On Wednesday in the Commons Mr. Lone moved an amend.
ment to the Address that it would be improper to proceed with Home Rule and Welsh Disestablishment while the Constitution of Parliament was still incomplete and without reference to the electors. Mr.r.Asquith, who recognized Mr. Long's power and sincerity, remarked that the amendment contained no suggestion of an alternative constructive policy. It was not true that the Government had shattered the Con- stitution ; it had been shattered by the act of the Lords in rejecting the Budget. The demand that Home Rule and Welsh Disestablishment should now be referred back to the electors was a "monstrous novelty." No party desired more than the Liberal Party to reform the Lords, for the Lords were still a formidable obstacle to Liberal legislation. If the Lords had no grievance under the Parliament Act the electors had none either ; the shortened duration of Parliament had given them further opportunities of expressing their opinion. As for the House of Commons itself its grievances were also imaginary; it was not a "gagged and manacled Board of Registration," as Mr. Long had called it, but commanded as much as ever the service of men of character, intelligence, and independence. We may add that Mr. Herbert Samuel declared that the Lords would be transformed into a purely elective chamber during the present Parliament, but would still be without the right of rejection. But in that case why trouble to reform them P
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