BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 123, 17 February 1921, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

PICTURESQUE OPENING

CEREMONY

THE KING’S SPEECH

UNEMPLOYMENT THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM

By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. London, February 15.

Tho King, in his Speech at t'he opening of Parliament, said he earnestly hoped that the Allies’ Conferences in London would result in further progress in giving effect to the treaties of peace, re-establishing tho concord of Europe, and restoring tranquillity in tho Near East. His Majesty also hoped that the negotiations for a trade agreement with Russia would be successful. He was glad that arrangements had been made to renew the personal consultations between his Ministers and their overseas col-league-s, which had produced such good results during the last two years of the war, and during the peace settlement. He was confident that these discussions would be of the utmost value in bringing about a co-ordination of both the external and internal policy of thg Empire. The Estimates would reilect th? Government's determination to reduce expenditure to the lowest level, consistent with the Empire’s well-being. It was imperative that the nation’s burden should be reduced by the utmost in t'he interests of an early revival of trade and industry. Tho arrangements for bringing into force the Government of Ireland Act were now well advanced, and he earnestly trusted that the majority of the people would show a determination to repudiate violence, and work under the Act. The most pressing problem confronting Parliament was unemployment, consequent on the world-wide restriction of trade. This might 'bo alleviated, but it could not be cured by legislation. A Bill would be introduced extending t'he provirion for the unemployed under the Employment Insurance scheme, and another Bill would deal with safeguarding essential and key industries, and certain aspect,s of unfair and abnormal industrial competition. It was proposed to follow the removal of the cxmtrol of home prices for coal by a complete restoration of the ’oal industry under normal conditions and freedom.

The Speech foreshadows a Bill to deal with the liquor traffic, in the light of experience gained in the war. It is hoped to submit proposals' for reform of tho House of Lords this session, and for the reorganisation of the railways. Dense crowds lined the Royal route, and showed that they still loved the picturesque pre-war ceremonial, which was revived entirely, except that bays were substituted for the cream Hanoverian ponies iir the King’s State coaclp The Lifeguards’ and other bands wore their elaborate pre-war uniforms, and Guards, in scarlet and bearskins, lined the route.

The Spanish, French, Japanese, and Italian Ambassadors journeyed in State coaches. The King, t'he Prince of Wales, and the Duke of York were everywhere heartily acclaimed. His Majesty was attired in the uniform of a field marshal, and the Prince of Wales, for the first time in public, wore tho Welsh Guards’ full dress with bearskin.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE

LABOUR PARTY’S AMENDMENT

London, February 15.

Mr. J. R. Clyncs, on pehalf of the Labour Party, lodged an amendment to the Address-in-Reply. He regretted that the Speech did not recognise the right of the genuine unemployed to work or to 'adequate maintenance. Following the mover and seconder io the Address, Mr. Asquith expressed satisfaction with tlie legislation foreshadowed. The Speech covered a comparatively small area compared with the Speeches of recent years. He welcomed the meeting of the Allied Premiers and representatives of Germany and Turkey in London, but he desired to know the scope and purpose of the conference. Referring to the reform of the House of Lords, Mr. Asquith said a more modest aspiration, couched in more diffident terms, and suffused with a more pronounced tinge of ultimate mistrust, had never been put into the mouth of the Sovereign since the King’s Speeches became a recognised Parliamentary institution. Alluding to the decision not to publish General Strickland’s report on the Cork fires, 'ho said that , the way to vindicate England’s name was a free, impartial, and independent inquiry. • Lord Robert Cecil, who was on the front Opposition bench, interjected "And in public.” Mr. J. H. Thomas raised the question of the Mallow shootings, and detailed the results of inquiries by the Trade Union delegate, showing that the Crown forces were highly blameworthy, lhe recital was punctuated by cries of "Shame I” from the Labour Party. Mr. Llovd George, in replying to Mr. Asquith, said that a discussion of the new arrangements under the Peace fireaty would be very undesirable before the pending conference, which Germany is to attend, He did not consider the proposals agreed to were a departure from the Versailles Treaty. The Government proposed to table the Milner report on the Middle East, but he was not prepared to say to what, extent it would adopt the report before discussing it with the representatives of the Dominions. General Strickland’s report satisfied the Government that there had been acts of indiscipline on the part of uniformed forces, but they were unable to locate these persons. He promised an investigation into the shooting at Ma low—Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Assn

(Keo. February 16, 8.5 p.m.)

London, February 15. Continuing his speech, Mr. Thomas said Wat after Airs. King was shot the .police came to the sic Hon end said that if the woman died fifteen railwaymen would be shot. Four railwaymen who were captures! were marched to the barracks, where thev wore .beaten with fists and revolvers, and told to carry the body of the woman from a military motor to a coll. When released next morning the railwaymen wore told to run. and * n . ce out of the four were shot dead. (Cries of "Shame.”) ~ . . ' Mr. Llovd George said the facts ill. Thomas had placed 'before the House would be carefully looked into, but the Government was not going to submit to threats of strike. (Txmd Coalition cheers.) —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.