REFORM OF LORDS FIZZLES OUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 13

REFORM OF LORDS FIZZLES OUT

labour censure beaten SUBJECT NOW SHELVED By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright LONDON, Wednesday. DIRECTLY the Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, sat down after his speech in regard to Labour’s vote ot censure in connection with the Government's proposals to reform the House of Lords, the Liberal members trooped out to consider their course of action. Mr. H. B. Lees Smith, Labour member for Keighley, Yorkshire, renewed Labour’s attack. He said Mr. Baldwin's speech was that of a beaten and discredited man. It had been received without a cheer even from his own supporters. LLOYD GEORGE’S VIEWS

The Leader of the Liberal Party, Mr. Lloyd George, recalled the fact that a Select Committee appointed by Campbell Bannerman had favoured a considerable reduction in the number of peers in the House of Lords. But that sagacious Scotsman had said the attempt would fail and would not satisfy anybody. The best thing was not to attempt to reform the House of Lords, but to make some adjustment of the relations of the two Houses to ensure that the rights of the House of Commons should prevail. The project of the Parliament Act was entirely based on Campbell-Bannerman’s views. Everything since had confirmed the advice he gave in 1906. Mr. George said he did not believe it possible to have a second Chamber with direct representation of the • people without impairing the authority of the House of Commons. The other alternative was nomination, and if it were for the lifetime of Parliament it would be purely a replica of the House of Commons. But neither ptethod would solve the problem. Mr. Philip Snowden, Labour membar for Colne Valley, Yorkshire, said the Government was • using its temporary majority to alter the Constitution. The worst feature of its scheme was the proposed alteration of the Parliament Act with regard to money bills. CHURCHILL HITS OUT The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Churchill, replied to the debate. He asked if those whose breasts were heaving with indignation owing to the proposals of the Government were the same gentlemen who a year ago had organised the general strike. Labour crief of: Divide. Mr. Churchill: We will divide all right, but I understood the Opposition wanted a debate. As for Mr. Lloyd George, he was the head of the Government which made the same proposals five years ago. Cries of: No. Mr. Churchill: Well, the proposals are as like as two peas. The Governmen has no intention of creating a system from which there would be no constitutional exit. Mr. MacDonald's motion was defeated by 362 votes to 167. The impression in the lobby of Parliament is that the country will hear little more about the reform of the L'pper House for a considerable time. The older men in the Conservative Party favour reform, but the younger men resent it.—A. and N.Z.-Sun.