Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-03
Most Important Section Of
The Parliament Bill
Toward CurtaiIment Of Power
Of British House Of Lords.
Government Rejects Amendments
Weakening Scope.

| London, May 2.--After the applica-
ton of closure, Clause , of the Parlia :
ment dill, which is the most important
clause of the governments measure
for the eurtalment of the powers OF
the House of Lords, was carried in the
| House of Commons tonight, 299 to 1876
Later Clause 8 of the bill, providing
that ANY certificate of Speaker of the
House of Commons given under this
act shall be conclusive for all pur-
any court of law was carried, after
closure, 255 to 1872.
| During the course of the debate on
Clause ,. the government agreed to
accept one or two minor amendments
moved by the opposition, but rejected
| all which would weaken the scope of
the clause. This clause relates to any
| bill other than a money bill. and pro-
vides that if any such bill is passed
| b. the House of Commons in three
successive sessions and is rejected by
the House of Lords at each of the SEES
sions. it shall become an act of Par
lament on the royal assent.
Prior to amendment yesterday,
Clause provided that this should not
take effect unless two years had elaps-
ed between the date Of the first intro
duction of the bill and the date on
which it passed the House of Commons
for the third time.
In amended form it provides that the
two years delay shall be calculated from
the date of the passing of the second
reading of the bill in the House of Com
MONS which somewhat extends the period
in which the Lords can delay bill
Before the vote was taken, Winston
Churchill, the home secretary, said that
the adoption of the clause was impera-
tive because there had come about COM
plete paralysis of the working constitu-
ton and denial of a. form of redress to
those who did not belong to the Conserv-
alive party. The safeguards which the
clause left the House of Lords for delay
and revision. he said, would still place
the Liberals under great disabilities as
compared with the Conservatives That
of Lords should follow as the compile
ment of the Parliament bill.
Mr. Balfour, leader of the Opposition
declared that the real purpose of the bill
was not Improvement of the constitution.
nut tIe CARRYING OF nome RUE. lHe gov
eminent had sueeumbed to the threats
and cajoleries of the Nationalists and
LaboriteS.
Again by the aid of closure. the re-
naming clauses. four. five and six,
we're adopted without amendment by
large majorities,
There remained a number of pro-
posed new clauses on the amendment
paper, but the chairman Immediately
ruled most of these out of order.
There remained number of propos-
ed new clauses OH the amendment pa
per- but the chairman Immediately
ruled most of these out of order
Clause four provides that nothing
in this act shall diminish or qualify the
existing rights and privileges of the
House of Commons
Clanse five provides for the duration
of Parliament, reading:
Five years shall be substituted for
seven years as the time fixed Tor the
maximum duration of Parliament I'M
der tho septennial act, 1715'
Clause six declares:
This act may be cited as the Parlia-
ment act, 1870
The House adjourned after rejecting
the proposed new clauses. thus dis.
rosing of the committee stage of the
whole bill, with the exception of the
nreamhie