THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 22, 27 January 1911, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE. I venture to predict, writes Sir Henry Lucy, from London, under date 16th December, to the Sydney Herald, that in far-reaching consequences the legislative action of the Parliament that meets on the 31st January will equal^ if not exceed, the momentous legislation of the Parliament of 1368, which found Gladstone, "unmuzzled," leader of a majority which, though equal to l£e occasion, fell considerably short of that eager to collaborate wroh. Mr. Ascruith. The first business that will be taken in hand is that for the accomplishment of which the country has 1 this month, sent members to the House of Commons. The Parliament Bill will be reintroduced and passed through all its stages immediately the Address in Reply to the Speech from, the Throne has been voted. It will be forthwith sent on to the House of Lords, who will find themselves in a- position not less critical than that which faced their grandfathers in the spring of 1832, when the Reform Bill, thrown out by triem in the previous session, was ■ reintroduced. In July, 1831, the .Lords refused it a second reading by "41 votes. In April, 1832, ib was conceded by a majority of nine. Repenting their surrender, the Lords, within a month, attempted to get rid of the Bill in committee by a side wind. Earl Grey thereupon resigned. The Duke of Wellington < and Lord Lyndhurst failed to form a Ministry, and Earl Grey resumed office, armed with, authority, with difficulty wrung from an unwilling Sovereign, to make as many new Peers as were necessary to carry the Bill. That sufficed. Through further stages' of the Bill noble Lords slunk away from the division lobby, and in their absence it was added to the statute book. This glance backwards is useful and" interesting as indicating what will take place before the month of February, shortest of the twelve, has sped. It may nob follow identical lines. But it Tvill Certainly ha^te' antilogous result. 1 inasmuch' that the Parliament Bill will be added -to the statute 'book. In the closing days of last session the' Prime Minister properly declined to to&ke public announcement of what had passed between the King and himself 'on the. subject of guarantees that in Ehis matter the will of the people, declared at the polls, "should be carried into effect. In private conversation Ministers aro less reticent, pnd it is known beyond doubt that, as might be expected from a Sovereign loyal to constitutional principles, such assurance has been given, and if necessary will be made available to fullest limit.