KING SPEAKS AT WESTMINSTER

Southland Times, Issue 23342, 28 October 1937, Page 5

KING SPEAKS AT WESTMINSTER

First Parliament Of Reign

BRILLIANT SCENE AT HOUSE OF LORDS

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, October 26. On a beautifully sunny morning 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 multitude on the way 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 picturesque costume marched beside the coach and three mounted equerries were also in attendance, with a Sovereign’s Escort of the Househola Cavalry. Five semi-State landaus accompanied the Royal coach, carrying ladies and gentlemen of the Royal Household. The time-honoured pageantry was observed on arrival at the House of Lords. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) was unable to be present because of an attack of gout, 'and his place in the House of Commons was taken by Sir John Simon, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The House of Lords presented a brilliant spectacle, with peeresses in fur coats over evening dresses and glittering tiaras. Princess Elizabeth was the first to make obeisance to his Majesty. Princess Margaret Rose accompanied the Princess Elizabeth. Both were without hats and were attired in rose pink coats. The King read the Speech from the Throne slowly and without hesitation, with only one or two pauses. ROYAL INVITATIONS “Our relations with foreign Powers continue friendly,” said his Majesty. “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 restoration of peace among the Spanish people. They believe that the strict application of non-intervention would materially contribute to this end. The position in the Far East will continue to engage the earnest attention of the Government, which will persist in its policy of attempting, in co-operation with its other governments whether members of the League of Nations or not, to mitigate the suffering caused by the conflict and to bring it to a conclusion. I am looking forward to the time when it will be possible to visit my Indian Empire.” His Majesty noted that the expansion of the defence forces was progressing rapidly and rejoiced to know that the outlook in trade and industry remained favourable. “The Government,” he said, “will continue to encourage industrial activity at home and to develop overseas trade.”

The speech foreshadowed legislation dealing with protection against air raids, coal royalties, the distribution of electricity, milk and fish, earlier pensions for the blind, the. study of the population problem, the appointment of more divorce judges, slum clearance, rural housing, and a variety of other matters.