The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1929. THE KING’S SPEECH.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1929. THE KING’S SPEECH.

It was a great delight to Londoners to welcome home their King, and it was equally a delight to the Empire.abroad to learn that His Majesty returned in

such improved health and excellent spirits. Although it was not possible for the King to attempt to deliver the Speech at the opehing of Parliament, the occasion for his personal absence can be well understood and

excused. It was determined rightly not to take any undue risks by the strain and sustained effort necessary for so exacting a public appearance, and it was wisely decided to open Parliament by ltoyal Commission. The King’s Speech was therefore delivered by • the Lord, Chancellor, till lately Justice Sankey, specially notable for his work in endeavouring to secure a workable agreement for the economic working of the coal mines. The Speech and its substance are specially noticeablo because it is the first statement of its kind prepared by a Labour Government. Much care was- exercised in the preparation of this important State document, we were told in advance, and it would appear that in point of fact it follows traditional lines, and is expressed in language familiar in the main to that used in times past in the

composition of the King’s Speech to Parliament. It is clear that the Prime Minister purposes endeavouring to live up to his peace ambitions. Relations with foreign powers are friendly and it will be the Prime Minster’s effort to make them more so, so that war may be n more. Mr MacDonald has intimated his desire to take risks to secure peace, and along those lines he means to do what he can to help Germany witli a settled reparation of the Rhine. There is no doubt this” will bo very acceptable to Germany, but France will have something to say, and must be placated by some form of definite promise in regard to security oi her frontiers and the maintenance of her territorial rights including the country won back as a result of the war. The mollifying of France will be the crux of the delicate diplomatic situation and will test the ability of the Government to steer some satisfactory middle course which will meet the approval of both Germany ahd Franco. The Labour Government will be on a better footing when discussing naval disarmament with the United States, even though there is the wise course taken of consulting the Dominions. Taking a risk with the United States to ensure peace does not mean taking much risk, and the possibilities ■ are that Mr MacDonald should bo able to score palpably in this field of action for a material step towards peace. The Government naturally favours arbitration for the settlement of disputes. The only difficulty is that organised Labour so often rebels against legal decisions by properly constituted courts of justice. Mr MacDonald is inclined to pin his faith to a Permanent Court of International Justice as a means of settling disputes among nations. While we may expect Great Britain to honor her word and seal in such a count it is necessary to make sure that the other party to the pact will be equally bound, and will not rebel as Labour organisations have rather taught the world to do when legal decisions have gone against them. It will be necessary to have some material safeguard to impose a judgment where., it is not being respected. Another delicate subject is the resumption of diplomatic I relations with Russia. Great Britain has a heavy score of debt against Russia which has been repudiated by the Soviet, and;there does not appear to be much ‘chance of ,the money being recovered. Neither does there appear to be much change of heart in the present Government of Russia which has been remarkable for its extreme action in so many ways, reaching out at times to alarming excesses. Russia is at least ready to trade with Britain, and mi is might be arranged as a forerunner for subsequent action if Russia shows some amendment in her methods.