HOME POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18720, 25 November 1922, Page 7

HOME POLITICS

OPENING OE PARLIAMENT. A BRILLIANT PAGEANT. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, November 23. The King, accompanied by the Queen, the Prince of Wales; and the Duke of York, opened Parliament. Their progress through the streets was cheered by large crowds. Special accommodation was provided for a party of dominion school teachers. The Speech from the Throne referred to the Constitution of the Irish Free State Agreement Act and to the fact that under the terms of that Act it was required that the Constitution should come into force on December 6. “I have summoned you,” said his Majesty, ‘To meet in order that the legislation which is necessary to give effect to that Constitution and to make provision for the establishment of the Irish I'vee State may at once be submitted for your approval." His Majesty continued: “Trade unemployment continues to cause deep concern. The ameliorative measures which were prepared by tire late Government are being examined afresh. Yon will be asked to make provision for their continuance and extension, and to guarantee a loan in accordance with the scheme of the League of Nations for the restoration of Austria. Negotiations for a settlement of the difficulties in the Near East are proceeding. It is my hope that the efforts of my Ministers, acting in whole-hearted cooperation with the representatives of our Allies, may result in the re-establishment of pfeace and the restoration of security for the inhabitants of the regions which lately have been the scene of much suffering-” A note of earnestness was evident m tire King’s voice when he referred to the concern which he felt over unemployment. The scarlet robes of an unusually largo assembly of peers, the blaze of jewels worn by the peeresses, and the varied ambassadorial uniforms combined to create a brilliant pageant. The judges, wigged and gowned, occupied tire cross benches, and diplomatic, representatives, including Sir Joseph Cook and Sir James Allen, those on the right of the Throne. These are usually reserved for the bishops. The Prince of Wales stood on the right of;the Throne, and the Duke of York sat at the head of the ducal bench. Lord Novar was a conspicuous figure among the viscounts. Mr Lloyd George and Mr Asquith were notable absentees. Mr’ Bonar Law,_ Mr Ramsay Macdonald, and Sir John Simon headed the Commoners’ procession to the House of Lords.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ADDRES S-IN -REPLY. UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTION LABOUR’S DISSATISFACTION. LONDON, November 23. The House of Commons resumed after a brief adjournment. Mr Asquith and five of his followers secured seats on ths front Opposition bench, the remainder of the seats being filled by labourites. At present it looks as if there will be a daily scramble f6r these seats. Mr Ramsay Macdonald insists that, as Labour is crucially recognised as the Opposition, it wilt refuse to be relegated to seats at the end bench'near the Speaker’s chair. These he has offered to the Liberals All parts of the House cordially cheered Mr Lloyd George on his arrival m the Chamber. n _ Mr Brass, member for Ghtheroe (Lancashire), and Mr Margesson, member for Upton (West Ham), seconded the Addressin referring to unemployment, said that the only hope of an improvement depended upon the establishment or a real peace in Europe. It was essential to our prosperity that Central Europe should be set on its feet. , Mr Margesson emphasised the tact mat. unemployment was the most pressing problem of the day. He said ho hoped that further investigation would be made with a view to securing better relations between Labour and Capital. , , Mr Ramsay Macdonald said that the references in the Address to this subject i were profoundly unsatisfactory to the Labour Party. There was no sense of proportion and no real appreciation of the terrible tragedy. He could not uromise the Prime Minister tranquility. Ihe Labour Party would do its best to state its case.—A. and N.Z. Cable. mouse of lords. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY CARRIED. LONDON, November 23. (Received Nov. 24, at 8.5 p.m.) In the House of Lords, Lord Erskine moved the Addrpss-in-Reply. Speaking as one who opposed the late Government s Irish policy, he hoped that the Government would not allow the present condition of Ireland to go on indefinitely, but that if, after an adequate interval, the Irish failed to repress murders and outrages, the Government would take the mattgr in hand firmly and re-establish law and "order. He expressed scympathy with the unemployed. He hoped they would not be led astray bv extremists. Viscount Grev said the situation in t.ie Near East was menacing. The only chance of getting through was by the Allies presenting a united front. ilie Government should go carefully into what commitments the Coalition Government had entered into with regard to Mesopotamia. It was only by strengthening the League of Nations they could produce a feeling of security, enabling a reduction of expenditure on armaments. Viscount Grey said the future of Ireland was dark. He saw no hope but .that Britain must abide by the treaties and leave Ireland to work out her own future. He feared the British people did not realise the present gravity of foreign affairs. He was not sure whether wo had not already reached the point where Turkey, Russia, and Germany were combining. ino future of Britain depended enormously upon the manner iu which the Government carried out its responsibilities m reference to the unemployed. Lord Birkenhead, referring to the Labour election successes, said the efforts of . all sane politicians ought to be directed a "ain't those who wanted to' pull down the prop and pillar upon which mir rivdi,ation depended. That required all the resources of the new Government, wuor.e main aims and hopes he intended to supP °The Adcjro-s-in-Reply was carried.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

FRONT OPPOSITION BENCH. A SCRAMBLE FOR SEATS. LABOUR MEMBERS’ THREAT. LONDON, November 23. A piquant dispute between the Labour Party and the Independent Liberals continues as a result of Labour persisting m it,-, demand to occupy the whole of the front Opposition bench and all_ the seats above the gangway. The Asquithites decline to consent to these demands, and the Speaker refused to intervene in support of Labour. There is also a dispute regarding accommodation in the whips rooms, which Labour hitherto' has shared with the Independent Liberals, each bavin t a room. Labour is now determined to" oust the Asquithites, who have the sympathetic support of the National Liberals’ front bench. The quarrel has gone so far that the Labour members threaten permanently to occupy the front bench, so that there would be no room for Mr Asquith, Sir John Simon, and other Liberal ex Ministers and Privy Councillors who sit there. —A. and N.Z. Cable. NATIONAL LIBERALS. . MR LLOYD GEORGE’S POLICY APPROVED. LONDON, November 23. The Daily Chronicle says that a meetin”- of National liberal ex-Ministers, Mr Lloyd George presiding, generally approved of the policy announced in the exPrime Minister’s article. Most of the National Liberals agreed that the time was inopportune to play a party game. Mr Lloyd George is unlikely to speak during the present short session unless his Irish policy is attacked. —A. and N.Z. Cable. NATIONAL LIBERALS. MR LLOYD GEORGE ELECTED LEADER. 'LONDON, November 23. (Received Nov. 24, at 7.35 p.m.) The Independent Liberals elected •--* John Simon Sessional Chairman of the P mT Lloyd George addressed a private meeting of National Liberals, and was re-elected leader. —A. and N .Z. Cable.