OPENING OF THE SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 32, 8 February 1922, Page 7

OPENING OF THE SESSION

KING REVIEWS GREAT EVENTS

RESULTS OF WASHINGTON

CONFERENCE.

{UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.— COPIIUOnT.)

(AUSTRALIAN ■ S3W MALMS CAULS ASSSCI.VNSH.)

(Received February 8, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 7th February

The King opened Parliament. In a short Speech from the Throne lie stated that the Bills presented would include measures dealing with the Irish settlement, the reform of the House of Lords, and the establishment of an International Trade Comporation. There would also be a Bill enabling the Government to cooperate in Empire settlement and migration. Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Chamberlain were not present, being detained at Downing-street by the Irish negotiations, which are. in a most critical phase. The 'King's Speech referred to the Washington Conference. -A Treaty designed to maintain peace in the Pacific had been signed, and awaited ratification, while a, new Treaty replaced the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, >i am happy to feel that the long-standing concord between the two countries will remain as cordial as ever under the arrangement that has been concluded. At the same time, our relations with the United States enter upon a new and even closer phase of friendship. An agreement has also been reached on disarmament, providing for a large measure of relief from the burden of armaments. The world will owe a deep debt of gratitude to the initiative of the President of the United States. The- success of the Conference is. the happiest augury for the future of international relations.

"The problem of reparations still engages consideration of the Allies. They arc now considering the German proposals submitted.at the Allies' request." Negotiations were still proceeding, tUe Speech continued, with France and Belgium with a. view to concluding an agreement, for common action in the event ,of an unprovoked German attack. He 'hoped the Allied discussions _in Paris would result in an early solution of the Near East situation. Every effort was being made to reduce the public expenditure to the lowest level consistent with the security and efficiency of the State. "The volume of unemployment "causes nle the .deepest concern. The only remedy is to be found in the appeasement of international rivalries and suspicions. I therefore welcome the Conference at Genoa, where I trust it will be possible to establish peace on a fair basis in Europe." ■