IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 250, 12 March 1913, Page 5

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. SOTRAI:ETTKS AGAIN IX EVIDENCE. THE KING IXSI'LTED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Loudon, March 10. The day was rainy for the opening of Parliament, Imt a large crowd assembled in the streets. Four suffragettes wire arrested in Whitehall for attempting to force a passage to present a petition to the King. The Beefeaters carefully searche.il the vaults of the Jlouaes of Parliament, and «xtra precautions were taken with tickets of admission. The Royal Gallery in the Ho'.t-e of Lords presented a brilliant spectacle. The King's speech the hope that the exchange ai views between the colonies' and the Imperial Government on naval defence would promote the Empire's solidarity and growth. The discussion in the Canadian Parliament on the offer of battleships testified to the Empire's desire tc maintain the common safety. The speech welcomes Mr. Allen's vi-it and alludes to New Zealand's ready consent to the retention of her battleship in the North Sea and the steady progress towards the establishment of an Australian navy.

The principal legislation promised is the Home Rule and Disestablishment Bills, a proposal to secure the completion of land purchase in Ireland, a scheme for a national system of education and the abolition of plural voting. During the debate on the Address-in-Reply the Premier said he was boxful of peace, and added that while the Powers' groups remained unimpaired the relations between the groups themselves were increasingly cordial. (Cheers.) The King entered the House of Lords wearing the Crown, for the first time since his accession to the throne. The Queen wore a small diamond crown. Five people were charged with obstruction. They darted through the cordon of police and giiardmen in Pill Mall, opposite St. James' Palace. Hearing the crowds' shouts of indignation, the King looked from the window, and flushed deeply at the insult. He turned quickly to speak to the Quesn. Meanwhile the five were within a few yards, and threw papers into the coach. The Beefeaters with halberds threatened two. who were undaunted, and who re-vol-leyed manifestoes. The police twice protected the intruders from the fury of the mob, amidst shouts of "Duck them in the lake."

A man was arrested in Pall Mall for endeavoring to lodge a petition relating to the unemployed destitute. Prince Lichnowsky's horses became restive in Pall Mall, and the polo snapped. Policemen pulled the carriage to the entrance of the 110-.hc of Lords. Mr. W. Redmond vi-ited the 110-.ise of Commons, and in moving an amendment of which he had long given notice to the address, said that it would be improper to proceed with tli3 Home Rule and Disestablishment Rills while the House of Lord* was imreformed. without reference to the electors. DEBATE IX THE COMMONS. Received 11. 10.10 pjn. London. March 11. The Speech from the Throne announced that the Exchequer was guaranteeing a loan to develop cotton growing in the Soudan. Mr. Bonar Law challenged the prosperity of Great Britain, lie admitted that trade had increa>ed in 101-2. but said that trade in Germany and America had increased in greater proportion. While there was practically no immigration from Germany, that from Britain was heav\', and unemployment was in a higher ratio than in Germany. The world increase of armaments had one advantage. Tt was welding the Empire together. He hoped that closer «»!•» would be carried still further. He emphasised that nobody was satisfied with the British land forces, and pointed out that the Speech did not refer to the outcry for Parliament to act.

Mr. Asquith claimed that the deliberations of ambassadors had resulted in an agreement with regard to the Balkans, and had secured a marked concord among the Powers. Britain had worked with the single-minded desire to work with Germany. That co-oper-ation had not only made the path of diplomacy pleasanter, hut. he trusted and believed, had inspired a mutual sense of confidence which would continue between two great nations He paid a tribute to Sir E. Grey'-, pti' 1 "^,! resolution and sagacity, H* concurred with Mr, Bonar Law that the effect of the increase of other countries' armaments on the Imperial solidarity had consolidated a feeling in all parts of the Empire that we must act together as a united body to preserve mutual interests. The Motherland and the outlying parts of the Empire fully recognised the Urgency and importance of the Reform of the House of Lords. The Soudan loan ■would be issued in instalments, as required. He did not believe that it iivolved any liability for the British taxpayer. ; -

pi-rial co-operation as expressed by successive Imperial Conferences, especially granting trade preference. FORCE OF ARMS. Replying to Lord Hugh Cecil. Mr. Asqnith saiil that it was untrue that Britain had an y obligation to send an armed force to operate in Europe. EDUCATION'. In the House of Lords Earl Crewe said that the Government did not. intend to force a vast education measure this session. but it would place the country in possession of its intentions. THE WOMEN'S CAUSE. Tiie women's petition to the King explained that the militancy endangered public and private property, and brought the administration of the law into contempt. They would wait and see whether the Speech contained any promise of legislation. The petitioners had heard that it was possible that the Government would submit a Coercion Bill, granting a vote only as a cure for militancy. Mrs. l'ankhurst. speaking at the Pavilion Music Hall, said that never until liH.'J had an attempt to present a petition been described as an insult to the King. \\ omen's actions, even when historically correct, were characterised nowadays ;\s extraordinary. The petition was correctly and respectfully worded. She deiied the Government to pass repressive legislation, which would be followed bv failure.