THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2104, 12 June 1907, Page 4

THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

PROPOSED REFORM

BIG FIGHT EXPECTED

United Press Association—Copyright LONDON, June 8.

Speaking at a conference of the National Liberal Federation at Plymouth, the Rt. Hon. Thos, Shaw, Lord Associate for Scotland, referring to the House of Lords, said the die was cast, and it would be the people’s struggle for mastery of the Commons. Sir H. C. scheme would leave no beating about the bush.

In the evening, at a meeting at the Drill Hall, Sir H. C. Bannerman, addressing a gathering of 6000 peoplo, declared that the harmony of the Liberal party, both inside and outside the House, was perfect, and had never been so great as at present. It had gained rather than lost in intensity. The House of Lords had been responsible for an enormous waste of time. Successive blows by the Houso of Lords at the authority of the House of Commons, though directed against particular measures, were part of a general scheme of discrediting any Liberal Government. The very existence of Liberalism as a power in the State depended on the struggle whereon the Government were .embarking. If ' self-respecting Liboralism, with the country behind it, was unable to force the policy, it had better go down in asserting its right than linger as a shadow of government. The Houso of Lords had abused file powers within tho Constitution,' and the Liberals in assigning them to their proper jda.ee were defending tlio Constitution, wliioh the Houso of Lords were straining. The time for compromising, temporising, and expostulating had gone. The Houso of Lords must bo told tliat the people must be the masters of their own House. According to accojlted constitutional doctrine, tho last word and ultimate supremacy should rest with tho Houso of Commons. ‘ Tho Times declares the Goverumenfc!s plan is apparently in nowise an attempt to secure expression of tho porniaucnt intentions of the people. Its plan is tho putting of the party majority’of tlio House of Com mpns in a position of supremacy. Jt was never intended it should fundamentally alter the constitution, and to do so would be to defeat tho Government’s professed objects .