HOUSE OF LORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 7

HOUSE OF LORDS.

LIMITING THE VETO.

ATTITUDE OF THE UNIONISTS

RELATIONS OF THE HOUSES,

By Telegraph.—rresa Association.— Copyright. London, May 24. The House of Lords was crowded to-day when Lord Morley moved the second reading of the Veto Bill. Lord Morley said that the methods of the Bill were not final, and it would be open to the Government, when the Bill was passed, to consider with the Unionists the reconstitution of the Second Chamber.

"Meanwhile," he continued, "the Bill is there, and the Bill stands." He concluded by hoping that the Unionist leaders would avoid a course leading to extremities, and possibly landing the country in great difficulty—perhaps in grave confusion.

Lord Midleton said that, viewing the Bill as a temporary measure not destined to remain on the Statute Book, he recommended their Lordships to agree to the second reading with a view to moving in committee grave amendments, exempting from the operation of the Bill- proposals relating to the position or powers of the Monarch, Home Rule, and other constitutional issues.

The Archbishop of Canterbury appealed for a compromise.

Lord Loreburn (Lord High Chancellor) said that there was no such prospect, but there were hopeful signs of the possibility of an arrangement by consent later on. If the Liberals were given equality of opportunity in passing measures through the reconstructed House of Lords, fresh relations between the Houses might be established by common consent.

The debate was adjourned.