HOUSE OF LORDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1927, Page 2

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, June 28.

At a meeting of the l nionist Party Council, several members of the House of Commons roundly attacked the Lords Reform proposals of the party, and notably Mr A- Duff-Cooper and Sir A. Shirley Bonn, who expressed the opinion that it will lead to the Socialists swamping the House. Mr Amery ridiculed this statement. The House of Lords at present was efficient, he said, while the present proposals did not mean that they were final. There would lie the fullest opj portiuiity for discussion before logisla-

was passed. A motion supporting reform was overwhelmingly adopted. Seventy of the moderates will put their own. amendment to the House of Commons deprecating any roiorm till a general agreement is achieved. Lord Oxford, in a letter to Sir H. Samuel .said that he is unalterably- opposed to any attempt to limit the Prerogatives of the Crown, and to add to the Peerage a prerogative which should only be exercisable on the advice of the Cabinet Ministers, and existence ol which lias at least twice in our history enabled us to escape a revolutionary

situation. Lord Oxford says he is also opposed to the reimposition of an offensive and dangerous form of fetters upon the fiscal and legislative supremacy of the Legislative Chamber, which the electorate, at the last two elections, has removed.

LONDON. June 29

Dissentient Conservatives tabled an amendment to Labour’s censure motion which will probably be debated on July (3th. The amendment asks the Go vemment to relieve the Speaker of the responsiblity of giving a certificate in regard to Money Bills and to amend the Parliament Act accordingly. Further, that while agreeing, it is desirable to improve the machinery of the second Chamber in the movers’ opinion no amendment of the powers of the House of Lords is practicable unless and until some form of general agreement is achieved. It is noteworthy that the declaration regarding it as impracticable, follows a statement Sir Joynsmi Hicks made in the Commons in February, when speaking to a private members motion on this subjoct.