The House of Lords.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4378, 25 February 1909, Page 3

The House of Lords.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. AN AMENDMENT NEGATIVED. QUESTION FOE THE COUNTEY [London, February 23. A debate took place in the House of Commons to-day on Mr A. Ponsonby’s amendment to tbe Address-in-Reply-in favour of a Bill dealing with the veto of the House of Lords. Mr Asquith described the amendment as equivalent to a vote of censure, and urged that the pledges given for the session, including the financial proposals, must be honoured. The contemplated chance involved a dissolution. The issue would be submitted to the country at the earliest opportunity consistent with the discharge of the Government’s obligations regarding social reform. ! Mr A. J. Balfour (the Opposition leader) declared that the Government was brave in nothing but words, and was conscious of the fact that the country was not behind them. The amendment was negatived on the following division : For the amendment ... 47 Against 225 .The minority consisted of Liberals, Nationalists and Labourites.