We have noticed elsewhere an interesting article in the Labour
Leader of May 13th. We may note one of equal We have noticed elsewhere an interesting article in the Labour Leader of May 13th. We may note one of equal
interest and far more immediate significance which appears in the issue of May 20th. Mr. Jowett, though he arrives at his conclusions from such very different premisses, believes quite as strongly as we do that the proper course for the Govern.
ment is not to proceed with the Veto Bill this year. His article, which is entitled "Beware of the Whigs," urges that the preamble to the Bill makes it certain that the Govern- ment means to create a new Second Chamber. This Chamber, he fears, would be a greater obstacle to the kind of legislation he favours than the present House of Lords. The House of Lords, he holds, will never dare again to touch a Budget. As for interference with ordinary legislation, if they attempt to interfere with a really popular Bill they will be knocked on the head altogether :—
"Therefore I, for one, say unhesitatingly that it would be better to bury the precious Parliamentary Bill as decently as possible, and go on with other work until the people are ready to tackle the House of Lords in earnest. Even if the people were in deadly earnest to settle the House of Lords question the present Ministry could not be trusted to do the job. This is now, at last, plainly evident."
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