BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1929, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

THE KING’S SPEECH

NEWSPAPER ANTICIPATION

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, June 24

The terms of the King’s Speech, to be delivered in the House of Lords by the Lord Chancellor when the official opening of Parliament takes place on Tuesday week, will be awaited with much interest, and already the new papers are discussing its probable contents. It is generally assumed that it review of international affairs will ' an important feature of the Speech, which will be the first drafted Labour Government.

The newspapers in their forecasts " anticipate that it will express satisfaction at the conversations between the Prime Minister and the United States Ambassador, General Dawes, on tbe question of naval disarmament and at the opening of negotiations on the subject in the* speeches recently delivered by Mr MacDonald and General Dawes. Reference will, it is believed, be made to the next steps to be taken regarding action on the report of the Reparation experts and to the favourable efFect that would be produced by a final settlement of this problem. The early withdrawal of British troops the Rhineland will, it is expected, be mentioned, as will the question of. the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Soviet, the ways and means of securing which, it is stated, are under consideration.

The newspapers anticipate that the Speech will also indicate the legislation necessary for proceeding with the ratification of the Washington,Eight Hours Convention.

As the Speech from the Throne will cover the period of the. whole session until July next year, it will necessntjly be long, and tho Press attaches much importance to the contents of that section of it which'is devoted to domestic affairs. This will probably outline tbe Government’s proposals for unemployment relief schemes, factory legislation and other social measures.

CABINET MOVE TO SECURE ' FREEDOM OF ACTION.

LONDON, June 26. No-,v that Labour holds office, the Ministers feel the necessity for a * change in the Party machinery. Hitherto the Labour policy in Purlin inent has been decided by an. executive consisting of the memliers of thr House • elected by ballot. The Labour Government expresses tbe opinion that, as the responsibility rests with the cabinet, the Labour Executive should disappear and should b° replaced by a consultative committee between which and the Cabinet two or three Ministers should he deputed as liaisoners. It is understood that this will he the chief business of the first meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, which will be held on Thursday. , It is proposed in future to discontinue weekly meetings of the party, and to summon the labour members '' of tbe House of Commons, only when an occasion for no doubt arises. The change proposed is essentially a mov.e for freedom, and it remains to be seen bow the Left Wingers will take tbe proposals. They believe strongly in the party having a dictatorship over*the Ministers.