THE CEREMONY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19504, 4 February 1926, Page 7

THE CEREMONY

THEIR MAJESTIES CHEERED SPEECH FROM THE THRONE A ti LONDON, Feb. 2. d Despite a leaden sky, brightened by E fitful sunshine, crowds lined the route tl from Buckingham. Palace to Westminster and cheered Their Majesties on a the occasion of tho opening of Parlia- v ment. The King's Speech, referring to the visit of tho Ambassador at Constantinople to Angora with a view to definitely settling the Turco-Iraq frontier question, says that tho Government cordially reciprocates the desire of the Turkish Government for the promotion of friendly Turco-British relations. The Anglo-Iraq treaty will be submitted for approval without deI The British Minister will attend the preparatory committee on disarmament at Geneva, which is a substantial step forward in the right direction. Reduction of armaments should now be * possible as the result of the system of c security created by the Trciaty of 5 Locarno. Italy’s War Debt t .His Majesty rejoices that a friendly s settlement has been reached on the dif- £ ficult question of Italy’s war debt. Invitations are being issued to the ] Governments of Belgium, France, Germany and Italy to lattend a conference at London to consider the possibility . of securing an effective international ( agreement regulating the hours of labour. ( Ministers earnestly consider that. • there is an increasing need for national . economy and proposals for reducing the public expenditure are being for- } mulated. Proposals will be submitted j authorising guarantee loans for the de- * velopment of British dependencies in East Africa and the mandated terntoriea. To Promote Prosperity The improvement in trade at the end of 1924 was unfortunately checked early last year by the wide-spread depression in cobl mining. Signs of a revival have reappeared since the autumn, but the growth of confidence is being arrested by fear of industrial strife. The result of the inquiry by the Coal Commission will shortly be submitted. “ I am well aware of the difficulties inherent tn the whole stuation, but the interests of the nation aro paramount. I •appeal to a I parties to face the future in the spint of conciliation ahd fellowship, and to avoid action which will again postpone the return of good trade prosperity, for which we have so long hoped. Industry and Agriculture. A Bill to give effect to the Government’s proposals for the re-organisa- ' tion of the electrical industry will be ’ shortly introduced. The question of the provision of bet- ’ ter credit facilities for agriculture I is receiving special attention. A Bill will bo presented to enable County ' Councils to extend the provision to small holdings. A measure will be ' submitted to provide a suitable basis 3 for marking imported goods, so that they may be distinguished from the products of this country and Empire goods distinguished from those of foreign origin. Housing conditions in England and Wales are still the occasion for deep concern. Mnisters are examining proposals for the improvement of those conditions. Bills will be submitted, if time and opportunity permit, dealing 3 with national health insurance, uncmplovment insurance, rating, railways control, road vehicles, finance, of the Poor Law, the London position land the o powers of Boards of Guardians rating, n and valuation and machinery in Scotland. 3 - THROUGH LABOUR EYES - r- KING’S SPEECH DISAPPOINTING. it .0 ECONOMY AND MILITARISM IN--0 COMPATIBLE <1 LONDON, Feb. 2. Mr J. R. Clynes, in tho absence of Mr Ramsav MacDonald, said that the King’s Speech would disappoint the country. Its only value lay in minor items. , ... Economy was impossible with any E retention of the military spirit. From 1922 to 1926 wc had spent £452,0G0,0<M) on armaments, or three times more than on education. The Ministry had rt deprived more people of unemployment II ’ benefits than it had found work for ls I under its relief schemes. He hoped J that the phrase “the nation’s interests L .d .are paramount’’ did not mean (bat the ’ s minens’ interests should take second °" | place.