HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1927, Page 3

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

(Australian S' N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, July fi. In the lloii.se ol Commons, in his speech on the House ol Lords question, Mr Lloyd George recalled that a Sch'cl. Committee was appointed by the late Sir Henry Campbell IhuiiuTinan (when Liberal Premier), and that committee had iuvoured a considerable reduction in the numbers of the House ol Lords, hut that sagacious Scotsman

-aid that such an attempt would tail, and that it would not sati.-l'y anybody. I lie best thing was not to attempt to make a reform, hut to effect some adjustment of the relations of the two Houses, that would ensure that, the rights ol the House of Commons should prevail. The project ol the Parliament Act was based entirely on Sir Henry Campbell liaiinernian'.s views. Everything since had confirmed Sir Henry’s advice of the year 19(13. Personally lie (Mr Lloyd George) did not believe that it would he possible to get a Second ( handier with direct representation oT the people, without impairing the authority of the House of Commons. ’I he other alternative was that of nomiiination. and il it were for the lifetime ol a Parliament, it would he purely a replica of the House of Commons, hut neither method would solve the problem .

Continuing. Air Lloyd George said

"That is why the Coalition Government left the ramshackle thing alone. Even now the Second Chamber leans against reform. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, however, is not the model for a defensive stronghold. The architect who has proposed it should lean further In the same direction deserves rooms in the lop storey. I hat honour will lie Lord Rirkenhead's. (Loud laughter.) If we are going to have a

Revision Chamber, we must have one that is both competent and impartial. Frankly, are there two hundred of the hereditary peers who. by training, experience and qualil.v of mind are qualified for the positions they occupy 7 (Opposition shouts ol " No!”) Mr Lloyd George said: " If there is not an equal chance lor every party, then reform will he a mockery.” He would prefer the present state to remain unaltered. LONDON. July 3. Speaking after Mr Lloyd George, Air Philip Snowden said: " I lie Government is. using its temporary majority to alter the Constitution.” The worst feature of the proposals was the proposed alteration of the Parliament Act with regard to money hills. Mr Churchill, replying to the debate, said he would ask those whose breasts were heaving with indignation, owing to the Government's proposals, were they the same gentlemen who a year ago organised the General Strike 7

Lahotir cries of ” Divide! ’’ Mr Churchill said: "We will divide all right, hut I understood that the Opposition wanted the debate. As for Air Lloyd George, he was the head of the Government which made the same proposals live years ago. Cries of ” No ! ”

Air Churchill : "Well the proposals are as like as two peas. f l he Government has no intention of creating a. system from which there will he no constitutional exit." LONDON. July f.

There is now an impression in the Lobbies that Parliament and the country will hear little of House of Lords reform for a considerable time. Generally, the older men of the Conservative Party favour reform, hut the

younger men resent it