BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1046, 8 February 1911, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENED.

LOYAL DEMONSTRATIONS IN THB STRHETS. KING'S SPEECH. MEASURES TO BE INTRODUCED. CANADA AND THE EMPIRE. By Telegraph Press AssoctaUon-Copyricht-London, February fi. The first sc.-siou ui' (lie now Parliament was opened to-day by King George in xiorfon. His Majesty was necompanicd by Queen Mary. Tlicro was the usual Royal Procession and the King anil Queen were vociferously cheered along tho route. The wcatlier was fine, nud there were enormous crowds in tho streets Members of the House of Commons as-, soiubled in tho Houso.of Lords, where King George, who was in naval uniform, made tho revised Accession Declaration'as follows: — "1 solemnly and sincerely, in. tho presence of God, profess, testify, and declare, that I am a faithful Protestant, nnd will according to the true intent of the enactments fpcuriug the Protestant succession, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my power, according, to law. The High Commissioners of the ■ overseas Dominions occupied seats on the right of the Throne. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE; • The Spcocli from the Throne was read by his Majesty. It was exceptionally brief. Reference was made to the following subjects:—King Edwards death; friendly foreign relations; hopefulness with regard to tho prospect of a now commercial treaty with Japan being arranged; the improved condition of the trade routes in Persia; the interest being taken in tho approaching Imperial Conference; South African Union. The Speech also .announced the intended introduction of the following measures:— A Parliament Bill. A Paupers' Pensions Dill. A measure providing for sickness, invalidity, and unemployment,'and fixing the trades specially liable. THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE. CRITICISM BY MR. BALFOUR. CANADA AND THE EMPIRE. . (Rcc. February 7, 10.50 p.m.) London, February 7. In the House of Commons,-speaking on ; the Address-in-lieply, Mr. Balfour ceil- '' surcd Mr. Churchill for withholding the military during the South Wales mining i troubles, and twitted him with being ■ present in Sydney Street in company ; with a photographer when the attack , was made on tho Socialists' Club. - Mr. I Balfour declared that the Empiro was i 'now at a point in its development at ; rthicli Britain was simply the first [ among equals. As equals, it was not Britain's business to comment on the actions or motives of the Dominions, but if' tho agreement between Canada and tho United States were fully carried out ' it would have very dire results, upon the , futuro of 'tho-Empire;— It-could hardly fail to make Canada commercially' and economically dependent on America. For a generation Canadian statesmen had developed tho country's trade oh Imperial lines, and millions had been spent in establishing a system of transport from 1 cast to west. If the policy of' reciprocity ■ .with America woro carricd nut'it would ' bo the result of the Government refusing - to listen to the long pleading of Canadian • statesmen. '' SPEECH BY MR. ASCiUITH; a , ' TARIFF WALLS. Mr. Asquith, replying to Mr. Balfour's censures, said Mr. Churchill had suffered from tho dangerous endowment of an interesting personality. Ho showed a cool head and wise discretion in connection with the trouble in South Wales. It 1 would be wise to defer criticism until it was known whether the proposed agreb--5 ineut between Canada and the United 1 States found favour in Canada. At present it was only an agreement ad referendum. He was certain Britain could 1 hove done nothing tq prevent the natural [ trend of eveuts, and in the long iiin it would not have been bcncficial to Canada if for the sake of preferential relations • Britain had put a. tax on food from. Rusy sia, the Argentine, or other countries outside tho Empire. It is certain as thr rising suit, that tho United States would sooner or later be forced to lower its tariff walls. ARMY AND NAVY ESTIMATES. r VIEWS OF MR. RAMSAY • ' 'MACDONALD.- ' (Hcc. February 7, 11.3.5 p.m.) London, February 7. '• Mr. Jiamsay MacDounld taid it va: rumoured that tho Navy and Arm; Estimates would be increased. • When , was tho increase going to end? Surelj r it was apparent that the present policj t- would' not give security, and ottered. n< i. ending unless perhaps it precipitated wai ■" or national bankruptcy. Ho recognise; that until a belter understanding witl Germany was reached it was almost ; waste of words to discuss diminution o: armaments. r J- PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. £ ATTITUDE OF NATIONALISTS. '• London, February fi. 1<! A protracted meeting of Nationalist ®' approved of payment of members as democratic measure, but requested tha Ireland be exempted and the money d( voted la somo useful public purpose i, d Ireland. il . THE LABOUR PARTY. i London, February (5. A couple of hours prior to the Hons of Commons assembling, members of th J ~ Labour Parly, after electing Mr. J. Ram say Macdonald chairman of the part) wore photographed in their places in th Chamber, tho Speaker giving his periui: s- sion. The incident was an unusual one. f' ri y