necessity for improvement in County Court procedure which is archaic, obsolete. If we are all agreed on that, surely it is not impossible to give statutory expression to our views. But I think there is not the slightest use in asking the Govern ment to take up this measure, unless we are in a position to assure them that all classes in Ireland interested are in favour of it. It is with the honest desire to help, not alone the profession, but also the commercial community of this City and of the country generally that I make the suggestion that even now it might be worth while to try another conference. Speaking as a com paratively new member of the Council, I may be of some assistance to my colleagues by suggesting to them the names of persons