THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 305, 19 May 1911, Page 5

THE HOUSE OF LORDS

IN THE MELTING POT. LORD ROSEBERY'S TRENCHANT SPEECH. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Received 18, 11.35 p.m. London, May 18. During the debate on Lord Lansdowne's proposals to reform the -House of Lords, Lord Curzon complained of the Government's uncompromising attitude, which did not reflect public opinion. He attributed the refusal of the Government to reveal their policy to the fear of sections of then- followers. Lord Lansdowne's Bill was fairness and simplicity itself. Though Lord Morley estimated the Unionist majority in the House of Lords under the proposed alterations at forty, the "Radicals would actually be in a majority of eiglity at the joint sessions of the Lower and Upper Houses. Lord Courtney "hoped the Government would encourage the reforms, which were a great step forward. Lord Rosebery criticised the bad policy of introducing the Bill. He said it would have been wiser to rely on the Government's resolutions. Only a responsible Government should introduce constitutional reforms. Since ih was impossible to frame a scheme to please anybody, it required all the Government's influences and blandishments to secure acceptation of any solution. He ridiculed election by colleagues. Election to I)orough and county councils was preferable. He also objected to the Lords' choice being limited to peers with special qualifications. He asfced what would be the position when the Parliament Bill became law? Who, he said, would be Acolytes and Sycophants? Who would accept the degrading position and fill the denuded tenches? If the Veto Bill became law, Lord Lansdowne's Bill mattered little. He held no brief for the House of Lords or the House of Commons, but wished to preserve the bi-cameTal system, which the flovenment desired to overthrow. The delate was adjourned till Monday.