THE VETO BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3232, 31 May 1911, Page 5

THE VETO BILL.

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS. “ PARTY RANCOUR AND REVENGE.” GOVERNMENT WILL DISCUSS CERTAIN AMENDMENTS. BILL READ A SECOND TIME. . [UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION —COPYEIGHT , ]• (Received May 30, 10 p.m.) LONDON, May 30. The House of Lords, without a division, read the Veto Bill a second time. The House of Lords was crowded with an audience including many Colonial and Indian visitors to hear the Veto Bill debate. 1 Lord Rosebery, referring to Lord Morley’s suggestion for co-operation in regard to reform said that when the Bill was passed the composition of the House would not matter a straw. The nation did not appreciate the importance of the question, but when it did, it would not be content with a phantom second chamber, but would demand a restoration of the constitution. He admitted that a Bill was long overdue, and that the last two elections were grave facts, but lie held that the Government had chosen to proceed on lines of party rancour and revenge.

Lord Haldane replied to Lord Rosebery and held that the Liberals must be freed from the Veto before they were faced with other difficulties.

He denied vehemently that the Bill established a Second Chamber. Lord Lansdowne said the fact that the House was not dividing did not mean accepting the Bill, but that it was desirable to submit amendments, especially safeguards, during the period preceding the reconstitution of the House of Lords, sufficient to protect the foundations of the United Kingdom from irreparable change. Lord Morley closed the debate with a conciliatory speech. He declared that the Government was prepared to discuss amendments, which were not opposed to the effective predominance of the House of Commons. The House of Lords will adjourn on Thursday next until June 26th.