THE OPENING CEREMONY.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13020, 8 February 1911, Page 2

THE OPENING CEREMONY.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE,

[Press Association—Copyright.]

London, Fob G. At the opening of Parliament tho King and Qutvci wore vociferously cliei-K d. 'J he weather was fine and enormous crowd?; attended. 'i he Speech from the 1 hi one rtfened to the late Jviog Edward's death; ■South African Uii-i-rm; and the Imperial Conference ; and nnnc.une.od the introduction e.f the Parliamentary Bill; paupers' pensions; and insurance against sickness, invalidity, and uncinploymoiit iv trades espa-.'.ili.v liablo thereto. His -Majesty referred to the friendly foreign relations and" said he was hopeful of tho -arrangement of a new commeieial treaty with Japan, lie referred to tho improved condition of trade unites in Persia, and alro iv the interest taken in the ecaiing Imperial Coni'crnnce. A couple of hours previous to tho House of Commons assembling, the. Labour Party, alter electing Mr Ramsay MacDc.uald cliairman. wer:> photographed iv their places in the Chamber, the Spi-aki-i- giw'ng his permission lyr tin- unusual iiirident. After a j)i otraeted meeting the Irish ' Nationalists approved of the- payment of members as a ihmner i!ie measure, but requested. th;t Ireh members should be exempt;'-.!, and tin; money devoted t:> some use!ill public purpose in Ireland. _ There was usual Royal procession wlm-i -It'll) lli);^;o of' Commons as.'.-em bled: In the House, of Lords the King made the revised Accession Declaration. 'file High Commissioners of Overseas .Dominions occupied seats on tho light of the Throne.