THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1922, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

PARLIAMENT OPENED

BY KING GEORGE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. <’AIILK ASSOUATI'*

(Received This Day at 5.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 7. King George opened Parliament. The speech was short, and stated the Bills to be presented would include Irish Settlement, Reform of the Lords, Establishment of International Trade Corporation and also a Bill enabling Government to co-operate in Empire settlement and migration. Hon. Lloyd George and Mr Chamberlain were not present, being detained at Downing Street by Irish negotiations which nre at a most critical stage.

THE KING’S SPEECH. LONDON, February 7

The King’s Speech referred to the Washington Conference and said the j Treaty was designed to maintain peaco in the Pacific and had been signed and awaits ratification. While the Tr.eaty replaced the Anglo-.) apan cs e Treaty, I am happy to feel the long . .standing concord between the two j countries remains as cordial as ev°r j under the arrangement concluded. At ‘ the same time our relations with Uni- , tod States enter upon a new and j even closer phase of friendship. An j agreement was also reached, on dis- : armament, providing for a large measure of relief from the burden oi aimaments. The world will owe a deep . debt of gratitude to the initiative of President Harding. / The success of conference was the happiest augury for the future international relations. The problem of reparation still engages the Allies attention. They are now considering the German proposals submitted at the Allies request. Negotiations are still proceeding with France and Belgium with a view to concluding agreements for common action in the event of unprovoked German attack. His Majesty hoped the Allied discussions at Paris would result in an early solution of the Near East situation. Every effort was being made to reduce the public expenditure to the lowest, consistent with security and efficiency of the State. Tlve continued volume of unemployment causes me deepest con- ' c , erni The only remedy to be found | lies in the appeasment of intemationla] rivalries and suspicions. Therefore ! 1 welcome the conference at Genoa, ; where I trust it will he possible to S establish peace on a fair basis in DuI rope.