BRITISH POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 146, 12 August 1911, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

LORDS CLIMB DOWN. INTENSE EXCITEMENT. A CLOSE DIVISION. London-, August 11. In the House of Lords Lord Sclbonio, in closing the debate, made a vehement denunciation of Lord Rosebery’s attitude. The country was safer with a recognised single chamber s\ stem than the proposed emasculated House of Lords. Ho agreed with the other House of Commons rim-nd-rnents. Tiiero was intense excitement when Lord Loreburn put the question whether the House agreed with Lord Morloy’s motion not to insist on Lord Lansdowne’s amendment re excluding Home Rule. Tiie Ministerialists cried “Content,” whilst tho Halsburjites in a chorus cried “Non-content.” Many Unionists, with a few others, joined the Cabinet Ministers and Privy Councillors behind the Throne to natch the division. ■Tne opposing forces seemed practically equal. Tne Halsbnryites, if anytiling, seemed the more numerous. Eleven bishops, accompanied by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, wont into tho Government lobby. Seeing the danger, thirty Unionists' at the last moment joined the Ministerialists. There was profound silence when Lord Loreburn announced the result: For tho motion 131, against 114. The result was greeted with a few Ministerial cheers, and Opposition hisses. THE KING’S POSITION. VIOLENT SPEECHES. London, August 11. The diplomatic gallery in the House ot Lords and the Chamber itself were crowded. During the debate Lord Morloy ridiculed the proposal that tho Government in November should have suggested to the King to see the Opposition leaders. Replying to Lord St. Aldwyn, Lord Morloy said the Sovereign had a communication with Mr. Balfour and Lord Lansdowne tho other. He was unable to say whether the same opportunity was given in November. Lord Lansdowne interjected: “No such opoprtuuity was given!” Lord Camperdown anommeed that ho would support the Government, though he detested the Bill. Tito Duko of Norfolk immediately declared that, despite his promise to Lord Lansdowne, he would vote with Lord Halsbury, in order to cancel Lord Campcrdown’s vote. Lord Halifax declared similarly.

The Archbishop of Canterbury said ho had hoped to abstain from voting, but tho callousness and levity wherewith some of the peers contemplated the creation of 500 peers, which would make tho House and the country the laughing stock of the dominions overseas, caused him to support the Government.

Lord Rosebery hotly denounced tho Government’s behaviour towards a young and inexperienced King, who had only been four or five months on the Throne, but the Bill must pass. It would leave the House some force to resist the Government’s dangerous measures. Ho voted for the Bill, hoping tho Empire would bo spared a scandal which would weaken tho hold of the centre of the Empire upon the component parts. Lord Morley, replying to Lord Lansdowne, said if the Bill was defeated sufficient peers would bo created to guard against future defeat. Tho House of Commons carried Mr. Lloyd-Georgo’s motion in favour of payment of members. THE COMMONS JUBILANT. (Received 12, 8.45 a.m ) London, August 11. The chief demonstration over the passage of the Parliament Bill was in the House of Commons, which was discussing Mr. Lloyd-George’s motion for the payment of members, e; ultant cheers being given irom the Government benches, The demonstration continued until "the payment motion was passed. Messrs. Lee, Fisher, and Chamberlain vigorously opposed the motion, (Received 12, 10.30 a.m.) London, August 11. Conservative journals express the hope that tiie Conservatives will now unite and continue the great struggle ahead.

Some papers publish a black' list of the Unionist peers voting for the betrayal of the party.