THE KING AT BELFAST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9543, 23 June 1921, Page 5

THE KING AT BELFAST.

OPENING OF NORTHERN PARLIA-

MENT.

(Per P^ess Association, Copyright.) LONDON, June 31. The King and Queen crossed to Ireland escorted by battleships and destroyers.

The most elaborate precautions have been taken to guard against the possibility of a Sinn Fein outrage. Troops and polioe continue to be drafted into Belfast, where the route of the procession has been cut off from the rest of the city. The King and Queen will proceed, surrounded Try a dense bodyguard of picked Lifeguards, Ulster Rifles, and police. A house-to-house search will be oonduoted as as ,a search of all roofs overlooking the route of the procession. In the House of Commons Mr Austen Chamberlain announced that the King's speech at Belfast would be made on the advice of the *British Cabinet, not of the Government of Northern Ireland.

Mr Hughes sent a message on behalf of Australia, congratulating Ulster on the opening of her Irfeh Parliament. (Received June 23, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, June 22. The King and Queen had a tremendous welcome at Belfast. Steamers with noisy syrens sounded a choims as the fleet entered the port. The streets were packed with people and there Was a wonderful cheering and flag-waving scene. The King received notables aboard the Royal yacht and a large number of honours were conferred on leading Ulster nobles, including a Viscouhtcy on Lor& Pirrie. The King m a preface to his speech said: "For ; all who love Ireland, as I do with all my heart, this is a profoundly moving ocacsron m Irish nistory. My memories of the Irish people date back to the time when I spent many happy days m Ireland as a midshipman. My affection has heen deepened by successive visits, and as I watched with constant sympathy the course of their affairs."