IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14592, 16 February 1921, Page 5

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

THE KING’S SPEECH HOPES FOR THE FUTURE. REDUCTION IN EXPENDITURE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 16, 9.20 a.m. LONDON, February 15* The King’s Speech at the opening of Parliament earnestly hoped that the Allies’ Conference in London would result in further progress, giving effect to the treaties of peace, re-establishing concord in Europe, and restoring tranquility in the Near Bast. His Majesty also hoped that the negotiations for a Iradc agreement with Russia would be successful. Ho was glad that arrangements had been made to renew personal consultation with his Ministers overseas and his colleagues, which had produced such good results in the last two years of the war and during the peace settlement. He was confident that the discussions would be of tho utmost value in bringing about coordination of both the external and Internal policies of the Empire. The Estimates, His Majesty continued, would rolled the Government's determination to reduce expenditure to the lowest level consistent with Empire well-being. It was imperative that the nation’s burden should be reduced to the utmost extent in the interests of an early revival of trade and industry. The King added: “Arrangements for bringing into force the Government of Ireland Act is now well advanced. I earnestly trust that the majority of people will show their determination to repudiate violence and work under the Act.” The most pressing problem confronting Parliament was unemployment consequent on a world-wide restriction of trade. This might he alleviated, but could not be cured by legislation. A Bill would be introduced extending the provision f3r the unemployed under the Employment Insurance scheme, and another would deal with safeguarding essential key industries against certain aspects of unfair and abnormal industrial competition. It was proposed to follow the removal of the control of the home price of coal by a complete restoration of the coal industry to its normal condition of freedom. The speech foreshadows a Bill to deal with tho liquor traffic in the light of the experience gained during the war. It was hoped to submit proposals for the reform of the Lords this session and the re-organisation of the railways. THE ROYAL PROGRESS. ALONG CROWDED STREETS. PRE-WAR CEREMONIAL REVIVED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 16,,9.25 a.m. LONDON, February 15. Dense crowds lined the Royal route to Parliament. They showed they still loved tlie picturesque pre-war ceremonial which was revided entirely except, that hays were substituted for the cream Hanoverian ponies in the King’s State coach. The Life Guards and other bands wore their elaborate pre-war uniforms, while the Guards in their scarlet and bearskins lined the route. The Spanish, French, Japanese, and Italian Ambassadors journeyed in Slate coaches.. The King, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Yqi'k were everywhere heartily acclaimed. His Majesty was attired in a Field Marshal’s uniform, and the Prince of Wales, for the first lime in public, wore the Welsh Guards’ full dress with bearskin. Through Hie King's forethought crippled soldiers and orphans occupied a reserve outside Buckingham Palace, and invalided troops were similarly accommodated at other points. A LABOUR AMENDMENT,! TO THE ADD BESS-IN-REPLY. Received February 16, 2.45 p.m. LONDON, February 15. Mr J. R. Clynes, on behalf of the Labour Party, iias lodged an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, reeretting that the King s speech did not recognise the right of the genuine unemployed to' work or adequate maintenance. Following the mover and seconder of the address, Mr Asquith expressed satisfaction that the legislation foreshadowed covered a comparatHely small area compared with speeches in recent years. He welcomed the meeting of .the Allied Premiers and the representatives of Germany and Turkey in London, and desired to know the scope and purpose of the Conference. Ruahinc Handicap.—Aslinome 1, Mnriliiku 2. Early Dawn 3. Scratched: Asterina. Won easily. Time 1.1-i-