BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 18533, 16 January 1924, Page 8

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

THE KING'S SPEECH. Pro it) Association— By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 15. (Received January 16, at 12.15 p.m.) The King’s Speech at the opening of Parliament states that relations with foreign Powers are friendly, and tlho King is glad to record definite progress in the solution of questions which have hitherto blocked the pathway towards mutual understanding, and retarded the recovery of world peace. A Bill "will be introduced to give effect to the Lausanne Treaty. As soon as it is passed the treaty will bo ratified, and a new era of peaceful relations with Turkey bo opened. The Anglo-American agreement m regard to the illicit importation of liquor into the United States is on the eve of conclusion, and should further strengthen the happy relations between the two countries.

It will continue to henry object to support by every means in my power the steady growth and influence of die League of Nations. The recent murders on the North-west Frontier of India have caused me much concern. I earnestly trust that the criminals will bo punished, and more satisfactory relations be established on the frontier soon. The recent Imperial Conferences marked very definite progress in Imperial co-opcra-tion, more particularly as it was found possible, without departure from the existing fiscal system of this country to meet the wishes ot the dominions by a substantial extension of the principle of Imperial Preference, established by the conference in 1917, and enforced since in 1919. Proposals to give effect to the work of both conferences will be submitted to you. 1 welcome the opportunity afforded by the British Exhibition to increase the knowledge of the varied resources of the Empire and stimulate international trade. The Speech expresses the gravest concern regarding unemployment in view of the country’s non-acceptance of the recent proposals for a solution of the problem. The House of Commons will be invited to assent to an extension and amendment of the trade facilities and export credit schemes, and to the proposal of the Economic Conference for expediting and assisting the execution of certain public enterprises in the Empire by a, grant of financial aid from the public, funds, and the extension of contributions towards the cost of public utility works undertaken by local authorities .or statutory" and private corporations. The House of Commons will bo asked to assist in

wor ]j j n the, shipbuilding industry bv the immediate construction of cruisers and auxiliary craft in anticipation of the naval programme. Steps will be taken to develop the existing system of juvenile employment in the centres, acid to provide increased facilities for ceneral and technical education.

Ministers propose to summon a conference .representing nil in/terested in agricu’lttare and members of .political parties, with the object of arriving at a policy whereby the acreage of arable land may bo maintained, and regular employment at an adequate wage secured for agricultural workers.

Bills will be introduced to improve the position of pre-war pensioners, and to deal wiltlh tlbo discouragement to thrift, involved in the piosant limitation to old age pensions. Tho Speech, inter alia, mention." Bills to amend tho Factory Acts, proposals to :n----creaee the activity under .sections of the Housing Act, enabling tho workers to become tho owners of J o complete Land purchase in Northern Ireland, and to guarantee tho principal and interest on bonds issued by tho Government of 'the Irish Free State under the Land Act recently passed there. An. obligation'to alleviate the hardship caused by former disturbances in Ireland is recognised.

Proposals will bo submitted for the expansion of the Royal Air Force in connection wMi home defence. THE LABOR AMENDMENT. Tlbo Labor amotfdmemt to be moved by Mr J. R. Clynes is as follows: It is our duty respectfully to submit to your Majesty that your Majesty’s present Advisers have not the confidence of this House.

The date of toe moving of this amendment has not yet been fixed.—Renter.