KING’S SPEECH

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 4 July 1929, Page 5

KING’S SPEECH

LEGISLATION INDICATED HOME MATTERS DISCUSSED. FRANCHISE PROBLEMS. 1 .I'jiibtfij rrt-enj —Uj t* itcinc l^iegiain Australian i Toe .-t.-vxAJialio:*.; LONDON, July 2. “Bills are to be -submitted amending and consolidating the existing factory legislation and giving effect to the obligations entered into at Washington in 1919,” stated the Speech from the Throne at the -opening of Parliament to-day. It continued: “My Ministers propose to introduce legislation to promote an extensive policy of slum clearance and to make further provision for housing in urban and rural areas. “My Ministers have decided that the time has come to investigate the whole held of legislation relating to , the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor and, on their recommendation, I propose shortly to appoint commissioners for this purpose. “My Ministers *ne engaged in a general -survey of the various national insurance pensions schemes. Meanwhile a Bill is being prepared to amend the Widows’, Orphans’ and Old Age Pensions Act- (1925), so as to modify the conditions applicable to certain pensions and to make -some increase in the classes of person? entitled thereto. “A measure will be introduced to remedy the situation created by the Trades Disputes Trade Unions Act (1927). “The extended franchise at the recent general election has placed in the hands of the whole of my people of adult years the grave responsibility of guarding the well-being of the nation as a constitutional and democratic country- My Government proposes to j Institute an examination of the experiences of the election in order that the working of the law relating to Parliamentary elections may be brought into conformity t, with new conditions.”

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

LONDON, July 2. The newspapers discuss the- King’s Speech restrainedly. The “Daily Herald” -says the programme- represents -nothing more than the beginning of a, vast rebuilding task, but it is a good beginning when all the circumstances are taken into account. There is much work ahead in the nature of navvving and clearing the wreckage from Tory and Liberal ad minis tr a t ions.

The- “Daily Telegraph” -says Mr MacDonald is bent on remaining in office rather than on advancing Socialism. Most of the proposals in the King’s Speech, -so far as principle is concerned, may well receive a general measure of Conservative -and Liberal support. “The Times” says the speech will be the base of little contention, and will disappoint onlv those zealots who would prefer the Labour Party, had broadened its phylacteries rather than its faith. The authors- have evidently been at pains to respect- the verdict and intentions of the electorate and to acknowledge the composition of the new House. AMENDMENTS TO ADDRESS-TN-REPLY. fAustrali.au Press Association—United Service.) Received 10.25 a.m. to-dav. LONDON, July 4. The Conservatives have tabled an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, regretting that there was no mention of an immediate extension of safeguarding. which was the most effective means of solving unemployment, as proved hr the beneficial results to industries already safeguarded.

Mr Lambert has tabled an amendment to the effect that, owing to the construction of the Singapore base flouting the Kellogg pact, the construction should cease.