The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-11-21
what Mr.. Asq uith Asks.

liberation a grave national question that
does not pertain 10 party politics Mr..
AsorIrH shows himself mere politician
and one " no is prepared to- risk disturb
ing his country and dividing his own
party in order to save himself from EN-
barrassment. The question of the future
relations between tho two Houses Of
Parliament was SO serious and compli-
Gated that the public was Satisfied to
have il put into debatable shape by the
men most competent to deal with il,
the leaders OF the two great parties, even
though there was no precedent for such
action. IL awaited the outcome pa
tiently. and respected to an unusual
degree the secrecy maintained by the
committee regarding its deliberations.
Now il learns that not hing has been done
in all these months and is told to decide
itself on the crude, tentative measures
which the committee of expert states
men should have made practical and
possible.
The result has been that the vital
questions Of the reform Of the House Of
Lords and the limitation OF its powers
have not been discussed ut all. Even
the customary suggestions and express
sions of opinion volunteered by various
persons in letters To the Times and other
newspapers have attracted little atten-
ton. because it seemed futile TO pro-
pose and g,Iess before the committee
settled the new basis, while public
speakers Of all parties have respected
the neutrality that was asked for.
Now Mr. AsoUIrH calls for the i'm
mediate suppression OF the rights of
the House of Lords with fury that was
perhaps excusabls when Mr.. LLOYD
GEORGES budget was rejected. and an
arrogance that seems absurd considering
that his last appeal to the country left
him in a minority OF the whole House.
II Is worth while 10 consider what the
Liberal leader asks British voters to
do. stripping the facts of the conven-
tional phrases that disguise them. Mr..
AsQUITH cannot expect any one 10 take
his long list OF promised reforms as
moro than ante-cleCtion prom
iscs He certainly intends TO put the
budget through. Both parties will agree
TO that. The rest Of his programme would
require months OF legislation and can
not be- forced through in the ten davs Of
life he comedies TO this Parliament.
Neither can he make anybody believe
that his action has not been influenced
by the promises he made to Mr.. RED
MOSD and the Irish members.
Mr.. AsQUTrH in substance asks Eng
land tn suppress the powers Of the House
II Lord. IA 1t has those Of the Crown.
and TO put them entirely in the hands OF
The Prime Minister His phrase il that
the will of the House Of Commons shall
become law within the life OF q single
and there will ba much
defamation on the voice OF the people
and the benefits Of representative gov
eminent Az a matter of fact tho ma
jority OF the House OF Commons now
adavs can do little more than vote the
measures which the few men who con-
troll the Cabinet wish to put through. and
the British elector has very little saw in
the choice of members OF the Commons.
In England there are no party convcn-
tons no local meetings 10 select Candi-
dates The party managers pick ont
the person they favor for each constltu-
encv: the candidate is often a total
stranger 70 the people who are asked TO
vote for him. The clector has merely
= choice between Liberal and Union
list TO make: that in later years has been
by the possibility of preferring
n Laborite. a Socialist. a Nationalist or
an independent candidate
The British member OF Parliament NAV
through tradition pretend 10 represent
the people or a constituency; he is in
fact simply the nominee Of he managers
Of his party.
When once elected he is powerless
without tho AID of the party managers.
The great mass OF public business that
must be- transacted in limited time has
nearly put an end 10 real discussion in
legislative bodies and made independent
action almost impossible. Tho tyranny
u the Speaker" ia really the tyranny Of
business thar must be done. and can ONLY
D" done by holding TO a strict method OF
procedure. In the British Parliament he
wi IL made greater by the fact that that
BODY deals not only with imperial and
matters bur is obliged 10 meddle
with local, almost paroChlal. affairs. Very |
ir'l" is done At any session except what |
h" Government wishes to have taken up |
rhc Commons has become an admins /
rativ" body which performs the legis- /
ltiv" work the Government requires of .
Z and in which discussion il limited
md very nearly mere form. II is
guided almost arbitrarily by the leader
IF the majority for ih" time being. who
: either the Prime Minister or carries
)ut IN" Prime Minister'S wishes
The Primo Minister'S authority. of
curse. rests on his Iarty's holding n
majority IN the House Of Commons bu,
Ie ~ tho master and not The servant of