THE KING’S SPEECH

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 February 1926, Page 9

THE KING’S SPEECH

\extra edition.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. PLEA FOR INDUSTRIAL PEACE FULL LEGISLATIVE PROG it A \l.\! E. liV CABLE- PRESS AriSOCIAIION—COPYRIGHT. Received Feb. 3,2 p.m. LONDON, i'eli. 2. Despite ii leaden sky, brightened by fftful sunshine, crowds lined: the route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and cheered their Majesties on the occasion ol' the opening or Parliament. The King’s Speech, referring to the visit of the Ambassadors from Constantinople to Angora with a view to settling definitely the Tmco-ltaq irontier question, says the British uoverument cordially reciproactes the (desire of the Turkish Government for a promotion of friendly Turco-British relations. The Anglo-Iraq Treaty will be submitted for approval without delay. A British Minister will, attend the Preparatory Committee on {Disarmament at Geneva, which is a substantial stepDiorward in the right direction. A reduction of armaments should now be possMoc as a result of the system of security created by the Treaty of Locarno.

His Majesty rejoices that a friendly settlement has been reached on the difficult question of Italy’s war debt. Invitations are being issued to the Governments of Belgium, France, Germany and Day to attend a conference in London to consider the possibility in securing an effective international agieeimnt leguhitiiig hours of labour. Ministers have earnestly considered the increasing need for national economy, and proposals for reducing public expenditure are being formulated. Proposals will be submitted authorising guarantee |oans for development *u the British dependencies of East A Inca and in mandated territories. The improvement in trade at the end of 1924 was unfortunately checked early last year by widespread depression in coal-mining. Signs of revival have reappeared since the autumn, but growth of confidence is being arrested, by industrial strife. The result of the inquiry by the Co a! Commission '-ill shortly be submitted. “I am well aware of the difficulties inherent in the whole situation,” said the King, "but th e interests of the nation ar e paramount. I appeal to all parties to face the future in a spirit of conciliation and fellowship, and toj avoid action which will postpone the return of good trade and prosperity for which we hdve for so long hoped.” A Bil] to give effect to the Government’s proposals for the reorganisation of the electrical industry wi l shortly be introduced. The question of the provision of better credit facilities for agriculture is receiving specia] attention. A Bill will be submitted to provide in suitable cases for marking imported agricultural products and manufactured goods, so that they may be distinguished from .the products of this country, and Empire goods distinguished from those of foreign origin. Housing conditions in England and Wales are still an occasion for deep concern, hut Ministers are examining pro- < 'posals for an improvement of these conditions. V Bills will be submitted, if time ai d opportunity permit, dealing with national health insurance, unempoyment insurance, rating, railways, control of road vehicles, finance of the poor law in London, and the position and powers of Boards of Guardians. —Reuter. LABOUR'S CRITICISM. Air. dynes, in the absence of Air. Ramsay MacDonald, leader of the Labour Party, said the King’s speech would disappoint the country. Its only value lay in minor items. Economy was impossible with any retention of the military spirit. From 1922 to 1926 we had spent £452,000.000 on armaments, or three times more than on education. The Ministry had deprived more of the unemployment benefits than it had found work for under relief schemes. He hoped the phrase "nations interests paramount'’ did not mean that miners interests should take second place. A DRAB SCENE PRINCE OF WALES ABSENT. SIR A MONIES RECEPTION. BY CABLE PR KBS ASSOCIATION - -COPYRIGIII (Received Feb. 3, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 2. Except for the ermine cloaks of the peers the opening of Parliament was drab by comparison with precious years. The King wore a field-marshal’s uniform, and the Queen black velvet. There was a full attendance of the diplomatic corps, in which the Republican representatives outshone the rest in brillaint uniforms and glittering jewels. Owing to his hunting injury the Prince of Wales was not pres—w'After lunch Sir Alfred Alond sat on ifae Ministerial side, amid uproarous ironical Labour cheers and cries of "another one gone.” The King’s reference to the coal crisis was echoed hy Colonel Hurst in moving the Address-in-Reply. He alluded to the need for conciliation and goodwill, and said that a new spirit had been breathed into England largely as a result of Air Baldwin’s plea for n better spirit.—A. and N.Z. Assn.

ADDRESS-! N-11 EiPLY

ADOPTED BY HOUSE OF LORDS

Received Feb. 3, 2.30 p.m. LONDON. Feb. 2

The House of Lords adopted the Addresis-I n-Reply after a. lew mild criticisms bv f/ord Haldane concerning, particularly tlm unsatistactoi-y Italian debt, settlement, and absence' of the House- of Lords Reform scheme from the programme. lord Lincolnshire introduced a Bill seeking to ensure a- minimum wage for agricultural labourers. —A us.-N.Z. Cable Awn.