16 NOVEMBER 1912, Page 18

What the Speaker's exact proposal is we do not know,

but it is not difficult to guess its general outline. It will, we feel sure, in substance, acknowledge the plea of the Opposition that a decision of the House can in the future, as in the past, only be rescinded in accordance with a fixed system of procedure and not by a mere vote, and that there must be no precedent for declaring that the votes of the Commons are such unimportant things that what is lightly done to-day may be as lightly undone to-morrow. If Mr. Asquith will accept a proposal based on this principle be can have peace. If not he will, we are convinced, find himself confronted with an oppo- sition which he cannot break or circumvent, and one which will have the support of public opinion behind it.