Mr. Stansfeld was anxious that in the smaller parishes there
should be no representation of the electors, but that the electors themselves should meet to exercise such powers as the Bill gives to the elected Parish Council, and wherever that meeting of electors might be too large for matters of detail, it might, Mr. Stansfeld thought, appoint a per- manent committee. Mr. Shaw-Lefevre strongly supported the power of compelling the purchase of land for allotments, where the owner is unwilling to sell, and deprecated Mr. Jesse Collings's wish to see the compound householder abolished and the occupier rated once more. Mr. Courtney, however, insisted on the very great danger that, unless pro- visions are introduced to ensure the representation of the minority on the Poor-law Board, the great work which the new Poor-law has done may be undone, and many of the mischiefs of easy-going outdoor relief may be restored. And this view was warmly supported by Mr. James Lowther, who spoke on behalf of the Central Chamber of Agriculture.
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