BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 119, 13 February 1919, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

THE KING'S SPEECH

DEFEAT OF GERMAN TYRANNY

SERVICE OF THE DOMINIONS

AND INDIA

SOCIAL REFORMS REQUIRED AT HOME

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. February 12, 9.30 p.m.) London, February 11. The King opened the Thirty-first Parliament of tho United Kingdom. The streets from Buckingham Palace to Westminster were crowded, and many colonial soldiers were present on leave. i Owing to the death of Prince John Their Majesties did not use the State coach.

Many Australians and New Zealanders were in the Royal Gallery leading to the House of Lords.

The King's Speech, after pointing out that the struggle of German tyranny with European freedom .had ended in the defeat of Germany and a new era. had dawned, said that in order to reap the full fruits of victory and safeguard the peace of the world an adequate army must be maintained in the field. Proposals to that end .would be submitted. Referring to the Allied Conference in Paris, His. Majesty'emphasised the cordiality and good-will and the absence of disagreement marking the discussions. He trusted that the preliminaries would soon be signed. He rejoiced that the'conference had accepted the' principle of the Leagua of Nations, for progress in that ; direction alone would save mankind from the scourge of war. Alluding to President 1 Wilson's visit to England, His Majesty said that the enthusiastic welcome accorded was an earnest of the increasing understanding with which he trusted the United States and Britain would act together in future. For the last few months the Imperial War Cabinet had been in continuous session. His Majesty continued: "My counsels in regard to war and external affairs have been strengthened and enlightened by the presence, of the leading Ministers of my self-governing Dominions and n\y Indian Empire. The inspiring sacrifice and the invaluable service rendered by the peoples of the Dominions and India during the war have won for them an important place in> the counsels of the world, and it has been a source of satisfaction to me that their titles to representation have been fully recognised by the Paris Conference. I trust that the reports of the committees inquiring into matters connected with Indian constitutional reform will be received in time, to enable a Bill on the subject to be presented in the course of the session. The position of Ireland cftiises me grave anxiety, but I earnestly hope that conditions will soon sufficiently improve, to make possible a durable settlement of this difficult problem." His Majesty said that the House of Commons would l bo r.sked to make further financial provision to meet the war charges and for reconstruction!

Addressing both Houses, His Majesty said: "The aspirations for a better social order which have been ouickened in the hearts of my people by the experienco of the war must be encouraged .by prompt co-operative action. Before the war poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, and many remedial ills existed in our land. These were aggravated by disunion, but since the outbreak of war every party and every class have worked and fought together for the great ideal. In pursuit of this common aim they havo shown a spirit of unity and self-sacrifice which has exalted the nation and enabled it to piny a full part in winning victory. The ravages and wastage of war have not yet, however, been repaired. If we are to .repair them we rmst. continue to manifest the same spirit. Wo must stop at no sacrifice to stamp out unmerited poverty, diminish unemployment,- mitigate sufferings, provide decent homes, improve the nation's health, and raiso the standard of well-being throughout, the community. We shall not achievo this end by an undue tenderness toward acknowledged abuses. We shall succeed only by patient, untiring resolution in carrying through the legislative and administrative action which is .required. That resolute action I now ask you to support. A large number of measures affecting the economic and social wellbeing of the nation await your consideration. It is of the utmost importance that their provisions should be examined, if pnssiblo agreed upon, and' carried into effect with all expedition. With this object the Government will invite the consideration of the House of Commons to certain proposals for the simplification of the procedure of the House which it is hoped will enable delay lo be avoided and give members increasing opportunity of taking an effective part in the work'of legislation."— Cable Assn.-Eeu-ter.

. THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY , WOR-K OF THE PEACE CONFERENCE. (Rec. February 13, 0.40 a.m.) London, February 11. In the House of Commons every seat was occupied when the Speaker read the King's Speech. Colonel Rhys-Williams proposed and Commander Percy Dean, V.C. (one of the Zeebrngge heroes) seconded the Address-in-Rep)y. Mr. W. Adamson opened the debate. He said the Government must speedily and wisely deal with the serious industrial unrest which was almost as menacing as, the war-itself. The Government ought to explain the policy towards Eussia. The people wished for an assurance that the peace terms would be submitted to the House of Commons before their ratification. The Labour Party claimed to be the principal Opposition though this might be challenged. Sir Donald Maclean said he hoped that Mr. Asquith would soon return to the House. He appealed for greater light on the Peace Conference, especially the progress of the League of Nations. Mr. Lloyd George deplored Mr. Asquith s absence. He believed that a genuine, misunderstanding on both sides had severed their association. He agreed that ex-soldiers had definite claims on the country, which, whatever happened, must bear crushing burdens for some years. The Peace Conference was settling questions affecting- every continent. Over thirty nations* were represented, and tho majority were directly interested in tho difficult task of adjusting the various claims. No time had been wasted. A speedy peace was important, because till then the unrest would prevail throughout the world, preventing the revival of- industry. A commission had been appointed to consider the responsibility for the war and breaches of the laws, and its report was expected shortly. A singularly able commission was considering tho indemnity which was to be exacted. Exceedingly satisfactory progress was f m ft ~n ll,de regarding the League of Nations. It would be a mistortune if Peace Conference matters were referred to the various Parliaments for discussion. The Conference had nrogrossed beyond the most sanguine anticipations towards agreement on all questions.

Mr. Lloyd George said that there was no more important question than the labour unrest. Some of the causes were legitimate, such as the strain of the abnormal tension during tho war period. Grave dissatisfaction with the social conditions were aggravated during the war, many involving human degradation. It was the Government's duty to remove these causes, 'there was no danger of unemployment if confidence could induce those responsible to restart the wheels of industry. Hesitancy existed at present owing to doubt regarding the future. The Government was putting forward suggestions and introducing Bills on housing, health, land reclamation, afforestation, land for soldiers, and revival of rural life. If the cost of production soared it would lead to disaster, because Britain's purchasing capacity would he reduced. The proposal to reduce the hours of work and retain the same wage as a means of reducing unemployment was one way to make unemployment for, the whole country, because it meant

diminished purchasing capacity, necessitating a reduction of employment. It would also destroy the overseas trade. Mr. Lloyd George" said he despaired of the working classes if they failed to realiso that fundamental principle. There were legitimate Government measures to assist employment. He instanced housing, development of inland ways and communications, afforestation, and laud settlement. The Government was bound to examine and consider carefully Labour's demands with a, view to removing legitimate grievances.

Mr. Lloyd George, continuing, said: "Regarding the attempts to hold up the community by strikes, the first thing we must have is peace. These disturbances are interfering with the conclusion of peace. The strikes prevented me remaining another few days in Paris. I know the danger and have counted the cost. If the community is prepared to fight the peril and make the necessary sacrifices, then the stability, security, and freedom of this country, whereon the future happiness of the people depend, are assured. No section of the community, however powerful, shall be allowed to hold up the whole nation." He appealed to the commonsense of the community that the victory won so thoroughly by the soldiers' heroism and tenacity would not wantonly be dissipated by a few weeks of frenzied strife. (Loud and prolonged cheers.)—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.