BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 11

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

OPENING BY THE KING.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

FOREIGN RELATIONS POLICY. DOMESTIC MEASURES OUTLINED. % Australian PreHs Association —United bcrvico LONDON. Nov. 6. The King opened Parliament to day. Prior to tlio historic ceremony Yeomen of the Guards, carrying candles and lanterns, searched the labyrinth of cellars for a possible Guy Fawkes. A great crowd of people in Pall Mall and at Westminster greeted the King. A heavy fog interfered with the military display, but fortunately it began to lift before Their Majesties left Buckingham Palace. Therefore Londoners were not deprived of the spectacle of the five carnages of State, each drawn by four bay horses, escorted by Lifo Guards. Peers robed in scarlet and ermine, and peeresses wearing tiaras gathered in the gilded Upper Chamber. 'lho Duke of York took his seat on the front bench immediately below the throne. Jhe gaiety of the scene in the House of Lords was enhanced by the uniforms of the Ambassadors and of several Indian Princes and their wives in the galler-

The Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald. entered the Chamber just before the Royal procession. King's Speech Ifrom Throne,

The King's Speech expressed great satisfaction at the signing of the Kellogg Pact for the renunciation of war, at Paris, on August 27. It said:— "In pursuance of its fixed policy the Government has continued lo accord full support to the League of Nations and to co-operate with all its current activities. It has particularly sought fully to discharge its obligations under Article 8 of the Covenant of the League by reducing its armed forces to the lowest point consistent with national safety, and by assisting the. League to formulate plans for a general reduction of armaments.

"Agreement lias been reached with the Governments of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Japan for the opening of negotiations with a view to settling definitely the problems of reparation. 11 has also lieen recognised that negotiations should be held in regard to the German Government's request for the evacuation of the Rhineland." Relations With. Japan and China. Referring to the coronation of the Emperor of Japan His Majesty took the opportunity of wishing His Imperial Majesty a long and glorious reign. The Speech went on to say the historic friendship between Britain and Japan had always been a potent factor for the maintenance of peace in the Far Last. His Majesty welcomed tho efforts of China to establish central government and to cope with the forces of disorder. The Speech said the King regarded (he progress of these endeavours as of the highest importance, not only for the safety and prosperity of his subjects resident, in China, but for the peace of the world Home Industries and Mining. Turning to home affairs the Speech said:—"The Estimates for the services in the coming year are being prepared with strict attention to the continuing need for economy in public expenditure, and in anticipation of a general scheme for relieving agriculture and productive industry from tho burden of rates. "Parliament will be asked to make provision to enable the railway companies to lower their charges on important traflic concerning the agricultural, coal, iron and. steel industries. "The situation in the mining areas continues to engage the earnest attention of rnv Ministers, who are taking energetic steps to promote the success of the scheme of industrial transference and migrat ion. "The abnormal expenditure from the unemployment fund entailed by the displacement. of labour from the mines will necessitate) an increase of borrowing powers, and a bill dealing with this question will be submitted to the House of Commons. Rates and Local Government. "Measures will also be presented to the House to carry out a scheme to reform the rating system on a more equitable basis, for tho reorganisation of local government, and for the readjustment of financial relations between the State and local authorities."

His Majesty said lie trusted that the relief from the burden of rates under tho scheme might benefit agriculture, and lead to greater employment in industry generally, and particularly in the basic trades, the. condition of which still caused concern.

The King emphasised the importance of tlio proposed changes in local government, and tlie relations between the Exchequer and local authorities. These, his Ministers anticipated, would promote efficiency and economy in local government, and enable better provision to be made for (ho health of the people, and would afford direct assistance particularly to those areas whose needs are most pressing.

Tim Speech foreshadowed bills to extend tho export and credits guarantee scheme for a further period to authorise the appointment of two additional members of the Judicial Committee of the I'rivy Council, one additional Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, and to assist agriculturists in Scotland to obtain credits.