The Gazette 1913-14

DECEMBER, 1913] The Gazette of the Incorporated Xaw Society of Ireland.

Commons, and we got the Bill so amended that this objection was entirely removed. During the year the DUBLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE made representations from their Council with regard to two matters, one in connection with the County Courts. In respect of that matter the representatives we sent to the Chamber of Commerce—Mr. Byrne and Mr. Collins—succeeded in getting the Chamber of Commerce to reaffirm their support of our County Courts Bill. We also satisfied the Chamber of Commerce that at the present time there was not sufficient reason for introducing into Ireland the English Bank ruptcy code. We have considered that subject very carefully from time to time at- the Council, and we have come to the con clusion, with the assistance of such members as practice in the Bankruptcy Courts, in cluding members who are outside the Council, that this attempted introduction of the English system into Ireland would be altogether unsuited to the conditions existing in this country. There is another matter, and I only mention it in consequence of an argument that I intend to state to you. There were certain LOCAL BANKRUPTCY COURT RULES which required to be brought into conformity with the High Court Rules. The rule-making authority is the Privy Council, but this Society has no representation on that body such as we have in connection with the High Court Rules. The consequence was that in assimilating the two procedures, the pro cedure in local Courts and in the High Court, we only succeeded in two out of three matters in which we sought a change. I only mention this now to emphasise the necessity in respect of all future legislation connected with the Courts and Rules which touches this profes sion, we ought to see to it that a representa tive of this Society is a member as of right upon all rule-making authorities (hear, hear). EASTER AND WHITSUNTIDE HOLIDAYS. There is a matter that I would just mention to you, in which the Council have succeeded even beyond their expectations during the

weight in it at all. I cannot understand why any responsible statesman should make such a statement in the House. A second objection was made, namely, that contro versial matters had been introduced into the Bill. The answer to that is short and simple. It is no excuse for not proceeding with this Bill. The Council asked for a conference with the County Court Judges to consider what these controversial matters were, the controversial matters that prevented the Bill being proceeded with. The fact of the matter is that yesterday we held the conference, and after an hour's consideration there did not remain between the repre sentatives of the Council and the representa tives of the County Court Judges a single matter of controversy in connection with this Bill (applause). This, I think, is a sufficient answer to what has taken place already in the House of Commons, and if the matter is not proceeded with next Session in a Bill backed by the Society and the County Court Judges, it is quite impossible for this Society to get reasonable legislation carried in the interests of the public and the profession (hear, hear). During the year the Council again gave assistance to the UNDER SHERIFFS in furtherance of the Bill promoted by them. You will recollect, gentlemen, that in our own interests we could not possibly incor porate the Under Sheriffs' Bill with the County Courts Bill. The Under Sheriffs are not only under the jurisdiction of the County Court but also of the High Court, and for that and other reasons it would simply have been wrecking our own Bill if we had done so. But we did all we could for them, and the Council passed a resolution approving of their Bill, and sent it to the proper quarter. During the year an ENGLISH BANKRUPTCY BILL was passed. When the Bill was first intro duced there were certain words in it which would have made Irish traders subject to the English Bankruptcy Court. This we looked upon as a very great hardship, and we made representations to our colleagues and our representatives in the House of