BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1929, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

N OPENED BY COMMISSION

(United Press Association—By'Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 2,

Parliament was opened at noon by Royal Commission for the first time in .thirty years. The opening was divested of the stately ceremonial associated witli' the -. presence of Their Majesties. ■ ■>. ■ - .’\ •’

,Commonere were summoned to'the House of Lords and listened to'tile King’s Speech as cabled. It was read by tho Lord Chancellor, Lord Saiikoy.

THE KING’S SPEECH. LONDON, July 2. The King’s Speech at the opening of Parliament stated “While I regret it is impossible to nuurcss you in person, I , thank Almighty God that I can look forward confidently to that complete restoration of health wherefore the prayers of my people Empirewide, with' sympathy and affection which call forth my deepest gratitude, were offered during months of long serious illness. “My relations with foreign powers, continue friendly. Independent -financial experts appointed to draw up proposals for a complete, definite settlement , of the German reparation problem have presented a unanimous : re-

port which my Government is presently considering, in preparation for” a conference of representatives of the governments' concerned. ; A settlement of this problem will enable the occupying powers to proceed with the evacuation of the Rhineland. ; . ; “Conversations have commenced with ‘ the Ambassador of the United States in regard to naval disarmament, in consequence whereof my Government

earnestly hopes to ensure in co-opera-

tion with the Governments of the ! Dominiqps, the Government of India, and the Governments of foreign powers, an early . 'reduction of armaments worldwide.' ' ‘ , My GoveAment consider the time has come to submit to judicial settlement' international disputes- wherein' there are conflicts in regard to respective rights, and for this purpose they are now consulting the governments of the Dominions and?the Government of India in regard to the signing off the optional clause embodied in the! Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice.; / ! • “Mv Government are examining the conditions'whereunder diplomatic relations with the Government of the Union of Soviet Republics may be resumed and are communicating with the*Governments of'the Dominions and the Governnmet of India* tfiereanent. “ It will be a foremost endeavour of

my Ministers to deal effectively with

the continuing evil of unemployment. Schemes are being prepared for the .improvement of means of transport, stimulation off depressed export trades;economic development of my overseas dependencies, improvement of the coffdition of agriculture, encouragement of the fishing industry, improvement of facilities for marketing farm and fishery outputs, and the' co-operation the Governments of' the Dominions to measures considering the object of. providing greater opportunities for overseas migration. “My Government are considering the . question ic!f the re-organisation, of the - coal industry, including hours, other factors, and ownership of minerals,: Proposals to this end will be submitted in due course. • “ Inquiries will be undertaken immediately into the condition of the iron, steelj and * cotton industries in order to discover a means of co-operation therewith to improve their position in the markets of the world." “ Bills are to be submitted, amending;: and consolidating the existing factory legislation and giving effect to the obligations entered into., at Washington in 1919. . “My Ministers propose to introduce legislation to promote an extensive policy of slum clearance and to.make further provision for housing urban and rural areas. “My Ministers have decided that the time has come to investigate the whole field of legislation relating to the sale and supply of intoxicating liqour and on their recommendation I propose shortly to appoint a commissioners for this purpose. “Miners are engaged in a‘•general survey of‘ various national insurance pensions schemes, and pieanwhile a bill is. preparing to amend the widows, orphans and old age pensions act 1925, to modify the conditions applicable to certain' pensions and make some increase in the classes of persons entitled thereto. “A measure will be introduced to remedy tlie situation in regard to trade Disputes Conditions Act, 1927. ‘“The extending of the franchise for the recent general election has placed in the hands of the whole of my people of adult years, the grave responsibility ctf guarding the well-being of the nation as a constitutional democracy. My Government propose to institute ah examination of the experiences of the election in order iji.at the laiv relating to parliamentary elections may lie brought in conformity with, the new conditions.”

DEBATE IN COMMONS

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received this dnv at 12.25. p.m.l \ RUGBY. July 2.

The debate on' the Addross-in-Raply was opened in the Commons this afternoon.

Mr Baldwin enquired whether in rejerenco to the report of financial ex-

perts—the proposal as , approved by tlie Government, would be submitted to Parliament before a final decision as taken. He thought a visit to the United States Avliich the Prime Minister projected, was absolutely right. Both countries had suffered from the absence of personal intercourse between their Statesmen. An increasing personal intercourse between Statesmen in Europe was a matter of first importance and had, lie believed, rendered possible such progress as had been made. He expressed full agreement with what was said in the-speech on unemployment, improved transport and trade, but he asked Government their intentions regarding the safeguarding of industry. • Concluding, |ie reminded the House that Government was in a minority of one, but said his supporters had no desire .to offer fractious opposition. They intended to assist Government being carried on, but it would require self-control on both sides in approaching grave difficulties that faced the country. It would on occasion be essential for the Country and Empire to face the world in a United Parliament.' The Prime Minister immediately replied. He said it would be the care of the Government when representations were made to them by the respective leaders of either party asking for opportunities to discuss matters of great interest to the House or grave importance to the nation, to see that they were - given. In view of serious problems at Hbme and abroad, he wonderled how far it was possible

without in. any way abandoning any of ther party positions,- or surrendering any items of their party principles and outlook, to consider themselves then mono*as a Council of State, and less as arrayed regiments facing each other. Government existed to deal with two dominating concerns. First, unemployment and social betterment ; secondly, peace secured by cordial co-operation of nations. An essential to the first was a sound policy to stimulate trade that would raise the standard of living of the people and produce confidence that fair play was being done all round, upon which alone industrial peace would rest. An essential to the second! was a better understanding with America. He would communicate with the Leader of the Opposition, when he was in a position to make a definite- statement on that subject. , Conversations with America had already been started. They were purely of ■ a preliminary and exploratory' character no'time ibeing lost to agree on the, modes of the procedure and order in which problems should be approached. The Kellogg Pact, he continued, had been signed by practically all' the nations of the world.

Tlie Government - were anxious to build upon" that disarmament policy which would recognise the Pact as a

living and controlling influence upon international policy of both Governments, and seek at once to operate

with the other great naval Powers as soon as the negotiation stage proper

lias been reached. It is; well known, however, that a preliminary understanding between America ; and Brit-

ain is necessary if success is to orowni ijheir efforts. .The Chairman of the

Preparatory Commission on disarmament set up <by the League of Nations had asked" that conversations should (be held between tho naval Powers.; . Th e British' Government were undertaking their work in the hope that it would* contribute towards a solution of the problems engaging the attention of that Commission. Regarding the reparations, the experts report was .a document of great complexity, requiring much explanation. The Government had to accept compromises -which they did not altogether. like, but they did their hest to secure (British interests. Three Departments... of the State were deeply involved, the Treasury,' Foreign Office and Board of Trade, and at the moment they were examining the report with the greatest care in preparation for a conference of- Governments which must soon be held. . Immediate questions to be settled were the date and place of the 'conference. The Government had suggested London. He would make no ■definite statement yet as to the procedure and main points which had to he’raised at the conference. He pledged himself that even,' constitutional method that was proper would be followed in prder to communicate the situation as fully as possible to Parliament. Mr MacDonald reminded, the House that the publication of the report meant the Dawes plan could not remain in force much longer, and that some new agreement must be reached. In reaching an agreement, I hope everybody will understand, however, that negotiations may go. The great generosity of this country in its relations with, the Allies after the war, cait be questioned by no one. nor can its meticulous rectitude in fulfilling its bargains and obligations be doubted. I often Ifeel this is not recognised as it should be. We are bearing burdens which strictly and in relation to the capacity of others ought not to have been imposed upon us. We shall go back on none of our contracts.” Passing on to domestic affairs, he said the Government had come into possession of a report on the wool industry which they would publish, brt not put into operation, and they proposed to treat as a dead letter the late Government’s proposals known as a white paper, conditions under which safeguarding should, be set up. Certain questions connected with safeguarding really were budget concerns, and it was not to be expected the Budget policy would be disclosed in advance. Regarding tho existing safeguarding duties, supporters of the

Government had consistently opposed their imposition and made it abundantly clear that they would reserve the right to remove them when practicable. Opposition to all protective, duties had just been overwhelmingly expressed bv the electors. It must, therefore, be understood that the Government would in no case renew those duties should the}’ remain in operation until die statutory period has expired, and they reserved the right to repeal them at an earlier date than that fixed for then* expiration, if it appeared practicable and desirable to do so.

In coming to their conclusions, the Government would have regard to t! e inconvenience which changes of policy inflicted on trades and to the revenue aspects df the question. Proceeding, he referred to coal, cotton and sted industries and to the need for changes in the law regarding elections.