" Amendment by the House of Lords is out of
the question. Rejection by the House of Lords is equally out of the question. It would mean, as Mr. Balfour says, to repeat his own language, the bringing by the action of the House of Lords the whole of the executive machinery of the country to a standstill.' It means, in a word, financial and administrative chaos—a chaos how profound, how far-reaching, how fraught with injustice to individuals, and danger to the State, it is no part of my business to-night--I trust it may be no part of my business hereafter—to demonstrate and to make plain. There stands the matter, gentle- men. Is this issue going to be raised? If it is, it carries with it in its train consequences which he would be a bold man to forecast or foresee. That way revolution lies, and if it is going to be seriously threatened, involving, as I venture to predict it will, issues far wider, fax deeper than the mere right of the House of Lords to meddle with finance, I say for you and for me, I say for the Liberal Party that we represent, that we are not only ready but anxious, that we are not only anxious but eager, to take up the challenge."
