THE VETO BILL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10173, 24 February 1911, Page 5

THE VETO BILL

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association — By 'Electric Telegraph — Copyright.

NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.

REFORM FROM WITHIN

(Received February 23, 8 a.m.)

LONDON, February 22,

The Times, commenting on the Veto Bill, says:— "There was'nothing in Mr Asquith's speech to indicate a disposition, to listen to suggestions as to modification. Mr Balfour, impressed by Mr Asquith's uncompromising attitude,!, seems resigned to a bitter contest." The Daily Mail (Unionist) declares that the driving power is not the Liberals, but the Nationalists! and Labourites. If the Cabinet's aim is a sane, strong, dual-chamber government, and not single-rchamber autocracy, then the Unionists are one with Mr Asquith, and it will only be necessary to consider details. "But this," adds the Mail, "would involve vital modifications in theßill." The Daily News (Liberal) says: "Judging by Mr Balfour's remarks, tHe opposition to the Bill . will be one of shadows and phantoms." In the House of Lords, the Marquis of Lansdowne (Leader of the Opposition in that Chamber) announced the introduction, at an early date, of a Bill to airiend the constitution of the House of Lords.

READ A FIRST TIME

SCENE OF JUBILATION,

A,WARM DISCUSSION. (Received Last Night, ,IT.u~6*clock.) 'LONDON, February 23. In the House of Commons, the Parliament Bill was read a first time. The motion,for the first reading was carried, by 351 votes to 227. The Ministerialists were jubilant. They stood 4 waiving their hats and order papers, and cheering the Right Hon, H. H. Asquith. as he was carrying the Bill from the bar to the table. The demonstration was maintained for several minutes, with the Nationalists crying "Down with the Lords."

Mr Frederick E. Smith, Unionist M.P. for Liverpool, Walton Division, commented on the Government's sur" prising levity in attempting to dispose of the Bill before the Coronation. There was, he said, an English majority against the Bill. This would support the Opposition in any .resistance, • however desperate. This statement was received with,' cheers and counter cheers. i The Right Hon. ' George Wyndham, Unionist M.P. for Dover, sug-'j gested that the Government should* discuss the proposal at a joint sitting of the two Houses;.. , *'• .Mr Winston Churchill said-that ±h&humiliation of Liberal Bills being flung back in Ministers' faces would' rieVer be forgotten. 'lf the 'Govertir ment accepted an invitation to an-. other conference, they would not have fifty .supporters. The referen-" dum was vicious in itself, and es-; pecially unsuited' to Britain. It would lead to Jacobinism,'; Social-/ ism and anarchy. A measure, which j created a fair, well-constituted' sec- 1 ond chamber would be introduced. I

Mr Frederick Smith interjected, asking "Whep?" /. ~ , ") r '."..;'. '• Mr Churehill did /.not /reply, and 1 there was a. prolonged demonstration on both sides. Mr Churchill concluded: "The Opposition policy, while wracking every other institution, sought to preserve the Lords' from the sinister, ugly Veto."