BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1927, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

THE KING’S SPEECH

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 8. The King’s Speech at the opening ol Parliament stated: ".My relations with Foreign Powers continue friendly. The League of Nations has been strengthened, and a further step has been taken towards the restoration ot normal international relations in Lump' by the entry of Germany into the League. Her appointment to a permanent seat in the Council is in continuation of this policy, ft was fomi'i possible at the end of January, to terminate'the system of Allied control in Germany, established by the Treaty ol Versailles, and hand over to the League all questions affecting the milltary clauses of that Treaty. “ The continuation of the civil war in China and the anti-foreign (particularly the anti-British) agitation, by which it has been accompanied, have caused me grave anxiety. In consequence of what happened in Hankow and other places my Government felt it necessary to despatch to the Far East a sufficient force to protect the lives of my British and Indian’.subjects against mob violence and armed attack, but I earnestly desire a peaceful settlement of the difficulties which have arisen, and my Government has caused proposals to he made to the Chinese authorities which should convince the public opinion in China and throughout tlie world that it is the desire of the British people to remove all real grievances and renew our treaties on an equitable basis and place our future relations with the Chinese people on a footing of friendship and goodwill. My Government will maintain our traditional policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of China.

“ I rejoice that a fair and friendly settlement has been reached regarding the funding of the war debt due to this country by Portugal.”

ROYAL STYLE AND TITLE. LONDON. February 8

When the House of Commons resumed this afternoon there wore two Labour demonstrations in reference to recent converts. the first in honour of Mr Oswald Mosley and the second when Mr Wedgwood Bonn sat down in the third Labour bench. Sir Joynson Hicks gave notice of a bill to alter the royal style and title, also the style of Parliament, arising out of the Imperial Conference decisions. The first speaker, after iJie moving of the Addross-in-Heply, was Air It. MacDonald, who asked: “ Had evei the King's Speech more plainly indicated that Ministers had nothing on which to advise His Majesty t’ Mr It. MacDonald said lie personally joined in the prayer for industrial peace, but the coal agreements were generating illwill with the victimisation. If there were a trade union law controversy now, it would not make for industrial pence. It would be wiser to let matters rest. PEACE IN OUR TIME.

LONDON, Feb. 8

In the King’s Speech it was said: ,- I am happy to note encouraging signs of improvement in trade and industry, and earnestly pray those engaged in the various industries in the country will use their utmost endeavours to ensure improvement in the volume of deployment among my people, which hilly now be reasonably anticipated, will not be arrested by industrial strife. Proposals will he submitted at an early’ date to enable effect to be given to the change in style and titles or the Sovereign,, to which, on the recommendation of the Imperial Conference, I have given my approval. At the same time you will he invited to make consequential alterations in ( tho title of Parliament. Ibecont events have made it of evident importance to define the amending law in reference to industrial disputes proposals. For this purpose proposals will he laid before you.”

The Speech concluded enumerating other measures to be submitted, including a Bill to encourage the production and exhibition of British films; proposals to amend the law relating to leasehold premises; a Bill in connection with agriculture; a proposal to amend the Companies Acts, also the reorganisation of certain departments in Scotland.

A NOTABLE OPENINC. NEW ZEALANDER HONOURED. LONDON. February 8. The- State opening of Parliament was an elaborate ceremonial. There was a picturesque procession with Their Majesties in the gilt coach. They were everywhere loudly cheered. The Lords presented a brilliant scene, the Peers in red and carmine robes and the peeresses gaily attired, wore tiaras of jewels worth many thousands. The King honoured Lady Parr with an invitation to the ltoyal Box. Dame Cook, of Australia, accompanied the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress in the Lord Great Chamberlain’s box. The West Australians, Kirwans, and the New Zealanders. Messrs Bartram, M.P., and Hayes. 0.8. E., were among tiro special guests. The Queen was dressed in white satin with the blue sash of the Order of the Garter. Lord Balfour handed the Speech to His Majesty. Then there was a prolonged pause owing to the unusual time occupied in summoning the Speaker to the Bar of the House. His Majesty rend in a good voice. The Speech lasted ten minutes.