THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1923, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

AUSTRALIAN AND N.H. CAULK ASSOCIATION. TH F KING’S SPEECH. LONDON, February 1-L Their Majesties, the King, and Queen drove to Westminster to open parliament under clouded skies. 1 lie route of the royal procession was thickly lined with spectators. The attendance of Peers and Peeresses was smaller than at the last opening. The Duke of York was seated at the head of the Duke’s bench. Ike Prince of Wales immediately preceded their Majesties to the chamber. Sir .1. Cook and Sir ■fames Allen were seated next to the Ambassador’s gallery. Mr 1/awsoii was also, present. The Commoners arrived as early as four o’clock in order to reserve their scats for the session, though it did not open till eight when the Royal summons arrived. There was a. large attendance of billion rites, but the Conservatives and Liberals were only moderately represented. Mr Lloyd George and Mr Asquith were notable absentees. The King’s speech greatly regretted the inability of the Allies In reach a general agreement at the recent London and Paris conferences on rcpaia|ions. While the British Government were unable, either to concur or participate in the plan put into force by France and Belgium, it was acting so as not to add to the difficulties of the Allies. His Majesty hoped when the full report of the Lausanne Conference reached the Turkish Government they might still he disposed to accept the treaty, anil that the opportunity so earnestly and laboriously prepared of rebuilding the peace of the Fast, and the stability of' the future Turkish State might not be sacrificed. Reductions in public expenditure remained essential to the well-being of the State. The serious unemployment caused His Majesty the deepest concern and must continuously engage Ministers attention. He earnestly trusted that the country might anticipate in a. continued improvement in both Home and external trade, and he looked forward particularly to the greater development of inter-Tmperial trade in co-operation with the various Governments of the Empire.