THE KING'S SPEECH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14836, 13 February 1919, Page 5

THE KING'S SPEECH.

i • ______ • } j DAWNING OF NEW ERA.

h LEAGUE OF- NATIONS AND THE f SCOURGE' OF WAR.

R _ IMPORTANT SOCIAL REFORMS.

•.';.., ... ; __ . V^. ■■■■■*-• DIFFICULT IRISH PROBLEM. .•

lAustraliau and N.Z., Cable Association.! (Reuter's Telegram.) %r LONDON, Feb.Vll. ■ They; King's Speech »' at fthe opening o Parliament, after* pointing out .yip'w . thj struggle of German^ tyranny with Euro pean^freedom had ended- in the v defeal of Germany, stated that a new era hat dawned. His Majesty then said : "In ordei to reap the full fruits of victory am to safeguard the peace of the world an adequate army must be maintainec m the fields and proposals, to that end will be submitted." Referring to the Allied' Conference m Paris, His Majesty emphasised tin cordiality, goodwill, and absence oi disagreemnt marking the discussions. He trusted that preliminaries would soon be signed. He rejoiced that the Conference had' accepted the principle ol the League of Nations, for progress m that direction alone would save mankind from the scourge of war. Alluding to President,.^ Wilson's visit ito England, His Majesty.:, said., that the. enthusiastic welcome ! .was an earnest, of the increasing understanding with,, which he trusted the United. States and' Britain, would act together further. , - /Tor the last few months the Imperial War Cabinet has been m continuous Session." he said, "and my counsels ill regard to- the war and external affairs have been strengthened and enlightened by the presence of the leading Ministers? of. tiny 'self-governing- dominions and my Indian Empire. The inspiring sacrifices and invaluable •■ service rendered by the peoples' -of., the Dominions and Jndia during the war' have won for. them an important place m the councils of-, the world, and it has been a.. -source of i satisfaction to me that their titles to representation have 'been fully recognised by the Paris Conference. I trust the report? ■of the committees ; inquiring into matters connected" with Indian constitutionals reform - will be redeived m time •to enable- the Bill on the subjectjto be presented m. the course of the session. '•■ ;;; - 1 - ■-. • "The position m Ireland Causes me grave anxiety," continued His Majesty, ''but I earnestly hope that the condi- 1 tions will soon sufficiently improve to make possible a durable settlement, but this is a difficult problem." His Majesty said that the House of Commons would be asked to make further financial provision to meet the war charges and for reconstruction. - "Before the war, poverty, unemployment and inadequate housing were many remediable ills existing, m our land," said His Majesty. 'These ,were aggr.a? yated by, disunion, bin},, since the ..outbreak of the war every party-and every class has worked; together" and fought together for the great \ ideal. "• In pur suit of this common, aim they have, shown a spirit of unity,. and sfelf-sacrifice •which exalted 1 the nation, and .enabled it to play a full part m winning victory. The ravages and wastage of the war are not yet,^ however, repaired. If we are to repair them we must continue to manifest the same spirit. We must stop at no , sacrifice ;to sta,m,p out unmerited poyerty, unemployment, and to. mitigate sufferings! , W,e must provide deceit homes and improve the nations health,,, and, raise the standard' of the well-being , throughout the community. We shall not achieve this by undue tenderness towards acknowledged'abuses. We shall succeed only by patient and untiring resolution m carrying through the legislative and administrative action- which is required. That resolute- action I now ask you to support. "A large number of measures affecting the economic and social well-being of the nation await- your consideration', and* it is of the utmost importance thai their provisions should be examined', and, if- possible, agreed upon and- carried into effect -with all expedition. With > this Object the Government will invite consideration of the House of Commons |to certain proposals fof the simplification of the procedure of the House which it is hoped will enable delays to be avoided and give members an increasing opportunity of taking ah effective part m the work of legislation." His Majesty then announced Bills for the creation of a. Ministry, for Health and a Ministry for Ways and Communications, also measures for effecting a speedy large increase m .housing accommodation, for the fulfilment of the pledge given to the Trades Unions m preventing, unfair competition by the sale of imported goods below their sterling price m the country, of their origin, and for an inoreasing industrial and agriaultuiar output without' which con-' siderable permanent betterment of the national; condition cannot be effected. Proposals were also made for ex-ser-vice men, m providing men with the necessary agricultural training and enabling them to stock and equip itheir holdings, for reclamation of land, and' for the promotion of a most comprehensive scheme of afforestation. ■Addresing...bot,h (Houses, His, Majesty said: "The aspirations f Or better social order which have been quiokcued m the hearts of my people by the, experience .of wai? must be encouraged ;by prompt cooperative action."