THE COLONIST. Published Every Morning. Tuesday, May 31, 1910. THE POLITICAL CRISIS AT HOME.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12807, 31 May 1910, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Every Morning. Tuesday, May 31, 1910. THE POLITICAL CRISIS AT HOME.

Mn J. Ramsay Mac Donald, M.P., Chairman of the English Labour Party, was the author of an article in the April "National Review" on "The Tactics of the Present Crisis," which although the aspect of affairs has since been changed, still contains much" to interest New Zealand readers. The storm centre has> shifted since Mr Mac Donald wrote from the Budget, which has become law, to the allied question of the constitution and functions of the House of Lords, and tho political consequences of the lamented death of King Edward VII cannot yet be completely foreseen. Much of Mr Mac Donald 's article, howovw, is as applicable to tho. present position as to that in existence at the time it was written. He believes that tile crisis in the relations of the two Houses was foreordained since 1832. A House of Commons, elected by the people, was bound, he says, to come into conflict with a House of Lords representativo of certain" economic interest^, and social prejudices. The fight is between -a class typified in the Lords and the nation in the person of the Commons. . "Two powers in the Constitution' are at war with eacJi other,' and the dispute between them has to be settled not by sm-iling accomodationu, but by fighting." Mr Mac Donald contends that the most important constitutional points involved must not be lost sight of b.v ardent Radical and Labour politicians in tflieir anxiety to get to close quarters with the Peers. Ho thinks the Commons ought*to know the exact terms of the demand which is to be placed before the King. The House of Commons, not the Cabinet, should decide how the Peers are to be dealt with. Until that is decided tho King should remain an official ignorance of what is going on. In the event of the veto resolutions hc'mg hhroyrn ouh \>jr the Lords, WJiafc wiJl happen? The Commons' majority Mr Mac Donald estimated at at least a hundred in favour of tho resolutions. "The next stage involves the King. Will he or wall he .not assist the Commons ? Ido not see how ho can refuse to do so ; Ido not even admit that another election is necessary- in order to make his course clear." The abolition of the House of Lords, or the limitation of its veto, was discussed in every contested election last January, and every member of the House of Commons has his mandate on the subject. Tho constitutional practice is, therefore, plain. Immediately after an election one '<f the major questions settled by the election is voted upon by the Commons and a majority of over one hundred is recorded. The House of Lords refuses to accept tho result of the election The Commons must then have recovirse to the King. What course can he adopt? A majority of nearly onefifth of the whole House must surely) the writer-argues, be an operative majority if thea-e be any such, and puts a request for another election out of the question. The instant the resolutions are-thrown out by the House of Lords the Prime Minister should approach the King and ask that the will of the electors, as expressed through the House of Commons, should be made effective. If not, Mr Asquith should ask for a dissolution forthwith, and Mr Mac Donald thinks the Liberal and Labour parties could improve their positions at the poll. He is strongly against the suggested referendum in the veto resolutions at the point when the Prime Minister has to approach the King. This, he says, is quito unnecessary. It is *a method of reference foreign to British habits, and great risks would be run of an unsatisfactory poll and inconclusive results. Mr Asquith. "should simplj' attack his enemy. If he convinces the country that he is dn earnest he cau win."