THE VETO BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3264, 8 July 1911, Page 7

THE VETO BILL.

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS.

LORD LANSDOWNE’S AMENDMENT CARRIED.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, July 6. In the House of Lords, Lord Weardale resumed the debate on the Veto Bill. He declared that the Government had made a profound mistake in not adopting the principle of the referendum regarding Lord Morley’ s contention that the referendum AV’as destructive of representative government. He had seen this take many forms. Twentyfive years ago: Liberal opinion had its say,Avliichever quarter it came from, and it influenced Liberal action. They nowadays had the closure, caucuses, and group systems. Hence, oAving to the altered conditions the referendum was tiOAV indispensable. It was necessary for the security of the State. He argued that representative government was noAV tending, not to liberty, but to oligarchy. The country had accepted the principle of Home Rule, but that did not imply all forms of Home Rule. The Government claimed a mandate for this Bill, but this mandate did not imply an unalterable sacrosanct measure. The passing of the Bill would be to open the floodgates of faction, strife, and perhaps reaction. He appealed to the Government to reconsider the subject, and make a final settlement. lord Haldane replied that the referendum had been rejected systematically by democracies right through modern times. It Avas only used in Australia when tAVO houses differed regarding the constitution of the land. (Unionist cheers.) The Government Avould not have the referendum in any conceivable circumstances.

Lord Selborne declared that the referendum had come to stay. Australia’s remarkable experience had proved that it Avas a political instrument of democratic government, impairing the main features of representattoe government. Lord LansdoAvne’s amendment, exempting from the Parliament Bill Bills affecting the existence of the CroAvn, the Protestant succession, Home Rule for Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, or anything Avhich a joint nommittee of the two’ Houses regards as an. issue of great gravity, upon Avhich the judgment of the country has been insufficiently expressed, Avas carried bv 253 votes to 46

Lord Courtney, Lord Weardale and the Bishop of Ripon abstained from voting. The Archbishops were absent. The Bishop of Birmingham voted Avith the minority.

COMMITTEE STAGE CONCLUDED

AN AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN

(London, July 7, 9.30 p.m.) - ’ LONDON, July 7

The House of Lords has terminated the committee stage of the “Parliament Bill.”

Lord NeAvton’s amendment, exempting from its operation, until after the general election/, any bill further limiting the legislature poAvers of the House Avas AvithdraAvn, A\ith a vieAv to introducing it as a separate clause. Lord Morley remarked that this "as the only amendment not directly contradictory to the fundamental principle of the Bill, but taken in conjunction Avith Lord LansdoAA-ne’s amendment, the Government Avould be unable to accept it. Earl Cromer’s amendment Avas adopted, Avitk Viscount Akhvyn’s addition giving the speaker, besides liis vote, a casting vote.

“PIVOT OF ULTIMATE ARRANGEMENT.

PRESS COMMENT ON SITUATION

(Reeetoed July 7, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, July 7

Unionist newspapers state that considerable importance attached to Lord Peel’s speech urging the Government to give the Speaker a committee to assist him, and not to jeopardise his impartial standing by making him the sole authority on disputes between the two Houses. Lord l Morley’s not unfriendly reception to Lord Newton’s amendment, coupled with the desire on the Unionist side to see it presented on the report stage, was not complicated by the other issues raised. They hope it will serve as a basis of compromise. The “Times” remarks that there is little doubt that if the Unionist leaders acquiesced in the House of Commons rejecting their main amendments, the Government would accept Lord Newton’s amendment wfhich, with the proposal to give the speaker the assistance of a committee, represents the pivot of ultimate arrangement.