MINERS AND THE LORDS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 62, 6 December 1907, Page 3

MINERS AND THE LORDS.

—fr- ■ v The conference'of the Miners' Federation at Southport, Lancasliire, discussed, among other things, a resolution proposed by Mr. J. Wadsivorth, Labour member for- Hallamshire, in favour of supporting any party in its endoavour to abolish the House of Lords. "I do not think we should be in a great hurry in tackling the question," remarked Mr. Wadsivorth. "It cannot bo got through in a hurry. It is shouted on the platforms, 'Abolish the House of Lords!' But the thing is easier said than done. ("Hoar, hear.") It will require tact and diplomacy. If we are to have an Upper Chamber at all, let it bo a House elected by the people of the country." Mr. It. Smillie, Labour candidate at the by-election for the . Cockormouth division, of Lancashire, in August, 1906, said' that the history of the Liberal party did not justify -them in joining them in what might bo, after all, a mock agitation for election purposes. ("Hear, hear.") This question would be used as an election cry at the next election, and a largo number of the men who were using it were hopeful that they might be sent up to the House of Lords to act exactly as those people were acting to-day. (Cheers.) Ho did not agree with Mr. Wadsworth that the Lords never passed anything for the working classes. They had passed the Trades Disputes Bill and the extension of tho Workmen's Compensation Act. Tho Lords only threw out the measures of tho Libornl party which they believed the country wero not in earnest upon, but they passed those industrial Bills which thev believed tho country was in earnest about. They would pr.ss any measure upon, which they thought the country wns strong, but at the same time, as they wero not a representative body, ho did not seo what right they had to deal with legislation at all. ("Hear, hear.") The resolution was altered to the following:—"That, believing the voice of the people ought to prevail in all matters of legislation, this conference most strongly supports the proposal to abolish the House of Lords." In this amended form the resolution was carried unanimously and with enthusiasm.