AN EXPLANATION. MR. CHURCHILL'S SPEECH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 20, 23 July 1909, Page 7

AN EXPLANATION. MR. CHURCHILL'S SPEECH.

NO TALK OF IMMEDIATE DISSOLUTION.. NOTICE OF THE CLOSURE. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. LONDON, 22nd July. In the House of Commons yes+erday the Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, said Mr. Winston Churchill had informed him that ,he said nothing in his speech at Edinburgh last week, in his reply toi Lord Lansdowne's criticism of the pro-r pesed land taxes, about an "immediate dissolution." He had only attempted* to convey the fact that any conflict between, the two Houses must ultimately be settled by the country. The Premier's explanation was greeted', with laughter. Mr. Asquith has given notice of a motion to give the Deputy-Chairman of' Committee power to accept a motion for the closure, with a view of quickening the progress of the Budget. LORDS AND THE FINANCE BILL. INTERFERENCE UNCONSTITUTIONAL. LONDON, 22nd July., Mr. Herbert Samuel, Chancellor ofthe • Duchy of Lancaster, speaking at the-Na-tional Liberal Club, said that in the Government's view it was as unconstitutional of the Lords to interfere in the details of the Finance Bill as for the Sovereign to veto legislation. j DISSOLUTION PROSPECTS. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. LONDON, 22nd July. The Daily Chronicle says: "Mr. Churchill's indiscretion is twofold. He is not the man to announce the decision j of the Cabinet, and his scheme is tantamount to submission to the Lords, who have no right to force a dissolution." The Daily News remarks : "If the | Crown refuses to create new peers, as I we think it ought, a dissolution cannot be avoided. The Lords have the power to enforce a dissolution." The Times states- that the Government recognises that if the discussion continues under present conditions the Finance Bill will remain in an impasse; the debates will continue to Christmas, thereby greatly delaying consideration ot next session's legislation.