RESUPMTION OF PARLIAMENT.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12756, 31 March 1910, Page 2

RESUPMTION OF PARLIAMENT.

RELATIONS OF 'IHtO HOUSES. SPEECH I3Y MR ASQUITH. [Phess Association — Copyright.] London, March 29. There was a crowded House when Parliament resumed after the Easter recess. The Prince of Wales and many Ambassadors were present. Mr Asquith and Mr Balfour met with enthusiastic receptions. The Premier moved that the House resolve itself into a Committee to coisider tho relations of the two Houses and the duration of Parliament. He admitted that he had changed \'« youthful opinions, and now consi lar-jd two Chambers expedient. He proceeded to develop a long constitutional argument to prove that tho limitation of the veto and the shortening of *he I duration of Parliaments were t;io most practical way of securing that tin. popular will should not be frustrated. A referendum or a joint session ;;.? iho two Houses, as was provided by tl o Australian Constitution, was inadmissible in existing circumstances Ho concluded by claiming that the I.<,ids' power of absolute veto must follow the Cr.iwn veto before the road was cleared for the advance of a fullgrown and unfettered domoervjy.