REFORM OF HOUSE OF LORDS DISCUSSED

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18635, 12 December 1928, Page 11

REFORM OF HOUSE OF LORDS DISCUSSED

EARL OF CLARENDON’S PROPOSALS OPPOSED. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Tt^egraph—Copyright. > (Received December 12, noon.) RUGBY, December 11. The Earl of Clarendon has introduced in the House of Lords his proposals for the reform of the Upper Chamber. He moved first that it was desirable that early steps should be taken to limit the number of members of the House of Lords, and to make suitable provision for elective representation of the Peerage and for such other representation, or nomination, as would ensure to each political party a fair position in the House; secondly, that the following constitution of the House of Lords would fulfil these conditions in each Parliament: There should sit and vote 150 Peers elected by proportional representation of the cumulative vote of the whole body of the Peers and 150 other persons nominated by the Crown in proportion to the parties in the House of Commons. The Crown should also have power to appoint a limited number of life Peers in each Parliament. The Earl of Clarendon advocated that Peers not elected to sit in the House of Lords should be eligible to stand as candidtaes for the House of Commons. The scheme was opposed by Lord Buckmaster for the Liberals and Lord Parmoor on behalf of the Labour Party. Lord Parmoor objected that 150 Peers elected by the present House of Lords would be predominantly Conservative. The Lord Chancellor said that the Government took the view that in a matter of such grave constitutional importance an endeavour ought, at least, to be made to secure a measure of general agreement to any proposed changes. The Government had dropped the proposals made by the Lord Chancellor, Viscount Cave, last year because they did not receive that degree of general support which would have justified the Government in proceeding with them. There could be no chance of giving legislative effect to the proposals for the reform of the House during the life of the present Parliament. —British Official Wireless. ALTERATION URGENT, DECLARES SPEAKER. (Received December 12, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, December 11. In the House of Lords the Earl of Clarendon said that he had not thought of improving the position of the Conservative Party. The hereditary principle was hard to defend; nevertheless the House had interpreted the will of the people wisely and well. Lord Buckmaster said that he had not committed himself to support this particular proposal, but reform was urgent and imperative. The proposal in no wise interfered with the Parliament Act, any attempt to alter which was doomed to defeat. He wanted to persuade the Government that if a Labour Government was returned it ought to be allowed to function. This could be done by resolution, allowing a Government during office to appoint members to the House of Lords in order that its Bills might be properly presented. “The feet of young men and women are almost at our doors, and we can almost hear their quick, impatient tread,” he said. “Is this House to do nothing but lie like a fallen tree, barring the whole path of progress, or do something ensuring sympathetic consideration of Labour measures? I believe upon the right answer depends the welfare of the whole realm.”—Australian Press Association.