THE PARLIAMENT BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 7, 8 January 1916, Page 5

THE PARLIAMENT BILL.

DISCUSSION IN THE LORDS. GENERAL ELECTION HOT ;';-.;_■_; WANTED. - ; .' \ .;.'••'. -.. ABSVKDXTY OF THE SITUATION '■•-; (Received 11-Sp ia) v j ' LONDON" January V. ' Speaking in the House of Lords, the Marquis of Crewe; via :d»cusi»ig the parliament and Registration Bill, said it was based ion the principle that the majority of the people did not want a general election. Some of the member! of the House of Commons were demanding a more strictly National" Government, but an election would not be useful for that purpose. It would merely afford an opportunity for a welter of personalities to be directed against.individuals. Lord St. Aldwyn commented-Vqn the Parliament Act, which; heiontetided, had created an absurd situation. -Thy Lords were now able to.determinei ; the life ; of the Commons. '■'■ ■' '. ; Viscount Bryce pointed : out that it came as an agreed upon meaeurej and it would be unfortunate to throw it back into the cauldron of-agitation and party differences. • ; J Lord Lansdowne: Xobody could possibly desire that an election-shouid be forced on a reluctant" country^-.: The Lords will not stand in the way.when the time comes that the people 'desire' a change of government, biit the Plural Voting Bill is dead. It wili be impossible to introduce that contentious .measure ' immediately after peacei' h""-.'■'.'-' "~ ~ . ■•