REFORMING THE LORDS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10780, 31 May 1911, Page 4

REFORMING THE LORDS.

DISCUSSING TIIKII! OWN FATE. [Br Electric Telegraph—CopriuGirr.] (Pkb Ijkess1 j kess Association.) Received May 30, at 10 p.m. London, .May 30. The House of Lords was crowded, including many colonial and Indian visitors, to bear the Veto Bill debate. ' Lord Rosebery, referring to Lord ISilorlcj'i's suggestion for co-operation in refof iiy stjid-: wlieh the Bi|l jpasscd tlie composition of the House would not matter a straw. The nation did not appreciate tlie importance of the question, but when it. did it would not be content ,with a phantom second' chant; ber. .It would demand the restoration oLthe■•constitution. He admitted that a Bill was long overdue. The last two elections were a grave fact, biit the Government had chosen to proceed on the lines of. party riincour and revenge. : to Lord Rose-r' bery, said thatJn 1894 it was held that the Liberals iriust 1 be. freed from' til© _\rqto before they faced other diffi-. .denied; vehemently that the Bill disestablished the second chamber; •j Lord .Lansdowne said the fact of tlie Hoilse not dividing did not iriean tlie Acceptance of the Bill, but that it was desirable :, to"siibrhit amendments, especiT ally safeguards during the period preceding; tjie r'eco'nstitution of the House of Lords sufficient to protect the foundations of the' United Kingdom from an irreparable, change. Lord Morlej; closed the debate with a conciliatory speech. Ho declared that the Government was prepared to discuss jimcndments that were not opposed to the effective predominance of tlie House of Commons. Tlie, House of Lords will adjourn on Thursday next to the 26tli June-