The Press. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1909. THE LORDS AND THE BUDGET.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13596, 3 December 1909, Page 6

The Press. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1909. THE LORDS AND THE BUDGET.

There is no question that in passing Lord Lansdowne's amendment to the second reading of the Finance Bill the House of Lords has taken the boldest step recorded in its history since Pitt practically changed its character by a large creation of new peers selected from outside the landed aristocracy. Judging from a good deal of \ tho criticism ; directed against \ their 'Lord-hips' action, however, there seems to be ,muoh misconception as to the attitude tney have taken up, and the effect of what they have done. It is not true that they have taken away tho power of tho purse from the Commons, or arrogated the right to dictate, its form of future All have r done is to exercise their constitutional rights of delaying, certain new legislative pro-jp.S-l- until the opinion of the public jean be tafcen upon them. If there is a JGeneral Election with tho Budget as khe main issue, and the present GovernUent are returned with a majority, the Lords will bo obliged to pass the Finance jßill, whether they like it or not.. The {amendment they have carried in the (meantime is one that every " democrat" /ought to approve, and it is not a little ' j curious that Lord Morley, who seems to / have delivered by far the ablest speech 7 against Lord Lansdowne's amendment, / -mainly relied on a decidedly ConservaI tive argument. Replying to the con- / tontion that the Government had no / "mandate/* he argued that tho whole Idea of an election was an adi hoc referendum, and the idea of a "man"date" was a complete departure from the wholesome usages of the country. When an elector went to the poll, ne added, he was voting for a House to make laws and watch administration, and in support-of a party for a certain Ihumber /o& { years in Parliament. There is a good < deal to bt) said in favour of the advantages of such an ideal, but there is no doubt that the general result of the party system has been to evolve the "mandate" and the ad hac referendum. In the coming election every candidate will have state whether ho supports or opposes the Budget; the majority in the new House will certainly be regarded as bearing the mandate of the country, and each member will b© expected to carry out hi. pledge. There is no question that new principles of legislation, on which the country has not yet had the- opportunity of expressing an opinion, are involved in the Finance Bill. Tho .Lords have merely said that in their judgment tho Bill should not be put on the statute book until the people have had an opportunity of pronouncing upon it. Looking at it purely from a ta«tic*l point of view, we cannot say /whether their Lordships' action was wise until we know what the result of the general election is likely to be If the present Government are returned with a strong majority, then net only will the Finance Bill bo carried, but it is very possible an attempt will be made to curb the power of the Lords in future. In that case no doubt Lord Lansdowne an- his friends will be taunted " with having committed a disastrous blunder. On the other hand, if th© Government is defeated. or even if its majority is very greatly diminished, the Lords will find in this fact justification for their action. There is, however, as Lord Cawdor .bowed in his strong and manly speech. something more to be considered than H mere tactical advantages or disad-

vantages on such an occasion as this He pointed out ».hat if the Lords passed the Bill they would destroy for ever the power and authority of the House as a second Chamber. Whether or not it was dangerous, he said, there was only one course for them at this critical national juncture. If they wero satisfied that the Bill was wrong, it was their duty to refer it to the electors. The British people like a fighter, and will, we believe, think ali tho more of the House of Lords for showing some backbone. Whether or not the Finance Bill is ultimately carried in its present shape, wo are hot among those who "believe that anything very dreadful will happen to the Hon*? of Lords as the result of their present action.