KING'S ACCESSION OATH.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 881, 29 July 1910, Page 5

KING'S ACCESSION OATH.

SECOND READING DEBATE. HEAVY MAJORITY FOR THE BILL AMENDMENT DEFEATED. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. (Rec. July 29, 0.25 a.m.) London, July 28. Speaking in tho House of Commons on the Accession Declaration Bill, Mr. Asquith argued,'that the Protestant Succession, was amply safeguarded otherwise than by the Royal Oath. He meant the new formula to meet tho wishes of the Anglican and Nonconformist opponents of the original Bill; Some of the Protestant members of the House desired that a specific repudiation of Roman Catholic doctrines should be inserted in the Declaration; Mr. Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, contended that the proposed Declaration would suffice for all purposes. Mr. Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, added that the singling nut of. specific doctrines was offensive. The closure of tho debate was then carried by 313 votes to 18". An amendment by the Hon. T. C. R. Agar-Robartes, Liberal member for tho St. Austell division of Cornwall, to reject the Bill was lost. Tho voting was:—. For the amendment 8i Against 410 Majority against 326 The Bill was then read a second time. Mr. Redmond, Leader of the Irish Nationalist party, urged Mr. Asquith to communicato to members tho Commonwealth's address to the King relating to the Declaration- Oath.

Mr. Asquith replied that ho had noticed by the press telegrams that the Australian House had unanimously voted an address, but the text had not yet been received by his Majesty's Government.