A VANISHING POWER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2875, 12 June 1882, Page 2

A VANISHING POWER.

The London “ Times ” makes the following remark about the House of Lords :—No one can hide from himself the fact that power is passing away from the : House of Lords. Every year emphasies this. It is as patent under Conservative as Liberal administrations. The responsibility rests with both parlies. Wo see both sides of the Housh apparently endeavoring to bring about, or acquiescing in the doom of insignificance which is overtaking it. The House of Commons refuses to endure any ; real restraint of its powers. And the Peers' must not delude themselves as' to the leeling of the country in regard to ibis conspicuous paralysis of their action. There is no wide or deep antagonism to the House of Lords. The outcry against it, is spasmodic, and comes from a few. But there is little zeal for the House and its privileges, and the country watches with unconcern the apathetic way in which the Peers suffer their power to slip out of their hands. Their peril is not that they are hated, but that they are apt to bo forgotten, especially when important decisions have to bo taken. The Peers themselves arc very much the authors

of their own political decay. It is mistrust, and not hostility, which the House has to fear, and one cannot say that the feeling is without excuse.”