The debate was continued on Wednesday by Lord Cromer, who
made a weighty protest against withdrawing the Lords' control over finance at a time when there was such an enormous increase in expenditure taking place—a protest which has our fullest sympathy. The Archbishop of Canterbury followed with an impressive plea for moderation and com- promise. He pointed out that the differences between the two Parties were less wide than might be imagined. The Opposition had entirely abandoned the claim to rejection of purely money Bills, and were prepared to go a long way to meet the Government with regard to other Bills. Hitherto all concession in this controversy had come from one side. The opportunity had now arrived for the Government to show their sense of fair play. The Lord Chancellor replied that it was quite out of the question at the present stage of the controversy to expect the Government to withdraw the Bill. But let there be a Second Chamber that was fair to all parties, and it might well be that then fresh relations between the Houses might by common consent be established.
Previous page
