THE VETB BILL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1186, 22 July 1911, Page 5

THE VETB BILL.

THIRD READING CARRIED. LORD MORLEY URGES THE PEERS TO YIELD. ATTITUDE OF THE KING. By TekeraDh-Press AEsociatior-CoDjriehl (Rec. July 21, 11.15 p.m.) London, July 21. Tho Parliament Bill, as amended by the Unionist Peers, was read a third time I .in. the House of Lords yesterday, thus bringing the country within sight of the culminating point in the struggle between tbo Housss. Ths House was crowded to hear the debate, and many distinguished visitors wero present, including a number of Indian potentates. An Inevitable Operation. Lord Morley, Leader of the House, in moving that the Bill bo Tead a third time, eaid the' consequences of tho measure might bo grave, and were intended to bo grave, but the consequences that would follow its rejection would be far graver. Hβ desired to see this inevitable Parliamentary end political operation carried through without tho addition of a social shock. Though tho Bill was so changed that it was no longer a Government measure, its rejection would mean a tremendous dislocation of' Parliamentary business and great exasperation of political opinion. The Government had a right to expect the Lords to follow iho precedent in the case of the Budget, which they had accepted after an appeal to the country, and so accept this Bill, which has been approved at a general election.

Lord Morley concluded by declaring that, for the Unionist Peers to pass the Bill that night, and to allow the real Bill to pass by and by, was not a surrender to tho Houso of Commons or to tho Govornniont, but to the verdict of the country. Unionist Aims. Lord Lansdowne, Leader of tho Opposition, in the Chamber, replied that the Unionists' alterations were intended to prevent the Government from tampering with the Union until the country could express its view. If the Government contended, the country had changed its mind regarding Homo Rule, why cheat it of the opportunity of saying so? The Government ought not to 'bo able to do behind the back of the peoplo what it could not'do in face of them. Tho Unionists' ultimate goal was the reasonablo reconstruction of the House of Lords.

Continuing, Lord Lansdowna denied that tho country had given a conclusive verdict o>a the details of tho present Bill, and emphaeised tho fact that other questions had been presented to the electors. The Lords, he declared, were constitutionally right in revising the Bill and removing its defects. Tho Lords had conceded the right of tho Commons to deal with finance, but had suggested what should be a Money Bill. In Mr. Asquith's own language, tho Lords had gone five-sixths of the way to meet the Government;

Tho Lords' amendments were so essentially important, concluded tho Opposition"Lcadpr, ■ that, they-. , \Vould not recede from their position so long as (Tiey remained freo agents. The Government had all tho materials for an honourable settlement.. . .. The Archbishop's Warning. The ' Archbishop of Canterbury- (Dr. Davidson), after remarking that Home Rule had been twice rejected, and asking whether it could bo contended that a definite scheme of Home Rule was before the country at the last election, uttered a grave warning against tho abuse of temporary political power. Disaster would await the land, or Government, or party so led.? Lord Willoughby do ' Brooke ' insisted that Lord Lansdowne's amendments were the irreducible minimum tho Unionists could accept. Lord Halsbury (ex-Lord Chancellor) said he would refrain from dividing the Houso, on the understanding that tho Unionist Peers would insist on the retention of their amendments. After further speeches had been made, the Bill, as amended, was read a third time without a division. CREATION OF PEERS. KING STATED TO HATE GIVEN HIS WOED. London, July 20. The Press Association states, as the result of inquiries made in political quarters, that the Government has obtained tho necessary permission for the appointment of as many Pears as are required to carry out tho Liberal policy. (Rec. July 21, 11.15 p.m.) London, July 21. "The Times" declares that tho Press Association's statement that the King has consented to the creation of Peers represents, at auy rate, the growing belief in political circles THE BILL LAW IN THREE WEEKS, MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. (Rec. July 21, 9.25 p.m.) London, July 21. Mr. F. D. Acland, Financial Secretary to tho War Office, speaking in West Somerset, declared that the Parliament Bill would pass within three weeks or a fortnight without tho creation of Peers. Tho'House of Lords might require rope to assist them in climbing down, but whatover tho length of tho rope, they had still a considerable :distanco to drop. NO SURRENDER. DUKE OF BEDFORD'S VIEW. London, July 20. The Duke of Bedford, in a speech at Woburn, Bedfordshire, said that if tho Parliament Bill were returned to the Lords in its original form tho independent Unionist Peers would not surrender their trust. If they surrendered it, tho Unionists in the country would say that tho Houso of Lords was useless. UNIONIST FEELING HARDENING. OPPOSITION TO THE END. (Rec. July 21, 11.15 p.m.) London, July 21. Tho Unionist leaders in both Houses are conferring to-day, and tho Unionist Peers will meet lit Lansdowuc Houso this afternoon. Feeling among the Unionists during the past twenty-four hours has hardened, mid many favour opposing the Government's policy, at whatover cost, NO COWARDICE L\" YIELDING. (Rec. July 21, 11.15 p.m.) London, July 21, "The Tiraes" etntos that Jakl Lensdoivno'e reference to the Government , *

having the materials for an honourable settlement suggests a readiness lo avoid moro extreme measures, ond seek a more pacific issue. If the- Government is resolved to carry through the Constitutional outrage, thero will bo no courso open to the Peers which will not involve grave evils. A charge of cowardice will, however, nowiso lio against them. 'When men are no longer free agents thero is no cowardice in a temporary submission, with the determination to right the wrong hereafter.