OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1928, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

THE BRITISH POLICY

(Australian Press Association & Sou.)

I Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON. Fob. 7. The customary enthusiasm greeted the procession of the King from Buckingham Palace to the House ot Loids. The Queen watched the departure from a window. The King in his speech at the opening of Parliament said the relations with Foreign Powers continue friendly. It is the constant effort of my Government in co-operation with the League of Nations to secure a settlement of international differences and promote the cause of peace. I have invited the King of Afghanistan to visit me in March, and 1 look forward to welcoming His Majesty. It will he a particular pleasure to receive His Majesty on his first visit to Europe. The position in China lias so far improved as to permit a reduction in the naval and military forces sent to protect British and Indian subjects and the concessions, hut the internal disturbances and civil wars, and consequent' insecurity of life and property, both of Chinese and foreigners. still cause anxiety. Despite these discouraging circumstances my Government will adhere to the declarations of the policy a year ago as a basis on which it is prepared to meet the Chinese aspirations when the Chinese can assure a satisfactory protection of Britisli lives and property.

The United States Government on the 20th December communicated to the Ambassador at Washington as a basis of negotiations, the draft of a new treaty of arbitration to replace the treaty of arbitration of 1018. The draft is being carefully and systematically studied by my Government, and will he considered in communications with my Governments of the Dominions.

Although the conditions of some of the prineinal industries continue to cause serious anxiety, 1 am glad to observe many encouraging signs of progressive improvement both in the Home and external trade, justifying the hope that with co-operation and good will, steady progress will be made during the coming year.

M.v Ministers are now enquiring m T to tin? possibility of relieving industry and agriculture from the burdens of local rates and the changes in the local Government thereby involved.

Proposals will he submitted amending the Parliamentary and local (lovernment franchise.

Measures "'ill be presented relative to national health and insurance, and increasing the credit facilities for agriculturists. COMMONS DEBATE. GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. LONDON. Feb. 7. In the Commons. Premier Baldwin announcing General Haig’s death, gave notice he would have a resolution on the matter to-morrow. Colonel Lambert Ward in moving an Address to the King, aroused laughter by pointing out the results of general elections had always been on the knees of the Gods, but an extension of Hie suffrage would mean a transfer to tlic laps of the Goddesses. Mr R ani-say XUuDonnld snid the present was the most meagre King's Speech lie had ever ’heard. The Government evidently thought the session was going to he a long holiday. Well, the Labour Party would see about that. He welcomed tin* i***Terences to China. All sections »»> China should he made aware that IVdrin hoped to co-operate with the self-governing Nationalists of the State in the friendliest way. He asked why the Factories fjill was omitted from the Speech or references to the Washington Convent ion. moreover there was not one word about coal.

The speech included a pleasantly phrased reference to the Speaker’s chair at Canberra, which would serve as a bond of union between the British and •Dominions’ Parliaments. He trusted all proceedings at Canberra would he characterised hv courtesy which was traditional in the mother parliament. The visit of the Duke and Duchess ol York had given a great satisfaction to Australia and New Zealand. LONDON, Feb. 7.

.Mr .MacDonald said a victory bad been secured for the coal owners by the Prime. Minister, being used by the owners lo enable them to be owners of men. The iron that was entering the souls of the miners, was not the iron of poverty, but tbo iron of human degradation. Mr Lloyd George expressed satislaction at the references to China which made possible the withdrawal of some troops. Tiie disastrous failure of the Geneva Conference made it more necessary for some form of treaty of arbitration between Britain and United States to exclude the possibility of war, or even the discussion of war. If it were known every question in dispute would be the subject ol a judicial reference between the two countries and it would remove all discussions about rival armament, and bring about a new temper.

. LIBERALS’ DECISION. The Liberals decided that Mr Lloyd George shall move an amendment regretting the Speech does not include an indention that the Government appreciates the hardships of social and industrial life, and contemplates amelioration bv measures for development ol the national resources and provision ol work for unemployed or solution of the slum problem.