KING’S SPEECH

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 42, 12 November 1921, Page 7

KING’S SPEECH

PARLIAMENT PROROGUED WORK OF THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE BRITAIN’S DOMESTIC PROBLEMS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. November 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 10. Parliament was prorogued to-day. Th* Lord Chancellor read the King’s Speech to members of both Hous*s assembler in the House of Lords. His Majesty recalled the work of the Imperial Conference, saying: "Iwc-lcomed with the deep*st satisfaction the Prime Ministers of the Dominions and representatives of India who have been in conference with my advisers here. They bad questions of great moment to discuss in common, and grave decisions to make. 1 heir presence has been iii valuable, and 1 trust that it may be found possible to arrange regular meetings of like character for a further exchange of views and the discussion of common interests. Their deliberations on foreign policy dealt in particular vith the problems of the Pacific and I' ar East, and questions arising out of the Empire’s obligations under the Treaty of Versailles and other treaties of peace. lam happy to know that on all issues my Governments, here and cvcrseas, are in close accord. The conference gave serious attention to the defence of the Empire and the maintenance of an adequate measure of sea power. It unanimously decided that the naval strength of the Empire should be equal to that of any other Power. “As a result of proposals made by the Allied Powers ,to Germany in May, satisfactory progress has been maoo by the German Government, in the execution of their financial and disarmament obligations under the Treaty of Verf"There is reason to hope that the Polish-German settlement will he loyallycarried out by the two parties principally concern*!, and that a peaceful and honourable settlement will result. "The negotiations with Egypt have not yet reached a conclusion. Vfter expressing regret at the continuance of hostilities in Anatolia, the ning expressed satisfacnon at the steps leading to the conference on disarmament at Washington, and said that lie hoped its labours would be crowned with success. w . tv "I pray that my son’s visit to India will still further strengthen the ties ot affection which have so long: linked ni.A House with the Princes and peoples oi India.” „ ~ ~ Addressing the members ot th* House of Commons regarding trade and finance. ■ Hi« Majestv said: “I hope that the financial vear will end without a deficit in the Budget, hut the debts are great and the taxation heavy‘and burdensome. I lie revenue cannot be maintained on the scale of the last three years. It is vitally important that expenditure in every deparcment in public and private life should be still further restricted.” "I take pride,’’ said His Majesty, in the calm and serene spirit with winch my people met the trials of the coal stoppage, and in the freedom from strife and violence which characterised its course. The dispute unhappily aggravated the adverse effects of the suddep and world-wide trade depression, liic depression inflicted on th* industries of this country is the grievous experience in their history.. After dealing with legislation on behalf of the- unemployed, he continued: "The peaceful settlement of many'difficult disputes by mutual negotiations between employers and work people, together with some indications of a revival of trade, encourage me to hope that the worst may be over, and that the stat* of employment will show a steady if slow improvement. The position is still lull of anxiety. It is not. however, so much t.-i Acts of Parliaments as to the good sense of employers and operatives, working together of the promotion of their common interests, flint I look for restoration of trade prosperity. —Aus.-A.Z. Cable Assn. : [A reference by His Maj.-st v to Ireland appears under another heading.]