THE REFERENDUM BILL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13339, 30 March 1911, Page 5

THE REFERENDUM BILL.

DEBATE ON SECOND READING. Press Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, March 29. Lord Balfour of Burleigh moved the second reading of the Referendum Bill. Lord Morley. referring to the crowded attendance, said all realised that the House was opening the first page of the most momentous departure in the constitutional history of the country. Nothing in the Veto Bill or in Lord Lansdowne’s Reform Bill could produce such tremendous changes as the Bill moved by Lord Balfour of Burleigh, involving the country in a prolongation of the conflict. He repeated that the referenda, moreover, empowered the Lords to enforce a dissolution when they chose. Lord Lansdowne said that wherever' the referendum was established it had never been abolished. The Unionists regarded the referendum as quite un exceptional measure, and a last resort when other' expedients of settling persistent differences failed. His advice was that Lord Balfo'ir should not, pending the projected amendments grafting the referendum to the Veto Bill, compel the House now to vote aye or no on the second reading. Ultimately the debate was adjourned. DEBATE RESUMED. Receiver March 30, 9.15 a.m. LONDON, March 29. In the House of Lords Lord Beauchamp, First Commissioner of Works, resumed the debate on the Referendum Bill. He quoted instances where, he said, the referendum had failed, notably in Australia, where the Labour Ministry had reversed the vote taken by the referendum; and in Canada, where 23 per cent, had voted prohibition.