POLITICS AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1922, Page 5

POLITICS AT HOME.

THE KING’S SPEECH. THE IRISH AGREEMENT. PROBLEMS AT HOME. NEAR EAST AFFAIRS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. ■London, Nov. 23. The King, accompanied by the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of York, opened Parliament. His progress through the streets was cheered by large crowds. Special accommodation was provided for a party of Dominion school teachers. The speech referred to the constitution of the Irish Free State, the Agreement Act, and to the fact that under the terme of that Act it was required that the constitution should come into force on December 6. “I have summoned you to meet in order that the legislation necessary to give effect to that constitution and to make provision for the consequential establishment of the Irish Free State may at once be submitted for your approval. “Trade and unemployment continue to cause deep concern. The ameliorative measures prepared by the late Government are being examined afresh and you will be asked to make provision for their continuance and extension, and to guarantee a loan in accordance with the League of Nations scheme for the restoring of Austria. Negotiations for the settlement of the difficulties in the Near East are proceeding. It is my hope that the efforts of my Ministers, acting in wholehearted co-operation with representatives of our Allies, may result in the re-establishment of peace and the restoration of security for the inhabitants of the regions which lately have been the scene of so much suffering. - * There was a note of earnestness evident in the King’s voice when referring to the concern he felt over unemploy-

ment. The scarlet robes of an unusually large assembly of peers, the blaze of jewels worn by the peeresses, and the varied ambassadors’ uniforms combined to create a brilliant pageant. The judges, wigged and gowned, occupied the cross-benches, and the diplomatic representatives, including Sir Joseph Cook and Sir James Allen, those on the right of the throne, usually reserved for bishops. The Prince of Wales stood on the right of the throne and the Duke of York sat at the head of the Ducal bench. Lord Novar was a conspicuous figure among the viscounts. Messrs. Lloyd George and Asquith were notable absentees. Mr. Bonar Law, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, and Sir John Simon headed the procession of members of the House of Commons to the House of Lords.