LORDS REFORM BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1933, Page 5

LORDS REFORM BILL

CONTINUATION OF THE DEBATE

DANGER OF LABOUR SUCCESS

(United Profs Asportation—By FJectric Telegraph—Copy right.)

LONDON, December 19

Continuing the debate on the Bill aiming at the reform of the House of Lords, Lord Salisbury, citing Sir Stafford Cripp’s speeches on ' Labour’s intentions s" J id : “We shall be insane if we do not take precautions to prevent the country unknowingly, and not dreaming of the consequences, being exposed to a Labour Government.” He was never able to understand attacks on the hereditary principle, which permeated the whole of our society. He said ; “We are not fighting for rights, but obligations. It would be contemptible to suggest that we :are fighting for privileges. We nr e here because we believe we can- render service to the country. If it does not want us, let us go home.” The reform of the Lords has been in issue f° r half a century. At ,a moment when the dangers of Labour success were demonstrably formidable, when Conservative and Liberals alike were determined to resist them, lit seemed a hopeful moment to- submit a bill to strengthen the constitution and the powers of the Lords. Lord Ponsonbv moved the refection ■of the bill on the ground that its intention w?s to consolidate .Conservative dominance in the Upper House. It was an attempt -to use the Govern■ment’s passing majority to jerrymander the constitution in favour of the Tory Party.

Lord Reading agreed that the bill would not only increase the power of the Lords, but give it a dominant Conservative majority. “We should be taken back to the bad old days before 1911, which we thought disposed of, oncg. and for all.” / Lord Astor. while favour no- House

of Lord's reform, thought Lord Salisbury’s lyll would maintain all the disadvantages of the present constitution. He would prefer a nominated to an hereditary House. Lord Dickenson said that tho Trw's should not be empowered to over-ride the Commons.