THE KING'S SPEECH.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 435, 18 February 1909, Page 5

THE KING'S SPEECH.

PARLIAMENT OPENED. AN EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE. PROPOSED LEGISLATION, (nr TJLEQEiPH—rauss association—coprmant.) London, February 16. The King attended and opened Parliament in state. The Speech from the Throne announced that owing to the adoption of an old age pensions system and an increase in the navy, there would bo an excess of expenditure during the coming year. This would ocoupy serious attention, and allow less time than usual for legislative measures. Bills promised included the following:— Irish Land Bill (brought over from last yoar), v Welsh Church Disestablishment and Disendowment Billf- and measures providing for the better organisation of ; the labour market by co-ordinated exchanges, regulafcing the milk supply, regulating the hours of work in Bhops, the prevention of sweating, a law dealing with inebriates,; and an: Old Age Pensions Amendment Bill. FOREICN RELATIONS. ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS RENEWED. ■ ' '. - ■ (Reo. February 17, 10.6 p.m.) London, February 17. The King's Speech expresses the hope that his Majesty's cordial welcome in Berlin will tend to' strengthen the amicable feelings essential to mutual welfare and peace. The foreign relations >f the Empire are friendly/ The Canadian Waterways Treaty has been arranged. The advice of Canada was sought and followed throughout. It is trusted that the arbitration regarding the American fisheries will effect a final and friendly. settlement! Arbitration agreements have been : renewed for five years with France, Italy, and Spain. The Speech expresses pleasure to seo the improved. prospect: of a solution of the Balkans crisis, - and 'hopes for a settlement satisfactory' to: all. Persia causes anxiety, though Britain has no desire to intervene, yet the situation imperatively demands representative;"institutions and practical reform. The present.troubles endanger numerous commercial interests of Britain, and Russia, and the two Governments are" exchanging views. -/j Kindly reference is mado to British; sympathy and assistance to a friendly nation in connection with the Messina earthquake. .; Parliament will have an opportunity to discuss the results of the "conference sitting in London in connection with international maritime law, which may onable the Government to ratify the Prize Court Convention. The Speech expresses deep satisfaction regarding the measures 1 designed to improve the Indian Administration, and desire? that steps bo taken to give effect to the Royal Speech of November to the people of India to. protect , their interests' and advance the welfare of all races. [ ; The South African.ponvention-marks the first stage of the movement for consolidation. ' . - Announcement is made of'the conclusion of the great Poor. Law Commission. IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. - "SCANDALOUS REIGN OF TERROR." ■ There was a noble pageant in the House of Lords, the Queen wearing the Cullihan diamond. The Prince and Princess of Wales were, also present. Tile King started reading the Speech in good voiced but tired before the end. He will go to Brighton on Friday to rid himself of the'remaining traces of cold. Earl Liverpool moved, and BarOn Hemp? hill seconded, the Address-in-Re'ply. . Lord Lansdow'ue, referring to the situation 1 in Persia, said that representative government was 1 not a panacea for all'eastern countries. The Government's proposal waß equivalent to putting very old >ine in very new bottles. He was . surprised that no re-, ference had boon made to Ireland, where a scandaloua reign of terror prevailed. He referred: to the revelations regarding'old •age' pensions in Ireland, and twitted the, Government' with/omitting references to the campaign against the House of Lords. , : Lord Crewe said the Government was not using the Crimes.'Act because;it was a rot. ten weapon! Tho position was largely due to the Land Act, the unfortunate, fruit -of an otherwise noble tree.

IN THE HOUBE OF. COMMONS, SPEECH BY MR. BALFOUR. Mr. Rogers moved, and Mr. W. W. Benn seconded, tho Address-in-Reply in the House of . Commons. • . ■ :, •Mr. Balfour said he had some misgivings „08 to tho Government's intentions regarding Persia. Referring to tho unemployment question, ho warned tho House that no plan which did not attompt to increase tho domand for skilled labour would have a good effect. It was necessary .to increase the confidence of the investing public. Th? Government, Jby rash speech and : action,: had driven capital! abroad. The folly of rejecting every method by which bargains could be effected with other nations and preference obtained for our, own colonies: was obvious to everyonenot hidebound in formula© inherited from ancient writers. Mr. Balfour inconsod the Nationalists and provoked hot interruption by adduoing statis■tios showing a great' increase in agrarian crime in Ireland. He called upon Mr. Birroll to put in force tho Crimes Aot, 1887. MR. ASQUITH REPLIES TO CRITICISM. PERSIAN AFFAIRS. (Rec. Eebruary s l7,ll.ls p.m.) i : : ' London, February 17. . Mr. ; Asquith said affairs in Persia were exceedingly unsatisfactory, and there was iio prbspect of improvement until the Shah kept his promises. The Government would not make a loan or otherwise support the Shah while he continued hia. present policy, lie promised an inquiry regarding old age pensions in Ireland. He did not desire to palliate or minimise the deplorable Btato of things in certain districts, but; the faots were l'ot proved. . The administration was weak as regards finance, and . this-would largely occupy the House. They could not indulge in the luxury of social roform without paying. The monoy would have to bo found by methods and from sources consistent with justico and sound policy. Mr. Henderson protested against the proposed increased expenditure on the navy. Sir E, Grey, in reply to a question, said tho Govommont would' not tako the responsibility of diotating to tho Shah as regards the nature of the Persian Constitution. ; Tho representations made had boon of a general "oharactor.