HISTORIC PAGEANTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 505, 7 November 1928, Page 9

HISTORIC PAGEANTRY

King Opens Parliament

“QUEER” SPEECH FROM THE THRONE (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and K.Z. Press Association J (United Service) Reed. 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Tuesday. PARLIAMENT has been duly opened, the historic ceremony commencing with the Yeomen of the Guard carrying candles and lanterns searching the labyrinth of cellars for a possible Guy Fawkes. A big crowd in Pall Mall and at Westminster greeted the King, though a heavy fog interfered with the military display. Fortunately it began to lift before their Majesties left Buckingham Palace, so that Londoners were not deprived of the spectacle of the five state carriages, each drawn by four bays and escorted by the Life Guards.

Meanwhile the peers, robed in scarlet and ermine, and peeresses wearing their tiaras, gathered in the gilded chamber. The Duke of York took his seat on the front bench, immediately below the throne.

The gaiety of the scene was increased by the uniforms of the ambassadors. Several Indian princes and their wives were in the galleries. The Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, entered the House of Lords just before the Royal procession. Two members, Sir Park Goff, Conservative member for Cleveland, and Sir Robert Thomas, Liberal member

for Anglesey, waited for two hours in a cold fog outside the gates at Westminster until Big Ben struck at midnight, in their eagerness to be the first arrivals, and ran a dead-heat. ARMAMENTS AND REPARATIONS The King’s speech expressed great satisfaction at the signing of the Kellogg Pact, for the renunciation of war, at Paris on August 27. It says: “In pursuance of its fixed policy, the Government has continued to accord full support to the League of Nations, co-operating with all its current activities, and has particularly sought fully to discharge its obligations under Article 8 of the covenant by reducing its armed forces to the lowest point consistent with national safety, and by assisting the League to formulate plans for the general reduction of armaments. “Agreement has been reached with the Governments of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Japan for the opening of negotiations with a view to settling definitely the problems of reparations. It has also been recognised that negotiations should be held in regard to the German Government’s request for the evacuation of the Rhineland.” Referring to the coronation of the Emperor of Japan, his Majesty takes the opportunity of wishing his Imperial Majesty a long and glorious reign. The speech says that the historic Anglo-Japanese friendship has always been a potent factor for the maintenance of peace in the Far East, and his Majesty welcomes the efforts of China to establish central government and to cope with the forces of disorder. “I regard the progress of these endeavours as of the highest importance, not only for the safety and prosperity of my subjects resident in China, but for the peace of the world. RELIEF FOR INDUSTRY “Estimates for services in the coming year are being prepared with strict attention to the continuing need for economy in public expenditure, and in anticipation of a general scheme for relieving agriculture and productive industry from the burden of rates. “You will be asked to make provision enabling railway companies to lower their charges on important traffic concerning the agriculture, coal, iron and steel industries. “The situation in the mining areas continues to engage the earnest attention of the Ministers, who are taking energetic steps to promote the success of the scheme of industrial transference and migration. “The abnormal expenditure from the unemployment fund entailed by the displacement of labour from the mines, will necessitate an increase of borrowing powers, and a Bill dealing with this question will be submitted to the House of Commons. “Measures will also be presented to the House to carry out a scheme to reform the rating system on a more equitable basis, for the reorganisation of local government, and for the readjustment of financial relations between the State and local authorities. His Majesty trusts that the relief from the burden of rates under the scheme may benefit agriculture, and lead to greater employment in industry generally, and particularly in the basic trades, whose condition still causes concern.

He emphasises the importance of the proposed changes in local government, and the relations between the Exchequer and local authorities which, the Ministers anticipate, will promote efficiency and economy in local government, and will enable better provision to be made for the health of the people, and will direct assistance particularly to those areas whose needs are most pressing. The speech foreshadows Bills extending the export and credits guarantee scheme for a further period,

and authorising the appointment of two additional members t o the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, one additional Lord of Appeal in ordinary, and assisting agriculturists in Scotland to obtain credits. LABOUR LEADER'S CHARGES Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, speaking to the Address-in-Reply, began: “This was a queer King’s Speech.” “The Ministry, while signing the Paris Pact, has been doing its best to crib, cabin and confine the activities and developments of the League of Nations. Furthermore the AngloFrench naval agreement was not an agreement to limit armaments, hut was an agreement not to limit them. “Britain has been solely responsible for the suspicion created, and for up-

setting the confidence of all the nations of Europe. “Did we undertake to waive our objections to France’s trained reserves ? If no notice be taken of conscript civilians militarily trained, any disarmament agreement is not worth the paper it is written on. “Had it been dropped? Had we abandoned the round-table idea? Had we replied to America’s Note? Mr. MacDonald invited Mr. Baldwin to answer the questions, and concluded: “The curtain has been raised on the last act of the Government’s four years of sorry drama. The gallery is getting restive and wants the actors to have a rest. Labour is anxious for Mr. Baldwin to hurry the time when his electorate could give its verdict.” Mr. Baldwin, replying, said that Mr. MacDonald had not enjoyed the drama. “When we meet again there will be many changes. I hope they will meet with the satisfaction of the majority of the members.” Laughter and cheers followed this remark.

Alluding to Mr. MacDonald’s disapproval of the delay in the Factories Act and unemployment measures, Mr. Baldwin said that except for legislation for the relief of industry and the measures mentioned in the King's speech, there had been no time for other important legislation. With much remaining to be accomplished before the general election in June the Government will not allot any time to private members. The Christmas adjournment will 'be very brief. ,The decks must be practically cleared before the Budget is introduced. All indications are for a heavy aud lively session, leading up to a fierce election, the result of which, with 5,000,000 new women voters, no one ventures to foretell.