THE KING'S SPEECH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 11

THE KING'S SPEECH

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT TIME-HONOURED PAGEANTRY A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 26. It was a beautifully sunny morning when the King, accompanied by the Queen, opened the first Parliament of his reign. The occasion attracted the biggest crowds ever known for a State opening. Their Majesties acknowledged the greetings of the multitudes en route to the House of Lords from Buckingham Palace as they rode in the glass and gold State coach drawn by eight Windsor greys. Yeoman of the Guard, in their picturesque costumes, marched beside the coach. Three mounted equerries were in attendance, together with the Sovereign's escort of Horse Guards. Five semi-State landaus accompanied the royal coach, carrying the ladies and gentlemen of the royal household. The time-honoured pageantry was observed on arrival at the House of Lords. The Prime Minister was unable to be present owing to an attack of gout. His place in the House of Commons to-night will be taken by Sir John Simon. The House of Lords was a brilliant spectacle, with the peeresses in fur coats over evening dresses and wearing glittering tiaras. Princess Elizabeth was the first to make obeisance to his Majestyt. Princess Margaret accompanied Princess Elizabeth. Both were hatless and attired in rose pink coats. The King read the speech from the Throne slowly, without hesitation and with only one or two pauses. SPAIN AND THE FAR EAST BRITAIN'S EFFORTS FOR PEACE LONDON, Oct. 26. In his speech from the Throne the King said: "Our relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly. I have invited the King of the Belgians to visit me in November and the King of Rumania in the spring of 1938. " My Ministers have followed with growing concern the continuance of the conflict in Spain. It is their aim to do everything possible to assist towards the restoration of peace among the Spanish people, and they believe that the strict application of non-intervention will materially contribute to this end. " The position in the Far East will continue to engage the earnest attention of the Government, which will persist with the policy of attempting, in co-operation with other Governments, whether members of the League or not, to mitigate the suffering caused by the conflict and bring it to a conclusion. " I am looking forward to the time when it will be possible to visit my Indian Empire." His Majesty notes that expansion of the defence forces is progressing rapidly, and rejoices to know that the outlook for trade and industry remains favourable. The Government will continue to encourage industrial activity at Home and to develop overseas trade. The speech foreshadows legislation dealing with protection against air raids, coal royalties, distribution of electricity, milk, fish, earlier pensions for the blind, study of the population problem, and the apaDpointment of more divorce judges, slum clearance, rural housing, and a variety of other matters. HOUSE OF COMMONS BUSINESS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 26. Announcing the probable course of business in the House of Commons, Sir John Simon said the debate on the Address-in-Reply would occupy the remainder of the week and would be concluded early next week. Dealing with Government Bills. Sir John Simon mentioned, first, the Coal Mines Bill, which would be a complicated measure and with which the Government hoped to make substantial progress before the Christmas adjournment Other Bills most likely to be introduced soon would be the Kinematograph Films Bill, the Sea Fisheries Bill, the Blind Persons Pensions Bill, the National Health Insurance Bill, the Air Raid Precautions Bill, a Bill for appointing additional judges, the Rural Housing Bill for Scotland, and the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill. These, said Sir John Simon, might be regarded as the first batch Replying to an inquiry in a speech by Mr C. R. Attlee regarding the King's proposed visit to India, Sir John Simon said: " His Majesty's desire to make this very important visit is well understood, and we have no doubt the time chosen will be one that will be found to be best."

THE ECONOMIC POSITION RECENT IMPROVEMENT LONDON, Oct. 26. Speaking after Mr Attlee during the debate in the House of Commons, Sir John Simon took up the reference by Mr Attlee to the trade cycle and the danger of a slump. He said the improvement in the economic position in the country during the last fiye or six years had continued during the present year, and he did not think there was any possible indication that it was going to be arrested In each quarter of th» present year British overseas trade had shown all-round expansion compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The imports and domestic exports had increased, not only in value, but ir volume Industrial production had continued to rise Sir John Simon stated that the latest index number worked out for the second quarter this year was the highest index for industrial production yet recorded for any quarter At the same time, there had been no halt in the expansion of the retail trade. After considering certain less satisfactory pointers, such as a temporary- decrease in building plans. Sir John Simon concluded that on a fair view there was,no ground whatever for assuming that trade was likely to suffer an early decline.

A LABOUR AMENDMENT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 26. The following amendment to the Address-in-Reply will be moved by Mr Herbert Morrison, on behalf of the Labour Party:—" But regret that your Majesty's advisers, by their weak and vacillating policy in foreign affairs, which gravely imperilled the prospects of lasting peace and national security, betrayed the principles of the League of Nations, and seriously diminished British influence, and by their lack of any constructive fundamental preparations for raising the standard of living upon a just and enduring basis have forfeited the confidence of this House." LABOUR VIEW OF SPEECH LONDON, Oct. 26. (Received Oct. 27, at 10 p.m.) Mr Attlee said the King's Speech indicated no attempt whatever at settlement of the international situation. He criticised the Government's attitude to Spain and China, and would like to see some reference to the sanctity of treaties and the need of establishing law and order. A startling thing in the speech was the complete omission of any reference to unemployment in distressed areas. Therefore the Opposition would submit an amendment pointing out serious omissions and failure to face problems of peace and the establishment of sound economic conditions. Sir Archibald Sinclair said one of the most extraordinary omissions from the speech was the absence of any mention of the League of Nations as the basis of the Government's policy, although this was to the forefront in the last two King's Speeches. The supporters of collective security would not fail to draw their own conclusions. He hoped the Brussels conference would result in peace, but what peace? Was the Government going to help China in her extremity or was there to be a farce like Abyssinia, another fait accompli encouraging aggression throughout the world. A SIGNIFICANT OMISSION LONDON, Oct. 27. (Received Oct. 28, at 1 a.m.) The Daily Herald alone draws attention to comments on the fact that for the first time since the National Government was formed in 1931, the King's Speech at the opening of Parliament on Tuesday included no specific statement that the Government's foreign policy would be based on the League. The King's Speech, the Herald points out, is accented as indicating the policy of the Government, and there was widespread concern when the significant omission was realised.