WHAT WILL THE KING DO?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 976, 17 November 1910, Page 5

WHAT WILL THE KING DO?

w THE BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS SENSATIONAL TURN OF EVENTS. HOUSE OF LORDS' REFORM. PROPOSALS OF UNIONIST PARTY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. November 16, 1(1.30 p.m.) London, November 16. A meeting of the Cabinet was held to- : day lasting two hours and a half. Lord Knollys, the King's private secretary, afterwards conferred with Mr. Asquith. 1 There are many reports to the effect that the ICing has- refused an immediate dissolution as unconstitutional.' IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. AN UNEXPECTED MOTION, SPEECHES BY LORDS LANSDOWNE AND ROSEBERY. London, November IG. The House of Lords was crowded today when Lord Lansdowne unexpectedly gave notice of the following motion:— That the House inyitos Government to submit forthwith the Parliament Bill embodying the Veto resolutions for Parliament's consideration and decision. , Lord Crewe stated that he- was unablo to announce the Government's intention.. Lord Lansdowne emphatically denied that the Veto Conference broke down because the Peers did not allow the- Unionist members at the Conference to accept the Government's terms.' He said absolutely that the Unionist members of the Conference had no consultation with any of the Peers, and added: "Some of us are not without hopes that another Conference will be held which will bo more successful." ' • Lord Rosebery intervened, demanding precedenco' for, his reform resolutions. He. declared that he. would sooner sit all night long on Thursday, and risk a dissolution on Friday than that the House ' of Lords should have no opportunity to discuss his proposed reforms. , Lord' Lansdowne's motion has created a sensation. The lobby's opinion is that the Government will find it difficult to refuse Lord Lansdowne's suggestion. CONSTRUCTIVE REFORM. SUGGESTION BY "THE TIMES." London, November 16. "The Times" suggests that if the Government refuses to present the Parliament' Bill to .the House of Lords, Lord Lansdowne 6hould himself introduce the Government's Bill and amend it so that it will embody tho policy of constructive reform to which Unionist Peers are prepared to pledge themselves. UNIONIST CONFERENCE. A REFORM RESOLUTION. London, November IG. , As the result of a consultation between Mr. Balfour, Lord Lansdowne, Lord Cawdor,! and Mr. Austen Chamberlain, tho last-named will move at ..the Unionist Conforeiico :to be held at Glasgow 011 November 25 a resolution welcoming the acceptance by tho House of Lords of the principle that the possession of a peerage. shall no longer give tho right to sit and vote in the Upper Chamber, and welcoming any reasonable proposals to incroaso the efficiency and representative character of the House of Lords by additional lifo peerago. or representatives elected from outside for a term of years; also declaring that there is no serious difficulty in adjusting possible differences between the. House of Lords and tho House of Commons. or in regard to the reform of tho Second Chamber; but if the differences relate to vital issues, particularly as regards .. tho .Constitution, the peoplo are entitled to decide tho question. THE LABOUR PARTY. EFFORT TO AVOID HOPELESS- . CONTESTS. (Eec. November IG, 11.30 p.m.) London, November ,16.. All the members of tho Labour party will stand again for their present' constituencies excepting Mr. Shackleton; but an attempt will bo made to avoid hopeless, and especially . three-cornered, contests. Altogether there will be about' GO Labour candidates. MR. BALFOUR'S COMING SPEECH. AWAITED WITH GREAT INTEREST. (Rec. November IG, 9.45 p.m.) London, November 16. Mr. Balfour's speech to-morrow at tho National Union of Conservative Associations at Nottingham,' on account of which Mr: Asquith's statement' to Parliament has been postponed till Friday, is being awaited with great 'interest MR. ASQUITH VISITS THE KING. STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE. ,- London, November 15. Mr. Asquith, Prime Minister, did not meet Parliament to-day. He visited Sandringham to see King George. In tho Houso of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. LloydGeorge) stated:— "Circumstances have arisen which have rendered it undesirable to proceed with business to-day. Mr. Asquith will make a statement on Thursday next." Mr. Lloyd-George then moved the • adjournment of the House. Mr. Balfour, Loader of the Opposition, suggested that tho statement should bo deferred until Monday. Mr. Lloyd-George offered to defer it till Friday, and tho offer was accepted. UNION AND UNIONISTS. SPEECH BY LORD CURZON. London, November 15. Lord Curzon, in a speech at Bristol, said: "If wo preach union, for heaven's sako let us set an example among ourselves." THE DATE OF THE ELECTIONS. TRADE PROTESTS. London, November IG. The Drapers' and Grocers' Associations throughout tho country aro protesting against the holding of tho elections before Christmas,