THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 769, 18 March 1910, Page 5

THE HOUSE OF LORDS

ROSEBERY'S RESOLUTIONS. ARCHBISHOP OF YORK'S VIEWS. THE LORDS AND THE COLONIES. QUESTION OF POPULAR ELECTION. By Telegraph—Prm« ABSoclation-Oouyrleht London, March 16. In tho House of Lords the debate on Lord Roscbery's resolutions regarding proposed reform of the Lords was continued to-day. The resolutions are as follow:— (1) That a strong and efficient Second Chamber, an integral part of the Constitution, is necessary for the well-being of the State and the balance of Parliament. (2) That snch a Chamber can best bo obtained by the reform and reconstruction of the House of Lords. (3) That a necessary preliminary to such reconstruction is the acceptance of the principle that the possession of a Peerage no longer of

itself gives the right to sit and vote in the House of Lords. The Archbishop of York (Dr. Cosmo Lang), in supporting Lord Rosebery's resolution, declared that the Government's proposed sweeping departuro from immemorial usage was unjustified. He urged the exerciso of common sense with regard to readjustment;

The Marquis of Salisbury said he supported the resolutions, and added: "There must. be a process of selection giving some personal guarantee as t6 the fitness of a peer to exercise the legislative function." Lord Newton said he was now in fatour of Lord • Rosebery's view—to admit of election from outside. SPEECH BY LORD CURZON. FEELING' IN THE COLONIES AND INDIA. (Rec. March 17, 11.20 p.m.) London, March 17.. ' Lord Curzon emphasised the feeling of respect with which the House of Lords was viewed in the colonies. It was looked upon as a benign House where the colonics' case could be stated with experience, regarded sympathetically, and judged with authority. How muoh more wa3 this the case in the opinion of an ancient and aristocratic country like India, throughout which the House of Lords was rogarded with' enormous veneration and respect? One-fourth of the .House sat as the result of their own honourable exertions. He had no sympathy with a popularly-elected Second Chamber,, but favoured rooting the House deeper in the democracy.

Lord Burghclere also supported the resolutions. Ho advocated a limit to the veto. Lord Cromer said the House of Lords should retain their powers intact. Lord Halsbury severely criticised Lord i Eosebery's resolutions, but said he was willing that they should go into committee. , Lord Crewe and Lord Lansdowne will continuo the debate to-day. It is understood that the Lords will take the resolutions in committee next week.and will adopt the first two and consider the third after Easter: MINISTERIAL PROPOSALS. A CHAMBER OF 150 MEMBERS. (Rec. March 17, 11.20 p.m.) London, March 17. The "Times" ' Parliamentary correspondent states that the Ministry favours a Second Chamber of 150 members.. The method, of electing Senators is still under discussion..'The present intention is that half the Senate Bhould ;be elected for eight years, and half for four.

. THE SOLUTION. AN .ELECTIVE-CHAMBER. / ■ London, March IG.. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey, in a speech at a Liberal banquet in the city, said: 'If reform of the House of Lords is loft to the other side, tho Liberals will be courting disaster, death, and damnation. The solution will..be an elective Chamber, elected not necessarily simultaneously with the House of Commons, and. not on the same area."

LORD ROSEBERY'S VIEWS. AGAINST POPULAR ELECTION. London, March 16i, There is much comment in tho newspapers on Lord Rosebery's statement that ho deprecated popular election *of the peers. This, he argued, would only give a feeble understudy, of tho House of Commons, and multiply the horrors of a general election, but the Lord's would derive some dignity by association with corporations and country councils formed into elective bodies, upon the French basis. This representation, he urged, should form no inconsiderable proportion of the Upper House.

Lord Rosebery referred to Sir George Reid as, a man of infinite ability, popularity, and geniality.. No better choice could possibly have been made by Australia. He asked how could Sir George Reid justify to Australians the abolition of the Second Chamber in Britain, when Australia had secured a strong, efficient Senate in 1900. The colonies, he added, had always taken care to seoure strong Second Chambers.

THE SPIRITUAL PEERS. ' ' Addressing the Central Church Committee for Defence and Instruction at York, the Archbishop of York (Dr. Cosmo Lang) remarked that it was thought at the present time that establishment conferred privileges, on the Church. He knew of no privilege that, was now reserved for the Church of England, except that the Archbishops and certain of the Bishops sat in the House of Lords. "1 do not know," said his Grace, "what harm that innocent privilege does to anvbody. It contributes occasionally some chance of the impartial discussion of public measures in one of the Houses of Parliament. I am sure my brethren will welcome the suggestion that has often been made for a reform of that august body, and that, with the archbishops and bishops, there should be some of the leading representatives from other religious bodies." It should, he added, be pointed out that establishment does not necessarily mean, and ought not to mean, the right of Parliament to arbitrarily interfere with the autonomy of the Church.