BRITISH POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18330, 12 February 1920, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE KING'S SPEECH. LEGISLATION OUTLINED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z, Cable Association and Renter. (Received February 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. The King, in his speech at the opening of Parliament, after allusion to the peace ratifications, emphasised the excellent relations existing with all the Allies and the necessity for the restoration not only of peace but also of normal economic conditions in Eastern Europe and Russia. Referring to the approaching visit of the Prince of Wales to the Dominions the King announced his assent to the proposal that the Prince should visit Australia and New Zealand, adding: "The Prince of Wales will take the opportunity on the return voyage of seeing some of our West Indian possessions He will, I feel confident, received a cordial welcome everywhere, both from his old comrades in. arms and all classes ot the community. Referring to the economio situation his Majesty stressed the fact that if lasting progress and social peace were to be ensured all classes must continue to throw themselves into the work of reconstruction with goodwill for others, with energy and patience, and legislation providing large and far-reaching measures of reform must be passed. His Majesty proceeded to outline legislation to be introduced, including Bills dealing with Ireland, Irish education, coal industries with State acquisition of coal royalties for the purpose of improving conditions in mining areas, regulation of the sale of liquor, development of fisheries, organisation of territories, unemployment insurance, regulation of hours, minimum wages, and anti-dumping. The Kine also alluded to reform of the House or Lords. Dealing with agriculture the speech rta + es that the United Kingdom was still dangerously dependent for food supplies from overseas. His Majesty said that adverse exchange was making the financial burden very great, and added uneasiness also was caused by the unprecedented sale of landed property since the war. Measures were accordingly proposed to mitigate any hardship which this operation might cause occupiers and to stimulate production of essential foodstuffs within the United Kingdom. LABOUR AND IRISH PROBLEMSAustralian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 11, 10.2 Q p.m.) LONDON, February 10. Mr Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, indicated that he would deal with several important subjects at a later stage. Referring to the housing problem 'he pointed out that the chief difficulty was due to the refusal of trade unions to suspend their regulations despite the fact that 850,000 demobilised soldiers were anxious and sufficiently skilled to provide labour, That was a question for the Labour Party. As regards Ireland, he challenged an earlier speaker, Mr W. Adamson, to say if he was prepared to grant a republic if the Irish demanded it, otherwise his proposal of self-determination was dishonest. Ought Ulster to be compelled to come under a parliament for the whole of Ireland P Referring to cowardly, despicable murders and assassinations he asked: "Were we to withdraw the troops and all protection and leave assassins in charge P" (Cheers.) COST OF LIVING. The real explanation of dear living was not duo to profiteering but devaluation of money. This existed the world over. We now were paying over six shillings in the pound in America for all purchases. The only remedy was increased production. In reference to economy he was glad to say that the forthcoming budget would more than balance. SITUATION IN RUSSIA. The only British forces remaining in Russia wero at Batum, from which they were rapidly withdrawing to Constantinople, where they were needed. He agreed that Europe could not be restored without putting the Russian resources into circulation. Every democracy in the world would like to see that done under any but a Bolshevik regime, whose horrors shocked mankind. Russia must be restored under an anti-Bolshe-vik regime, but it was perfectly clear that Bolshevism was not crushahle by force of nrm3. The warring factors in Russia declared that they recognised that when so advised. Last year the volunteer army during the occupation of large tracts in South Russia unquestionably managed to alienate the population. The Bolsheviks during their readvanee profited by past ex-1 perience and avoided doing so to the same extent. He dwelt on the difficulties of the attempt to create a ring of fire which should advance and crush out Bolshevism, owing to the unlikelihood of all border States participating. There waa additional difficulty in lack of funds, which neither France, America, Italy nor Britain would undertake to furnish. THE PAISLEY SEAT. CLOSE CONTEST EXPECTED. (Received February 12, 1245 a.m.) LONDON, February 9. Intense public interest is being displayed in the Paisley campaign. The newspapers are devoting much space to daily reports and prospects from special correspondents on the spot. It generally is agreed that the polling on Thursday will result in a close run between Mr Asquith and Mr Biggar, although Mr MacKoan. despite the fact that ho is over seventy years old is putting up a spirited fight. It is believed in some quarters that Mr Bonar 'Law's letter approving of Mr Mac Kean is an embarrassment. It is emphasised that ho has the support only of the Unionist side of the Coalition. Mi; BiSgar is confident of winning, and he has been promised the entire co-operation and votes of sixteen thousand Irish, but correspondents doubt if they will vote solidly. Although supported by advanced Socialists Mr Biggar stands on a moderate platform. Lord Robert Cecil, in a letter to Mi Asquith, said he hoped that he would be successful at Paisley, as his services were needed in the House of Common!*. International problems were becoming increasingly menacing and complicated and required tho best brains of the country for their solution.