REFORM OF THE LORDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7078, 16 March 1910, Page 1

REFORM OF THE LORDS

ROSEBERY'S RESOLUTIONS SPIRITED DEBATE IN UPPER HOUSE. LESSONS FTIOM FRENCH HISTORY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received Mnrch 15. 10 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. Tlio House of Lords was thronged yesterday by a brilliant gathering, tlio Prince and Princess of Wales being among those present. The Earl of Rosebcry, in moving that the Houso 20 into committee on his resolutions, 1. That a strong and efficient Second Chamber is an integral part of the Constitution, and is necessary for the woll-being of the State and tho balanco of Parliament; 2. That such a Chamber can best be obtained by reform and reconstruction of the House of. Lords; 3. That a necessary preliminary to such reconstruction is tho acceptance of the principle that possession of a peerage no longer of itself gives the right to sit. and vote in the Houso or Lords contended that it would be hopeless to imagine that ttie Government's veto resolutions, if passed in 1910, would be followed by reform in 1911. Tho Liberals would sny to "Mr Asquith: "We recognise your good intention; i but we do. not mean to have anything to do with that. You have deprived tho House of Lords of its privilege and power in a single session of Parliament. WTiat more do we want?" Mr Asouith's proposal resembled the hamstringing of a valuable horse rather than entering for the Derby; Lord Ro'sebery concluded a closely reasoned and earnest speech against the Government's proposal for complete domination by tho Commons by sotting up a sham and 'impotent Second Chamber, mentioning ilie lessons taught by the French revolution of the danger of withholding concessions until too late. Ho' was convinced the House would rise to the height of a great occasion, the gratitude of unborn generations. Viscount Morley urged the Houso to wait and hoar what the Government's proposals were. Hie said Lord Roscbery had failed to touch the emergency confronting them. What was needed' was an effective means of settling differences between tho two Houses.

Lord Xorthcote approved of -the resolutions, but considered the details of the proposals contained in them required careful examination. The debate was adjourned.