BRITAIN'S MONARCH

Northern Advocate, 31 October 1936, Page 7

BRITAIN'S MONARCH

SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT

NATIONS PROBLEMS REVIEWED

SPANISH CRISIS MENTIONED.

iUnited Press Association.-—By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .] (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 30. The King’s Speech on the prorogation of Parliament was read in the House of Lords. It stated: — “I am addressing you for the first time as your Sovereign. I desire, before all, to express once more my deep appreciation Of the sympathy Which was extended to me and- my dear mother from every part of my Dominions. “I Was profoundly touched by the universal expression of affection and respect with which my beloved father was regarded, and I am wcll assured that the memory of~his life of devotion and service will live long in the hearts of his people. “I have viewed with concern and anxiety the events in Spain in the pastthreemohths. My Government has spared no pains to promote and encourage humanitarian efforts to mitigate the sufferings of the Spanish people. My navy acted In accordance with its high traditions in. relieving distress. “It has been the consistent policy of my Government to attempt to localise the unhappy struggle, and, with this end, they seconded the French initiative for a non-inter-vention . agreement, and energetically co-operate in its negotiation and application. . “My Ministers were glad to be able, in conjunction with the Government of the United States, to lend co-operation to a scheme of readjustment of the value of French currency, and . I trust the measures taken recently by the French: and other. Governments will pave the way for further, improvements of international trade.”

After the usual expression of thanks for the provision made for public services, and for the arrangements made for the maintenance, honour and dignity of the Crown, the speech proceeded to domestic matters, including the pursuance of measures essential for improving the defence forces. Gratification is expressed at the further marked increases in trade, that unployment is diminishing and that employment during the year reached the highest level ever recorded. On the subject of the development of . national health services,- good progress had been made with the replacement of slums, and surveys of Overcrowding and provision of new housing accommodation are noted.