BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 14497, 24 February 1911, Page 6

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

THE PARLIAMENT BILL. FIRST READING CARRIED. Prcas Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 23. The Parliament Bill was read a first timo by 351 votes to 227. The Ministerialists wore, jubilant, and stood waving their hats and order papers and cheering as Mr Asquith was carrying the Bill from the "bar to the table. The demonstration was maintained for several minutes, the Nationalists crving " Down with the Lords!" Mr F. E. Smith commented on the surprising levity of the Government in attempting to dispose of the Bill before the. Coronation. There was an English majority against the measure, and this knowledge would support the Opposition in any resistance, however desperate.— (Cheers and counter-cheers.) Mr George Wyndham suggested that the Government should discuss the proposals at a joint sitting of the two Houses. Mr Churchill said the humiliation of Liberal Hills being flung back in Ministers' faces would never be forgotten. It the. Government accepted the invitation to hold another Conference they would not have fifty supporters. The- referendum was vicious in itself, and was especially unsuited to Great Britain. Its adoption would lead to Jacobinism, Socialism, and anarchy. A measure, creating a fair and well-constituted Second Chamber would be introduced. Mr F. E. Smith: When?

Mr Churchill did not reply. Thero was a prolonged demonstration on both sides of the House as Mr Churchill concluded his speech by statim; that tho Opposition policy, whilo wrecking every other institution, sought to preserve the sinister and ugly veto of the House of Lords.

[Mr F. E. Smith's statement that there is an English majority against tho Bill is characteristically inaccurate. The total vole polled in the English boroughs and counties was : Ministerialists 2.106,821 Opposition ' 1,^7,883 Scotland and Wales also show popular majorities. The figures would conceivably be even moro favorable to the Government had there been no plural voting. Excluding Ireland, the Liberal-Labor [Ktity have a majority in tho present Parliament of 61.—Ed E.S.j AN AMENDMENT. LONDON, February 23. (Received February 24, at 8.5 a.m.) Mr Austen Chamberlain gave notice of the following amendment:—"That the House of Commons will welcome a Bill reforming the composition of the Jlou.so of Lords wliile maintaining its independence, but declines to proceed with a measure placing all effective legislative authority in a Single Chamber, without safeguards, as such grave changes are contrary to the people's will." COCOA AND CHOCOLATE DUTIES. LONDON, February 23. (Received February 24, at 9.25 a.m.) The Radical members of Parliament are promoting a petition for the abolition of tho cocoa and chocolate duties, which amount annually to £300,000. RECONSTRUCTION ANT) REFERENDUM. LONDON. February 23. (Received February 24, at 9.25 a.m.) The Unionist. Lords' Reconstruction Bill will probably follow Lord Curzon's scheme for modifications on the lines of Lord Lansdowne's proposals. Lord Balfour of Burleigh introduces a Referendum Bill on the 2nd of March. Tho Declaration of London will be debated in the Lords on the Bth March.