IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2429, 18 February 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE KING’S SPEECH. United Press Association, Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 16. His Majesty the King attended and opened Parliament in State. T V—-_ The Speech from the Throne an- - nounccd that owing to the adoption of pensions and the increase of the navy, there may be an excess of expenditure during the coming year. This would occupy serious attention and allow less time than usual for legislative .measures. The Bills promised included the Irish Lands, Welsh Disestablishment and Disendowment Bills, brought over from last year; measures for r- providing better organisation of the labor market by co-ordinate exchanges ; regulating the milk supply and. hours of work in shops; the prevention of sweating; a law dealing with inebriates; and an Old Age Pensions Act Amendment Bill.

(’Received Feb. 17, 10. C p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 17. T The King’s speech opines that his cordial welcome at Berlin . tends to strengthen the amicable feelings essential to mutual welfare and peace. Foreign relations were in a friendly condition. He trusted that the arbitration on the American fisheries dispute would effect .a final friendly settlement of the dispute. Arbitration agreements had been renewed for jpsh years with France, Italy, and k ,Spain. He was happy to see the improved prospects of a solution of the Balkans difficulty, and hoped that a settlement would be arrived at satisfactory to all parties. Persia caused some anxiety. Though there was no desire to intervene, the situation imperatively demanded representative institutions in a practical form. The present- troubles endangered the numerous commercial interests of .Britain and Russia, and the two Governments -® 7 > were exchanging views. His Majesty made kindly reference to British sympathy with and assistance to a. friendly nation in connection with the Messina catastrophe. Parliament would have an opportunity to discuss the results of the conference sitting at London on international maritime law, which might enable the Government to ratify the Prize- Court Convention. The Speech expressed deep satisfaction . with the measures designed to improve administration. His Majesty desired that .steps should be taken togive effect to the Royal Speech, of Novmeber last, to the people of India, protect the interests and advance the welfare of all races. The South African Convention marked the first stage of consolidation. The ceremony of opening Parliament was a noble pageant. The Queen, wearing the Cullinan diamond. and the Prince- and Princess of Wales, were present. The King "started liis speech in good voice, but tired -before the end. He goes to Brighton on Friday to rid himself of 6 traces of his cold.

THE ADDRESSES IN REPLY. OPPOSITION CRITICISM. * Earl Liverpool moved, and Baron x Hemphill seconded, the Address-in-Re-ply in the House of Lords. Lord Lansdowne, referring to Persia, said that representative Government was not a panacea for all eastern countries. The- Government’s proposal was equivalent to putting very old wine into very new bottles. He was surprised that the Speech had contained no reference to Ireland, where a scandalous reign of terror y prevailed. He referred to the revelations regarding old ago pensions in Ireland, and twitted the Government with omitting references to the campaign against the House of Lords. Lord Crewe said that the Government was not using the Crimes Act because it was a rotten weapon. The position was largely due to the Land Act, the unfortunate fruit of an otherwise noble tree. Mr. F. E. Rogers and Mr. W. W. Benny moved and seconded the Adv ’ drcss-in-Reply in the House of Commons. Mr. A. J. Balfour said that he had some misgivings as to the Government’s .intention regarding Persia. Referring to the question of unemployment, he warned the Government that no plan not attempting an increased demand for s'killed labor would have a good effect. It was necessary to increase the confidence ol the investing public. The Government, by rash speech and action, had driven capital abroad. Tire folly of rejecting every method by which bargains could be effected with other nations and preference obtained for our colonies was obvious to everyone not hidebound iii formulae inherited from ancient writers. Mr Balfour incensed the Nationalists and provoked hot interruption by adducing statistics showing a great increase of agrarian crime in Ireland. He called on Mr. Birrell to put in force the Crimes Act of 1887.