PARLIAMENT REOPENED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15249, 12 March 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENT REOPENED.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE 1 "• J ' / ".■'■■■ v " " DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE. ; NEW ZEALAND'S LOYALTY. WORK OF THE SESSION. HOME RULE AND WELSH CHURCH BILL. FRANCHISE REFORM. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright (BeceiYed Mar oh 11, 10.10 p.m.) London, March 11. Parliament was opened yesterday by the King in State, the ceremony being a brilliant one. Although the day was wet there was a large crowd of spectators. For the first time since his accession His Majesty entered the House of Lords wearing a crown, while the I Queen also wore a small crown set with diamonds. , ? ; ir r J The King in the Speech from the " Throne said that the recent ex- : changes of views between the \ colonies and the Imperial Government on naval defence would pro- . mote the Empire's solidarity. > The discussion on the , proposed gift of battleships by Canada, which had taken .place in the Canadian Parliament, had testified to the Empire's desire to maintain common safety. The* Speech welcomed the visit of the Hon. Jas. Allen (New Zealand . Minister for Defence), and alluded to the Dominion's ready consent to the retention of the battleship cruiser New Zealand in the North Sea, and to the steady progress towards the establishment of ah Australian Navy. The principal legislation this session, it was stated, would be Home ( Rule for Ireland, disestablishment . of the Church iii Wales, and Bills jfco secure the completion of land puri chase in Ireland, the establishment ) of a national system of education, * and the abolition of plural voting. It was also announced that the I Exchequer was guaranteeing a loan r to ' develop cotton-growing in the i Soudan. NO BIG EDUCATION BILL. POLICY TO BE REVEALED. (Received March 12. 12.50 a.m.) , . London, March 11. In the House of . Lords yesterday Lord Crewe (leader of the Government) stated that the Government did not intend to force a vast education measure this "session, But- 3rould place the country in possession of ] its , .< • ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE PROSPECTS OF PEACE. 8 ' ~ FRIENDSHIP WITH GERMANY. SOLIDARITY OF THE fiMPIEE. ' REFORM OF THE LORDS. (Received March 11, 10.10 p.m.) London, March 11. t The Prime Minister (Mr. AsquithX in . opening ~ the debate . on . the Address-in-Reply in the House of Commons, said that he was hopeful r of peace, and added that while the "J Powers' groups remained unimpaired, relations between the groups j themselves were becoming increasingly cordial. This announcement a was received with cheers. a Speech by Mr. Bonar Law. Mr. Bonar Law (Leader of the - Opposition) challenged the statements as to the prosperity of Great - Britain. He admitted that trade had increased in 1912,- but the trade of Germany and America - had increased in greater proportion- While there was practically no emigration from Germany that from Great Britain had been heavy. Unemployment had, he said, also existed in a higher ratio here than in Germany. The world's increase of armaments, said Mr. Law, had one advan- * tage in that it conduced to the welding together of the different parts of' the Empire. He hoped that the e closer union would be" carried still l- further. •, Mr. Law laid emphasis on the « apparent fact that nobody was satisi* fied with the British land forces. He pointed out that the speech contained no reference to the question of the carrying out of the Parliament Act. The Balkan Situation. . Mr. Asquith claimed that the deliberations of the Ambassadors had resulted in an agreement, being reached in regard to the Balkan situation, and that it had secured a marked concord of the Powers. Great Britain, he said, had worked J in a single-minded spirit, and with a desire to work with Germany. That co-operation not only made the path of diplomacy pleasanter, but lie trusted and believed that it had inspired a mutual sense of confidence; which would continue between the two great nations. A tribute was paid by Mr. Asquith to the patience, resolution and saga- '' city displayed by Sir Edward Grey (Minister for Foreign Affairs), in [£ connection with the Ambassador's i Conference. 1 . a Unity of the Empire. n Mr. Asquith said that he concurred in Mr. Bonar Law's statement as to the effect on Imperial solidarity of the increase in .other countries' armir aments. It had consolidated the © feeling in all parts of the Eppire. J He said that we must act together [as a united bod* to nreaem *h»

mutual interest of the Motherland and the outlying parts of the Empire. Urgency of Upper House Reform. i The Prime Minister said that he fully recognised the urgency and importance of the question of the i reform of the House of Lords. The Soudan loan, he said, would be issued in instalments as required. He did not believe that it would involve any liability to the British taxpayer.

HOME lIULE QUESTION. « OPPOSITION AMENDMENT. THE UNREFORMED LORDS. i x London, March 11. Mr. Walter Long (ex-Chief Secretary for Ireland) gave notice of an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, to the effect that the House is of opinion that it is improper to proceed with Home Rule for Ireland or the disestablishment of the Church in Wales while the House of Lords is not reformed, and without reference to the electors. Mr. Wm. Redmond was present at the opening of Parliament, he having partially recovered from his recent accident. WHAT THE LORDS MAY DO. Under the provisions of the Parliament (Veto) Act the House o£ Lords may reject the Home Rule Bill in ,three successive sessions after the measure has been passed by the House of Commons. After the third .rejection the Bill may be presented to the* King and become law on the Royal Assent being given, notwithstanding that the Lords have* not agreed to the Bill. This provision is subject to the stipulation that not less than two years shall have elapsed from the date of the Bill first passing its second reading in the House of Commons and the date on which it passes that Chamber for the third time. The Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons in May last. The Lords thus have th) power to delay the passage of the Bill for about 14 months from the present' time. ■\ ' / OTHER AMENDMENTS. LABOUR'S GRIEVANCES. UNIONIST COMPLAINT. -NO TARIFF REFORM. (Received March 12. 12.50 a.m.) London, March 11. The Labour Party has given notice of an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, regretting the omission from the King's Speech of legislation to secure a minimum living wage, or the nationalisation of lands, railways, mines, and other monopolies. Mr. W. A. S. Hewins (Unionist member for Hereford) will move an amendment expressing regret that Measures are not being taken to carry out the principle of Imperial co-operation as expressed at successive Imperial conferences, especially in regard to the question of granting trade preference.