The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-02-04
ONE THING DETERMINED BY
ELECTIONS IN GREAT
BRITAIN
All Parties Agree That Power of
Veto Should Be Denied Upper
BOdy-All Parties to Support
Rejected Budget Little Cen
eral Legislation Likely.

uuith on the continent and, Chancellor
Lloyd George closely following him,
politicians are resting on their arms,
discussing what lines Of battle will be
taken up in the new parliament.
The moral commonly drawn from
the elections is that the country gener-
ally does not want radical changes in
the house of lords or in the govern
ment policies. The spirit Of conciila-
ton, therefore, is abroad, and schemes
for compromising are being debated.
Conservative papers propose the
most interesting plans:
That q joint cabinet be chosen from
the most moderate men Of both parties
to carry on the government for two
years, and that truce be declared on
party questions in the meantime. A
royal commission to investigate the
counutry's fiscal policy and to make
recommendations regarding tariff re-
form is proposed.
The newspaper scheme of coalition
is not taken seriously by the Liberals,
who, having won narrow victory, OBJ
ject to having their opponents dictate
the program.
Lord Rosebery's name is put forward
for the premiership in the compromise
cabinet, but Rosebery has for q long
time refused Office, ami his popularity
now is at low mark because of his
course on the budget issues.
Sure to Reform House of Lords
The reform of the house of lords
seems to be the one thing assured.
Both parties support it. The lords
themselves are willing to adopt mod
crate changes Immediately, lest re-
forms that would knock the founda-
tions from under the upper house be
carried.
The result is likely to be the aboli-
tion of the hereditary principle.
Peers of the second generation are to
he allowed to vote only after they have
demonstrated their fitness to legislate
by service in the house Of commons,
in civil Office or in the army or navy.
The Conservatives are willing that
the lords be deprived of the power to
hold up taxation bills, if the plan be
adopted whereby no new Hesitation
shall be included in those bills.
Would Take Away Veto Power
The Liberals want to deprive the
house of lords Of the power to veto any
bill whatsoever Their favorite plan
would be to compel the house of lords
to adopt any bill sent to them for the
third time by the house of commons,
which, while making the house of
commons consider rejected bill care
fully, would give that body the power
to pass any Legislation on which it had
determined in one session. It is taken
for granted that the house Of lords will
pass the budget, since the country has
decided against the lords, on the face
of the election returns, but they may
be obliged to erase the whisky taxes to
get the votes Of the Irish members
Irish Party Can Do Little
Beyond the reform of the house of
lords and the passage of the budget,
parliament is not likely to get far with
anything. Irish members probably
will obtain the introduction of home
rule measure, but Conservatives will
oppose that solidly and a number of
Liberals are pledged against home rule
also. Several cabinet changes are prob
abel when the new government is
formed Reginald McKenna, who has
been unpopular as first lord of the ad-
miralty, will likely be dropped Rich
ard Burton Haldene, secretary for war,
may become head of the navy.
John Burns, president of the local
government board, will probably sue
coed Robert j. Gladstone as home Sec
Rotary. Winston Spencer Churchill
will take the place vacated by John
Burns, and each will receive a salary
of $25, 900 instead of $12, 500.
Sealing Controversy Near End
U:-x4.:o ~ 90