BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENED

Evening Star, Issue 19785, 8 February 1928, Page 6

BRITISH PARLIAMENT OPENED

THE KING'S SPEECH OPTIMISTIC MOTE STRUCK PROPOSED LEGISLATION Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON.. February 7. (Received February 8, at 1 p.ra.) The customary enthusiasm greeted the procession of the King from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords. The Queen watched the departure from a window. The King, in his speech at the opening of Parliament, said; “The relations with foreign Powers continue friendly. It is the constant effort of my Government, in co-operation with the League of Nations, to secure a settlement of international differences and promote the cause of peace. « “ 1 have invited the King of Afghanistan to visit mo in March, and 1 look forward to welcoming His Majesty. It will be a particular pleasure to receive His Majesty on his first visit to Europe. ‘‘The position in China has so lar improved as to permit reductions in the naval and military forces sent there to protect British and Indian subjects and concessions; but the internal disturbances and civil wars, and consequent insecurity of life and property, both Chinese and foreign, still cause anxiety. Despite these discouraging circumstances, my Government will adhere to the declarations of policy of i year ago as the basis on which it is prepared to meet Chinese aspirations, when the Chinese can assure a satisfactory protection of British lives and property. “The United States Government, on December 29, communicated with our Ambassador at Washington as to the basis of negotiations for the draft of a new Treaty of Arbitration to replace the Treaty of _ Arbitration of 1908. The draft is being carefully and sympathetically studied by my Government, and will bo considered in communications with my Governments of the dominions.

“Although the conditions of some of the principal industries continue to cause serious anxiety, I am glad to observe many encouraging signs of progressive improvement, both in home and external trade, justifying the hope that, with co-operation and good-will, steady progress will be made during the coming year, My Ministers arc now inquiring into the possibility of releasing industry and agriculture from the hui' dons of local rates, and changes in local government thereby involved. “Proposals will he submitted amending the parliamentary and local government franchise. Measures will be prosenied relative lo national health, insurance, and increasing credit facilities for agriculturists.”

THE LATE EARL HAIG LONDON, February 7. (Received February 8, at 1 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Mr Baldwin, in announcing Earl Haig’s death, gave notice that he would move a resolution on the matter to-morrow. FRANCHISE EXTENSION Colohcl Lambert Ward, in moving the Address to the King, aroused laughter by pointing out that tlio results of general elections had always been on the knees of the gods, hut the extension or suffrage would mean that it would bo transferred to the laps of the godcsscs. MR RAMSAY MACDONALD CRITICAL Mr Ramsay MacDonald said this was the most meagre King’s vSpeech he had ever hoard. The Government evidently thought the session was going to be a long holiday. Well, the Labor Party would sec about that. He welcomed the references to China. All sections of China should he made aware that Great Britain hoped lo co-operate with that self-governing Nationalist Stale in the friendliest way. He asked why the Factories’ Bill was omitted from the speech, and also any references in the Washington Convention. Moreover, there was not one word about coni. Mr MacDonald said that victory had been secured for the coal owners by the Prime Minister being used by the owners to enable them to he owners of men, The iron that was entering the souls of the miners was not the iron of poverty, but the iron of human degradation. Mr Lloyd George expressed satisfaction at the references to China, which made possible the withdrawal of some of the troops. The disastrous failure of the Geneva Conference made it more necessary for some treaty of arbitration between Britain.and the United States to exclude the possibility of war. or even discussion of war. If it were known that every question in dispute was to ho the subject of judicial reference 'between the two it would remove all discussion about rival armaments, and bring about a new temper.