Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-01

London, Feb. 2S.-In the session of
the House of Commons today, the out
come of which was awaited as eagerly
as the denouement of most exciting
tragedy by all the members of both
houses able to pack themselves into
the chamber, Premier Asquith's gov
eminent obtained a lease of life until
next Easter This was the gift of the
Conservatives, who were so anxious to
avoid two general elections successive
ly within 80 brief period that they
accepted the premier'S program, with
OUT calling for vote.
When the House of Commons meets
after Easter. it will take up the strug-
gle to revolutioniZe the British govern
ment system. Resolutions will be pre-
sented to deprive the House of Lords
of all authority over finances, and also
Of the power of vetoing the measures OF
the Lower House leaving to the Lords
only the functions of delay and dis
cusSion.
If this plan succeeds. the government
proposes next year to proceed with
the transformation of the House of
Lords from an hereditary to a demo-
cratic body.
Such was the program that the prime
minister unfolded and he and Chancel-
lor Lloyd-George declared that the
government staked its existence upon
it.
In tho meantime the local govern
ment stands sidctra"ked. 1t is likely
when it is taken UP. it will combine the
budgets of two years, shorn of the
features Objectionable to the Irish
members Before the Easter adjourn
ment the House OF Commons will deal
with resolutions enabling the govern
ment to continue to borrow money, and
the appropriation bill for the army,
navy and other departments.
The Irish members had withdrawn
from the House for a discussion of poll
icy when the program was accepted.
They had. however, decided to refrain
from voting. Most of them will return
to Ireland until the question relating
to the House of Lords takes the center
of the stage.
The premiers motion, giving govern
ment business precedence at every sit
ting up to March "a, was adopted with
out division In laying down the gov
phasized the necessity of proceeding
with financial business first and he said
that after that would come the ques-
ton of reforming the House of Lords
The financial legislation he declared
would be confined to the army ana
navy bills and other urgent demands
which would occupy the whole atten-
ton of the House up to the Easter
adjournment With regard to the
House of Lords, he hoped that cham
Der would agree with the proposed
plan, but whether it did or not the
government intended to place on the
statute books a provision which would
set free the House of Commons from
the veto of the House of Lords.
Chancellor Lloyd George delivered
a telling speech. He said that the gov
eminent could not ask for the exercise
Of the royal prerogative upon propos-
ais which had not yet received the
sanction of the House of Commons, or
the opposition of the House of LORDS
THE government will stake its eX-
istence,' he said. upon the advice 1t
will give the sovereign if it becomes
necessary to do 50. This is matter
of the greatest moment to the democ-
racy of Great Britain and Ireland We
are fighting a powerful combination
which cannot be overthrown without
courage and comradeship. loyalty and
sacrifice"
The chancellor appealed to the Lib
erals to trust the government and
work together