trust, however, that the plan will be considered a reasonable plan," said the Chancellor, in conclusion, "that it will be found not to impose upon the local authorities any shackles of which they can reasonably complain, and that no securities are demanded on behalf of the public beyond what are absolutely necessary."[98] _Sir Henry Willoughby_ held that the law needed consolidating before any new Act was passed. It was not long since 200 petitions were presented to the House for a consolidation of existing statutes, and an inquiry into the entire system. Let the House take this step first. After speaking warmly on the subject of the disposal of Savings Bank money, he appealed to the Chancellor to refer the whole subject to a Select Committee, who should recommend a clear and well-defined legislative enactment. _Mr. Sotheron Estcourt_ and _Viscount Goderich_ took the same view; the former gentleman, however, warmly approved of the Government bill, which had "happily been re-introduced," and thought that "most of the alterations made were improvements." As a trustee of a Savings Bank he would consider his position infinitely improved by the bill. If, however, the feeling of the House was for a committee, this course could not prejudice the bill, though it would delay it. _Mr. Thomas Baring_ thought the matter should go before a Select Committee; so did Mr. Henley. The Irish members, Mr. Slaney and others, were for passing the bill, and not deferring legislation any longer on any pretence. The Chancellor of the Exchequer opposed any further delay; the adoption of any other resolution would simply tend to shelve the bill for another session. If honourable gentlemen really wished to reject the bill, let them resort to the direct and fair course of doing so. He also was for consolidating the laws relating to Savings Banks; but till that could be done he thought it by far the best plan to introduce a few more clauses into the law to remedy grievances which could not wait to be redressed. The motion was then agreed to. The second reading came off on the 8th of June. _Mr. Ayrton_, in a long and animated speech, during which he said that the greater number of Savings Banks were now most efficiently managed on a principle which was most conducive in binding the humbler to the more influential classes, and that he could conceive nothing more calculated to destroy that sympathy than the present proposals--"felt inclined to move that the bill be read a second time that day six months." The result of the proposals would be a step in the direction of the system which obtained on the Continent, where every function of the community was usurped "by what was called the civil service of the country." Amidst cries of "Divide," Mr. Ayrton said he was strenuously opposed to any such system. _Mr. McCann_ said the whole body of the people were unanimous in applauding the measure of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. _Sir Harry Verney_ approved of the principle of the