PARLIAMENT OPENED. WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 37, 12 February 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT OPENED.

WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION.

OLD TIME CEREMONIAL.

A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. ♦By Cfible.—Press Association.—Copyright.) i Received 10.10 a.m.) IX)NDON, February 11. Parliament was opened to-day in drizzling rain, with all the pomp and circumstance of peace time. The opening route from Buckingham Palace to the old palace yard was thronged, while a brilliant assemblage met the Sovereign within the precincts of Westminster Abbey. The etatelv ceremony epitomised the nation's history, the spectacle being ■ surrounded by all its old glamour. Crowds cheered in the Mall, Whitehall, Rnd Parliament Square when Their jMnjesties" glass coach with its six black horses and outriders passed. The Sovi ereigns" escort accompanied in five State landaus, with the Mistress of the Robes. ' Women of the Bedchamber, and other i officers of the Court and the Royal I Household. Their Majesties were reI ceived by the Great Officers of State at i Victoria Tower, and conducted to the i Robing Room, whence they marched in i procession through the Royal Gallery.

Eight hundred peeresses, wives of members of the. House of Commons, and distinguished visitors watched the procession through the (iallery. when , during the war wounded soldiers and sailors of many Dominions were accommodated at similar ceremonies. Lord Curzon, bearing the Sword of State, headed the procession, and the Marquis of Londonderry, with the Cap of Maintenance, was also prominent. A brilliant group surrounded the Throne when Their Majesties were seated. The Prince of Weles drove from York House with an escort of Household Cavalry, and was loudly cheered. He occupied the Chair of State at the right of th» Throne. All the peers remained standing until the King's command. ''Pray be seated." Then the Usher of the Black Eod summoned the Commons, who filed in, led by the Speaker, in black and gold robes.

The King delivered the speech sitting. the ceremony occupying half an hour. The King and Queen then marched in procession to the Royal Gallery, thence to the palace, and were again cheered along the route.—(A. and X.Z. Table.)

Mr. Lloyd George, during the debate on tlio Address in Reply, said that the real explanation of the high cost of living was not due to profiteering, but to the devaluation of money. This existed the world over. We were now paying over six shillings in the pound in America for all purchases. The only remedy was increased production. In reference to economy, he was glad to say that the forthcoming Budget would more than balance. He indicated that he would denl with several important subjects at a later stage. Referring to the housing problem, he pointed out. that the chief difficulty was due to the refusal of the trades unions to suspend their regulations, despite the fact that 350,000 demobilised soldiers were anxious and sufficiently skilled to provide labour. That wag a question for the Labour party.— (A. and X.Z. Cable. 1

BIG LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME LOXDOX, February 11. The King, in his speech at tlio opening of Parliament, after an allusion to the ratifications of peace, emphasised the excellent relations existing; with all the Allies and the necessity of the restoration, not only of peace, but also of normal economic conditions in Eastern Europe and Russia.

Referring to the visit of the Prince of Wales to the Dominions, the King announced his assent to the proposal that the Prince should visit Australia and New Zealand, adding: "The Prince of Wales will take the opportunity on his return voyage of seeing some of our Weet Indian possessions. He will, I feel confident, receive a cordial welcome everywhere, both from old comrades in arms and all classes of the community."

Referring to the economic situation, His Majesfty stressed the fact that if lasting progress and social peace were to be ensured, all classes must continue to throw themselves into the work of reconstruction with goodwill for others, and with energy and patience. Legislation providing large and far-reaching measures of reform must be passed.

His Majesty proceeded to outline the legislation, including bills dealing with Ireland and Irish education, the coal industry, with State acquisition of coal royalties for the purpose of improving conditions in mining areas, the regulation of the sale of liquor, the development of fisheries, the organisation of territories, unemployment insurance, regulation of hours, minimum wage?, and anti-dumping. He also alluded to reform of the House of Lords.

Dealing with agriculture, the Kine eaid that the United Kingdom was still dangerouely dependent for food supplies from overseas. Adverse exchange was making the financial burden very great, and added uneasiness was also caused by the unprecedented sale of landed property since the war. Measures were accordingly proposed to mitigate any hardship which this operation might cause occupiers, and to stimulate the production of essential foodstuffs within theUnited Kingdom.— (A. and TC.Z. and Renter.)