New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-03

Visions made By this chamber for IN. ex-
pehses OF the year was a breach ~ the Con
.u'",l"n and a usurpation Of the rights II
N'e Rouse OF Commons and the resolution
"aS hassed BY n vote OF Sis 10 ia
~ Nis vote the opposing forces OF the
anu commons are placed in battle
array for one 81 the greatest constitutional
struggles that has come before the coun-
ug judgment for centuries The scenes
"a enthusiasm which accompanied the vOt-
ihs on Mr. Asquith's resolution were IN
marked contrast 20 those witnessed dlIrin.,
me recent debates in the House Of Lords.
NO prominent members from the govern
ment side arose IN the House ~ -op,z,ons
70 utter Solemn warnings against the course
The ministers were pursuing The Minis
terlal ranks were closed I'm a complete una
siniitF 81 protest against the action OF the
upper house
MI Balfour- leader Of the Opposition.
evidently was suffering from the effects OF
ms indisposition. and did not speak al his
best
The Premier's ironical reference TO the
instinct Of divination" Of the peers on
reaching manhood dissolved his hearers in
laughter. He quoted with trenchant effect
the speech u Mr. Balfour less than a year
himself as House Of Commons man.
and said:
II IS the House Of Commons not the
House OF Lords. which settles uncontrolled
our nn2ncisl :. stem. II the House of
Lords could touch the money bills. the
whole executive machinery OF the country
would ne brought 10 a standstill"
Ine amusement with which the Liberals
Asten-'d to these quotations from Balfour
against himself was only equalled by the
chagrin de:icted on the faces OF Mr.. Bal
Tour followers. Altogether. Mr. Asquith
surpassed himself and his elated followers
declare that he never made a finer or more
effective speech.
ny HencersOn's speech FOR the Labor
party also has given the Liberals great
encouragement for the coming campaign.
a. showing that the whole party Is % one
mind. ard in the Hobbies after the sitting
was adjourned election prospects were dis
cussed by the Liberal members with the
greatest satisfaction
Mr.. Asquith announced that the govern
ment Esd advised King Edward to dissolve
Parliament, and that his ma jesty had &C
cepted the invitation. The Premier added
that II the Liberals were returned 10
power. the first act OF the government
would BE- the re-enactment Of all the taxes
budget rejected by the House Of Lords.
The King held meeting with the Privy
Council, II Sandringham this afternoon and
signed an order prOroguing Parliament
until January l.. 1910. The fixing Of this
Date was mere formally. as before that
time the present House will have Ieen dis
solved.
HOT SHOT FOR LORDS.
Premier Asquith's first words as lie arose
IN the House. amid the widest demonstra-
ton OF enthusiasm. TO move the resolution
Of which he had given notice on Tuesday
were n We are meeting this afternoon un-
der circumstances without example in the
history OF the British Parliament"
The Prime Minister pointed out that in
opening Parliament the King had invited
the House Of Commons alone TO make pro-
vision FOR the heavy additional expenditure
IN view OF the necessities in the way of
social reform and the national defence. The
budget was the result. and il represented.
- said. in a greater degree than could be
said Of any other measure Of our time. the
deliberate work Of an overwhelming ma
Jority OF the representatives OF the people.
In the course OF the week that whole
fabric had been thrown 20 the ground By
a body which admittedly had no power TO
increase or decrease a single tax. With
much emphasis Premier Asquith declared
that the House OF Commons would prove
unworthy Of its traditions u il allowed a
single day 10 pass without making clear
that II did not mean 10 brook this grave
indignity and arrogant usurpation OF its
rights.
The session Of Parliament was closing
the Premier said. without a financial act.
and until fresh provision could be made
the necessities Of state could he supplied
only through borrowing He expressed the
hope that the ultimate loss to the govern
ment would not be very great. but added.
SO far as the present financial year was
concerned. II was obvious that the result
Of the action Of the House Of Lords must
create the largest deficit Vet faced. His
warnings. he said, had been unheeded. and
the responsibility Of the chaos. confusion
and loss must rest with the Lords.
40 BOWLING TO LORDS
In view Of the fact that the government
could not continue the collection Of taxes
after the prorogation Of Parliament the
Premier said that il had been suggested
that the lower chamber bring in a new
budget. but he thought that af,irs would
have come TO a pretty pass when the
House Of Commons had 10 stoop 20 the
humiliation Of presenting 10 the House Of
Lords an amended budget trimmed TO meet
its scruples
To adopt such a suggestion would be a
recognition Of tho Lords right 10 amend
e finance bill The only course left open
70 the government was 10 advise the King
10 dissolve Parliament AT the earliest pos
sibie moment and his majesty had accept
Cd that advice. Accordingly the new
House Of Commons would provide re-
trospectively and prospectively for the
needs Of the current financial year If
returned. the first act Of the government
would be 10 reimpose from the present
week all taxes and duties embodied I'm the
finance bill and 10 validate all past collec-
tions made IN anticipation Of its passage.
The object Of his resolution. Premier As
auth explained. 10 make a prompt
and solid protest against the whole pro-