BRITISH POLITICS

Taihape Daily Times, 26 April 1918, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

REFORMING THE LORDS. . REPORT OP CONFERENCE. : RADICAL RECOMMENDATIONS. Received’ 5.45. a. , LONDON, April 25. The Right Hon. James Brcye, presented the report of the conference on the reform of the House of Lords. In pf(jcoyering letter he states the Conference surveyed the whole constitutional position with a view to creating am efficient Second Chamber, either by niodifying tne present House of Lords or constituting practically a new Secohd Chamber. The conference derived great benefit from the study of the existing Second Chamber in foreign countries and the British dominions. The’ conference agreed upon making the popular element in the Chamber predominant, but did not favour nomination by the Crown or direct election on the same basis as the Comr.ons, which -would render the Second Chamber little bettor than a duplicate of the House of Commons. The conference largely adopted the method of election by members of the Commons, grouped in territorial areas. They also adopted a plan of voting by proportional representation in order to secure due representation of all political parties. The Conference decided to divide Great Britain into thirteen areas, corresponding to Khe ancient divisions of the country out of which the United Kingdom had grown. The total number of members chosen by this plan would be 246, or 278 if Ireland is included. The Conference having thus given a popular character to the Chamber next sought a method to preserve the historical continuity of the new Chamber with the ancient [ House of Lords. The conference agreed that part of the Chamber should be chosen from the peers, and that a small number should be taken from the episcopal bench. In fixing the number from the existing House it was thought proper to make the number larger at the outset in order to find room for peers who have been active in life -than they need be in future, ! The Conference recommended as the number of these which Would be gradually reduced to thirty, the remaining fifty-one seats becoming ultimately open to persons who need hot- be peers. Members for this section of the Chamber could be 'ehbsen by a joint Standing Committee 'of both. Houses, the tenure of both ’ sections to be twelve years, one-third .jqfiring every four years. Selection by the Joint Committee would always precede the election of ierritox-. Hal ‘groups! If a Second Chamber should ■-continue its appellate jurisdiction the ls law lords would remain ex’oiilco, members. Members of royal house would be similarly retained. The clergy of the Anglican, Roman, Socttish and Irish churches should be eligible for election. The Conference discussed the admission of members representing the overseas dominions. The terms of reference- precluded a recommendation, but the Commission trusts the Government will consider the Subject of that Joint Committees of both Houses should decide when the Second Chamber should have power to deal with a Bill when doubts arose as to whether it purely was a money bill. Disagreements between the Chamber should also bo settled by a joint conference. The question of solving a deadlock by a referendum was considerably supported, but the conference rejected the idea.