BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10020, 16 April 1910, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

HOUSE OF LORDS. REFORM FROM WITHIN. MORE RESOLUTIONS BY LORD KOSEBERY. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received April 15, 8.25 a.m. LONDON, April 14. Lord Rosebery has given notice of the following resolutions:— (1) That in future the House of Lords shall consist of Lords of Parliament; (a) chosen by the whole body of hereditary peers among themselves, and by nomination by the Urown; (b) sitting by virtue of offices and qualifications; and (c) chosen from outside. (2) The term of tenure of all shall be the same, except in the fuse of, those sitting ex-officio, who shall sit so long as they hold the offices whertfor they sit. It is the present intention of the Unionists that these resolutions shall be submitted to a committee of the House of Lords simultaneously with the Government's veto resolutions. The latter will be introduced in the House of Lords before the spring recess. WHEN THE LORDS REJECT THE RESOLUTIONS. Received April 15, 1U a.m. LONDON, April 14. "The Times" says:—"lf, or when, the Lords reject the v e to resolutions, and if a dissolution follows, the Government intends to take further supply to cover the period of the general election."

DEBATE CONTINUED. Received April 15, 10 a.m. LONDON, April 14. The House of Commons resumed the debate on Mr Asquith's veto resolutions. Lord Winterton (Conservative) moved an amendment to exclude from the scope of the second resolution Bills affecting the duration of Parliament. The amendment was negatived by 317 to 188 votes. Consideration of an amendment moved by Mr James Hope (Unionist member for Sheffield) to exclude Bills affeetiii* the prerogative, rights and powers of the Crown was adjourned. The rest of the sitting was devoted to a resolution by Mr J. Taylor (Labour member for Chester-le-Street) in favour of restoring to trades unions the right to levy for payment of labour members of the House of Commons. The debate was adjourned after Sir W, Robson, Attoney-General, had emphasised the controversial character of tha subject, and suggested that the ultimate solution was State payment of all members.

THE BUDGET. GUILLOTINE PROPOSAL. Received April 15, 10.5 a.m. LONDON, April 34. Upon Mr Asquith's Budget guillotine proposal the debate on the resolutions will be concluded on the 20tb, the second reading will be taken on the 25th, the committee stage will be on the 26th, the report will not be debated, and will be passed on the 27th. The Opposition complains that the old amendments will be ruled out without cognizance of the fact that, many rrembers were elected to oppose the form m which the last Bill (now reintroduced) was sent to the House of Lords."

RIVAL LEADERS,

GREAT RECEPTIONS. GOVERNMENT DECLARATON OF POLICY. "CHEER JOHN REDMOND." Received April 15, 11.45 p.m. LONDON, April 15. The debate in the Commons was continued meanwhile, prior to one of these divisions. Mr Asquith was ruled out of order on Mr Balfour's intervention. He (Mr AEquith) had been referring to the use of the guillotine rules and the time allotted to the discussion of the resolutions, but he i was not permitted to introduce controversial statements regarding the Government's intention under certain hypothetical circumstances. The opportunity now presented itself on the introduction of the Bill. Mr Asquith, in a packed, tense and eagerly expectant House, made a deferred statement. He said if the Lords do not accept the Government's policy it is our duty to advise the Crown to take the steps needed to give the policy statutory effect of this Parliament, and in the event of our inability to secue such effect we shall resign or dissolve. In no case would we recommend a dissolution except upon conditions securing that I the judgment of the people expressed by an election shall he carried into [ law at the next Parliament. (ProI longed Ministerial cheers). Mr Balfour, in turn, was given a great reception. He described the statemennt as of the first importance, and the culmination of negotiations securing the acceptance of the Budget by the Nationalists in the hope of obtaining Home Rule, by giving the Government the Bill whereon their reputation was staked. The Government was paying an extravagant price. In what position had Mr Asquith put the Crown? He conceived that in an extreme case the

[ Premier might ask for guarantees, lin other words, the creation of peers, but the idea of anticipating advice by months, and announcing that in unktiown and undetermined circumstances he suggested that was nothing short of destruction of constitution, and was heyond the idea of duty of any of his (the Prime Minister's) predecessors. (Cheers) He (Mr Asquith) had * successfully bought the Irish vote for the Budget. "The price paid," said Mr Bafour, "is the price of the dignity of his office (Renewed cheering), and immediately thereafter the Speaker, declaring tlu' House adjourned. Ti:e Ministerialists renewed cheering, H'd Mr S. Wilson (Unionist), tauntingly shouted "Cneer. John Redmond, your master. He won," and amid angrj protests and cries of oriler Mr J. Redmut;d stepped excitedly towards Mr Wilson, but several membeis intercepting, restrained him.

A PARLIAMENT FOR IRELAND. LIBEKALS CHEER THEMSELVES HOARSE. Received Aprir 15, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, April 15. Mr Hope's amendment was negative by 328 votes to 214. The phase of the debate led to much excitement Mr Chamber's amendment to exclude from the scope of the resolution bills creating subordinate Parliaments, in the United Kingdom was negatived by 351 to 245. Mr Winston Churchill said it was lucky that Great Britain was able to give a constitution to South Africa by letters patent, under the Crown. Thus the Lords were unable. to prevent or to mutilate the Constitution, which alone secured the unity and the prosperous continuance of South Africa within the Empire, but as compared with that the great step, dependent on the Commons alone to grant a Parliament to Ireland, subject to the Imperial Parliament's supremacy, was less important and less grave. The Government believed this) to be not only attended with circumstances less radical than was the case in the South African Constitution but that it would enormously strengthen the unity and prosperity of the Empire. Mr Carson, K.C.. argued that if the Unionist party were so corruptas Mr Churchill imagined it would be able by the mere promise of Home Rule to defeat the resolutions and the Budget after. The third resolution was adopted by 332 to 236. The report stage passed, and when Mr Asquith introduced a Bill "based on the three resolutions, the Liherals rose, waving their hats and handkerchiefs, and cheered themselves hoarse.