New-York tribune., 1909-11-23

the conviction that they had heard the
governments last word before the geu-
eraI election. that Premier Asquith
would make a similar declaration m ths
House of Commons ueNt week and that
the long delayed campaign against the
Lords had now begun I'm real ernest
II was held that Lord L"reburn's
statement could only mean that no Lib
eral leader will henceforth accept Office
unless m receives "A pledge from the
Crown that sufficient peers viii be ap-
pointed on the Premier's nomination 20
secure the House Of Commons against
interference by the House of Lords in
financial matters.
After the Earl Of Crewe. Lord Privy
Seal. had formally moved the second
reading Of ths budget. without comment.
Lord LansdOwne. leader Of the OppOsi-
ton. who was so hoarse that he could
scarcely be heard. Immediately moved
its rejection. He quoted precedents 20
show that although the House Of Lords
could not amend "A finance bill II had
fun right 20 discuss il and 10 throw IT
out if il so willed Besides. the pres
ent bill, he argued, had tackled on %
it legislation, such as land taxation and
Increased license duties, which the
House of Lords had already rejected
ana which had been placed in the bill
with a view to ousting the Lords from
their legitimate opportunity OF dealing
with these measures. No self-respect-
ing second chamber would tolerate such
treatment.
What. he asked. was TO prevent Home
Rule from being Introduced in the finance
biuc There was no limit to such abuses
The Cnionists opposed license duties he
cause they were crushing in their sever
ity: the same app.ied 10 land taxes. The
people. he said. not having been con-
suited. had a clear duty. not 70 decree
The final extinction Of the bill, but TO in
sist that before il became law the cOun-
try should be allowed an expression or
opinion. The Lords had carefully con-
sidered the consequences of the rejection
OF the blU and were ready TO face them
Lord LOreburn replied. contending that
there was nothing in the bill foreign 10
finance. with which the House Of Com
mons had the exclusive right 10 deal
The attempt of the Lords 10 interfere.
hs said was the beginning OF a system
which would lead TO constitutional revO-
luton What was embodied in the bill
was not new either in the United states
or Germany and had been approved not
only by the present but by the former
House Of Commons.
After the Lord High Chancellor many
peers addressed the House. but interest
waned- The Duke OF Norfolk. who sup
ported Lord Lansdowne's resolution,
confessed that the Lords had a serious
and anxious problem % face. but that
should not daunt them in performing
their duty.
Not since the Peers refused to agree 70
the Irish Home Rule bill has public in
terest in the meeting of the upper house
equalled that shown to-day when the
Lords met 10 open debate on the budget,
in spite Of the fact that it's rejection is
a fOregOne conclusion. Early in the af-
ternOon a crowd gathered outside West
minister and formed q long line from the
entrance 70 the public gallery Seats in
the strangers gallery had already been
allotted 10 distinguished visitors. the
most of these being reserved for diplo-
mats. many Of whom take keen interest
in the proceedings. Every seat reserved
for women below the bar was occupied
The peers began to arrive early, and
while waiting for the House 20 open held
Informal conferences.
When the Earl OF Grove rose 70 move
the second reading of m. bin every
scat in The House was occupied and
many members OF the House Of com
mons stood behind tho throne
The Earl Of Creve formally moved the
second reading oT rho measure without
Offering a word i'm support of the bud
Ct. which is taken as an Indication
that the government considered the
finance bin = subject in which ths House
OF Lords was not concerned
Lord Lansdovne then moved tb- 70
lection Of rho budget II is expected
that vote will he reached on Thurs
ds,