BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1741, 17 February 1921, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

THE KING'S SPEECH. PROBLEMS CtF THE EMPIRE. [By Electric Cable —Copyright.) [Au3t. and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, February 15. In the King's Speech at the opening of Parliament he said he earnestly hoped the Allies Conferences in London would result in further progross towards giving effect to the treaties of peace, re-establishing concord in Europe and restoring tranquillity in the Near East. His Majesty said he also hoped that the negotiations for a trade agreement with Russia would be successful. He was glad that arrangements had been made to renew personal consultation between Ministers from overseas and their colleagues, which had produced good results in the last two years of the war and during the peace settlement. Pie was confident that the discussions would be.of the utmost value in bringing about co-ordination of both the external and internal policy of the Empire. The Estimates would reflect the Government's determination to reduce expenditure to the lowest level consistent with the Empire's well-being. It was imperative that the nation's burden be reduced to the utmost extent in the interests of the early revival of trade and industry.

The King added: "Arrangements for bringing into force the Government of Ireland Act are now well advanced, and I earnestly trust that the majority of the people will show determination to repudiate violence and work under the Act."

The most pressing problem .confronting Parliament was the unemployment consequent on the worldwide restriction of trade. This might be alleviated. bu£ it could not be >;ured by legislation. A Bill would be introduced extending the provision for the unemployed under the Employment Insurance Act. Another Act would deal with safeguarding essential key industries against certain aspects of unfair and abnormal industrial competition. It was proposed to follow the removal of the control of the homo prices of coal by the complete restoration of the coal industry to the normal condition of freedem.

The Speech foreshadowed a Bill to deal with the liquor traffic in the light of the experience gained during the war.

It is hoped to submit proposals for the reform of the House of Lords this session and the reorganisation of the railway's. Mr J. R. Clynes, on behalf of the Labour Party, has lodged an amendment to the Address, regretting that the King's Speech did ' not recognise the right of genuine unemployed to work or adequate maintena;*ce. Following the mover and seconder of the Address, Mr Asquith expressed satisfaction that the legislation foreshadowed covered a comparatively small area compared With the speeches in recent years. He welcomed the meetings of Allied Premiers and representatives of Germany and Turkey in London and desired to know the scope and purpose of the conference.