THE PEERS AND THE BUDGET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2677, 6 December 1909, Page 5

THE PEERS AND THE BUDGET.

MR BALFOUR CRITICISES ,THE

GOVERNMENT

United Pm:ss AssociATioN—CopYuiaiiT LONDON, Dec. 3.

Mr A. J. Balfour, leader of the Opposition, criticised the Government for making avoidable finance-arrangements that would result in the inconveniencing of trade. He taunted th*e Government on having a passion for abstract motions which neither hurt, encouraged •.nor enlightened anyone, but the resolution was a gross misrepresentation. It ignored the fact that the Commons had in the very original resolution whereon all its claims were based, gratuitously admitted, in terms, that the. House of Lords had the right to reject a Finance Bill, though not to initiate or .amend. He hoped the Lords’ exercise of the right would be rare, but .never abandoned..

LORDS ROSEBERY AND CURZON— A SHARP CORRESPONDENCE.

A sharp correspondence has taken place between Lord Rosebery and Lord Curaoii. The latter quotes extracts from the former’s Glasgow speech. Many newspapers fully believed that Lord Rosebery would himself move the rejection of the Budget, while a great majority of Peers expected liim 'to advise its rejection.

Mr Balfour,y concluding hi s speech, said: “Mr. Asquith has failed to give a single argument to indicate that the Lords’ action was what the resolution affirmed. Their course,” he added, “accorded with the whole theory of the .second Chamber. He had no doubt whatever of the country’s decision. The Lords had done their duty, and done it fearlessly.” (Great cheering.)

THE LABOR PARTY’S OPINION

Mr Arthur Henderson (Chairman ot -the Labor party), .speaking on behalf •of the Labor party, declared that it was altogether too late for the House of Lords to profess anxiety for the interests of the people. Its past was irredeemable.

The London Independent Labor party has issued a manifesto in favor of ending rather than mending the Lords. They strenuously oppose any attempt to strengthen the House by reforming it, or increasing tfce power of obstruction in tbe manner proposed by the late Premier. The manifesto adds: “The party are bringing a candidate • into the field with the sole object of strengthening tbe Labor-Socialist forces fin.the House of Commons.” fNEWSPAPER COMMENTS. Including the “Rand Mail,” South African newspapers generally express a hope that the House of Lords will be reformed on the basis of strengthening the representative elements. The “Transvaal Leader,” “Pretoria News,” “Cape Times,” and Natal Mercury” warmly support the Lords’ action . The newspaper “Despatch,” published in East London, deprecates the Earl -of Crewe’s reference to the colonies, which it describes as a misuse of the • overseas partners in the Empire. Canadian newspaper comments- on -the'situation are of a varied character.

IMPORTANT SPEECH BY LORD

LANSDOWNE

'(Received December 6, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5.

Lord Lansdowne, at a Unionist demonstration of 8000 persons at Plymouth, maintained that the Lords were •fighting for the liberties of the people .and one of their most valuable privileges, namely, to be consulted before great issues become law. H© awaited the " result of the appeal with confidence. The issues were tariff reform, as against an extinct Budget, one or .two Houses, Socialism, or not. SIR GILBERT PARKER’S VIEW. Sir Gilbert Parker, speaking at Hackney, after relating how the Legislature of Victoria dealt with tacking m -iB6O and 1877, said that Lord Crewe and Mr. Alexander Ure would do well to leave the oversea dominions out of ■their appeals for partisan sympathy.

r THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION

The “Law Journal,” analysing the voting of 16 Peers having judicial experience, declares that the v eight of legal opinion in the Lords is against the view that the Peers have violated the constitution. /