THE VETO BILL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1141, 31 May 1911, Page 7

THE VETO BILL.

SECOND READING AGREED TO IN HOUSE OF LORDS. LORD MORLEY ON COMPROMISE. IMPORTANT STATEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Asoociation-CopyriEht (Rec. May 30, 10 p.m.) London, May 30. The House of Lords was crowded yesterday, when the debate on the Parliament Bill was brought to s. conclusion, and the Bill read a second time without a division, being called for. Many of the Indian and colonial visitors now in London for the Imperial Conference and the Coronation festivities attended to hear the debate. Lord Rosebery addressed tho House, nnd in the course of his speech referred to Lord Morley's suggestion that members should co-operate in reforming the Second Chamber. His Lordship declared that when once the Bill was passed the composition of the House did not matter a straw. The nation did not appreciate tho importance of the question. When it did, it would not bo content with a phantom Second Chamber, and would demand the restoration of the Constitution. He admitted that a Reform Bill ivas long overdue. Tho last two elections were a grave fact, but the Government had chosen to proceed ou lines of party rancour and revenge. Lord Haldane, Secretary of State for War, replied, and pointed out that in 1801 Lord Rosebery himself had held that the Liberals must be freed from the veto of the House of Lords before they faced their other difficulties. Ho denied vehemently that the Bill established Single Chamber Government. Lord Lansdowne, Leader of the Opposition in tho Upper House, said the fact that tho House was not dividing did not mean that it accepted the Bill, but that it was desirable to submit amendments, and especially to provide safeguards during the period preceding the reconstitution of the House of Lords sufficient to protect the foundations of the United Kingdom from an irreparable change. Lord Morley, Lord President of the Council, closed the debate in a conciliatory speech, in which he declared that the Government was prepared to discuss amendments which were not opposed to the effective predominance of the House of Commons. The second reading of the Bill was then agreed to. The House of Lords will adjourn on Thursday next until June 26.