IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 247, 24 February 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

REFORM OF inii LORDS. COMMENT ON THE VETO BILL._ By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, February 22. Lord Lansdowne has announced that the Unionists will bring in a Bill at an early date to amend the constitution of the House of Lords. The Times, commenting on the Veto Bill, says that there was nothing in Mr. Asquith's speech to indicate a disposition to listen to modification. Mr. Balfour was impressed by Mr. Asquith's uncompromising attitude, and seemed resigned to a bitter contest. The Daily Mail declared that the driving power was not the Liberals, but the Nationalists and Laborites. If the aim of the Cabinet is a sane and strong dual chamber government, and not a single chamber autocracy, then the Unionists are with Mr. Asquith, and it is only necessary to consider details, but this would involve vital modifications in the Bill.

The Daily News says that, judging by Mr. Balfour's remarks, the opposition to the Bill will be one of shadows and phantoms. BIG MINISTERIALIST MAJORITY. GREAT EXCITEMENT IN THE HOUSE. Received 23, 11.5 p.m. London, February 23. In the House of Commons the Parliament Bill was read a first time by 351 to 227. The Ministerialists were jubilant, and stood waving their hats and order papers, and cheering,/whilst Mr. Asquith was carrying the Bill from the bar to the table. The demonstration was maintained for several minutes, the Nationalists crying, "Down with the Lords!" ,

Mr. P. Smith commented on the Government's surprising levity in attempting- to dispose of the Bill before the Coronation. There was an English majority against the Bill, and this would support the Opposition in any resistance, however desperate. The statement was received with cheers and counter-cheers.

Mr. Wyndham suggested that the Government should discuss proposals for a joint sitting of the two Houses. Mr. Churchill: "And have them flung back into Ministers' faces. It would never be forgotten." If the Government accepted the invitation to another conference it would not have fifty supporters. The referendum was vicious in itself, especially ; trhsuited to" Great Britain, and would lead to Jacobinism, Socialism, and Anarchy. A measure creating a fair and well-constituted second chamber would be introduced.

Mr. F. Smith interjected, asking when. Mr. Churchill did not reply, and there was a prolonged demonstration on both sides. Mr, Churchill concluded by saying that the Opposition policy, while wrecking every other institution, sought to preserve the House of Lords' sinister and ugly veto.