GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1927, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

house: of loi?os. LONDON, June 22. In the Ijonls, resuming the debate on Reform, the Duke of Northumberland agreed that professionals removed the worst features of Parliament 'Act. Defending the hereditary prineipl ehe claimed that the Lords acre more representative of tJie country than the Commons. There was no subject on which Lords could not provide 'more expert opinion than the Commons. A strong second Chamber was necessary to chock Socialist folly. The next Government might not offer the same terms, so it was hotter to seize the opportunity of reform which permitted the Lords slil to live an historical part, as the least line of defence against the forces of tyranny and chaos.

Lord Parmoor saifl the proposals did not constitute a second chamber on popular, instead of hereditary basbut rendered less effective a inaction of the Commons under a Labour or Liberal Governmtnt, and wholly confirmed the principle of a single ehamlber government. whenever the Conservatives had sufficient majority in that House. Furthermore they completely eliminated the influence of the Labour Party. The whole scheme was reactionary. This was not the wav to hold hack revolutionary movements. Therefore he would support lrraii’s amendment. -Lord Birkenhead announced it was intended to pass a. Dili during tiie lifetime of the present Parliament. Ho indulged in banter at the expense of Lord l’armoor’s defence of the good old constitution, instead of the Ministry’s change. He then taunted the Liberals for opposing what went a little further than Mr Lloyd George’s 1922 scheme.

118 YRAILS OLD. LONDON, .June 22. Obituary.—James Carroll, residing in King’s County, reputed to lie the oldest army veteran. Also the oldest Britisher, being aged 11H years. He saw heavy service in Zealand.

IRISH OATH OFKSTTOX. LONDON. June 2.'!. De Valera has obtained the opinion of three leading counsel, including Duffy, one of the treaty signatories. The opinion is that neither treaty, constitution nor standing orders of the Dail allow the exclusion of any member if lie refuses to take the oath.

FRENCH CRITICS. PARIS, June 22.

The French press has begun to reveal cynicism regarding Geneva Conference naval proposals. “Le Journal ” says Knghiinl wants to suppress submarines owing to their terriblv war-time blow, but they are France’s host means of const defence. “Le Temps” declares the three Powers arctrying to solve in their own interest, what belongs to general domain and asks in view of the conflicting theories and interests is there any place for an honest, c-apablo transaction.