During the debate on the Address in the Lords on
Monday Lord Lansdowne, while admitting the need of reform of the House of Lords, and noting that it was admitted by the Government, expressed the view that for the present it was for Ministers to make the first move. From this view Lord Rosebery dissented in a powerful and closely reasoned speech. Rejecting the policy of delay, he held the present to be a golden opportunity which might not recur, and which they ought to avail themselves of at once so as to set their house in order, put themselves right with the country, and safeguard the Second Chamber system. If the Government scheme, when it was published, showed a completely predominant House of Commons and a completely subordinate House of Lords, would it not be necessary for the House of Lords to have some suitable plan ready which it might show as the approved alternative of that House ? The country, he believed, was resolutely opposed to the hereditary nature of the House of Lords, but it was equally determined to have a strong and efficient Second Chamber.
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