CENSURE MOTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 83, 29 June 1927, Page 11

CENSURE MOTION

LABOUR ON THE LORDS PROTEST AGAINST REFORM SCHEME By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 11.35 a.m. LONDON, Tuesday. The Parliamentary Labour Party has given notice of a censure motion, regretting that the Government has brought down a scheme for effecting fundamental changes in the House of Lords. This scheme, the party holds, jerrymanders the constitution in the interests of the Conservatives, deprives the House of Commons of the control of the finances, entrenches the Lords on a hereditary basis more firmly against the people’s will than for centuries, and is in defiance of every modern precedent. Moreover, it robs the electors of the power to deal with the House of Lords, therefore, the motion declares that it will be an outrage on the constitution by forcing the proposals without a mandate. If he is well enough Mr. Ramsay MacDonald will move the motion, otherwise Mr. J. R. Clvnes will fire the first shot, and Mr. Philip Snowden will second the motion. Dissentient Conservatives tabled an amendment to Labour’s censure motion, which will probably be debated on July 7. The amendment asks the Government to relieve the Speaker of the responsibility of giving a certificate in regard to money Bills, and to amend the Parliament Act accordingly. Further, whilst agreeing that it is desirable to improve the machinery of the second Chamber, it is of the opinion that no amendment of the powers of the House of Lords is practicable unless and until some form cf general agreement is achieved. —A. and N.Z.-Sun.