Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-06
Their Fate Uncertain But
Will Soon Be Settled,
Commons VIII Undoubt|y Vote
For Lords Adjustment.
State Opening Of Parliament
Today BY King and Queen.

London. Feb. 5.-The new Parlia-
ment which will be the first opened
in state by George '. and Queen Mary.
will be memorable also as the Par
lament to decide the status of the
House of Lords. AID probably thereby
make the greatest change of a CEN
fury of the British Constitution
Parliament assembled last Tuesday
but the state function was reserved
for tomorrow. There are many i'm
portant measures on the program of
the Liberal party-home rule for Ire
land and possibly home rule for all
around the adjustment of plural
voting. dis-cstablishment OF the
church in Wales. state Insurance
against unemployment and illness on
ii Wholesale basis and other extensive
financial schemes and possibly pro-
vision for the payment OF members.
But the question of the Lords will
dominate and prccedc all other mat
ters and until it has been disposed Of
such other projects as home rule and
dis establishment cannot be taken UP.
Tie governments immediate policy
for dealing with the Lords is em-
bodied in what is termed the Parlia-
ment bill, mere commonly known as
the veto bill. which the prime min
istCr introduced in the last session.
1t practically wipes out the power
OF the Upper Chamber to kill legis-
lation from the Commons by pro-
viding that any bill shall become law
Which the Commons has sent TO the
Lord for three successive sessions.
In, of ipSS than
two years) ard which has been three
times rejected or not disposed of. To
insure the control of finance by the
Commons and settle the issue which
the Lords raised when they rejected
the Lloyd George budget, the bill pro-
yidcs that any money bill which the
Upper Chamber does not pass within
one month after il is sent up from
the lower House. shall, with the royal
assent, become law. The Speaker OF
the Commons is given final authority
to decide whether any measure deals
only with taxation appropriations ana
loans ard is properly money Dill.
Tho last and not the least important
provision reduces the life OF Paflla-
ment from seven ears to five. These
provisions of the bill cmbodv only
mart of the Liberals proposals regard
ing the Lords. In the preamble IL
the statement: And whereas 1t Is
intended to substitute for the House
of Lords. as it at present exists.
second Chamber constituted on a pop
mar instead Of hereditary basis, but
such substitution cannot be imme-
diateIy brought INTO operation.
There seems little doubt that the gov
crameat will introduce the BIZ as II
stands and that it will be passed AFTER
comparatively short debate oy 'ae
combined votes of Liberal, Labor anu
Irish members. and sent up TO the
Lords for their action. When the Loros
receive the bill the real interest OF the
struggle will begin. Their policy IS not
vet disclosed, nor even formulated
For their part. the Lords already
have committed themselves to differ
ent plan Of reform. They adopted IN
the last Parliament after the question
had become an issue. resolutions franz
ed by Lords Lansdowne and Rosebery
The former declared that the Lords
..prepared to forego their constitutional
right to reject or amend Nancy bills,
proposed the settlement by joint ses-
sions of members from the two
Houses, differences lasting through two
sessions of years interval, and that
differences on matters of great grav-
ity be submitted to a popular referen-
dunn.
Lord Rosebery's resolutions, declar-
ed strong and efficient second cham
her and that the possession of peer
age should not of itself give the right
to a seat. His suggestion was that half
tie Chamber be composed of Lords
(Continued on Page Four.)