REFORM OF THE LORDS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 53, 13 February 1911, Page 1

REFORM OF THE LORDS.

LORD CURZON’S PROPOSALS.

[PRESS ASSOCIA J iuN.—COPYRIGHT. • London, Feb. 11. Lord Curzon, at the United Empire Club, said that it would be the duty of the Lords to press seasoned amendments and rob the Parliament Bill of some of the dangers of its present form. The question of the refoim of the Lords had been crystallising in the Unionist party for the last twelve months. They would have no difficulty, if called upon, to embody their views in a bill. He suggested a House of 300 members, of whom 100 would be picked from the present House, 50 selected from ex-Cabinet Ministers, occupants of great posts in the dominions and dependencies, 50 appointed by the Prime Minister of the day by a certain number annually, the remainder to be elected for a certain term on a democratic franchise or nominated by the local self-governing bodies representing the counties or great centres of population.

“THE PALL MALL’S” SUGGESTION. The “Pall Mall Gazette” states that a scheme which retains the predominance of the hereditary privileges would be advocated under the greatest disadvantages and suggests a uniform principle of selection either by the election of large constituencies on proportional representation or by municipalities. A PILL TO BE SWALLOWED. Mr. Masterman, speaking at Stratford, Essex, said that the Parliament Bill would follow immediately* on the Address-in-Reply. He added ihat the Conservatives must swallow the pill, however biturn :

Mr. Masterman, speaking at Stratford, Essex, said that the Parliament Bill would follow immediately* on the Address-in-Reply. He added ihat the Conservatives must swallow the pill, however bitter. The bill was going to pass the Lords whether or not they liked it. He lipped it would become law before the Coronation. ONLY REFORMABLE FROM WITHOUT. London, Feb. 12. Mr. J. A. Simon, M.P., at Trowbridge, said the Lords were only reformable from without. This could only be possible when despotic powers were reduced wr.hin reasonable limits.