OLD-TIME GLAMOUR

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 119, 13 February 1920, Page 7

OLD-TIME GLAMOUR

OPENING OF IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

A BRILLIANT CEREMONY J BrTeleeraDh-Prei! Associatlon-Oopyrlchl London, February 10. Parliament was opened in drizzling rain, with all the pomp and circumstance of n peace-time opening. The route from tlio Palace to the Old Palaco Yard was thronged, while a brilliant ns6omi)laeo met the Sovereign within the nrecincts of Westminster. Tho stately ceremonv epitomised the history of tho nation, and the spectacle was surrounded with all its old glamour. Crowds cheered in the Mall, Whitehall, and Parliament Souaro when Their Majesties, in u class coach with six black horses and outriders, passed. The Sovereign's escort was accompanied )>y live State landaus. with the Mistress of the liobes, the Women of the Bedchamber, and other officers of the Court and the Royal Household. Their Majesties were received bv the »rcnt Officers of the State at Victoria Tower, and were conducted to the robins room, from which they walked in procession through the Eoyal Gallon-. Eight hundred peeresses and wives of members of the House of Commons, and distinguished visitors watched the procession through tho Gallery, where during l:ho war wounded soldiers and sailors of tho mnnv dominions were accommodated at similar ceremonials. Lord Curzon, bearinsr the Sword of State, headed the procession; the Marquis of Londonderry, with the Can of Maintenance, was also nrominent. A bril.iant group surrounded tho Throne when Their Majesties were 'se.itpd. , The Princo of Wales drove from lork House with an escort of the Household Cavalry, and was loudly cheered. He occupied a chair of State at the right of the Throne. All the peers remained standing until the King's command, "Pniv. be seated," was given. Black Knd then summoned the members ot the House of Commons, who filed in, led by the Speaker, in black and gold robes. Tho King delivered his speech sitting. The ceremonv occupied half an hour, and tile Roval party returned in procession through tho Itoyal Gallery and thence to the Palace. They were again cheered alone the route. —Aus.-iS.Z. Cable Assn. THE HOWSEOF LORDS (Rdc. February 13, 0.15 a.m.) London, February 10. Lord Curzon, speaking in the House of Lords, warmly approved Viscount Grev's letter in "The Times regardihg America, which, lie said, had alieady had a marked effect on the other side of the Atlantic. If Germany showed a disposition faithfully to fulfil her obligations under the Peace Treaty, we would do our best to help her fulfill tlieni- Britain in January paid of? fiftv millions of her debt out of surplus revenue.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. HOUSE OF COMMONS BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED. ffiec. February 12, 10 p.m.) London, February 10. ■ Tn the House of Commons Mr. A. Cliamberlain (Chancellor of tho Exchequer} gavo notice of a Bill to amend tho law regarding tho standard fineness of silver coiiiiisre in Great Britain and. tho Dominions. Mr. Lloyd George gaie nolien of tho Irish Bill.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable A Lord Hugh Cecil approved the main lines of t.bc Premier's Russian policy. Ho suggested that another ellort be made to eolvo tho Irish problem by moans of a convention. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY CRITICISM OF THE COALITION, (llec. February 12, 11.5 p.m.) London, February 10. After tho Address-in-lleply had been uronosod and seconded in the House ot Commons. Sir Donald" Ba ". that tho time for tho Coalition to end had come. It should bo replaced by a newly-elected body fresh from the electorate. He twitted Ministers with the rnmarkablo spectacle of tlio Lord Chan cellor putting on tho black cap and sentencing his own Government to death. Tho Coalition had outgrown its usefulness as an originator of legislation. Mr N. Adamson complained of ttic Government's failure to reduce tlio coot of living. He said that only the most generous measure of Home .Rule would satisfv reasonable people "J Mand. This should be Riven, and military rule withdrawn. Mr. Llovd Georgo followed. The Labour Party lias given notice ot an amendment to the Address regretting tho absence of any referenco to nationalisation of coal mines. Other, amendments deal with Hie cost of living and the Russian situation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. vmrnm SESSION VIEWED WITH APPREHENSION. London, February 10. The Press regards the new session era vol v. almost apprehensively. "The Times," in a leader, declares that the session is of critical importance. Parliament is. indeed, on trial and great issues are at stake. Tho maintenance of British credit abroad and the preservation of social order at Home depend on the restoration of the finances. Tho "Dailv News" savs it is the most momentous session in modern history. Parliament is faced with economic chaos in Europe, and grave economic and financial oroblems at homo and abroad, together with the Irish question and the Peace Treaties. There is acute tension in, Cabinet. The reshuflling of portfolios seems imperative. Ihe suggestion that Mr. Lloyd George should retire for a period of rest is rejected, because it. would mean tho death-blow of tho Government. , , Tho "Daily Mail" says tho country is ready to face any situation, and make any sacrifice, but it does not trust tho present Government. The "Dailv Herald" states that the coalition is daily becoming unpopular. Tho only hope lies with Labour.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.