THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 186, 16 November 1910, Page 5

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

PROBABLE DATE OF ELECTIONS. THE BUDGET ABANDONED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 15, 10.50 p.m. London, November 15. Mr. Asquith's statement to the House of Commons, expected to be made today, is postponed till Wednesday. The Government is abandoning their "Bills in" both Houses, including the Budget. It is expected that the writs will be issued on the 28th, enabling the large towns to vote before the Bth, and the majority of the rural districts by the 17th, thus doing the least harm to Christmas shopping. The London and Suburban Traders' Federation has petitioned Mr. Asquith to postpone the eleetioas till after Christmas. The Times says the decision of the Government to keep the Veto Conference a secret is due to the desire to keep the method alive. It is believed that the disclosure of the deliberations would prejudice any future conference. The Unionist and Liberal delegates are equally resolute on this point. MR. ASQUITH MEETS HIS MAJESTY TO-DAY. THE '•VETO" DESCRIBED. ' WHY THE CONFERENCE FAILED. Receiwd 15, 10.50 p.m. London, November 15. Lord Knollys (private secretary to his. Majesty the King) had a prolonged interview with Mr. Asquith, who visits the King to-day. Mr. Winston Churchill, in a letter to his constituents, says the Conservatives seek to know whether those in office or the Opposition are to remain in possession of the all-powerful veto, which can be used to harass, damage, and finally dissolve any Government they dislike. The utter blank of the sullen veto bars every path of progress. The Liberals have long claimed equal political rights in the Constitution, and now they were going to take them. Mr. A. Bonar Law, speaking at the Constitutional Club, regretted the failure of the Veto Conference. The Liberals professed that they did not want a single Chamber. The Unionists had meant to reform the Lords, and that it should be real reform. Ther would not be satisfied with an Upper Chamber that was entirely hereditary, but the factions represented bv Mr. Keir Hardie and Mr. Redmond made settlement impossible. The Manchester Guardian states that Mr. Asquith has received strong representations against the reversal of the Osborne judgment from the Scottish Liberals.