MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

A SEMI-STATE CEREMONY.

[ AN EMPIRE ESCORT. OVKRSICAS WOUNDED PRESENT. DOMINION MINISTERS GIVEN PLACE OF HONOR. Anst. and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Renter. Received Feb. 8, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 7. At the opening of Parliament, instc.d of the historic Royal gilt carriage, their Majesties rode in a landau drawn by six bays. There were only four carriages in the procession. For the first time in history, the outer Empire found a place of honor in the crown's highest constitutional act and it's representatives rallied round the sovereign. The mounted Imperial escort, which immediately followed their Majesties' personal guard, consisted of four British officers of the Indian Army, sixteen each of the Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans, four each of the Newfoundlanders and British West Indies.

The crowd recognised and cheered with enthusiasm the various uniforms. Major E Dawson commanded the New Zealaiders. The Imperial Guard were perfect horsemen, big, muscular soldiers who made a*fine show, and were the most prominent feature of the procession.

Another Empire note was struck within Westminster Palace, as the royal procession swept from the robing room to the House of Lords it passed the Royal gallery, which 400 overseas wounded soldiers, by the King's special direction, had been permitted, with the,, nurses and attendants, to occupy. Before the arrival of the Royal cortege, the Lord Chamberlain conveyed the King's appreciation of the gallant services rendered by the wounded men thmselves and by their 1 comrades, and hoped for a speedy recovery and safe return to their glorious and great countries.

Wiien the procession passed the King warmly returned the men's salute.

The chamber was densely crowded, but never before was it so dull looking, khaki and black predominating. Diplomats wore morning dress, and there were no uniforms, a departure from precedent.

Lady Mackenzie had a place in the Peeresses' gallery with Mrs. and Miss Massey and Lady Ward. Other High Commissioners sat in the Diplomats' gallery. A new and welcome feature was the admission of one newspaper representative from each Domioion, and also from neutral countries, to the Press gallery.

THE KING'S SPEECH. CLOSER UNION OF THE EMPIRE., Australian and N.Z., Cable Assn. London. Feb. 7. The King's speech at the opening of Parliament said:— "For the third time in succession I summon you to your deliberations amidst war. Certain overtures, of which you are aware, have been mode by the enemy with the view of', opening peace negotiations. Their tenor, however, indicated no possible basis of peace. My people throughout the Empire and m<» faithful and heroic Allies will remain steadfastly and unanimously resolved to secure our just demands for reparation and restoration in respect to the past and the guarantees for the future which we regard as essential to the progress of civilisation. In response to the invitation of the President of the United States wo outlined, as far as is possible, at present, the general objects • necessarily implied by these aims.

"The threats of further outrages upon the public law and common rights of humanity will but serve to steel our determination. During the winter months my navy maintained an unchallenged and ceaseless watch on the seas and rigorously enforced the blockade of the enemy. My armies conducted successful operations not only in Europe but also in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and East Africa. They are fully prepared to renew the great struggle with the close and cordial co-operation of our Allies in every field.

"I trust my united efforts will carry the successes already won to a victorious coitclusion."

"1 have invited representatives of the Dominions and Indian Empire, which have borne so glorious a share in the struggle, to confer with my Ministers on important questiosn of common interest relating to the war. I trust the step will conduce to the establishment of closer relations between all parts of the Empire. The accomplishment of the task to which I have set my hand entails unsparing demands on the energies and resources of all my subjects. I. am assured, however, that the people will respond to fcvery call necessary fcir the success of tho cause with the same indomitable ardour and devotion which has filled me with pride and gratitude since the war began. '•Therefore I confidently commend to your patriotism the measures which will be laid before you and pray the Almighty bless your comrades."

THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. MR. ASQUITirs COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS. Boeeived Pel). 8, 8.56 p.m. 'London, Feb. 7. In the Tiousn of Commons Mr. fi. N. Barnes (Labor Member for Blaekfriars)' asked power to introduce a Kill dealing with war .pensions, and Mr. Henderson (Cabinet Minister) a Bill for national service. Mr. MeCurdy (Northampton), in moving tlio Address-in-Reply, said: "We all desired peace, but were not in a hurry, as there were osme things we wanted to do first. Our instincts revolted at the thought of negotiations with the authors of the atrocities in Belgium and * h " iiders and abettors of the mas-

sacres in Armenia, until they were soundly and decisively defeated." Mr. Meux, in seconding the Address, said that as the Zeppelin menace had ended, it was not too much to hope that the navy would successfully counter the submarines. The Navy was completely confident. ' / Mr. Asfjiiith -aid that the nation's only duty was a united determination in the prosecution of the war. fie paid a tribute to the King's continuous selfeffacement, and said that the deovt.ion of the Kin"; and Queen set an example to their subjects. Tn a large measuro the elliciencv of the blockade was line (o self-sacrifice and gallantry on the part of the mercantile marine. Mr. Ascpiith then inquired as to the scope and purpose of the Imperial Conference; -whether it; was wholly to be devoted to the Empire's efforts in prosecuting the war, or whether it was also to consider Imperial economic reconstruction after the war. Tie further sought information as to the Government's labor, food, and shipbuilding schemes. He considered that Germany's latest threat was substantially a declaration of war against the neutra! world. Germany expected acquiescence or merely a, verbal protest, ft was gratifying to the nation that there should lie a stern, resolute determination on the part of the other great English-speaking community to frustrate the great enormity proposed by the enemies of the human race. We must secure a victory which will pave the way for an abiding peace, and safeguard humanity's future. The two essentials foi the accomplishment of this aim were the closest co-ordination of the plans and operations of the Allies, and a complete concentration of homo resources. He appealed to everyone to discharge their duty, remembering that they were the trustees of the greatest cause in cxistncc. MR. BONA'R LAWS REPLY. Mr. Bonar Law (Leader of the House) said that Mr. Asquith's speech was the best possible testimony to the country's unity. Answering Mr. Asquith, he said that. (10,000 of tiie cxemptcds were engaged in agriculture, and it had been decided that '20,000 of these should enlist, provided substitutes were found from the army. He urged that there should he 110 criticism until matters developed. The Government was requisitioning ■more and more merchantmen. Some arrangements for the nationalisation "of shipping, similar to that of the railways, had been decided upon, and the details would shortly he announced. (PROVIDING NEW SHIPS. The Shipping Controller had already done valuable work in providing new ships. Whatever may be the submarine ravages, we are, said Mr. Bonar Law, doing something to replace them by the many ships now being constructed with the utmost rapidity.

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. With regard to the Imperial Conference, Mr. Bonar Law said it "nad been arranged because the usual Colonial Conference could not be held. It will, lie said, consider the question of common interest regarding the war, which covered a wide ground. It waa impossible to lay down hard and fast limitations to the matters which the visiting Prime Ministers would be permitted to discuss. It had been arranged that the Prime Ministers should sit as members when Cabinet was discussing questions specially concerning them.

THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN. Referring to Gcnnany'3 submarine campaign, Mr. Bonar Law said that submarines were one of t'lio greatest dangers that had ever been connected with lighting. Although he was only speculating, lie couldn't help feeling that Germany was already doing her maximum, and there was absolutely no cliance of starving Britain or defeating' us in that way. The Navy's best brains had been concentrated on dealing with submarines, and everything possible was being done.

FAVORABLE TREND OP THE WAR. The noted absence of disasteres indicated tlie favorable trend of the war in the various theatres. Germany's aims in Roumania had been defeated, and she had been disappointed regarding the expected seizure of corn and oil. lie referred with satisfaction to the accomplishments in Egypt, and stated that the position in Mesopotamia was also eminently satisfactory. SALONIKA AND EAST AFRICA.

Mr. Bonar Law considered that everything pointed to the Allies' ability t.o defend the position wherein they were placed at Salonika. We could clear out the enemy at Sinai. Referring to East Africa he said it was only a matter of a short time when the last German colony would be subdued.

THE WEST FRONT. The position on the West front justified confidence. Our frequent raids were invaluably successful, and not a single counter-attack had succeeded, while the raids had resulted in a complete AngloFrench moral ascendancy over the enemy. Our soldier-i again and again had proved themselves" more than a match for their enemies. Our inferiority of material had ceased, and with our superiority of .fighting spirit and material we might early expect the best results. Some in this country criticised President Wilson in his efforts to do justice to our cause. Napoleon had roused the world because of his lust for conquest, and the same result had occurred now. Mr. Wardle endorsed the appeal for united service, and expressed tlie hope that labor would be consulted on important questions. Mr. King urged the relaxation of the censorship, and asked for a statement regarding Ireland. Parliament has adjourned.

ADVERTISING THE LOAN. London, Feb. 7. The War Savings Committee lias caused the obliteration of tlie frontages of the buildings on three sides of Trafalgar Square with exhortations to subscribe to the loan. The buildings include the National Gallery.