SESSION OPENS

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 11 December 1924, Page 6

SESSION OPENS

HOME PARLIAMENT. Per Px«"« Association—Copyright. LONDON, December 9. Beyond the presence of a large force of police and more vigilant surveillance at the entrances to Parliament, there was no untoward incident at the opening session. Scarcely a thought seemed to be given to the Egyptian plot, Whitehall and other approaches to Westminstei being densely thronged by enthusiastic spectators, who accorded an ovation to the Prince of Wales as he passed, a few 7 minutes before the Royal procession, w'hich was a most imposing array of magnificence. The Guards regiments lined the route, and detachments of Life Guards, in glittering uniforms were included in the procession. Their Majesties unceasingly acknowledged the crowd’s unbroken chorus of cheering, which culminated in a rousing welcome at the gates of the House. The scene in the House of Lords was a most brilliant spectacle of colour and jewels. Among the large assemblage cf diplomatic corps were representatives of Russia and Egypt—the only countries, the references to which in the King’s Speech, were embarrassing. Both representatives, however, sat unmoved. i The High Commissioners occupied seats in the Lords in the Great Chamberlain’s box. The King’s Speech stated that the Government proposed to proceed with the plans already made for enlarging the naval base at Singapore. He had no doubt that the happy result of the Prince of Wales’s previous visits to the Dominons would be repeated in South Africa during the spring of 1925. The Prince of Wales would visit Argentine in 192.5 in response to an invitation from the President and Government. The Imperial and Dominions’ Governments had begun to examine the Disarmament Protocol. The Government was unable to recommend consideration of the recent Anglo-Russian treaties. Normal intercourse between the two countries was possible by the strict fulfilment. cf conditions for friendly international intercourse which had been repeatedly submitted to the Soviet Government. The Government’s guiding principle would be the closest co-operation with the Dominions’ and the Indian Governments. The Government would steadfastly adhere to the encouragement of Empire settlement. Mutual trade proposals would be submitted, granting further preference to Empire imports. A Bill would be introduced safeguarding industries. Provision would be made for the alleviation of unemployment, and the relief of the housing shortage by the encouragement of new methods. Ministers were inquiring into the possibility of improving old age pensions and pensioning widowed mothers. Measures would be submitted to encourage the sugar beet industry, and to provide for the marking of imported foodstuffs, and to carry out the recommendations a Committee would be appointed on preservatives and the colouring of food. The outstanding feature of the Speech, which was unusually long, was the frequency of reference to Dominion affairs, substantiating Mr Baldwin s platform pledges to make Empire development of first rank consideration. . The Speech declared: It is the firm conviction of my Government that m closest co-operation with the Governments of the Dominions and India ill matters of mutual concern lies, namely both industrial progress and the increasing unity and strength of Empire. This will be the guiding principle of its administration. The policy of encouraging Empire settlement and mutual trade within the Empire is one which my advisers deem cf greatest importance, and to which thex will steadfastly adhere.” In the Hopse of Commons, Mr Baldwin stated that the Government had not yet decided the length of tnue over which the Singapore works, would be spread. He was communicating with the Dominions in regard to the question of contributions. Colonel Amery gave notice of the introduction of a Bill carrying out the Economic Conference proposals. The mover of the Address-in-Reply was Mr R. G. Ellis (Conservative), and the seconder Lord Balneil. Both emphasised the importance of improving inter-imperial trade. Mr Macdonald said the first product of the Government was a King’s Speech of extraordinary length ' and very little substance. The Government had no policy in regard to food prices and agriculture. He asked how the Government was going to submit the case of the Geneva Protocol to the Dominions. Was there going to be a special Dominions Conference, and if so, would an international conference on armaments be postponed ? Mr Macdonald urged that no time ought to be lost in coming to an agreement with Egypt in regard to future AngloEgyptian relations. Any arrangement must be assented to by the Egyptian Parliament. He asked if Mr Baldwin was going to run Imperial preferencs without a tax on food. “Were we going to have tinned salmon again.” (L-mghter.) Mr Baldwin, replying tn the criticisms of Mr Macdonald and Mr Lloyd George, said the Government would hm-e been foolish to nish the acceptance of the Geneva Protocol, without the fullest investigation in conjunction with the Dominions. After his reference to Singapore, Mr Baldwin said as regards protection, he adhered to his previous statement, that while he would employ the Safeguarding of Industries Act to safeguard efficient industries in which a great amount of unemployment was due to unfair competition, he would not introduce protection during this Parliament, nor use the Safeguarding of Industries Act, as means to introduce it. The debate proceeded along general lines, and was adjourned till tomorrow. The House of Lords ag:-eed to the Address-in-Reply. The most interesting points in yesterday’s debate n the House of Com-

mons were the Singapore and Allied debts to Britain. When the Speaker read the King s Speech, at the reference to public economy, he was greeted by Labour cries: “Singapore.” Mr Lloyd George emphasised the fact that the British taxpayers were paying £130,000,000 annually on account of Allied debts, and he asked whether Britain would continue to pay the United States while our Allies made no offer. Mr Baldwin in his reply, promised that the question of Debts would be debated next week, and Mr Churchill would state the Government’s position. Mr Lloyd George also expressed regret that the Government had rushed to a decision regarding Singapore. It would have been better to have arranged for consultation with the Dominions to see if some agreement on the subject of contributions by the Dominions could be reached. Mr Baldwin promsed that there would be an opportunity for discussion on Singapore before the House rose. Mr Lloyd George asked whether there had been communications with the Dominions on this important subject. Mr Baldwin: “We have begun already. The question has been raised. We have not yet come to a decision regarding the length of time over which the work will be spread, nor any arrangement regarding contributions to be given by Britain or the Dominions immediately concerned.” Mr Baldwin also stated that a Royal Commission on food would present an interim report upon meat and bread. The “Daily Telegraph” states that the sum the House of Commons will be asked to vote as the first instalment for Singapore will not be large, possibly about £70,000. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: “There are three important aspects of Singapore base, which are not generally borne in mind. The first is that the Washington agreement only runs for ten years. TJiere is at present no guarantee of its extension, and if it is not extended, communications with the Dominions would be entirely without defence by a modern battle fleet, failing suitable harbour and docking accommodation; secondly, a fleet based on Singapore could cover not only Australia ami New Zealand, but the eastern approaches to India. The correspondent adds that naval opinion in Holland and the Dutch East Indies is closely following the scheme, and welcomes the idea of a big naval base at Singapore. An informal AngloDutch naval entente in the Far East may be realised in the not distant future.