REFORM OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13110, 19 May 1911, Page 3

REFORM OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

SPEECH BY LORD ROSEI3ERY

(Received May 18, 11.35 p.m.) v London, May 18. Durini- the Reform Bill debate Lord Curzon complained.that the Government's uncompromising attitude tliu not reflect public opinion. He _ attributed tneir roiusal to reveal their policy to fear of sections or' their followers. The Bill was fairness and simplicity itself. Though Lord Morley estimated the Unionist majority in the House of Lords at 40, the Radicals would have v majority of 80 at joint s'-'ssions. Lord Courtney hoped tho Government would encourage) tho reforms, which were a great stop forward. Lord llosebery criticised as bad the policy of introducing the Bill, and said it would have boon wiser to reply on resolutions. Only a responsible Governmemt should introduce constitutional reforms. Since it was impossible to frame a, scheme to please everybody it required all tho Govcanmont's influence to secure acceptation of any solution. Ho ridiculed election by colleagues. Election by borough and county councils would bo preferable. He also objected to the Lords' choice being limited to peers with special qualifications. He asked what would be the- position when the Parliament Bill was law. Who would be the acolytes and sycophants; who would accept a degrading position and fill tho dciiiuded benches if the V Teto Bill became law? Lord Lansdowne's Bill mattered little. He held no brief for Lords or Commons, but he wished to preserve tho bicameral system, which the Gorernment desired to overthrow.

The debate was adjourned till Monday.