ROYAL SPEECH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 304, 21 November 1934, Page 7

ROYAL SPEECH

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. MAINTENANCE OF PEACE. OTHER IMPORTANT TASKS. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received November 21, 8.55 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 20.

Fog marked the ceremonial opening of Parliament and, as a result, there was no carriage procession, the King going i;i a motor car from Buckingham Palace.

His Majesty, in the course of the Speech from the Throne said: — “The maintenance of world peace has not ceased to give my Government most anxious concern. They continue to make support of an extension of the authority of the League of Nations a cardinal point in their policy. They earnestly trust that the general work of the Disarmament Conference may be actively resumed in a political atmosphere favourable to the attainment of definite results. In the meantime, strenuous efforts will be made to secure international agreement on such matters as are capable of separate treatment.”

His Majesty made reference to the select committee’s report on Indian reform which was about to be laid before them. He prayed that they would approach their task of deciding the issues on the report with the single aim of furthering the well-being of the Empire. Although factors adverse to a full resumption of international trade still existed, His Majesty hoped the coming year would be marked by a continuance of the spirit of confidence . and enterprise which had enabled Britain to take the lead in world recovery.

Foreshadowing coming legislation, the King said the serious position of tramp shipping called for early treatment, and Parliament would be invited to consider measures providing for temporary assistance for this branch of industry. Other legislation would deal with overcrowding of slums, rehousing, assistance to distressed areas, and a declaration on Imperial airways and communications.

SCENES OF BRILLIANCE

HOMAGE BY CROWDS. (British Official Wireless.) Received November 21, 11.15 a.m. RUGBY, Nov. 20. Despite the foggy weather, a large crowd assembled in the neighbourhood of the Houses of Parliament and cordially greeted Their Majesties. In the House of Lords the scene lost none of its accustomed brilliance and the historic ceremonial was observed. The Prince of Wales was present and in addition to the peers a large number of the public attended to witness the ceremony. The Duke of Kent, by virtue of his recently conferred peerage, was present for the first time and sat near his brothers, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York. The King’s Speech took only a few minutes, after which Their Majesties, followed by their sons, left the Chamber. They were again loudly cheered as they drove back to Buckingham Palace.