AFFAIRS OF EMPIRE

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 85, 8 February 1928, Page 6

AFFAIRS OF EMPIRE

THE KING’S SPEECH, « ‘ ' , OPENING OP PARLIAMENT. 3*ressi Association—Copyright, Australian find N..Z Cable Assn. (Received 11|30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 7. The customary enthusiasm greeted the procession of the King from the' Palace to "the House of Lords. The Quean watched the departure frpm a window. The Kink in a speech at the opening ,pf Parliament said Britain’s reIjitipns with foreign- Powers cop-, tinue friendly. “It is the constant effort of my

Government in cp-ope,ration with the League of Nations, to secure a settlement of intei’hational differences and promote the cause of peace. I have invited the 'King Of Afghanistan to visit mq in March, and I look forward ,to welcoming His Majesty. It will be ,a particular pleasure toreceive him on bis first, visit to , Europe. ... .. .[CHINESE SITUATION. The position in China '’ has so far s Improived as- to permit of reductions in the Naval ~and Military forces sent to protect my British and Indian subjects and concessions, but internal disturbances and civil wars, and. ■ the Qons.ectu.ent ,insecurity ;of life and property both ‘Chinese and foreign, . still pause anxiety. 'Despite these .discouraging circumstances my Government will ahere to the declarations of policy of a year ago, as a basis ,on which it i s prepared to meet Chinese Uspirationg when the Chinese can assure . satisfactory , protecetion of. British lives - and pro..perty. ’■ ’ ■ ■■ ' ' 1

. T&e United States Government on December 29, to the Ambassador r at Washington as a basis of negotiations, th e dVaft of the •*hsp jTr.eaty' of 'Arbitration to replace the Treaty .of Arbitration of 1908. .The draft is being carefully and sympathetically studied by my Government and will be considred in ..Oomrapnications -with my Governments of the Dominions; ‘ • INDUSTRIES. . Although the condiitons of some of the principal Industries continue to -cause seriou s anxiety, 1 am glad to observe many encouraging signs of progressive v improvement, ■ both in home and external trade, justifying the hope that with co-operation and goodwill .steady progress will be made during the coming year; My Ministers are now enquiring into the possibility of relieving industry and agriculture from burdens of local rates and charges in local government thereby' involved. Pro-, posals willltbe submitted amending Parliamentary and local government .franchise. Pleasures will be presented- relative to National Health insufaurance r and Increasing credit facilities for agriculturalists. . *• *-*Tu ■* > '‘-if-.' ** 1