THE VETO BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 315, 31 May 1911, Page 5

THE VETO BILL.

DISCUSSED BY THE LORDS. PRELIMINARY SKIRMISH. By cable. —Press Association.—Copyright Received 30, 10 p.m. London, May 30. The House of Lords was crowded, ineluding many colonial and Indian visitors, to hear the Veto Bill debate. Lord Rosebery, referring to Lord Morley's suggestion for co-operation in regard to reform, said that when the Bill was passed the composition of the House would not matter two straws. The nation did not appreciate the importance of the question. When it did it would not be content with a phantom second chamber. He would demand the restoration of the constitution. He admitted that a Bill was long overdue, but the Government had chosen to proceed on lines of party rancour and revenge. Lord Haldane replied that Lord Rosebery in 1894 held that the Liberals must be freed from the veto before they faced the other difficulties. He denied vehemently that the Bill established a second chamber. Lord Lansdowne said the fact of the House not dividing did not mean accepting the Bill, but that it was desirable to submit amendments, especially safeguards during the period preceding the reconstruction of the House of Lords, sufficient to protect the foundations of the United Kingdom from an irreparable change. Lord Morley closed the debate with a conciliatory speech. He declared that the Government was prepared to discuss amendments which were not opposed to the effective predominance of the House of Commons.

The House of Lords adjourns on Thursday next to June ?2.