BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1930, Page 6

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

KING’S SPEECH ON PROROGATION.

REFERENCE TO AFFAIRS OF

THE - EMPIRE

L United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. J

LONDON, Aug. 1

The King’s speech at the prorogation of Parliament referred to the signature of the London Naval Treaty by “my Governments in the United Kingdom the Dominions and India,” in which many important points of agreement were reached. The hope was expressed that France and Italy at no very distant date would participate in the agreement fixing for a period a total .tonnage limit of certain categories of warships. Sincere disappointment was expressed at the failure of the recent negotiations aiming at an Anglo-Egyptian settlement, coupled with the hope that a successful conclusion would soon be reached.

The speech welcomed the opportunities afforded by the forthcoming meeting of the Imperial Conference for the discussion of problems of qommon interest.

The gravest anxiety was expresed at the high level to which unemployment and -world-wide trade depression had risen'during the last year. Reference was made- to the visit of the Prince and Princess Takamatsu.-' Profound satisfaction was expressed with the result of' the Hague Conference, which marked a decisive Stage in the financial 'reconstruction and political tranquilisation of Europe. The Speech recorded that <sevei‘al instruments of the ratification of the signature of the Optional Clause on behalf of Britain and the self-governing domfinions and India were now completed or nearing completion. Reference was also made to Lord D’Abernon’s mission to Argentina and Brazil.

Other outstanding events were alluded to in the following terms:

“Diplomatic relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were resumed in December and placed on a. normal basis . by the appointment of Ambassadors. - - ••••?.:. —•

“The expert conference on the operation of dominion legislatiopj, u/hph mefil in London last which will come bcfore/the Imperial Conference fqr considerationVdixriiigijts:. session. t-'s’ »'•

“The Coinmission; appointed by ;me in pursuance sof the .proyis-ipns :^)f■ • the: Government of India’ Act, have completed their arduous duty and f have; submitted to me their report, • which has been presented to both your Houses. My Government will shortly be approaching the task of framing and submitting for your consideration proposals for the future government of India. For guidance in this matter in is their intention to summon into conference in London representatives of a wide variety of interests in India. I earnestly pray that a spirit of mutual trust and friendship may unite all races and creeds in India, and the representatives of both countries in their discharge of the responsibilities which the Conference will impose upon them, and I am confident that the single purpose of promoting the welfare of my Indian people will be,the inspiration of every member of the Conference.” Reference was made to the measures taken to facilitate schemes designed to provide useful employment in works of public utility. Measures passed during the session were briefly reviewed.