THE VETO BILL

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1060, 24 February 1911, Page 5

THE VETO BILL

—_> MAJORITY OF 124. FIRST READING CARRIED AMID EXCITEMENT, MINISTERIAL JUBILATION. Dy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. February 23, 11.25 p.m.) London, February 23. Thero was a great sceno in the lloufo of Commons to-day whou tho division was taken on Mr. Asnuith's motion that the Parliament Bill be read n first .time. . Tho first rending was carried by a majority of 124, tho voting being;— For tho Bill ! 351 Against the Bill 227 Majority for 124 The Ministerialists were jubilant, and stood waving hats and order papers and cheering, as Mr. Asquith carried tho Bill from ( the Bar of tho House to the table. Tho demonstration was maintained for several minutes, the Irish Nationalists crying "Down with the Lords!" Mr. F. E. Smith (Unionist member for Walton) commented on tho Government's surprising levity in attempting to dispose of tho Bill before the Coronation. Thero was an English majority against the Bill, which would support tho Opposition in any resistance, however desperate. This sti'tement wis received with cheers and oounter-oheers. . . , Mr. George Wyivdham, . formerly Chief Secretary for Ireland'in tho Balfour Administration, suggested that tho Government should discuss proposals for a joint sitting of the two Houses. Mr. Winston Churchill, Home Secretary, said tho humiliation of having Liberal Bills flung back in Ministers' faces would never be forgotten. If tho .Government accepted the invitation to hold another - conference they would not have fifty supporters. The referendum . was vicious in itself, and especially unsuiteij to Great; Britain. ...It would , lead to Jacobinism,. Socialism, and anarcTiy. . A measure creating a fair and well-consti-tuted Second Chamber would be introduced. ■ ' Mr. F. E. Smith interjected—"When f" Mr. Churchill did not reply, and there was a prolonged demonstration, on both sides. Mr, Churchill concluded his speech by stating that tho Opposition policy, while wrecking every other institution, sought to preserve tho sinister and ugly veto of the House of Lords, • REFORM OF THE LORDS. AN OPPOSITION BILL. (London, February 22. In the House of Lords,, tho Marquis of Lansdowno (Lender of the Opposition in tho Chamber) announced tho introduction, at an early datei of a Bill to amend tho constitution of tho House of Lords. PRESS COMMENT. ;; ■ ' ' A BITTER CONTEST. ' ' " ■ London, February 23. "Tho Times," commenting on tho Veto Bill, says: "Thero wis nothing im Mr. Asquith's spcoch to indicate a disposition to' listen to suggestions as to modifica-, tion. Mr. Balfour, impressed by Mr. Asquith's uncompromising attitude, seems resigned to a bitter contest." ' Tho "Dajly Mail". : (Unionist) declares that the driving power is not tho Liberals,, but the Nationalists - and Labourites? If the Cabinet's aim is a sane, strong, (utial-chambor government, and not singlecliainber autocracy, then the. Unionists are 0110 with' Mr. Asquith, and it willonly bo necessary to consider details. "But this," adds the "Mall," ; "would involvo vital modifications in the Bill." , Tho "Daily News" (Liberal) .says; "Judging by' Mr.. Balfour's remarks, the opposition to the Bill will be one of shadows and phantoms." • NATIONALISTS AND THE KING. London, February 22. The "Pall Mall Gazette" (Unionist)* says the Nationalists, in refraining from taking/part in the Coronation, will avoid recognition of tho. Sovereign, on 'political grounds. This, adds the paper, is the height of disloyalty.