New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-07
LORDS PASS CLAUSE TWO
Committee Stage of Veto Bill
Concluded in Upper House.
AMENDMENTS REJECTED
Lords Reluctant to Yield Control
OF Money Bill-New Clause by
Lord Conner Adopted.

London. July 6.-The committee stage Of
the Parliament bill. otherwise known as
the veto bill, for the curtament OF the
powers Of the Lords was concluded in the
House of Lords tonight. Although many
amendments and new clauses seeking TO
modify its provisions were proposed by
independent members these were all with
drawn or rejected.
The debate throughout displayed great
restiveness on the part Of the peers against
their leaders, and there were significant
differences Of opinion. Lord St Aldwyn,
who as Michael Edward Hicks-Beach was
Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1885 and
again in 1S95-1a02 the financial authority on
the Conservative side. more than once de
cyned to vote with his party
The House Of Lords shows the greatest
reluctance to yield its control Of money
bills AS the bill leaves the Lords it com.
mits to a joint committee of six members
Of the two houses the power Of deciding
whether or not any bill is a money bill-a
power which the government bill reposes
In the Speaker of the House of Commons
alone.
Further, the same committee will have
the virtual power of referring any inn
portant bill to a referendum of the people.
The report stage has been liked by the
Lords for July 49, and when :he bill goes
back 10 the House OF Commons il is certain
that these new clauses and amendments
will be rejected en- bloc What course the
House Of Lords will then adopt is uncer
TAIN but the strongest influences are being
brought TO bear from the strongest section
Of the Unionist party to persuade the lead
ers against forcing the government TO In
woke the creation Of five hundred peers
After Clause . Of the Parliament BILL re-
lating 10 bills other than money bills was
passed. the debate proceeded on the new
clause moved by Lord Cromer providing
for the appointment Of joint committee Of
the two houses TO determine the character
Of bills and to decide whether they come
within the veto provisions of the Paria-
ment bill. which differentates between
general legislation and money bills, leaving
It to the Speaker Of the House Of Com
mons alone to determine what constitutes
the latter. and requiring the House Of
Lords to pass il without amendment with
in one month after receiving the bill; other
wise Il shall become law without the Lords
consent.
Lord Cromer and his fellow Unionist
peers profess 10 fear that a money bill
may pass the House Of Commons with
general legislation tackled on and they de-
clare that it is not a sufficient safeguard
TO leave the settlement of the question to
the Speaker.
Lord Cromer said when he previously
proposed the appointment of joint com
uittee of fifteen. it was merely for the
purpose of bringing about discussion.
He was now willing TO accept Lord St Nd
WINS amendment providing for a joint
committee OF six.
Lord Morley Of Blackburn said that he
could not understand how members who
had voted on a measure could be expected
10 consider 1t impartially afterward. lhls
clause. he declared. would destroy the en-
tire structure Of the Parliament Dill and
involved the complete betrayal OF its oo-
iects. Therefore, the government would
not consent TO it,
After several peers had spoken in sup
rort of the new clause it was adopted ana
ADDED to the bill.