THE KING’S SPEECH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170140, 17 February 1921, Page 7

THE KING’S SPEECH.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT OPENI3D. EMPIRE POLICW PRO BLEMS. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, Fob. 15. ’i’lio King’s speech at the opening of .Parliament earnestly hoped that the Allies’ Conferences in London would result in further progress, giving effect to tho treaties of Peace re-establishing concord in Europe and restoring tranquility in the Near East. His Majesty also hoped that the negotiations for a trade agreement with Russia would be successful. He was glad arrangements had been made to renew personal consultation with Ministers from overseas, collaboration.:- which produced such good results 'during tho last two years of war and Airing the peace settlement. He wus confident tho discussions would be of the utmost value in bringing about co-ordination of both the external and internal policy of tho Empire. Tile Estimates _ would reflect, the Government’s determination to reduce expenditure to the lowest level consistent with the Empire’s wellbeing. It was imperative that the nation's burden should be reduced to the utmost extant in the interests of the early revival of trade and industry. The King added: “Arrangements for bringing into force the Government of Ireland Act are now well advanced. I oarneitly trust the majority of the people will show determination to repudiate violence and work under the Act.”

The most pressing problem confronting Parliament was the unemployment consequent? an the world war and the restriction of trade. This might be alleviated, but could not be cured by legislation. A Bill would be introduced extending the provisions for unemployed under employment insurance, and another would deal with safeguarding esssential key industries against certain aspects of unfair and abnormal industrial competition. It was proposed to follow the removal of control of Home prices of coal by the complete restoration of the coal industry to the normal conditions of freedom. Tho King’s speech foreshadowed a Bill to deal with the liquor traffic in tlie light of the experience gained l during the war. It is hoped to submit proposals for the reform of the House of Lords this -session, and for tho reorganisation of tho railways. Denso crowds lined the royal route to Parliament. They showed that they still loved the picturesque pre-war_ ceremonial, which lias been revived in its entirety except that bays were substituted for cream Hanoverian ponies in the King’s state coach. Tlio Life Guards and other bands wore the elaborate pre-war uniforms, while the Guards in scarlet and bearskins lined the route.

The Spanish, French, Japanese and Italian Ambassadors journeyed in State coaches. Tlio King. Prince of Wales and Duke of York were everywhere heartily acclaimed. His Majesty was attired in a field marshal’s uniform. Tlie Prince of Wales for tlie first time in public wore the Welsh Guards’ full dross, with bearskin. Through the King’s forethought crippled soldiers and orphans occupied the reserve outside Buckingham Palace, and invalided troops were similarly accommodated in other points. THE SFEECH DISCUSSED. LONDON, Feb. 15. Mr Cl.ynes, on behalf of the Labour Party, lodged an amendment to the Address, regretting that the King’s Speech did not recognise the right of genuine unemployed to work for adequate maintenance. Following the mover and seconder of the Address, Mr Asquith expressed satisfaction that the legislation foreshadowed covered a comparatively small area compared with the speeches in recent years. Ho _ welcomed tlie meeting of’Allied Premiers and representatives of Germany and Turkey in London, and desired to know the scope and purpose of tlie Conference. Continuing liig speech, Mr Thomas said that after Mrs King was shot the police came to the station and said that if the woman died fifteen railwaymen would be shot. Four railwaymen captured were marched to the .barracks where they were beaten with Lists nnd revolvers and told to carry the body of the woman from a military motor to a cell. When they were released next morning the railwaymen were told to run. Three out of Hie four were shot dead. (Cries of "Shame.”) In the House of Commons Air Lloyd George said that the facts Mr Tlionias had placed before tlio House would be carefully looked into, “but,” he remarked. “ive are not going to submit to threats of strike.” (Loud Coalition cheers). Mr Asquith, referring to the reform of the House of Lords, said that a more modest aspiration, couched in more difficult terms, and suffused with a more pronounced- tinge of ultimate mistrust, was noyer put into tho mouth of a sovereign since the King’s speeches had become a recognised Parliamentary institution. Alluding to the decision not to publish tho Strickland report on the Cork fires, lio said that the only way to vindicate England’s name was to hold a free, impartial, independent, inquiry. Lord Robert Cecil, who sat on tlio front Opposition bench interjected: “And in public.” HOUSE OF LORDS’ VIEW. LONDON, Feb. 15. By a majority of 61, tho Houso of Lords agreod to the address. Lord Curzon reply to tho debate, paid a tribute to General Smuts, who was a patriot statesman. His triumph was not only a victory for South Africa, but for the Empire, as the whole condition of Europe was now brighter and more full of hopo than it was a year ago. Referring to the Strickland report. Lord Curzon said the Government had como to the conclusion that one company of auxilary police was guilty of grave acts of indiscipline, but the main body of auxilarios helped to put out the fires. There was a grave difficulty in identifying individuals, hut the commander of” the company had been suspended, and seven men dismissed, and the company had been broken up.