34. Imperial Federation; Labor enters Parliament; Old Age Pensions;
Budget of 1910; Veto Power of the Lords.

The defeat of the Boers in the Great Boer War (1899-1902) led to the
completion of the scheme of Imperial Federation, by the establishment
of the Union of South Africa (1910) as the fourth of the self-
governing colonies, of which Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are
the other three.

In 1906, in the reign of Edward VII, organized Labor secured for the
first time adequate representation in Parliament, through the
overwhelming victory gained at the elections by the combined Liberal
and Labor parties (S628). The "Laborites," as they are popularly
called, claim that their influence obtained the passage of the Old Age
Pensions Act of 1908.

Two years later the Liberal Government compelled the Lords to accept a
Budget calling for an enormous increase of taxes imposed in large
measure on land and incomes and levied partly for the purpose of
paying the new pensions (SS629, 630).

The death of Edward VII, in the spring of 1910, brought George V to
the throne. He came at a critical time. Mr. Asquith, the Liberal
Prime Minister, was then demanding that the veto power of the House of
Lords should be limited or practically abolished so that in future the
House of Commons should be distinctly recognized as the dominant
factor in the government (S631).

In the summer of 1911 Mr. Asquith succeeded in passing his Veto Bill
restricting the power of the House of Lords, and making it impossible
for that body to resist any measures the Commons should resolutely
resolve to carry. He also passed the Salary Bill, by which members of
the House of Commons are paid 400 pounds annually. Later, in 1911, he
passed the Workmen's Compulsory Insurance Bill against sickness and
unemployment. The worker contributes a small sum weekly, his employer
does the same, and the Government gives the rest. The law applies to
many millions of people and it is expected to do great good.

These facts show that while England remains a monarchy in name, it has
now become a republic in fact. A sovereign reigns, but the People
rule. The future is in their hands.

CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS

Abstract of the Articles of Magna Carta, 1215.

1. "The Church of England shall be free, and have her whole rights,
and her liberties inviolable." The freedom of elections of
ecclesiastics by the Church is confirmed. 2-8. Feuda