SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 118, 12 February 1920, Page 5

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT OPENED

FAR-REACHING MEASURES OF

REFORM FORECASTED

THE WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION

(Ey Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rcc. February 11, 5.5 p.m.)

London, February 10. The new session of tho Imperial Far liament was opened to-day.

• In his Speech from the Throne, Ifis Majesty the King; after an allusion to the Peace Treaty ratifications, emphasised the- excellent relations existing villi ali tile Allies, also the necessity of the restoration, not only of peace, but also of normal economic conditions ill eastern Europe and Russia.

Referring to the Prince of AVnles's visit to tho Dominions, the King announced his assent to tho proposal that the Prince should visit Australia and New Zealand. He added: "Tho Prince of AA'ales v-ill take the opportunity on his return \oyy age of seeing some of our AVest Indian possessions. He will, I feel confident, receive a. cordial welcome everywhere, both from old comrades in arms and from ull classes of the community.

Referring to the economic situation, llis Majesty stressed tile fact that if lasting progress nnd social peace were to be ensured, all classes must continue to throw themselves into the work of reconstruction with goodwill for others, vith energy and patience. Legislation providing for large and far-reaching measures of reform must be passed. His Majesty proceeded to outline the proposed legislation. It included Bills dealing with Ireland, 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, development of fisheries, organisation of territories, unemployment insurance, regulation of hours, minimum wages, and anti-dump-ing. The King also alluded to reform of the House of Lords.

Defiling with agriculture, His Majasty stated that the United Kingdom was (.till dangerously dependent for its food supplies from overseas. He said tli.it the adverse exchange was making the financial burden very, great, and added that uneasiness had; also been caused by the unprecedented sale of landed property since the war. Measures were accordingly proposed to mitigate any hardship which this operation might, cause the occupier, and to stimulate the production of essential foodstuffs within the United Kingdom—Aus.-N.Z. Cailo Assn..-Renter. HOUSE "OF~COMMONS SPEECH BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE. (Rec. February 11, 10.20 p.m.) London, February 10. Sneakine in the House of Commons at the opening sitting, the Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George, indicated that he would deal with several important subjects at a later stase. Referring to the housing problem, he pointed out that the chief difficulty was due to tlio refusal of the trade unions to suspend their regulations. despite the fact that 350,000 demobilised soldiers were anxious and 6uflieientlv skilled to provide the necessary lnlwur. That was a question for the Labour Party. As regards Ireland, he challenged an earlier speaker, Mr. W. Adamson (West Fife) to say if ho wero prepared to grant a republic if tho Irish demanded it; otherwise his proposal of self-determination was dishonest. (Cheers.) Ought Ulster to be compelled to corno under a parliament for tho whole of Ireland? Referring to cowardly! despicable murders and assassinations. he asked wore wo to withdraw tho troops and all protection, and leave assassins in charce? (Cheers.) The real explanation of the clearness of 1 ivine was not due to profiteering, but to the devaluation of money. This existed the world over. We wero now payins over six shillings ■in tho pound in America for all purchases. Tho only remedy was increased production. In reference to economy, he was glad to say that the forthcoming Budget would more than balance. Restoration of Europe. Tlio only British foree.s remaining in Russia wore at Batum, from which they wero rapidly withdrawing to Constantinople. wliero they wero needed. Ho asreed that Europe could not bo restored without putting the Russian resources into circulation. Every democracy in tho world would like to seo that doyo under any but tho Bolshevik regime, whose horrors shocked mankind. Russia must bo restored under an anti-Bol-elicvik regime, but it was perfectly clear that, Bolshevism was not erushab'.c by forco of arms. The warring factors in Russia declared that they recognised that when they wero so advised last year. Tlio volunteer army during tho occupation of largo tracts in South Russia unciuestionably managed to alienato the population. Tho Bolsheviks during their readvance profited by past experi-ence.-and avoided doing so to the same extent. He dwelt on the of the attempt to creato a ring of fire which should advance and crush out Bolshevism. owins to the unlikelihood of all the border States participating in it There was an additional difficulty in tho lack of funds, which neither Franco, America. Italv, nor Britain would undertake to furnish.