The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-14
EnqIiSh Par|ianlentRGaSSem-
 bIGs Week from Tomorrow
WILL DECIDE VETO POWER
old Struggle, Which Was Suddenly Stopped By the Death of King Edward, Will Re Resumed
 Between Two Houses

London. November 13-with the advent of the new year it is expected that Eng
 land will be plunged into the turmoil of another election At least these are the
 present indications.
 | On Tuesday next parliament will re-
 assemble, and at this time the result of the conference on the lords veto ques- ton, will be made known. The members
 of the committee appear to be hopeless | ly split, and it is not believed that a re- port satisfactory to all parties will be presented.
 | The question of limiting the veto power of the house of lords, if not abolishing that body altogether, is one of the gray est problems that the government has ever had to deal with. The trouble start ed a year ago when that aristrocratic body rejected Lloyd Georges radical budget which had been passed through the house of commons This resulted in
 the dissolution of parliament and pre- cipitated general election. which was
 held the first part of this year. The voters indorsed the budget and re-
 turned the liberal party to power. but
 with such small majority that the gov ernment had to depend on the help of l Irish members to carry through this pro- gramme. This placed the Irish party in position to dictate, and when the new parliament reassembled last spring the | Irish leaders insisted on the passage of
 set of resolutions limiting the veto power of the house of lords, before the consideration of the budget The mat
 ter was finally settled in the lower house by the introduction of set of resolutions which aimed to pass a law to prevent the house of lords from rejecting or amending a money bill, but that such limitation | shall not in anywise affect the rights and privileges of the commons as they now
 exist. 1 | The second of the resolutions provided | that the powers of the house of lords | respecting all other bills be restricted
 so that if any bill shall be passed by the commons at three successive sessions and rejected by the lords at each of these ses-
 sions, 1t shall become a law without the assent of the lords the King provided that at least two years shall have elapsed between the introduction of the measure
 and its third passage by the house of commons.
 The third resolution limited the dura- ton of parliament to five instead of
 seven years.
 After the commons had again passed
 the budget and forced the lords to swal- low It. parliament took a recess until
 May 26, when the veto resolutions were to be considered.
 Before the date came around, however, the Grim Reaper claimed the much be- loved King Edward, and the whole country was plunged into period of mourning. Following the cessation of ceremonies. incidental to the burial of the King, a more friendly attitude was manifested by the leaders of the dissent ing parties. Both sides showed a willing ness to settle the matter without precip- itatng an election so soon after the ob- sequies. King George personally took a hand In the difficulties and brought royal pressurel to bear on the leaders It was finally agreed that all the un- fortunate differences should be settled by a conference committee composed of members of both parties. This commit tee, which is composed of Premier Asquith, Lord Crewe. Lloyd George and A. Brrell, representing the government. and Arthur Balfour Lord Lansdowne, Earl Cawdor and Austin Chamberlain, representing the opposition, have been holding meetings with view to reach ing an agreement. It is now believed, however. that the members of the com mittee are hopelessly split and that the only way to settle the differences will be by an appeal to the constituencies early fin January.
 The house of lords Is the one obstacle In the way of home rule for Ireland. and when the Irish leaders cast their vote for the budget it was with the understanding that the government would see to it that a bill was passed limiting the veto of the house of lords In order to get home rule bill through. They believed that the liberal leaders would stick to their prom ise and are exceedingly hopeful of getting home rule for Ireland in the near future.
 Another serious question to be dis cussed at this session has come up with in the past few months This has to do with the question of whether or not labor unions may pay labor members in the house of commons.
 The members of the English parliament receive no compensation from the govern ment for their work. It is purely an hon. orary position. The vast majority of the members are of necessity in comfortable financial circumstances before entering politics. With the representatives of the labor party, however, it is different. They are selected from the ranks of laboring men, and, of course, in a majority of cases have no resources. For this req son 1t has been the custom of the labor unions to pay their expenses
 In suit recently brought in England decision was handed down which re- fused labor unions the right to use their money for political campaign expenses. and to pay labor members in the house for their work
 The decision created a furor in the la- bor circles and the labor unions now de- mand that a bill be passed giving them the right to use their money for political purposes. Such bill would get through the commons alright, but would have hard time fin the house of lords
 1t is possible that the question may be settled by passing measure providing for salaries for the members of the house of commons.
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