THE KING’S SPEECH

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1921, Page 3

THE KING’S SPEECH

UIiOROfiATIONV OF PARI AM ENT.

(II , TELEUBAni— . ER TRESS ASSOCIATION]

LONDON'. November 10. The Lord Cluincollor, rend the King s speech to both Houses of I’nrlkimenl. assembled in the House of Lords. After recalling the work oi the Imperial Conference, and expressing re. grent at the euntinnance of hostilities in Anatolia, the King expressed satisfaction at the steps leading to the conference on disarmament at Wash ington. Tie hoped its labours would be crowned with succe**.

He says: “1 prav that my son’s visit ‘to India will still further strengthen the ties of affection which hav ■ so long linked my house- with th.‘ princes and people* of India.” •Addressing the Commoners regard mg trade and finance, His Majesty said: “I hope the financial year wdi end without a deficit in the Budget but our debts are great, and the taxation is heavy and burdensome. The revenue 'cannot he maintained on the sealo of tin' last three years. It s vitally important that the expenditure in every department in pubb,. and private life should he still further restricted. ” He continued : ‘‘The situation in Ireland still causes me great anxiety. T earnestly exhort the lenders of all parties in Ireland, and all those with power and influence in the negotiation ; fo exercise patience and moderation with the object of establishing friendships and liiva] co-operation between my people and that country. “Mv firm belief and earnest prayer is that with forbearance, goodwill, and an honest resolve to tread the paths al oblivion and forgiveness an enduring pence will finally he achieved.” Tlie speech went on : ‘‘l take pride in tlie calm, serene, spirit with which my peoples met the trials of the eo.d stoppage, and the freedom from strife and violence which characterised its course, despite the unhappily aggravated adverse effect of sudden worl 1 wide trade depression which inflicted on the industries of this country tic most grievous experience in their history.”

After dealing with legislation on h■half of the unemployed, he continues‘•The peaceful settlement of many dillicult disputes by mutual negotiations between employers and work peoph-, together with some indications ol a rivavl of trade, encourage my hop-' that the worst may he over, and tli ■ slate of employment may show steady if slow, improvement. The position is still full of anxiety. It is not however so inuch to Aits c| Parliament as to the good sense of employers and operatives, working together lor the promotion of their common intoi est.-, that I look for restoration of Had" prosperity.” The King remarked: "I welcome 1 with deepest satisfaction the Prime .Ministers of the Dominions and rep.e sentalives of India, who have been ill conference with my advisers her'. Thev have had questions oj great moment to dismiss in common, ami grave decisions to make. ’1 heir presence has been invaluable, and 1 trust that tt may lie found possibly to arrange regular meetings of a like character for a further exchange ol views and dismissions of common interests. I heir deliberations on foreign polity dealt in particular with the problems ol the Pacific and the Ear least, -mil with questions arising out of tlie Empire's obligations under the Treaty cl \ e.--sailles and other treaties of peace.”

“C am happy to I,now that on all issues, hiv (iutvcrimiont.s. LTc and overseas, arc in (lose accord. I lie Imperial Conference gave serious .iiicnliot: to the defence of the Empire and the maintenance of an adequate mcastn of sen power. It unanimously decided that the naval strength of the Empire should he equal to that of any otln <• Power

“As the result of proposals made In the Allied Powers to Germany in May

satisfactory progress dots been made hv the German Government in file execution of their financial and .It .armament obligations under the Treaty <1 Versailles. TH'-‘ie is reason to hope that tho Polisli-Gormnn settlement will lie loyally carried out by the two patties principally concerned and that a peaceful and honourable settlement will result.

“The negotiations with Kgypt ha. not yet reached a. conclusion.”