HOME POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1921, Page 5

HOME POLITICS.

KING OPENS PARLIAMENT. UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. REDUCING NATION’S BURDENS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London Feb. 15. Dense crowds lined the Royal route to Parliament for thq opening ceremony by the King. They showed that they still loved the picturesque pre-war ceremonial, wjiich was revived entirely, except that bays were substituted for the cream Hanoverian ponies in the King’s State coach. The Life Guards and other bands wore elaborate pre-war uniforms, while the Guards in scarlet and bearskins lined the route. The Spanish, French, Japanese and Italian Ambassadors journeyed in State coaches. The King. Prince of Wales and Duke of York were everywhere heartily acclaimed. His Majesty was attired in Field-Marshal's uniform. The Prince of Wales, for the first time in public, wore the Welsh Guards’ full dress with bearskin. Through the King’s forethought crippled soldiers and orphans occupied the reserve outside Buckingham Palace, and invalided troops were similarly accomodated at other points. THE KING’S SPEECH. The King's speech earnestly hoped that the Allies* conference in London would result in further progress in giving effect to the treaties of peace, re-establishing concord in Europe and restoring tranquility in the Near East. His Majesty also hoped that negotiations for a trade agreement with Russia would be successful.

He was glad arrangements had been made to renew personal consultation with Ministers from oversea? and their colleagues, which had produced such good results in the last two years of the war and during the n ace settlement. He was confident th- ii : cussion would be of the utmost value in bringing about co-ordination of both the external and internal policy of the Empire. The estimates would reflect the Government’s determination to reduce expenditure to the lowest level consistent with the Empire’s well-being. It was imperative that the nation’s burden fhould be reduced to the utmost extent in the interests of an early revival of trade and industry. The King added: "Arrangements for bringing into force the Government of Ireland Act are now well advanced. I earnestly trust the majority of the people will show a determination to repudiate violence, and work under the Act.” NEW LEGISLATION. The most pressing problem confronting Parliament was the unemployment consequent on the world-wide restriction of trade. This might be alleviated, but could not be cured by legislation. A Bill would be introduced extending the provision for unemployed undr employment insurance. Another would deal with safeguarding essential and key industries against certain aspects of unfair and abnormal competition. It was proposed to follow the removal of the control of the home prices of coal by the complete restoration of the coal industry to the normal condition of freedom. The King’s speech foreshadowed a Bill to deal with the liquor traffic in the light of the experience gained during the war. It was hoped to submit proposals for the reform of the House of Lords this session and for the reorganisation of the railways.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. THE MALLOW SHOOTINGS AN ENQUIRY TO BE HELD PEACE TREATY NOT CHANGED. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 15 In the House of Commons, Mr. J. H. Thomas (Labor)" raised the question of the Mallow shootings. He detailed the results of enquiries by a trade union delegate, showing that the Crown forces were highly blameworthy. The recital was punctuated with cries of ‘‘shame” £rom Laborites. Continuing his speech, Mr. Thomas said that after Mrs. King was shot the police came to the station and said that if the woman died fifteen railwaymen ■would be shot. Four railwaymen were captured and marched to the barracks, where they were beaten with fists and revolvers, and told to carry the body of the woman from a military motor to a cell. When released next morning, the railwaymen were told to run, and three of the four were shot dead. (Cries of *§hame”.) THE CORK FIRES. Mr. Lloyd George, replying to Mr. Asquith (Liberal leader), said a discussion t>f the new arrangements under the Peace Treaty, would be very undesirable before the pending conferenc, which G-rmany attends. He did not consider that the proposals agreed to were departures from the Versailles Treaty. The Government proposed to table Lord Milner’s report on the Middle East, but he was not prepared to say to what extent they would adopt the report before discussing it with representatives of the Dominions. From General (Strickland's report he was satisfied there had been acts of indiscipline on the part of uniformed forces, but he was Unable to locate these persons. The Premier promised an investigation ot the Mallow shootings. Mr. Lloyd George said the fac/ts which Mr. Thomas had placed before the Rouse would be carefully looked into, put we were not going to submit to ihreats of a strike. Mr. Asquith, referring to the reform pf the House of_Lorda, said a morejnod«st aspiration couched in more diffident terms and suffused, with a more pronounced tinge of ultimate mistrust, was nexer put into thte mouths of a Sovereign since Kings’ had become a recognised Parliamentary institution. Alluding to the, decision not to publish General StrickHnd’s report on the Cork fires, he said t&e only way to vindicate England’s name was a free, impartial., indgßsadent

Lord Robert Cecil, who sat on the front Opposition bench, interjected; “And in public.” EMPIRE DEFENCE. The Premier, replying to an amendment urging co-ordination between the army, navy, and air force, admitted the necessity of co-ordination, but said there should be co-ordination between the various parts of the Empire. The defence of the Empire should be an Imperial concern. It was too much to ask these small Islands to undertake the defence of a gigantic Empire in every sea. The whole problem w’ould be brought before the meeting of Prepire stood together would be the" best guarantee against the shedding of miers. The knowledge that the Emblood. A LABOR AMENDMENT. Mr. Clynes, on behalf of the Labor Party, has lodged an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, regretting that the Kings speech did not recognise the right of the genuine unemployed to work or adequate maintenance. Following the mover and seconder of the Address, Mr. Asquith expressed satisfaction that the legislation foreshadowed covered a comparatively small area compared with that in speeches in recent years. He welcomed the meeting of the Allied Premiers and the representatives of Germany and Turkey in London, and desired to know the scope and purpose of the conference. THE HOUSE OF LORDS. THE TRIUMPH IN SOUTH AFRICA. BRIGHTER OUTLOOK IN EUROPE. Received Feb. 16, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 15. The House of Lords agreed to the Address. Lord Curzon, replying to the debate, paid a tribute to General Smuts (Premier of South Africa), who was a patriot statesman. His triumph was not only a victory for South Africa, but for the Empire as a whole. The condition of Europe was brighter and more full of hope than a year ago. Referring to General Strickland’s report, Lord Curzon said the Government had come to the conclusion that one company of auxiliary police were guilty of grave act - ' of indiscipline, but a body of auxiliaries helped to put out the fires. There was grave difficulty in identifying individuals, but the company would be suspended. Seven men had been dismissed and the company had been broken up. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [General Strickland’s report concerned the burning of houses in Cork by auxiliaries as reprisals for the crimes of Sinn Feiners.]'