THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 265, 30 March 1911, Page 5

THE HOUSE OF LORDS

LORD LANSDOWNE'S DESIGN. CAUSES A SENSATION. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. London, March 28. A sensation was caused in the llou-.e of Lords by Lord Lansdownc postponing the moving of his Reform Bill until after Easter, and stating that he will ino<.'e on Thursday that a humble address be presented asking King George's saiudi'm to introduce a Bill limiting the prerogatives and powers of the Crown concerning the creation and summoning of new peers. THE REFERENDUM BILL. "A MOST MOMENTOUS DEPARTURE." A LAST RESORT. Received 29, 11.44 p.m. London, March 29. In the House of Lords, Lord Lansdownc remarked that his Bill, like any for the reconstruction of the House of Lords, necessarily touched on the Royal prerogative. He was satisfied, as a result J of enquiries, that any such Bill required the previous sanction of the Crown. Lord Balfour of Burleigh moved the second reading of the Referendum Bill. Lord Morlcy, referring to the crowded attendance, said all realised that the House was opening the first page of a most momentous departure in the constitutional history of the country. Nothing in the Veto Bill or Lord Lansdowne's Reform Bill could produce such tremendous changes as the Bill moved by Lord Balfour of Burleigh, involving, as it did, the country in prolongation of the conflict He repeated that the referenda empowered the Lords to enforce a dissolution when they choose. Lord Lansdowne: Wherever the referenda has been established it has never been abolished. He went on to say that j the Unionists regarded the referendum as quite an exceptional measure, and as a last resort when other expedients of settling persistent differences had failed. His advice was that Lord Balfour of Burleigh should not, pending the projects for the amendments re grafting the referendum to the Veto Bill, compel the House now to vote "Aye" or "No" on the second reading. Ultimately the debate was adjourned. WHOLE TOPIC OF CONVERSATION. CABINET'S ATTITUDE. Received 29, 11.44 p.m. London, March 29. Lord Lansdowne's notice re address to the King is the whole topic of discussion in political circles. The newspapers express divergent views regarding the Cabinet's probable advice to the King in connection with the introduction of Lord Lansdowne's Sill. The Chronicle says the Ministers may perhaps advise the Crown to consent to its introduction, lest the Government be accused of depriving the Lords of the power to discuss the question of their own reform, and straining the constitution in the Liberal interest.