Wrong Century

And while the House of Peers withholds

Its legislative hand,

And noble statesmen do not itch

To interfere with matters which

They do not understand,

As bright will shine Great Britain's rays

As in King George's glorious days!

--lolanthe.

Labor had sometimes suspected that one of these days Britain's peers might again itch to extend their legislative hand and block Laborite bills passed by the House of Commons. Last week it almost happened. The Lords were considering the repeal of the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act when Lord Merthyr, a former artillery major, boldly suggested an amendment that would substantially change the bill. Said he: "I submit that the functions of your lordships' House should be allowed to continue as they were intended to continue ... [or] is this House really merely an assembly for dotting the i's and crossing the t's and dropping the h's. . .?"

Visions of rebellion may have flashed temptingly through their lordships' minds. But too well they knew the retribution in store for them if they misbehaved; some particularly brash commoners had even murmured darkly of dissolving the upper chamber entirely. Declared Lord Swinton: "Lord Merthyr's is not a wise view to express in this century." He concluded by sternly advising Lord Merthyr to "revise his estimate of the comparative value of valor and discretion."

Lord Merthyr revised his estimate, regretfully conceded a slight edge to discretion. With proper resignation the peers returned to dotting i's, took what solace they could from doing with their h's what they jolly well pleased.

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