Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, APRIL 9th, 1910. SUCCESS OR DISSOLUTION ?

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 April 1910, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, APRIL 9th, 1910. SUCCESS OR DISSOLUTION ?

Tut: political situation in the United Kingdom is reaching a climax and as a consequence great public interest is being manifested in the proceedings of Parliament. Seldom in the political history of Britain has greater interest centred in a debate in tho House of Commons than that which is nowtaking place on the proposal to limit the powers of the House of Lords. The gauntlet has been distinctly thrown down by Mr. Asquith, who, it is pleasing to note, has found a common basis whereon the numerous factions constituting his following are able to agree. With his foundation secure, the Premier has concentrated his attention on the veto resolutions. Although financial chaos reigns, it is now possible to discern the wisdom of dealing with the House of Lords before the intricate Budget is tackled. In the first place, the putting of the veto before supplies enables the Prime Minister to be the supreme ruler of the situation. As a tactical move, such a decision from the Liberal's point of view, is par excellent. Then again a very cogent reason for the adoption of the present line of action lies in the fact that the Nationalists can give a whole-hearted support to any proposal which will destroy the power of the House of Lords, which has on se\eral occasions stood in the way of the realisation of their hopes of securing Home Rule for Ireland; whilst on the Budget they are hopelessly divided. It is. therefore, apparent that on the veto resolutions a united front, is bring shown the Unionists, who find themselves an impotent force. The huge task which beset Mr. Asquith is evident, when we remember the diversity of (-pinion within the ranks of the Liberal party. Some held out for a single chamber alone, others advocated an elective body, whilst others again favored the limitation of the vi to. To satisfy these factions, Mr. Asquith submitted his four resolutions, which are now being debated, in committee by the House of Commons. The first ailirms that the House of Lords shall be disabled by law from rejecting or amending money bills. The second resolution restricts the [lower of the Lords in regard to other legislation, and sets forth in effect that the Lords cannot, refuse to pass a measure which has passed the Commons three successive sessions. The third resolution limits the duration of Parliament to five years. The first resolution was forced through the House of Commons yesterday, the Government steadfastly refusing to countenance an amendment that the two Houses should sit together when a dispute arose over a moneybill. The explicit desire of the Government is to refuse any recognition whatsoever of the right of the House of

Lords to meddle with a finance bill. In this resolve it found a majority of the Commoners to support it, despite the fact that a. great many Nationalists purposely abstained from voting. The three other resolutions yet remain to be dealt with in committee, but it is a foregone conclusion that they will be pass,.,!. Xcxi the resolutions will go to the House ~r |.,„,| s . Then the climax of an altogether unprecedented constitutional ciisis will he reached. Once again the lb.use o) Lords will hold the country in its power, for its refusal to abide by the deliberately c\ pressed intentions of the House of Commons will h-.-d to one •-! two thij.-. '• •■ thai Mi, Kin- will bojskc-d t , give t!u iu-cfs-sar\ .ruarantee tint tin will . f tht people will be supreme or there will be another appeal to the country. F.von if we grant that Mr. Asquith lias justice and commonsense on his side. that the continuance of the Veto of the House of Lords is a preposterous anachronism, and that Parliamentary Government is a farce as long as the will of the people can be overruled by an hereditary caste, still, only an optimist can now see a reasonable prospect of an early decisive victory for the cause of government by the people. The situ. ation is pregnant with grave possibilities, but it is yet 100 early to be able to foretell the exact course events will tyke during the next few weeks.