STATE CEREMONY

Wairarapa Age, 10 February 1927, Page 6

STATE CEREMONY

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE KING’S SPEECH. FORECAST OF LEGISLATION. LONDON, February 8. Parliament was opened to-day with the elaborate ceremonial of a great State function. In a. picturesque preycession Their Majesties drove to Westminster, riding in a gilt coach. Everywhere they were loudly cheered. In the House of Lords the scene was brilliant with the peers .in Ted and ermine robes and the peeresses, gaily attired, wearing tiaras and jewels worth many thousands. Lady Parr, wife of the New Zealand High Commissioner, was honoured with a seat in the Royal box. The Speech from the Throne, read by His Majesty in a good voice, lasted ten minutes. His Majesty’s references to China are reported in another column. His Majesty said — ' ‘ 1 My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly. The League of Nations has been strengthened, and a further step taken towards ' the restoration of normal international relations in Europe by the entry of Germany into the League, and Ker appointment to a permanent seat on the Council. .In continuation of this policy it was found possible at the end of January to terminate the system of Allied military control in Germany established by the Treaty of Versailles, and hand over to the League all questions affecting the military claused of the. treaty. I rejoice at the fair and friendly settlement reached regarding the funding of the war debt due to this country by Portugal. TRADE REVIVAL. I am happy to note encouraging signs <yf the improvement of trade and industry. I earnestly pray that those engaged in the various industries of the country use their utmost endeavours to ensure that the improvement in the volume of employment among my people, which may now be reasonably anticipated, wilf not be arrested by industrial strife. Proposals will be submitted at an early date to enable the effect given to the change in the style and titles of the Sovereign to which, on the recommendation of the Imperial Conference, 1 have given my approval. At the same time you wilf be invited tp make consequential alterations in the title of Parliament. Recent events have made evident the importance of defining and amending the law in reference to industrial disputes. Proposals for this purpose will be laid before you. The Speech concludes by enumerating other measures to be submitted, in eluding a Bill to encourage the production and exhibition of British films; proposals to amend the law relating to leasehold premises; a Bill in connection with agriculture; a measure dealing with insurance against unemployment; proposals to amend the Companies Acts, and also the reorganisation of certain departments of State in Scotland.—(A. and N.Z.)

OPENING FIRE. MR. MACDONALD FINDS FAULT. LONDON, February 8. When the House of Commons resumed in the afternoon there were two Labour demonstrations, first in honour of Mr. Oswald Mosley, and again when Captain Wedgwood Benn sat down at the third Labour bench. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks, Home Secretary, gave notice of a Bill to alter the Royal style and title; also the style ©f Parliament in accordance with the decision of the Imperial Conference. The first speaker, after the moving of the Address-in-Beply. was the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. J. R. MacDonald, who asked if ever a King’s Speech had more plainly indicated that his Ministers had nothing on which to advise His Majesty. Personally, he would join in a prayer for industrial peace, but the coal agreements were generating ill-will, with victimisation. If trade union law became a matter of controversy now, it would not make for industrial peace, ft would bo wiser to let matters rest. The Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, m reply, said that Mr MacDonald wanted the King’s Speech filled with a mass of legislation which would enable Mr. MacDonald to unite the scattered fragments of the Labour Party. The Government had only included Bills that could be passed before August 1, because the experiment of a late autumn session would be repeated.—(A. and N.Z.)