SESSION ENDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1040, 2 August 1930, Page 9

SESSION ENDS

KING’S SPEECH COVERS EMPIRE PROBLEMS HOPES FOR INDIA Reed. 12.5' p.m. LONDON, Friday. King George's Speech at the prorogation of Parliament refers 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 is expressed that France and Italy at no very distant date will pi? ticipate in the agreement fixing for the period of total tonnage limit for certain categories of warships. Sincere disappointment is expressed at the failure of the recent negotiations of the Anglo-Egyptian settle ment, coupled with the hope that a successful conclusion will soon be reached.

The speech welcomes the opportune ties afforded by the forthcoming Imperial Conference for the promotion of common concern, and the gravest anxiety is expressed at the high level to which unemployment and worldwide trade depression has risen during the last year. A British Official Wireless message says the speech also referred to the visit of Prince and Princess Takamatsu of Japan. Profound satisfaction was expressed at the result of The Hague Conference, which marked a decisive stage in the financial reconstruction and political tranquilisa tion of Europe. OVERTURES TO SOVIET The speech recorded that several instruments of ratification of the signature of the optional clause of the Naval Treaty on behalf of Britain and the self-governing Dominions and India were now completed or nearing completion. “Reference was made to the D’Aber non mission to Argentina and Brazil Other outstanding events were alluded to in the following terms. “Diplomatic relations with the Union of Soviet So cialist Republics were resumed in December and placed on a normal basis by the appointment of ambassadors “An experts’ conference on the operation of Dominion legislation which met in London last year prr sented a report which will come be fore the Imperial Conference for consideration. “During the session a commission appointed by me in pursuance of the provisions of the Government of India Act has completed its arduous duty and has submitted to me its report, which has been presented to both your Houses. My Government w:ll shortly be approaching the task of framing and submitting for your con sideration proposals ior the futuve government of India- “ For guidance in this matter it is the Government’s intention to sum mon into conference in London repie sentatives of a wide variety of inter ets in India. I earnestly pray that a spirit of mutual trust and friendship may unite all races and creeds in India, and representatives of both countries in their discharge of the responsibilities which the conference will impose upon them, and I am con fident that the single purpose of pro moting the welfare of my Indian people will be the inspiration of everv member of the conference.” Reference was made to the meas ures taken to facilitate schemes designed to provide useful eraploym-nt in works or public utilitv. and thmeasures passed during the session were briefly reviewed.