REFORM OF THE LORDS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 354, 4 April 1910, Page 5

REFORM OF THE LORDS

THE DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. GOVERNMENT IMPROVES ITS POSITION. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright London, April 1.

In the House of Commons yesterday the debate was continued on the Prime Minister's motion to go into committee to consider the relations of the Lords and Commons and the duration of Parliament.

Mr Winston Churchill raised strong opposition protests by arguing that the Conservative attempt to extend the House of Lords' veto over finance was tantamount to a decree to reverse the great extensions of the franchise. There are indications that Mr LloydGeorge will secure Mr Redmond's snipport at the crucial moment by dropping the whisky tax, which the Chronicle argues has proved unproductive. The Westminster Gazette says that although no arrangements have been made with the Nationalists, the situation of the Government is distinctly better. The closure proposals have increased the prospects of the Government holding on for some time, and possibly of sending the veto propoals up to the House of Lords as a considered Bill. Not half a dozen members of the Lower House want another election, and all are working to defer it as late as •possible—-even till next year. Mr W. O'Brien, speaking at Cork, aJlcged that Mr Redmond was using the position which gave him the balance of power in the House of Commons to deprive Ireland of the most s'plenaid concessions regarding the Budget and land purchase. Ireland should be relieved of the whisky duties, the brewery license, land taxes, succession duties and general re-valuation.

Mr Dillon has had another interview with Mr Lloyd-George, hut noth ing came of it.

Moderate Liberals doubt the wisdom of rushing the Premier's resolutions through, and thereby justifying the Lords' contention that they had no* received adequate dis'cussion. A majority, however, of the MinistermlrnTs, Nationalists and Labour Party favour reaching the crisis quickly.

MR ASQUITH'S RESOLUTIONS. THE ''GUILLOTINE" CONDEMNED. WINSTON CHURCHILL'S "GROSS PRESUMPTION." Received April 2, 5 p.m. London, April 2. Unionist newspapers make very severe comments on Mr Asquith's threat-' ened use of the guillotine to limit the comniittee stage of the debate on his' resolutions to five days. The Pall Mall Gazette describes the process as "a revolutionary and destructive one to the estate of the realm, which has taken centuries to erect."

A correspondent, writing to the Times, declares the act of Mr "Winston Churchill in associating the Crown with tCie Commons against the Lords is an outrage on the Throne, and a gross instance of unconstitutional presumption and impertinence.

ABOLISHING PLURAL VOTING. London, April 2. "Mr A. G. Sherwell. Liberal for Huddersfield, moved a Bill abolishing plural voting and making it compulsory to hold the elections on the same day. He stated that the ownership vote exceeded the Unionist majority in 69 constituencies, whereof 41 produced Unionist gains. < Mr H. S. Staveley-Hitll, Unionist member lor Kingswinford, said that if Liberals were 'honest they should flls'o tackle the redistribution of seats. There was nothing to prevent the elections' taking place on the same day. The present system suited the convenience of particular constituents. The motion was talked, out.