THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14221, 11 June 1910, Page 6

THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

Tins HOSEBKRY RESOLUTIONS, On Wednesday, April lath, Lord Losebery gave notice in the House of Lords ot the following Resolutions: "(1; That in future the ■ House of Lords shall eons.st of Lords of J'arii'iment—(a) Chosen liy the whole of her'ed.tary Peers from among themselves and hy nomination In- .the Crown ■ <l,j S.tting by virtue of olfiees and of inialilicntii.ns held hy them : (o) Chosen from outside. (2) That the term of tenure of all Lords of Parliament shall be the same, except in the case of tliose who sit ex officio, who would sit so long as they hold the office for which they sit.''' " ' ' '" Commenting on the resolutions rln!'Spectator'' says:—Jc U understood tlnit the resolutions have already received the consent of- the leading Opposition Peers. Thomjl, their tern's'are very general, as they ought to be at this stage, they show how verv far the Lords are willing to go in the matter of reform. A scheme established in accordance with these Resolutions would combine the elective and the hereditary principles, but at the same time mere heredity would not m've admission to the House of Lords. Not onlv would a reformed Upper House on these lines be a Witan, or assembly cf wise men. but a very considerable se"t:oii <■? ir- : "~«-.-,_ bers would be in a jios'tion rr -V->- <,.» independence, and could ru— iV --..-[.'_ pected of looking over thei;- shedd^s

In sew how (lie nu'ii who had elcelod them would lil;.' their action. Such :i bodv would I niilu'lltlv well fitted in perform what has become tin- essential funci inn of tli,i Poors.- In judge whefher a particular measure ought or ought nut In I'" referred t" the elect nr:l. The proper pronorhoiis between l.nnl Knsehcrv's throe r:ii.'!i,in,'.s subject of very'great interest. As :it, present, advised, we should like to see ill :i House of. sin', four hundred, two hundred chosen In- external election, one hundred l.v the whole Imdv ol the hereditary Poors and by nomination In- the Crown, anil one liundri'il silting by virtue of t licit- ol'lici's and i|ualilii'ntiniis. Wo regard tile introduction of proportional renrosent ation in both forms of flection fis essential. Wo iiiny note that, under Lord Unseberv's ]>l:in the prerogative of (lie Crown to create hereditary Peers would not. be interfered ' iviih, thoimh such I'ecrs would in future I onlv enter ihe l'pn, T Hon.se through election, bv the holding ol' ofl'ice. or by ' cualil'K'-.iion through public service.