BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19866, 9 February 1928, Page 9

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

OPENING OF SESSION.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

RELATIONS WITH POWERS.

SITUATION IN FAR EAST.

NEW MEASURES PENDING

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received February 8.-J5.5 p.m.) 'A. and N.Z.-Sun. LONDON, Feb. 7. The State opening of Parliament took place to-day. The customary public enthusiasm greeted the procession of King George from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords. Queen Mary watched His Majesty's departure from a window. The King, in his speech af, the openinrj ceremony, said:—"Our relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly. It. is the constant effort of my Government, with the co-operation of the League of Nat ions, to secure a settlement of international differences and promote the

cause of peace. "I have invited the King of Afghanistan to visit me in March and I look forward to welcoming His Majesty. It will be a particular pleasure to receive His Majesty on his first visit to Europe. "The position in China has so far improved as to peimit large reductions to be made in our naval and military forces sent out to protect British and Indian subjects and our concessions, but internal disturbances and civil wars, with the consequent insecurity of life and property, both Chinese and foreign, still cause anxiety. Improvement in Home Industries. "In spite of these discouraging circumstances, my Government will adhere to its declaration of policy made a year ago as the basis on which it is prepared to meet Chinese aspirations when the Chinese can assure the satisfactory protection of British lives and property.

"The United States Government, on December 29, communicated with our Ambassador at Washington as a basis of negotiation for the draft of a new treaty of arbitration to replace the treaty of arbitration of 1908. This draft is being carefully and sympathetically studied by my Government. It will be considered in communication with the Governments Of my Dominions. "Although the conditions in some of our principal industries continue to cause serious anxiety, I am glad to observe many encouraging signs of progressive improvement, both in tho home and the external trade, which justify the hope that, with co-operation and goodwill, steady progress will be made in tho coming year. My Ministers are now inquiring into the possibility of relieving industry and agriculture of the burdens of local rates and the changes in local government involved by them. Proposals will be submitted to amend the Parliamentary and local, government franchise. Measures Will also be presented relative to the national health, insurance and increasing credit facilities for agriculturists." Address-in-Reply Debate. Colonel A. Lambert Ward, Conservative member for Kingston-upon-Hull, N.W., moved the Address-in-Reply to the King's speech. He aroused laughter by stating that the results of general elections had always been on the knees of the gods, but that the extension of the suffrage would mean that they would be transferred to the laps of the "goddesses." Colonel Ward's speech included pleasantly-phrased references to the Speaker's chair at Canberra, which, he said, would serve as a bond of union between tho Parliaments of Britain find the Commonwealth. He trusted all the proceedings at Canberra would be characterised by the courtesy which was traditional in the Mother of Parliaments. Tho visit of tho Duks and Dncliess of iTork had given great satisfaction in Australia and in New Zealand. The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, said this was the most meagre King's speech he had ever heard. The Government evidently thought the session was going to be a long holiday. Well, the Labour Party would see about that. He said he welcomed the references in the speech to China. It was most gratifying to know that the British troops wero being withdrawn. All sections of China should be made aware that Britain hoped to co-operate with that self-governing Nationalist State in the most friendly way. Mr. MacDoriald asked why the Factories Bill was omitted from the speech, also references to the Washington Convention. Moreover, there was not a word about tho coal industry. The victory which he said had been secured for the coalmine owners by the Prime Minister was being used by the owners to enable them to be the owners of the men. The iron that was entering the sonls of the miners was nof, the iron of poverty, but the iron of human degradation. The Labour leader said he hoped the negotiations which were now proceeding for » renewal of the treaty of arbitration with the United States might be broadened out Bo that the issues raised at Geneva might again be considered with a view to arriving fit a complete settlement. j Speech by Leader of Liberals.

The Leader of the Liberal Party, Jlr. Lloyd George, also welcomed the paragraph in the King's speech regarding China. Ho said he was very glad the Foreign Secretary and the Government had coma to the conclusion that things had improved to such an extent that it would bo possible to withdraw quite a large number of troops from China. He wished it had been possible to say things had improved to such an extent • that all the troops could be withdrawn, but it was quite clear that such a happy state of affairs had not, yet been reached. He reminded the House that he had throughout supported the Government's policy in China.

Mr. George expressed satisfaction at the fact that not merely had the Government fcnd the Foreign Secretary adhered to the Important declaration which Sir Austen Chamberlain made a year ago regarding the intentions of the Government as to China, but that, in spite of the difficulties tvhich had since been encountered, they had come to the conclusion that they saw bo reason for departing from that exceedingly wise policy. He called attention to Ihe great difficulty which existed in China, Remarking that there wo-s no Government

there which could be depended upon to exist beyond a few weeks. This made the task of any foreign Government in regard to negotiations very difficult. He dwelt on the favourable effect abroad which, he said, would be created by the policy of the Government in adhering to the declara" tion made a year ago. Dealing with the proposed new treaty of arbitration with the United States, Mr. George asked whether it would include every subject of dispute. He said the failure of the Geneva conference on the limitation of naval arms had been most disastrous, and had made it more necessary that some treaty of this kind should be entered upon between the two Governments, which would exclude even a possibility of war, and exclude even a discussion regarding war between the two countries. ' If that were done there would be an end to discussions of rival armaments and a new temper would be brought about which would achieve very great results. He emphasised the importance of fostering a spirit of goodwill, co-operation and partnership in foreign affairs between this country and the United States. China Policy Endorsed. The Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, said the paragraph in the King's speech relating to China was prepared on purpose that it might be read throughout the ■world in that prominent position. He was glad the endorsement which had been given to it, both by Mr. Mac Donald and Mr. Lloyd George, would make it a national policy, and that the whole world would recognise it as such. With regard to the American arbitration treaty, 1 his was a difficult and technical subject. The Foreign Secretary proposed to deal to-morrow afternoon with any point regarding foreign policy which might be raised in the course of the debate.

Referring to the Franchise Bill, Mr. Baldwin said it would enable newly enfranchised persons to vote at the next general election. Owing to the small amount of business, the Government had decided to close the session at the end of July and to begin the next session in October or November. It was impossible to deal with controversial matter like the Factory Bill before August. Amendments to be Moved. The Labour Party tabled an amendment to the Address-in-Reply expressing regret that no mention was made in the King's speech of measures to grapple with the pressing urgency of tho unemployment question, especially in the coal and other basic industries, and its menacing effects in many areas, where industrial enterprise was bein£ crippled and local government was breaking down. Several members of all parties welcomed the scheme for credits for farmers. Mr. C. D- Hardie, Labour member for Springburn, Glasgow, complained that reservists from China were not being reinstalled in employment. The House then adjourned. The Liberals have decided that Mr. Llovd George shall move an amendment expressing regret that the speech did not contain any indication that the Government appreciates the hardships of social and industrial life, or contemplates their amelioration by measures for the development of the national resources, the provision of work for the unemployed, or a solution of the slum problem.