THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1910, Page 4

THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

RE KOMI PROPOSALS DISCUSSED, REFORMATION FROM WITHIN. [l'l'.lt PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPTKIGHI.] LONIXLV, Marcli 17. In Hi.- House of !.■•itl:,, the discussion iin (Jie Far] of llusebvry'ss proposals for thi' reform of I Ik- House was continued. l/ord Curzon emphasised the feeling of respect wherewith the Lords were viewed in the colonies, where jJiev were looked upon as a benign House, where the colonies had their ease stated with exijerieiice and regarded sympaihetically and judged with an Ihority. How much then was this the ease with an ancient aristocratic conn try like India, througout which the Lords were regarded with an enormous vein ration and respect. He added that one-fourth of the members of th. House sat as a testtlt. of their own honourable exertions. He had, ho said, sympathy with a popularly elected second chamber but favored the rooting of the House in the ranks of Ihe democracy. Lord Burghelerc also supported the resolution and advocated a limit to the veto. Lord Cromer said that the House of Lords should retain its powers intact. Lord Halsbury severely criticised Lord Rosebery's resolutions but was willing to go into committee., Lord Crewe and Lord Lansdownc will continue the debate to-day. It is understood that the Lords will take the resolutions in Committee next week and adopt the first, two and consider third after Easter.

The Times Parliamentary correspondent says the Ministry favour a second chamber of 150 and that the method of electing the senators is still under discussion. The present, intention is that half the senate should bo elected for eight years and half for four. The newspapers interpret Lord Curzona proposals to mean, firstly the nomination of an undisclosed number of Peers by the Government ;;f the day; secondly that the election of English Peers should be conducted >n the same principle as Irish .and Scottish Peers are chosen ; thirdly that County Councils and great corporations should be formed into electoral colleges to select eighty four representatives to the Upper House.