REFORM OF THE LORDS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 24 April 1913, Page 5

REFORM OF THE LORDS.

LONDON, April 12. The Daily News and Leader publishes an outline of a measure under which it is proposed to reform the House of Lords. The Bill, which is now being considered by a sub-committee of the jlCabingt, provides for a House, of from ! i 150 to 200 members, who, with trifling exceptions, will all be elected by constituencies based on the Parliamentary register. The choice of candidates ivill be restricted to the size of the constituencies, which will tend to limit candidature to persons of acknowledged position. Members of this new House will be styled Lords of Parliament, and in order that Labor may have full opportunity of securing direct representation it is possible that the Lords will receive payment. The new Chamber will have no power in matters of finance." and the right to reject or amend ordinary Bills in a first session will be subject always to a joint sitting of both Houses to decide disputed points. To this extent the Parliament Act will be superseded. In all cases in which the Government secures a majority at the joint sitting the two years' delay that is necessary under the present system will be reduced by from six to nine months.