THE VETO BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10231, 6 May 1911, Page 3

THE VETO BILL.

PASSES THROUGH COMMITTEE. v (Received May 5, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 4. Mr Brane's amendment was defeated by 218 to 47, the Opposition abstaining from voting. Mr Barnes said that the elected second chamber of British dependencies were more obstructive than hereditary. Britain's scheme foreshadowey by the Government, would involve Parliament and country in a long and bitter controversy, during which the Government might be destroyed. Mr Asquith said he could not rest with a second chamber as at present constituted. He was satisfied that, in the interests ef any democratic country, a second chamber was desirable, provided it was clothed with, definite and limited functions, and was in nowise competing as an organ of the popular will with the elected representatives of the people; and was invested with functions of revision, consultation and delay.

Mr Balfour declared that consulation, revision and delay, ought to be the Lords' main function. He deprecated the Commons holding the destinies of the country. The Bill passed the committee, the voting being:— Ayes 285 Noes 147 p, The Times suggests that many Ministerialists favour the passing of the Opposition's Reform of the Lords. Bill, on condition that the Veto Bill applies to the reformed chambers.