BRITISH POLITICS.

Southland Times, Issue 14577, 18 November 1910, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

LATEST MEWS FftOM LONDON. THE POSITIOFOF THE LORDS. (Br Telegraph—Press AsEor.lntlou—Copyright). LONDON, -Nov. 16. The Premier ami the Earl of Crewe had an interview with the King, who has returned to Sandiingham. A Cabinet Council was subsequently«held. MOKE 30RPKISBS. LONDON, Nov. 16. There were further surprises when the Lords' met Lord Lansdowne announced that the Lords had been ready with their solution of the second Chamber problem, which was-reduction of membership and abolition of the hereditary principle. The new House of Peers should consist of adequate representation of the best element in the existing House, reinforced from .outside. As the Conference had failed the Government should proceed with its Bill. The Earl of Crewe said that the Government was willing. He would introduce the Bill to-night, and take the second reading this week. The House could, then either pass or reject the Bill. The Government would not accept any amendment. THE PABI.IA.mSHT BXX.X..

LONDON, Nov. 18. The Parliament Bill has been read a first time in the House of Lords. FBSSS OPIOTONS. LONDON. Nov. 16. The Chronicle notes the subtlety of Lord Lansdowne's resolution demanding the Parliament Bill, instead of the Veto resolutions, since the Bill contains a preamble favouring a reformed second chamber,..which caused the Liberal perplexity and doubt in the spring. The Dally News says that if the Government resigns the only conclusion will be that the King has intervened by refusing contingent guarantees; but it is inconceivable that the Crown will ally itself -with 'the Lords to prevent the judgment of the people, solemnly given at last election,, from being carried into law. The paper add---: "We have Mr Asquith's solemn pledge not to dissolve unless contingent guarantees are in his possession." THE J.ABOTJB PABiTT. . GERMAN CRITICISM. . BERLIN, Nov. 17. The. Socialist, paper Vorwarts, attacks Mr D. J. Shackleton for joining the Liberal bureaucracy and other Labourites for accepting posts in Labour Exchanges. The'paper adds that the British Labour movement is without ideals, and expresses the hope that the men referred to desire to make room for younger and Socialistically minded elements. A XBXE KAJSXJXK SPES'CH.' "A THREE-FOLD DEMON." LONDON, Nov. 17. Received Nov. 17, 10.55 p.m. Mr Keir Hardie at Bermondsey. said he hoped it was not true that the King was interfering in regard to dissolution.-' "When coronets are in the melting pot," ho went on, "the Crown had better beware. People are too blind to their own interests, while the.,' bow to the threefold demon of Imperialism, militarism, and Royalism." DISCUSSICW IN THE X.OEDS. SOME INTERESTING SPEECHES. LONDON, Nov. 17. Received Nov. 17, 8.45 p.m. In the House of Lords Lord Lansdowne said he was doubtful of the usefulness of discussion without the possibility of amendment; but he would consult his colleagues. He added: "We are all ready to devise means whereby the differences between the Houses may be solved in a reasonable, and, if possible, amicable manner. Mr Asquith himself had referred to the possibility of joint sessions; yet the Government was precipi l tated in dissolving Parliament, and presumably throwing the financial year into irremediable-'confusion. Tim Commons' claim of pn ponderance in finance would not be unreasonable if the claim were reasonably" interpreted. Lord Crewe declared that after the failure of the .Veto Conference t'.:e country would regard another dhxr."sio-i :w an r.bsoTule waste'of time. / •-■-.■cemt.nl by arrangement with tl-c .cr.ki was no longer feasible. Hi .1: -::rl ■> ;i)\ proposal.- to reform the Hc-v. e o" Lord; implied that, reconstructicr. would, give it such authority in the eye of the country that it ought to ret.'lin the whole.of its present powers." I-In n 'ded: "You don't know yourselves ,; .tr'.t you rue sin by reform. We must deal wiiili you as you are." Lord RoEObery announced that he would proceed* with his motion to-day. The House must itself affirm the sincerity of its desire for reforms. Lord Crewe, answei-in;.; Lord Balfour of Burleigh, said he reserved his reply as to what the Government would do regarding amendment if the Lords read the Parliament B-.1l secondly.

DISSOI.TJ'S.sOIT ETJKOITBS,

THE GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN. LONDON. Nov. 37. It is understood that tho Government still intends to persist in dissolution before the 28th . Air Af=quiih will open the campaign on Saturday, v/iien lie will address the National Liberal Club. Mr Lloyd George will speak at Limehouse on Monday. Mr AcianO Hood state* that it" di~solution be forced it will be becauf-p Government is unable to get t!;e Bulcret through except with Mr Redmond's leave. LONDON. Nov. 17. The Times declares that Mr declaration of Ulli April i.s capable of an interpretation not connecter! v.'it.h guarantees. The Government would, have been in a stronger position if it had resigned after its victorious"elccucn because the creation of peers wn>; wilhheld. Unionists r.iu-t strain every nerve to make it clear that the composition of the House of Lords a secondary matter, and that they are fighting for an efficient second chamber.' "A DEATH-BED ZCES^I-TTAN-OJE." LONDON, Nov. 17. The Chronicle characterises the Lords' action as a dca..h-bcd repentance. Lord Lanydowne's speech wa ; smooth and plausible, but it belonged to a world of make-believe.