THE PARLIAMENT BILL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 380, 22 July 1911, Page 5

THE PARLIAMENT BILL.

THROUGH THE LORDS. READ A THIRD TIME. London, Yesterday. Received July 21, 9.25 p.m. Lord Morley opened the speeches on the third reading, and said the const quences to the Parliament Bill might be grave, but the consequences of rejection were far graver. He desired to see the inevitable Parliamentary political operation carried through without any social shock and concluded by declaring that to pass the Bill that night and allow the real Bill to pass by and by. was to surrender not to the Commons or the Government, but to the verdict of the country. Lord Lansdowne replied that the Unionists' resolutions were intended to prevent the Government tampering with the union until the country could express its view. If, as the. Government contended, the country had changed its mind regarding Home Rule, why cheat it of the opportuniy of saying so? The Government ought not to be able to do behind the backs of people what it could not do in their face. The Unionists' ultimate goal was a reasonable reconstruction of the Lords.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, after remarking that Home Rule had been twice rejected, and asking whether they could contend that a definite scheme of Home Rule was before the country at the last election, uttered a grave warning against the abuse of a temporary political Tope.

Received July 21, 10.15 p.m. Speaking in the House of Lords. Lord Willoughby de Brooke insisted that Lord Lansdowne' amendments were the irreducible minimum tlv l Unionists would accept. After further speeches the Bill was read a third time, without division. The "Times" states that Lord Lansdowne's reference to the materials for an honorable settlement suggests a readiness to avoid more extreme measures, and seek a more pacific issue. If the Government was resolved to carry through a constitutional outrage there was no course open to the Peers which did not involve grave evils. Charges o f cowardice would in no wise be against them when they were no longer free agents. There was no cowardice in temporary submission, with the determination to right the wrong. The Unionist leaders of both houses are conferring to day, and the Unionists Peers meet at Lord Lnnsdowne's house this afternoon. The feeling among Unionsts in the past twentyfour hours has hardened. Many favour opposing the Government's policy at whatever cost. The "Times" declares the Press Association's statement that the. King consented to the creation of as many Peers as may be required represent at any rate a growing belief in political circles.

Received July 22, 11 a.m. London, Yesterday. Private meetings of the Conservative party have taken place at Mr Ralfour's house, and of Conservative Pcer3 at Lord Lansdowne's house. Public opinion is much perplexed over the situation.