OPENING OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, 8 February 1917, Page 5

OPENING OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT

TELE KING'S .SPEECH. t vustralian and N'.Z Cable Association.^ '(Rec. Fob. 8, 1.5 p.m.} J LONT>ON, Feb. 7. , For the third time in siiccession I summon you t& your deliberations in the midst of Certain.' overtures, of you are aware,' hqve been, made 'by th? enemy with a view tq opening' peace , negotiations. Their tenor, however, in- ' dieatedi no possible "basis of peace. My ' people, throughput the Empire, and mv ' faithful and heroic Allies remain stead- ' fastly and unanimously resolved; to secure just for Reparation and restoration in respect to the. past, and guarantees for the future, which we '"re'gard essential to the progress of civilisation In,response ,t6 the invitation of the of the United, States we outlined as far as possible at present the«> general objects necessarily implied „by these aims'. Threats of further outrages upon the public law and common rights pf humanity but serve to steel deter; mination. During the winter months my Navy has maintained' unchallenged the ceaseless watch of the seas' and rigorously enforced the "blockade against the enemy. My armies have conducted .successful operations' not only in EiiropeJ but in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and/East Africa. They are fully, prepared ( to renew the great struggle in close l a*n>d cordial co-operation my Allies, 'on oyery field. I trust our, united efforts will cairy, the successes already -won to ft" conclusion. » \ \ . I invited representatives of the dominions an 3 the Indian Empire, -which have 'borne so glorious a share in -the, 1 struggle, to corffer with my Ministfifcs on: important of common infer-' est relating to the Tvir. I trust this step> will conduce to the n eHta'blishment _\o£ closei-Hjrelations with all parts of 'the Em* pire. The accomplishment of the taeft ut hereto'Ji, have set mv hand, entails unsparing demands, on the .energies, and resources, of all my I am Assured, however, that the people r will respopdi.tb every call necessary for the success, qf the cause, with the same indomitable, ardour njid ilevqtion that has filled', me with pride and gratitude the wan began. Therefore I confidently commend ,io your patriotism iheasruires which wilt he laid before you, and pT«y that the Almighty may bless your counsels. , * ', . ."