New-York tribune., 1910-01-31
REFORM OF LORDS
UNIONISTS PROPOSE
JOINT CABINET.
abolition of Hereditary Prin-
ciple AcceptedLLegisla-
tic Outlook.

London, Jan 3O-With Premier As
ouith on the Continent and Chancellor
oyd-George closely following him. the
politicians are all resting on their arms.
discussing what lines of battle will be
taken up in the new Parliament. The
moral generally drawn from the elections
is that the country does not want radi-
cal changes In the House Of Lords or In
the government policies. The spirit OF
conciliation. therefore, is broad, and
schemes for compromise are being de-
bated.
The Conservative papers propose the
most interesting plan. that a joint Cabi-
net be chosen from the most moderate
men of both parties to carry on the gov
ernment for about two years, and that
truce be declared on party questions
in the mean time. A royal commission
TO Investigate the country's fiscal policy
and to make recommendations regarding
tariff reform is proposed.
The newspaper scheme OF coalition
government is not taken seriously by the
Liberals, who. having won a victory.
even II it is a very narrow one. object to
having their opponents dictate the pro-
sramme. Lord Rosebery's name is put
forward for the Premiership In the COM
promise Cabinet but Rosebery has for
long time refused office. and his pop
ularlty now Is at a low mark because of
his course on the budget issues.
The reform Of the House of Lords
seems to be the one thing assured. Both
parties support 1t now. The Conserva-
tives and the Lords themselves are will
ing to adopt moderate changes immedi-
ately. lest reforms which would knock
the foundations from the upper house
be carried. The result is likely to be the
abolition of the hereditary principle, and
that the second and succeeding genera
tions shall no longer have a vote, with
the exception of those who shall prove
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 shall be de-
Irived of the power to hold up taxation
bills If the plan be adopted nothing
which could be considered new iegisla-
ton shall be included in those bills.
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 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 a re-
jected bill carefully, would give that
body the power to pass any legislation,
on which it had determined, In one ses-
sion.
1t 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
the Cabinet may be obliged to erase the
whiskey taxes in order to get the votes
OF the Irish members
Beyond the reform of the House of
Lords and the passing of the budget
Parliament is not likely TO get far with
The Irish members probably
will obtain the introduction of Home
Rule measure, but the Conservatives
will Oppose that solidly. and a number
of Liberals are pledged against Home
Rule also. Several Cabinet changes are
probable when the new government is
formed. Reginald Mckenna, who has
been unpopular as First Lord of the Ad-
will probably be dropped. He
may receive peerage. Richard Burden
Haldane, Secretary of State for War.
may become head of the navy. John
Burns, president of the Local Govern
ment Board, will probably succeed Her
bert j. Gladstone as Home Secretary.
Winston Spencer Churchill will take the
place left vacant by Mr.. Burns. and they
will each receive $4,000 instead of S1o,-
zoo as salaries, both places having been
raised by the last Parliament, with the
provision that the occupants should
draw the increase during their tenure of
office.