THE ISSUE OF THE HOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9450, 24 February 1911, Page 5

THE ISSUE OF THE HOUR.

PARLIAMENT BILL READ A FIRST V AN EXCITING SCENE. (Bx Electmo Teleqbaph-Copybight.) IPeb Pbess Aswciation.l LONDON, Feb. 23. In'the House of Commons the Parlia-: ment Bill was read a first time by 351 to 227 , j ■Ministerialists were jubilant and stood •waving hats and order papers, and cheering Mr Asquith. ■., • ! The demonstration was maintained _ for soveral minutes, the Nationalists crying. "Down with the Lords,'; . Mr F. E. Smith, Unionist M.P. lor Liverpool, commented on tho Govern-, ment's surprising levity in attempting to' dispose of the Bill before the Coronation. There was, he said, an English majority against the Bill; this would support the Opposition in any resistance however clcs- ' ' ' , The statement was received with cheers and ■' counter-cheers. , ' . , Mr Geo. Wyndham, Unionist M.P. wr Ayr Burghs, suggested that the Government discuss, the proposal at a sitting of the fwb Houses. Mr Winton Churchill, Home Sccre ary, gaid that if the Bill was flung back in the 'Ministers' faces it would never be forgotten. If tho Government accepted the invitation for another conference they would "not have fifty supporters. The referendum (the Opposition's alternative to the Veto) was vicious in itself, ana esi pecially unsuited for Great Britain. ,it would.lead to Jacobinism, Socialism and anarchy. 'A measure creating a fair, wellconstituted second Chamber would be introduced. ■■■<.-. ■ ~ , „i,:„„. Mr F. Smith interjected, asking. MHihurchill did not reply, andthere was a prolonged demonstrate on both sides Mr Churchill concluded by stating that the Opposition policy, while wrecking'every other institution sought to pfeserve'the House of Lords' Sinister and ugly veto. MR; CHAMBERLAIN'S AMENDMENT Raceived February 24, 8.55 a.nv LONDON, Feb. 23. . In the House of Commons Mr Austen Chamberlain gave notice of an amendment that the. House of Commons welcomes the Bill, reforming tho_ composition of the Lords while maintaining its independence, but 'declines to proceed with a measure placing" all effective legislative authority in a single Chamber without safeguard,'such grave changes being con-trary-to the-people's- will. ' ': THEIR OWN SCHEME. '• Received February 24/10.10 a.m. - ~ . ' . LONDON, -Feb. 23. ■ The' House. of ■, Lords Reconstructior Bill,, promoted; by the Unionists, wil. pTObably follow/Lord Curzon's scheme with; modifications on the lines of Lore Landowners' proposals. ~ Lord Balfour of Burleigh will lntroduc* a referendum measure on March 2nd, am the .Declaration of London will be de bated-b'y the-House of Lord on Marcl Bth.; '. ' A CHANCE FOR TIM HEALY. 1 The North Louth election has been de I .Glared void on the grounds of corrup praotices and bribery, although Mr Haz ". letori, who defeated Tim Healy at tn ! election, was not personally implicated. ' The election for Wcstbury for a men: : ber'to repla'cc Sir J. Fuller, who ha j been 'appointed Governor of Victoria . resulted:— . '.' Howard (Liberal) ...;....'...... 5073 5 Palmer (Unionist) 4492