THE PARLIAMENT BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3277, 24 July 1911, Page 5

THE PARLIAMENT BILL.

ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT. - PUBLIC OPINION PERPLEXED. KING AND PRIME MINISTER, ' [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, July 21. Mr. Asquith has announced that he keeps Monday free in the : House of Commons for any proceeding necessary when the Parliament Bill returned from the Lords. Private meetings of the Conservative party have taken place at Mr. Balfour’s house and of the Conservative peers at Lord Lansdowne’s house. Public opinion is much perplexed over the situation. Mr. Asquith, in a letter to Mr. Balfour, informed him that the Government would advise the House of Commons to disagree with the House of Lords’ amendments, and, if necessary, he would ask the King to exercise his prerogative to secure the passing of the Bill substantially as it left the House of Commons. His Majesty had signified that he would consider it 'his duty to accept and act upon that advice.

“ NEMESIS ASSUREDLY AWAITS.” ULTIMATUM TO THE LORDS. LONDON NEWSPAPER COMMENT. (Received July 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 22. According to present intentions ; Mr. Asquith on Monday will move the postponement of the debate on the Veto Bill to consider the amendments of the Lords. One week will be given, to enable the Unionist peers to guarantee that the Bill will pass as transmitted from the House of Commons, or the Government will specially create new peers. The “Times,” in a leading article headed “'Asquith’s Coup d’Etat,” denounces the brusque ultimatum as the most violent of .alternatives and as uncoustitutional, unjustifiable and unprecedented. The paper adds:— “The King is not constitutionally compelled to accept the advice of his Ministers, but he is compelled to find someone who will carry on the Administration, Mr. Balfour's acceptance of this task would involve a fruitless dissolution, and the King therefore has no real choice but td accept Mr. Asquith’s advice. Mr. Asquith, however, toes the line at Mr Redmond’s bidding, but nemesis assuredly awaits him when he attempts to satisfy the impossible demands of his Irish masters.”

The “Telegraph” says the shadow of a force majeure is over the Unionists, and their only course is to enter a straight protest against the outrage imposed on Unionists and abjure all responsibility. The “'Morning Post” says:—“Once the Government obtains the Lords’ surrender, their triumph over the whole field of politics will he complete. Capitulation means utter ruin for the Unionist party.”

“ REVOLT of wild PEERS.” " * NO LONGER FREE AGENTS. (Received July 24, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON. July 23. Tlie “Chronicle” says that Mr. Asquith’s remarkable announcement in regard to the Vto Bill is'due to a “revolt of wild peers.” Lord Lansdowne showed the Unionist leaders that they should cease their opposition, as when they ceased they would be free agents. Mr. Asquith’s letter was made public so that the Tory peers might know betimes that they are no longer free agents.