BRITISH POLITICS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 23 March 1910, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE MINISTERIAL SITUATION.

THK LORDS AND THE MWET.

THF. GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS

[Press Association-Copyright.]

LONDON, Tuesday. In the House of Commons. Mr Asqiiitl detailed the veto resolutions.

The first is to (lie effect that it is expedient that the House of Lords should l.e disabled by law from rejecting oi

amending money Bills. These are defined as Bills which tin Speaker considers contain only provisions dealing with the imposition, repeal remission, alteration, or regulation of taxation, and also charges on the consolidated fund or the provision of money by Parliament; al>o supply and approprin lion, control or regulation of publi l money; also raising or guaranteeing repayment of loans <ir matters incidental to these subjects.

The second resolution declares that it is expedient that the House of Lords' powers respecting Bills oilier than money Bills be legally rer-tricted. so that when a Bill has passed the House of Commons ii: three successive sessions, and been sent to the House of Lords at least a month before the end of the session, and rejected in each of three sessions, it shall become law without the House of Lords' consent, upon the Royal assent, provided that at least two years shall elapse between the first introduction to the House of Commons the third time. Bills shall be treated as rejected if they are not passed by the House of Lords without amendment, or with only amendments agreed to by both Houses. The third resolution limits the duration of Parliament to five years.

ATTITUDE OF THE IRISH NATIONALISTS.

AN AGREEMENT HOPED FOR

LONDON, Monday

Mr Lloyd George, Mr Birrell, the Master of Elibank, Mr Redmond, and MiDillon had an hour's conference to-day. The result is not known, but Ministerialists are hopeful that a modus vivendi will be arranged . "The Daily News" states that the resolutions will create profound satisfaction throughout the country, as they arc not complicated by questions of second chamber reform. • The "Chronicle" says that any serious disunion wduld be fatal. The passage of the Budget is essential. "The Times" complains that the resolutions are making the Speaker the sole judge of tacking. The resolutions would be a shade less objectionable with a quinquennial than a septennial Parliament.

Radical lobby opinion criticises the provision whereby two years must elapse between the first introduction and the third rejection. This will have the effect of sterilising the closing years of Parliament's existence.

CRITICISM OF THE RESOLUTIONS

HOUSE OF LOIiDS REFORM

LORD ROSEBERY'S RESOLUTIONS

LONDON. Tuesdav

The House of.Lords agreed to the committee stage„of two of Lord Rosebery's resolutions.

A lively discussion followed Lord Killanin's proposal to limit the application of the third resolution to future peerages. Lord Rosebery, the Duke of Xortlnim berland. and Lord Lansdowiie- urged Lord Killanin to withdraw on the ground that the amendment was open to the criticism that the peers desired to preserve their own interests.

Lord Killanin agreed, and the debate was adjourned.

INCOME TAX ANOMALIES,

QUESTIONS AND REPLIES

(Rec. March 23, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Tuesday

In the House of Commons Mr A. H. D. Steel-Maitland (U.), accused the Government of creating financial chaos.

Mr Chamberlain asked how the Government justified deducting income-tax from the salaries of public officials if it was illegal to collect it from unofficial persons.

Mi Lloyd-George (Chancellor of the Exchequer), replying, ridiculed the .supposition that the Treasury should beg payment of the income tax when ii was unable to enforce its demand.

THE INCOME TAX DEADLOCK

COLLECTION URGED

(Received March 23, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Tuesday

Mr. S. H. Butcher, M.i J . (U.), is urging the Government to take immediate steps to legalise, the colection of income tax, because many millions are in the hands of the banks and companies throughout the country, some of which companies may possibly go into liquidation.

THE IMPENDING ELECTION.

CONSERVATIVE ACTIVITY'

(Received March 23, 10.40 a.m.)

LONDON, Tues.

In the event of another general ■election the Conservatives have determined to fight every constituency which they contested in the last campaign. In the House of Commons Mr. J. King (L.) has introduced a Bill providing for holding all elections on one day. Sir Henry Kimber (U.) has introduced a Reform Seats Redistribution Bill.

THE COMMONS AND THE LORDS,

THE GOVERNMENT RESOLUTIONS

OPINIONS FOR AND AGAINST,

(Received March 23, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, Tuesday,

The resolutions proposed by the Government have mel with approval or disapproval according to parly lines. The Irish Nationalists withhold their opinion pending a statement by the Premier as to how the Government proposes to give effect to the scheme in the event of the Lords rejecting the resolutions or postponing their decision.