BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 9 February 1928, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

OPENING CEREMONY. KING’S “MEAGRE” SPEECH Labour's Criticism FRUITS OF TORY POLICY. MINERS’ DEGRADATION. LONDON, February 7. Customary enthusiasm greeted the occasion of the King from the Palace the Lords. The Queen watched the . part tire from a window. The King in his speech at the opening of Parliament said: “My relations with Foreign Powers continue friendly. It is the constant effort of my Government, in co-opera-tion with the League of Nations, to secure a settlement of International difference, and promote the cause of peace. I have invited the King of Afghanistan to visit me in March, and I look forward to welcoming His Majesty. It will be a particular pleasure to receive his Majesty on his first visit to Europe. The position in China has so far improved as to permit reductions in military and naval forces sent to protect my British and Indian subjects and con A cesions, but internal disturbances and wars, and consequent insecurity of life and property, both Chinese and foreign, still --cause anxiety. Despite these discouraging circumstances, my Government will adhere to the declarations of policy a year ago, as the basis on which it is prepared to meet Chinese aspirations, when the Chinese can assure satisfactory protection of British lives and property. “The United States Government on December 29 communicated to my Ambassador at Washington, as the basis of negotiations, a draft of a new treaty of arbitration to replace the treaty of arbitration of 1908. The draft is being carefully and sympathetically studied by my Government, and will be considered in communications with my Governments of the Dominions. “Although the conditions of some of the principal industries continue to cause serious anxiety. I am glad to observe many encouraging signs of pro gressive improvement both in the Home and external trade. justifying the hope that with co-operation and goodwill steady progress will be mad during the coming year. The Ministers • arc now inquiring into the possibility of relieving industry and agriculture from burdens of local rates, and the changes in local government thereby involved. “Proposals will be submitted amend • ing Parliamentary and 10. al govern Bement franchise. Measures will be presented relativ to national health, insurance, and increasing the credit facilities for agriculturalists.’’ I Address-in-Reply. Colonel Lnmbort Ward, in moving the address *> the King, aroused laughter by pointing out that the results of the General Elections had always been on the knees of the gods, hut the ex > tension of the suffrage would mean ’ transferred to the laps of the goddesses. Colonel Ward’s speech included ■ pleasantly phrased reference to the Speaker's Chair at Cnnberrn, which would serve as a bond of union between the British and Dominion Parliaments. He trusted that all the proceedings at Canberra would be characterised by the courtesy which was traditional in the mother of Parliaments. “ The visit of the Duke and Duchess of York had given great satisfaction to Australia and New Zealand. Mr Ramsay MacDonald said that this was the most meagre King’s Speech | he had ever heard. The Government evidently thought the session was going to be a long holiday. Weil, the Labour Pfirty would see about that. He welcomed th ■ references to China. All sections of China should be ma le aware that Britain hoped to co-operate with .that self-governing Nationalist state .in tie- frie.'dl.c :! n :iHe asked | why the Faetori ’s Bill was onutted I from the speech, or references to the | ■Washington Convention. Moreover, l here was not one word about coni. | x Mr MacDonald said the victory had | beer* secured for the coal owners by the Prime Minister being used by the owners to enable them to be the own-j ~r s Of men. Iron that was entering | the souls of the miners was not iron er poverty, but iron of human degraelation. Mr Lloyd • George expressed satisfaction at’ references to China, which would make possible the withdrawal of some troops. The disastrous failure of the Geneva Conference made it more • necessary for some treaty of arbitration between Britain and the United | States, to exclude the possibility of war or even the discussion of war. If it was known that every question in . dispute were to be the subject of judicial reference between two countries, , t would remove all discussion about rival armaments and bring about a new temper. PREMIER'S EXCUSE FOR MEAGRE PROGRAMME. (Received February 7, at 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 7. Mr. Baldwin said he was glad °L Mr. Lloyd George’s and Mr. McDonald’s endorsement regarding China, .as it made the Government’s policy a national policy. The Foreign Secretary would deal with the question of arbitration with the United States tomorrow. Ref err ng to she Franchise Bill

i the Premier emphazised the point that iharly all enfranchised persons would be enabled to vote at the next general election. Regarding the small amount of business outlined ho said th e Government had decided to wind up the session at the end of July, and to begin the new session in October or November. It was impossible to deal with a controversial matter : like the Factory Bill, before August. Mr. Baldwin read a letter from Sir’j John Simon to the Viceroy, proposing a joint free conference consisting of seven British commissioners, and a corresponding body of representatives chosen by the Indian Legislatures, The letter pointed out that the con-’ ference“T>esides giving recognition . * equal status, provides an opportunity for the free exchange of views, and mutual influence, best calculated to promote the largest possible measure ot agreement. The letter emphasized that the Commission was in no sensej an instrument of either the British or Indian governments, but an independ•nt and unlettered body, approaching Indian legislations as colleagues. The Commission was neither an executive nor legislative body. It w*as only authorized To report and make recommendations. It. was hoped to include in the report a faithful account of the opinions and aspirations of Indians. If prefeijreiy an Indian join? committee’s report could be an-' nexed to the Commissions and both presented to His Majesty and publish ed simultaneously. The Labourites tabled an amendment to th e Address in Reply, expressing regret that there was no mention of measures to grapple with the pressing urgency of unemployment especially in coal and other basic in- I dustries, and its menacing effects in many areas where industrial enterprise was being crippled, and local government was breaking down. Several members of all parties welcomed a scheme of credit* for farmers. Mr. Hardie complained that reser- 1 vists from China were not being- rein- ! stated in employment. I , The House adjourned. |

Gorgeous Spectacle in Lords MAGNIFICENT STAGE MANAGE MENT.” (Received February 8 at 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 7. To-day’s spectacle at the House of Lord.., OU the opening of Parliament, was the same as has been for centuries. The actors, both great and small, change, but the ritual is unchanging. The peers, in scarlet and < imine, were seated on the floor of the Chamber, while bejewelled and gorgeously gowned peeresses were arrayed at the sides. The Bishops were ranged in a row, and diplomats sat tier on tier in their space. Lawyers, in great wigs, were grouped around the Woolsack. The most magnificent piece of stage management in the world was here to be seen. Rays of light from the great chandeliers picked out the dazzling coronets and ropes of pearls worn by the peeresses. Then suddenly, without warning, the lights were extinguished, and a lovelier, dimmer radiance fell over all through the stained glass windows. While the entire assemblage awaited the King, five minutes elapsed, the Chamber being fill’d with subdued conversation. Then the lights at half power glowed softly, like golden oranges. On the very stroke of mid-day, the King, wearing a massive ci iwn and royal robes, and surrounded by great officers of State, slowly ent red the Chamber. The lights Hashed up, and the Chamber was flood’d with unrivalled magnificence, everybody standing. The King bowed slowly, and took hi.’> seat on the throne, ai.d said, “My Lords, pray be seated.” The pag*B of honour draped the train like a red cascade over the steps, and pomp and majesty was at its height. Th< :v was no hurry or bustle, and everyLhing was in place; and in silence the

brilliant gathering sat awaiting the arrival of the faithful Commons at the Black Rod’s summons. When the Commons had filed, in and. taken their places, the Speech was handed to His Majesty, who. sitting, read it in a clear voice which echoed through the Chamber. LOF DS DEB ATE.

r I he Lords ended the debate on the Address in reply, at a single sitting.

The Address was moved hy the Duke of Montros , and seconded by Baron Cranworth. The latter rescribed the extension of votes to young women as wise and statesmanlike.

Lord Haldane attributed the cryptic nature of the King’s Speech to the approach of the General Election. He and Lords Fiizalan and Younget all condemned the omission of reference to reform of the Hous of Lords.

Earl Beauchamp demanded that the Franchise Bill should include electoral reform, to prevent a repetition of minority Governments, like the present. He was disappointed that the Government had taken up the position of being a drag upon the activities of the League of Nations.

Lord Salisbury, replying, said the Government favoured arbitration to ths utmost length to which it could carry the Dominions, and the British Government’s support. The Government would keep its pledge, ami deal with the reform of the Lords in the present Parliament.

L.G. TO MOVE AMENDMENT. LONDON, February . I The Liberals decided that Mr Lloyd George shall move an amendment, regretting the King’s Speech does not include any indication that the Government appreciated the hardships of so-

eial and industrial life, nor contemplate amelioration by measures for the development of national resources, a provision of work for the unemployed, or a solution of the slum problem.

HOWDY COMMUNISTS. CREATE SCENE AT LABOUR (Received February 8, at 11 p.m.) LONDON, February 7. A group of Communists, flourishing a re 3 flag in the gallery, created scenes in the Albert Hall last evening, when Mr. Ramsey MacDonald addressed a Labour rally on the King’s speech. Eventually the interrupters Were rejected after a free fight . with jThe stewards for a considerable time.