THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1921, Page 2

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE KING’S SPEECH. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. LONDON, Fobs 15. The King’s Speech at the opening of Parliament earnestly hoped that the Allies’ Conference in London would result in further progress, giving effect to the treaties of peace, re-establishing concord in Europe, and restoring tranquility in the Near East. His Majesty also Imped that negotiations for a trade agreement with Russia would be successful. He was glad arrangements were made to renew personal consultation with Ministers overseas and colleagues, which produced such good results in the last two years of the war,.

and during the peace settlement. He was confident the discussion would be of the utmost value in bringing about a co-ordination of both the external and internal policy of the Empire. The estimates would reflect 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 to the utmost extent, in the interests of an early revival of trade and industry. The King added: —“ Arrangements for bringing into force the Government of Ireland Act are now well advanced. 1 earnestly trust the majority of the people will 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 be alleviated but could not be cured bv legislation. A bill will be introduced extending the provision for unemployed under the ex-ployment insurance. Another would deal with safeguarding the essential key of the industries against certain aspects of unfair, abnormal, industrial competition. It was proposed to follow the removal of control of home prices of coal, by. a complete restoration of the coal industry to normal conditions of freedom.