THE VETO BILL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1113, 28 April 1911, Page 5

THE VETO BILL.

REFERENDUM DISCUSSED. AMENDMENT DEFEATED. VIEWS OF MR. BALFOUR AND SIR. ASQUITH. By Tclesraph-l'ress Association-Oopyrieht (Rec. April 27, 9.30 p.m.) London, April 27. The debate on the Veto Bill was continued to-day. Mr. G. Cave's amendment, providing that after a Bill has been passed thi-eo times in the House of Commons and rejected by the House of Lords, it shall bo submitted to a referendum, was negatived, tho voting being: Against the amendment 286 For the amendment 161 Majority against 122 Sir H. Samuel declared that unless it was constantly used, the referendum would be no remedy for deadlocks, and if constantly used it would become intolerable. Mr. Balfour emphasised the fact that the referendum should only be used on great and rare occasions. The referendum was the more necessary, inasmuch as the party system was getting more rigid. Mr. Asquith declared that the amendment was more revolutionary than anything which had been submitted to the House. He deprecated casting upon the people tho burden of deciding what their representatives were sent to Parliament .to decide.

MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL. DEFIANCE OF ECONOMIC LAWS, (Eec. April 27, 9.30 p.m.) London, April 27. A motion by Mr. Will Crooks in favour of the legislative establishment of a minimum wage of thirty shillings a week for every adult worker was talked out. Mr. H. J. Teunant said the . Government was unabie to accept the amendment, inasmuch as such legislation was a defiance of economic laws, and would prove disastrous. It was calculated that to give effect to the motion would involve an annual charge of ,£88,000,000. They must leave the settlement of rates of wages to- the free play of economic forces. THE HOME RULE BILL. London, April 27. Mr. Asquith informed Mr. . N. Craig that he was unable to undertake.the reform of the House of Lords before the introduction of the Home Eule Bill. FORECAST BY "THE TIMES." A CURIOUS FEATURE. (Eec. April 27, 11.5 p.m.) London, April 27. "The Times" forecasts that the Veto Bill will be read a second time in tho House of Lords before the Coronation. Unionist amendments will be proposed after the Coronation, with the view of excluding Home Rule from the operation of tho Bill. Moderate Liberals hope that if these matters are discussed after the Coronation, a reasonable spirit will bo displayed. One of the most curious features .of the situation is the lack of interest or excitement in the country reported by members of the House of Com"tnons oh both sides, who have been recently in touch with their constituencies. The explanation is that the proposed alterations in the constitutional machinery affect the- electorates only indirectly, and interest will bo aroused only by the measures passed through the altered machinery.