The Waikato Argus, [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8500 Weekly. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1910

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4322, 10 February 1910, Page 2

The Waikato Argus, [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8500 Weekly. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1910

The subject which is exciting the most speculation at the present time throughout the Empire is a$ to the form the amendment of the House of Lords shall assume. There is a consensus of opinion that during the next sessicn of Parliament some reform is inevitable. Imperialists have long recognised that if the oversea Dominions arc to assume their full responsibilities for the defence of the Empire, that they, must be accorded a voice in the guidance of the foreign policy of the country. It has been suggested that each division, including Great Britain herself, shall be accorded local self-government, and that all the divisions shall be represented on an Imperial Council, which shall have the power to deal with all questions affecting the whole. It is manifest that the House of Commons, although it sits nearly the whole year round, cannot fulfil its legitimate functions, and, in consequence, must be relieved of some of the detail work. It will be seen by a cablegram that Mr Griffiths, member for Wednesbury, has put forth a feeler for the consideration of Ministers and the country. It appears to us that the principle of his proposals will be generally approved by the colonies; but it is doubtful whether the people of Great Britain will consent to have their powers curtailed. It must be accepted that the membership of the House of Lords is too numerous, more particularly as a very large proportion of the hereditary members do not devote their ability and energy to taking part in its deliberations. The proposal is that the Upper House shall be reduced to 200 members, JO of whom shall be appointed proportionately by the selfgoverning Dominions. Giving effect to this proposal would necessitate that all the armies and the navies shall be under the control of the Imperial Parliament, and in the event of war he treated as two indivisible forces controlled from one centre. At any rate, one of the effects of Mr Griffiths’ proposal will he to call public attention to the matter and give a lead to public opinion.