KING’S SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1921, Page 5

KING’S SPEECH.

PROBLEMS OF EMPIRE. HOPES FOR IRISH PEACE. INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK. An important survey of fcmpire problems, with particular reference to questions principally concerning Britain, was made by the King in his Speech on the occasion of the prorogation of Parliament. His Majesty, after alluding to the valuable work of the Imperial Conference, expressed hope for the success of the Washington Conference; anxiety in regard to Ireland was emphasised, with a note of appeal for friendship; while there was a tone of optimism in his references to the trade and industrial outlook. By Teie,?raph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 11, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 10. Tlie Lord Chancellor read the King’s Speech to both Houses assembled in the House of Lords. His Majesty said: — “J welcomed, with the deepest satisfaction, the Prime Ministers of the Dominions and the representatives of India who have been in conference with my advisers here. They had questions of great moment to discuss in common and grave decisions to make. Their presence has been invaluable, and I trust it may be found possible to arrange regular meetings of a like character for the further exchange of views and discussion of common interests. Their deliberations on foreign policy dealt in particular with problems of the Pacific and the Far East questions, arising out of the Empire's obligations under the Treaty of Versailles and other treaties of peace.” After expressing regret at the continuance of hostilities in Anatolia, the King expressed satisfaction at the steps leading to the conference on disarmament at Washington, and ho hoped the labors would be crowned with success. He added: “1 pray my son's visit to India will still further strengthen the ties of affection which so long linked by house with the princes and peoples of India.’’ TRADE AND FINANCE. Addressing^members of the House of Commons regarding trade and finance, His Majesty said: “I hope the financial rear will end without a deficit in the Budget, but our debts are great and taxation heavy and burdensome. Rever nue cannot be maintained on the scale o-f the last three years, and it is vitally important that expenditure m every department in public and private life be still further restricted. “The situation in Ireland still causes me great anxiety. I earnestly exhort the “leaders of all parties in Ireland, and all those with power and influence in the negotiations, to exercise patience and moderation, with tjio object of establishing friendship and loyal cooperation between my people and that country. My firm belief and earnest prayer is that with forbearance, goodwill and honest resolve to tread the paths of oblivion and forgiveness, enduring peace will finally be achieved. “I take pride in the calm and serene spirit with which my people met the trials of the coal stoppage, and the freedom fr’om strife and violence which characterised its course. The dispute, unhappily, aggravated the adverse effects of the sudden world-wide trade depression—a depression which inflicted on the industries of this country the most grievous experience in their history.” “WORST MAY BE OVER.” After dealing with legislation on behalf of the unemployed, he continues: “The peaceful settlement of many dimcult disputes by mutual negotiations between employers and work people, together with'some indication of a revival of trade, encourage my hope that the worst may be over, and the state of employment shows « , stea . d y ‘‘.'“‘T improvement. The position is ■sti of anxiety. It is not. however, so much to the Acts of Parliaments as to the .rood sense of employers and operatives working together for the promotion of their common interest that I look for the restoration of trade and prosperity. “I am happy to know that on all issues my Governments here and overseas are in accord. The Imperial Conference gave serious attention to the defence of the Umpire and the maintenance of an adequate measure of sea-power. It unanimously decided that the naval strength ot <£>- Empire should be equal .0 that of spy other Power. , . “As a result of proposals made by tne Allied Powers to Germany in May satisfactory progress has been made by the German Government in the execution ot their financial and disarmament obligations under the Treaty of Versailles. There is reason to hone that the Polish-German settlement wilt be loyally carried out by the two parties principally concerned, and a peaceful and honorable settlement will result. The negotiations with Egypt have not yet reached a conclusion.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.