GAY SPECTACLE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19462, 8 November 1928, Page 11

GAY SPECTACLE.

PARLIAMENT OPENED.

CROWDS LINE STREETS.

HISTORIC CEREMONY. (UXiTZi PRESS ASSOCIATION— BY ELECTRIC TELEOBAPH—COPtftIOUT.) LONDON November 0. Parliament was duly opened with historic ceremony, commencing with the Yeomen of the Guard, carrying candle lanterns, searching the labyrinth of cellars for a possible Guy Fawkes. A big crowd in the Mall and at Westminster greeted the King, though a heavy fog interfered with the military display. Fortunately it began to lift before their Majesties left Buckingham Palace, so Londoners were not deprived of the spectacle of the five carriages of St&if: passing, each drawn by four bays and escorted by Life Guards. Meanwhile the peers, robed in scarlet and ermine, and the peeresses, wear? ing tiaras, gathered in, the gilded Chamber. The Duke of York took his seat on the front bench, immediately below the Throne. The gaiety of the scene was increased by the uniform's of the Ambassadors. Several Indian princes and their wives were in thfe galleries. Mr Baldwin and Sir Mac Donald entered the House of Lords just before the Royal procession.—Australian Press Association, United Service. THE KING'S SPEECH. LONDON, November 6. The King's speech expressed great satisfaction with the signing of the Treaty for the Renunciation of War at Paris on August 27th. It Said: "In pursuance of their fixe'd policy the Government has continued to accord full support to the League of Nations, co-operating with all its current activities, and particularly it sought fully to discharge its obligations under Article VIII. of the Covenant by reducing its armed forces to the lowest point consistent with national safety and by assisting the League ttt formulate plans for a general reduction of armaments. An. agreement has been reached with the Governments of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy* and Japan for the opening of negotiations with a view to settling definitely the problems Of Reparations. It also has been recognised that negotiations should be held in regard to the. Gentian" Goy r ernment's request for the Stfacuatidri of the Rhineland." \ ~.,. Referring to tlie coronation, or, the Emperor of Japan, his Majesty took the opportunity of wishing his uniteiial Majesty a iong and gloribtis reign. The speech said: "The Historic AiigloJapahese friendship has always a potent factor for the maintenance' of peace, in the Far East. ,1 welcome the efforts of China to establish.a, central Government and to with the forces of disorder. I regard the progress of these endeavours as of the highest importance, not only fdr the safety and prosperity of my . subjects resident in China but also for the peace of the world." Belief Proposals. "The estimates for serviced in Jh> coming year are being prepared fith strict attention tb continuing the heed for economy in public expenditure. In anticipation of a general scheme for relieving agriculture and productive industry from the burden of rateH #6ll will be asked to make pr&vlsibb enabling the railway comjiarHesiw lc%er their charges on important traffic,concerning agriculture and the coalj lrtiij, and steel industries. ~ . "The situation in the .ittlmng areas continues to engage'the eariifelt.attention of my Ministers* who are, taking energetic steps to prtJttibte* the' success Of the' scheme of industrial transference and migration. The ttbnjiritfal expenditure frorii the Unemployment Fund, entailed by the displacement: of labour from the. mines; will necessitate an increase of borrowing powers, and a Bill dealing with this 1 question will be submitted td the House bf Commons. Measures will be presented .to the House of Commons tb earrjr but a scheme of reform of the rating., system on a more Equitable basis, tor the reorganisation of local government And for the readjustment of financial rela- 1 tions between the State and local authorities; ~ . , .. * .., .„. • His Majesty trusts thkt .teller frbih the burden Of rktes Under this 1 scheme m&y benefit. agriculture and Jeajd. to greater employment In indijstfv generally, and particularly in the basic trades whose condition still causes concern'. He emphasised the importance bf , the proposed changed in local government arid relations betweeri the Exchequer and the local aMKoHtie&, shich ' his Ministers anticipate will proniote efficiency and economy in local Government and will enable better provision td be made for the health of the Popple, and will direct assistance particuMrV to those areas whose needs are mbslb tiressThe speech foreshadowed fiillS extending the export credits guarantee. Scheme for a further period; authorising the appointment or two additional mßni-. bers of the Judicial Committee, bf-the Privy Council, one additional Lota of Appeal in Ordinary, and an assisting agriculturist for Scotland to obtain credits.—Australian Press Association, United Service. ADDIfcESS IN REPLY. LABOUR CRITICISM. MR BALDWIN'S DEFENCE. LONDON, November 6. In the Hbuse of Commons Mr MicDonald, speaking ort the AddresS-in-Reply, began: "This was a queer King's Speech." The Ministry, while signing the Paris Pact, had been doing its best to cribj cabin and cdtifine the activities and developments of the League of Nations, furthermore, the Naval Agreement was not an agreement to limit armaments, but was an agreement not tb lijrljt them. Britain was sdlely responsible for the suspicion created and the upsetting of the confidence of all the nations of Europe. Did we 1 Undertake tb waive the objections to Frances traiiied reserves? If rib notice were to he taken of conscript civilians militarily trained, any disarmament agreemeht was not worth the paper _ Oil Which it was written. Had i*.b~n dropped; had we abandoned the roundtablcf idea ? Had we .replied to. Amen- • ca's Note? Mr Mac Donald invited Mr Baldwin to answer the questions. . He concluded by saying tpß* the curtain had been raised on the last act of the Government's four years, of sorrv drama. The gallery was getting restive and wanted the actors to hkve a rest. Labour was anxious that Mr Baldwin should hurry the time when the electorate could give its verdict. Censure Anticipated. Mr Baldwin,' replying; said that Mr Mac Donald had nbt enjoyeel the drama. "When we ineiit again there will Jfc htany changes," he said. He hbped that they would meet its the satisfac-: tion of tlie niajbrity of .tfih membera.