The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1888. THE HOUSE OP LORDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1801, 28 March 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1888. THE HOUSE OP LORDS.

Writing yesterday ou the subject of the progress of reform at Home, we remarked that ancient abuses were steadily disappearing before the onward march of an enlightened policy, and pointed tojthe carrying of Mr Bradldugh's motion with regard to hereditary pensions as a distinct step forward. Another indication of an approaching change for the better is to be found m the measure of support accorded m both Houses to m tions affirming the necessity of a reform m the constitution of the Upper Chamber, Mr Labouchere's motion m the House of Commons being rejected by only the narrow majority of 61, while Lord Eosebery's m the Lords was only lost by 47. It was pointed out by the latter that no lees than 65 new Peers (most of them, it may here be remarked, being mere plutocrats) had been created within the last seven years, and that the House was becoming un wieldy. He advocated that only royal Peers should be entitled to hereditary seats m the Chamber ; and that the English, Scottish, and Irish Peers should collectively delegate a certain number to Bit as the representatives of their order. He also urged tbat there should be a certain number ot elective provision should be made for the representation of minorities. He suggested that the Agents -General of the larger colonies should have seats m the Chamber and proposed the Norwegian method of obviating deadlocks by providing that the two Houses should sit together m cases of dispute. It is noteworthy not only that Lord Rosebery found a large number of supporters, but that among them was the Marquis of Salisbury, who while refusing to vote for the precise proposal brought forward because he regarded it as of a "shadowy" nature, at the same time intimated his willingness to entertain a properly considered Bill on the subject, and while deprecating the abolition ofthehereditary principle expressed his approval of the system of life peerages. This is an evidence of a distinct advance m the direction of bringing about the reforms aimed at, and that success will sooner or later attend the efforts of the statesmen who are laboring to bring about those reforms is plainly indicated by the fact that year by year as similar proposals are brought forward, the majority against them grows less and less and promises at no distant date to be converted into a majority m their favor. Writing upon this subject a contemporary says : — " Tho object aimed at by reformers is to do away with tho hereditary power, which, instead of diminishing has been allowed to grow, although it is only felt indirectly, and that mainly through the absorption by the friends of the members of the hereditary Chamber of revenue derivable from taxation. Particulars as to the amount of money which is thus distributed amongst this clbbs was recently given to the public by an American writer. The House of Lords represents 211 families of barons, who have 2492 people holding 4099 offices and receiving from the nation £81,126,188 annually ; 60 families of viscounts, with 963 people holding 1561 offices and receiving £11,2-11,202 ; 200 families of earls, with 3391 people holding 5963 offices and receiving £8,305,950 ; and, finally, 28 ducal families, with 519 people holding 1013 offices and receiving £9,760,090, Thus 13,888 offices, entailing an expenditnro ot 108£ millions annually, drawn from the nation through the taxes, are held by the families of peers of the realm. The offices are m the army, the navy, the church, the universities, and the Colonial and Indian civil and military administrations — the Established Church furnishing some of the fattest places. There are said to be hundreds of appointments carrying with them £10 000, £5000, £3000, £1500, and £1200 a year. The statistics of landownership, particularly m England and Wales, have been carefully collected by the agitators for reform since 1872, when the movement first took definite shape. We will not

trouble our readers with the items, which, although they might be interesting to some, might to others be wearying. There are, however, a few principal items, which will illustrate the nature of the whole : ] 0,207 persons possess two-thirds of the whole of the Innd3 of England and Wales, and 4900 own more than half of those countries . In Scotland the Duke of Sutherland owns nearly one-eighteenth part of the whole land, and m poor, unhappy Ireland out of the whole area of twenty million odd acres, 12 persons own 1,297,888 acres. There is a land tax, said to be on the basis of 4s m the £ on the full annual value, but which is based on an ancient valuation, the utmost contribution on that valuation being at the rate of Is m the £, and m the majority of cases less than £d m the £. It is not necessary to look for a reason for the Marquis of Hartington's opposition to Mr Labouchere's motion when it is known that he is son and heir of the Duke of Devonshire, who is one of tho greatest of all English land-owners, and whose estates extend into 14 different counties, cpvering nearly 200,000 acres of England's richest soil. Experience has proved that it is impossible to effect necessary reforms m connection with matters m which the peers are vitally interested whilst the House of Lords exists m its present form ; hence an attempt is being made to put a limit to the enormous power which that institution wields m the Government of the conntry."